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Some of my most interesting conversations about music happen OUTSIDE of voice lessons. Just a few days ago, I went to a doctor for a routine check-up and we started a discussion about musicals. He admitted he didn't really get the 'hype' surrounding Hamilton. I told him that was completely ok! There are plenty of musicals out there for a variety of tastes and I gave him some other options to look at since he enjoyed good singing but didn't care for the hip-hop in Hamilton.
Folks, there is a LOT of music out there and it is completely okay to not like Hamilton. Or Sondheim musicals (Sondheim is considered the greatest musical composer of the 20th century). Or musicals with lots of dancing. If you like good singing, I can find you a musical you will enjoy as the genre of musical theater encompasses a wide range of styles. The same principle applies to classical music. Folks, it's okay to not like Mozart. He might have been a genius, but his style of composition was suited for his time and may not be your cup of tea. But I guarantee you I can find classical music that appeals to all my students because there are SO MANY different composers with widely different styles. Another faux-pas that is no big deal - not being able to read music. That is OKAY! First, reading music is a skill just like anything else in life, and you can learn the basics quite quickly. But not being able to read music does not, I repeat, DOES NOT, make you a bad musician or unable to take lessons. Some of the best singers and students I've worked with had little to no ability to read music. Does the ability to read music make your life a lot easier as a musician. No doubt! But please don't let the skill of reading music prevent you from enjoying music or starting voice lessons. I didn't get a chance to take pics of the Clear Falls musical "Guys and Dolls" in their costumes, so here they are before their voice lessons! Jackson C as Angie the Ox, Gage P as Skye Masterson (who apparently hasn't gotten out of the role yet!) and Charles M as Lieutenant Brannigan. Over the past weekend, I've heard several of my theater students perform in difficult musicals. Teaching a "non-singer" how to sing might be one of the most gratifying aspects of my job.
As an example, I am going to lay out the vocal training of "Ryan" (not his real name). When he began voice lessons, it was out of desperation - he wanted a large role in a musical but was informed by his teachers that he could not maintain pitch and lacked a decent vocal range. His range WAS in fact limited - barely more than octave. His tone was scratchy and very pressed. Even worse, he could not stay in tune with a karaoke or accompaniment track. He needed serious help. Over the course of the year and a half, we did numerous exercises, songs, listening exercises....you name it, we did it. His hard work paid off. His range now spans two octaves, he sings on pitch with background tracks, and has several leading roles on his musical resume. He just applied for musical theater programs across the country and is getting excellent feedback (he will receive acceptance letters shortly). Taking a person who has no vocal training, an initially limited vocal range and ability, and turning them into a high-quality singer is a wonderful experience for both me and the student. I promise that anyone can truly learn how to sing well with the right instruction and work ethic. I saw two musicals this weekend - Clear Springs' production of Matilda and Clear Creek's production of Beauty and the Beast. Both shows included voice students in leading and supporting roles, as listed below. The amount of work these kids put into these shows is incredible and it shows with the final product. Beauty and the Beast Beast - Grayson Cogsworth - Alan Madame de la Bouche - Chloe Candlesticks - My Sons, Jackson and Grayson! Matilda Mr. Wormwood - Kylan Escapologist/Doctor - Blake Miss Honey - Lia (not pictured) Nigel - Madi Eric - Cassidy  Meet Isis, graduating soprano from TCHS! While I met Isis at Clear Falls HS, I finally got to work with her when she transferred schools. She is an amazing woman who will attend San Jac and become a nurse! #texascityhighschool #clearfallshighschool #voicelessons #singinglessons #seniorpictures #seniorprofile  Meet Elise, graduating senior from Clear Falls HS! A long-time student, she has overcome tremendous adversity and is an incredible young woman and alto. She will attend the University of North Texas in the fall and plans on majoring in biology and music!  Meet Sammy, one of my graduating baritones of 2021! He's taken voice lessons for SIX years! It's been a privilege to see him mature into a brilliant young man. He plans on majoring in Geology and will attend College of the Mainland.  Meet Justin, one of my graduating tenors of 2021. He will be attending Loyola University in New Orleans next fall. He was awarded a VERY significant music scholarship and plans on a career in opera. I've taught many fine young tenors over the years and he is one of the best. I'm so proud of his hard work and ambition. YouTube, along with all of social media, is an amazing platform that with proper caution can give you a LOT of good information. I can't tell you how many times I've used YouTube to search for how to make a simple home repair.
And yet, YouTube hasn't replaced plumbers and electricians. No one in their right mind would try to do rewire their whole house via YouTube videos. Online videos are GREAT for easy, short-term projects, but it is best to leave the complicated, multi-step projects to professionals. The same goes for voice lessons. You can find lots of great vocal exercises and tips online, IF you know what to look for, on social media. In fact, I regularly share videos with my students to demonstrate certain vocal tones and habits that I want them to pick up. But I would never say you can learn to sing from YouTube, and here's why: 1) You can't hear yourself in the moment. Even if you find the exact exercise that you need, it is almost impossible to accurately judge if your own vocal production is improving. 2) You don't know if the Youtube video is a credible source. A person who doesn't have a music degree, let alone teaching experience, should not be giving out vocal advice. 3) Building a voice is a multi-step project. One vocal exercise leads to another, which leads to another, and so forth. You need a experienced teacher to help guide your development with the correct exercises at the correct time. While watching the movie, "Soul," it reminded me a little of how I became a voice teacher. In the movie, Joe, the protagonist, discovers that his barber's original goal in life was to be a veterinarian. Joe is shocked because he was convinced that someone as gifted as a barber must have been born to become one. Nope, says the barber. He couldn't afford veterinarian school and it was much easier to pay for his barber's license. He loves being a barber because of all the interesting characters he meets during the day and loves making their day a little bit better.
I didn't pan on this path. When I started college, I didn't even intend on making music a career! I was a political science and economics double major and I thought I would have a career in finance or government. I only decided on music when the local opera teacher asked me to audition for the show. I did and fell in love with performing. But teaching? I had no inclining that teaching music would be my career. When I entered grad school, I needed some way to pay the bills while I got my performing career off the ground. I reached out to a local choir director who attended my alma mater and he gave me a voice teacher position with his choir. And I LOVED IT! And what was odd, at least to me in the moment, was that I found teaching far more relaxing, interesting, and enjoyable than performing, even though I thought performing was my passion. The more professional I became as a performer, the less I enjoyed it. It became a 'job.' And voice lessons, while certainly requiring work, felt so EASY. I met great people and enjoyed working with them. So I took another fork in the road. After my first year of grad school, I decided to focus on building my voice studio to see if I could be a full-time voice teacher by the time I graduated with my masters' degree. And sure enough, I quickly was teaching twenty hours a week while in grad school. I hit the ground running and never looked back. I think my story is important for all my younger students. I am a big planner, and I advocate all my students to think ahead and make plans for the future. But it's important to also leave room for improvisation. You never know what door or window might open to a better life IF you give yourself the permission to follow it. DWS |
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