What styles of singing do you teach?
I teach mostly musical theatre legit and belt, classical bel canto recital and opera. I prepare high school age students for NH Classical All-State and Jazz All-State auditions, which includes imrpvisation and singing the 12-bar blues. I also work with singers who want to perform pop and rock solos. 

How does technique relate to style?
The technique that I teach focuses on learning to use the voice in a healthy way, regardless of what style you choose to sing.  By learning how the voice is designed to work, as well as how to strengthen your voice and keep it flexible throughout the entire range, the singer is equipped to know how to sing intelligently in any style. 

What happens during a singing lesson?
We begin with learning good breathing technique, since this is the basis for good tone production.  Next, we learn how to initiate a good tone. These foundational basics are immediately applied to warm-up exercises, and songs.  Within the first few lessons, the different vocal registers are discussed and explored ~ you will begin to feel where the registers are and how to use and connect them.  Over time, as your musculature develops and you begin to apply the things you’re learning, elements such as vowel production and diction are introduced, along with how to bring out the emotional content in a song and develop a character through the words and musical motifs.

Can singing lessons help me increase my range?
Learning how to control the breath flow, and how to navigate the different vocal registers will, in almost every case, help to increase your range.  However, even if you have a small range, you can be a successful singer ~ soul-filled jazz singer Billie Holiday used a range of only about an octave and a half, and was very well-known and well-loved for her unique vocal style and flair.

How long will I need to take lessons?
This is something we can discuss, as it depends entirely on your goals and level of experience.  Most students who enjoy singing take lessons indefinitely; while others who may have more experience will come in for occasional coaching.

If you are a beginner, in order to see progress, you should consider taking for at least 6 months, since you are developing new ways of using your muscles.  Just like an average person cannot go from lifting 5-lb. weights to 50-lb. weights in a few weeks, neither can one develop the skills and musculature necessary to tackle singing the lead solo from Elton John’s rock musical Aida in only a few lessons either! Beginner students need to go at their own pace when it comes to learning the body coordination necessary for singing.

Another element of progress lies in regularity of practice.  During lessons we will discuss the amount of time you should practice on an individual basis, since it is based on a number of factors. But the key, as in any worthwhile endeavor, is consistency.   Those who practice less will naturally go at a slower pace.

I've heard some teachers won't take singers under a certain age ~ how old should you be to start lessons?
It is never too early to start music lessons. With very young children (5 and under), it is best to start them with experiential socializing music programs, where they can interact with movement, drums, and toy instruments, and can play and develop social skills.

For children in the primary grades, I offer early childhood vocal and musical development sessions, where we work on body coordination, ear training, sight singing, and exploration of the voice or instrument.

From age 8 up, more focused voice lessons can begin, based on a developmental scale.  Students in the pre-teen years can benefit greatly from learning proper breathing technique and posture, as well as sight singing skills and early diction development using tongue twisters.  Learning basic vocal technique and how to use the different registers is very important at this stage, as this serves to bridge the sometimes-difficult period of physical growth when the vocal cords are lengthening and thickening during puberty.  Once a student reaches high school age, the voice has sufficiently matured to begin a more serious technical study of the voice.

The old reasoning behind not taking students before a certain age lies in the fact that incorrect or overuse of the voice at a young age can be damaging.  However, this will not happen with a teacher who knows what young voices can do at different stages of development, and does not push students into things they are not ready for.

Am I too old to start singing/music lessons?
There is no such thing as being too old to start your musical journey! Singing has been found to increase lung capacity in the elderly, and learning to play an instrument or participating in a musical group brings much joy to life!  You are never too old to start living life to the fullest!

I’m not sure I need voice lessons, or that you are the right teacher for me ~ how do I know?
The best way to find out is to give it a try ~ come on in for an initial consultation!  Even if you decide not to continue, you will have received:

• A professional assessment of your voice
• A discussion of what you need to work on to accomplish your goals
• An example of what singing lessons are like
• A good beginning introduction to what’s needed for good vocal production

What should I bring with me to my first lesson?
Prior to your first lesson, you might want to think about what your goals are, and what you would like to improve in your singing.  If you have no idea, don’t worry about it ~ we will talk about these things as we go along.  Our first lesson will be a “get started” session, so I will provide a song and exercises.  Over the next few weeks, I will ask you to bring in any music that you have, or will recommend music books for you to purchase which will best suit your voice initially and give us repertoire to work on over the weeks to come.  I have water always at the ready for my students, but you may bring a water bottle with you if you like.

The last thing I recommend is for you to bring a recording device, so you may review your lessons at home.  This is useful for remembering and practicing warm-ups, and also for learning songs.  Check out my TIPS FOR TAKING LESSONS section under Studio Organization, which has more ideas for being prepared for lessons and developing your musicianship!

For more information, or to sign up for lessons, call me at 603-437-3450 or email donnawt@comcast.net