Do Voice Lessons Really Let you Sing any Type of Music?

One of the assertions I make in voice lessons is that a good voice teacher allows you to sing any style of music in a healthy, long-term way with great tone and range.  That's a pretty big claim to make, since we typically don't think that genres like country music and opera have much in common.  Therefore, I present to you the following evidence!  It's a spectacularly fun song performed by a wonderful Broadway singer, Kelli O'Hara.

This video was sent to me by a soprano voice student who thought I would enjoy it.  What she didn't know is how great a teaching device it would serve for me.  In the video, Kelli O'Hara moves effortlessly between country, musical theater, and operatic styles.  She makes her money as a Broadway singer but because of excellent vocal training and talent, can quite literally sing any genre of music.

Vocal training, at its core, is not about teaching singers how to sing a certain song or even a musical genre.  It's about teaching singers how to use their instrument to the fullest of its ability.  Think of your voice as a guitar.  Are guitars limited to country music?  No!  They are used in rock, classical, country, heavy metal etc....guitars are wonderfully versatile instruments, and the voice is the most versatile instrument of all!

DWS