· understand and choose healthy vocal technique & vocal care practices;

· take control of their singing options to make each song uniquely their own;

· gain confidence & ease on stage to fully express themselves musically and delight their listeners;

· competently manage their music career whether as a hobby, part-time or fulltime;

· learn music theory at the level needed to achieve their specific musical goals

Lessons are available to singers at all levels of competency, from 'tone shy' singers to accomplished performers, desiring to study Contemporary Commercial Music (musical theatre, pop, blues, jazz, rock, folk, country, gospel, metal, etc).

 

Connie also loves to support kindred spirits… injured singers who have suffered vocal damage through illness, medical issues or improper singing practices. These individuals can greatly benefit from understanding why their injuries occurred, how to “undo” their unhealthy vocal habits & practices, and most importantly, how to “renew” their beautiful voices through adopting good technique and healthy habits.

 

 

VOCAL LESSONS: Vocal Technique Instruction AND Performance Coaching

 

Many teachers specialize in either Technique or Coaching. Connie believes that Technique and Coaching must go hand in hand to produce a well-rounded learning experience. The primary focus is to apply correct technique to every song, then learn how to effectively “tell the story of the song” to thrill your listeners.

 

 

Vocal Technique Instruction focuses primarily on the fundamentals of good singing, such as:

• “Set Up” (i.e. breathing, support, posture, release of excess tension)
• Healthy Vocal Care Practices for the singing and speaking voice, including basic instruction regarding the vocal mechanism & vocal fold function
• The “How To’s” of Singing (i.e. tone production, pitch training, resonance balancing, placement of sound, registers & register blend, ornamentation, vowel production, vibrato & straight tone, vocal coloring, dynamics, range extension)
• Exploration of Styles, Harmony Production, Belting & Mix for pop, rock & musical theatre

 

A solid foundation in technique and the endurance, flexibility, range & strength it creates over time is critical to good singing. A flawless performance can’t be achieved without solid technical skills beneath it. For younger students, singing songs they enjoy that are suitable for their skill level is an ideal way to teach and apply the basic elements of vocal technique. Vocal Technique instruction teaches a student how to recognize, interpret & adjust their physical sensations while singing to create optimal, healthy sound. These skills take time to develop, but give back hundred-fold, as good technique can be applied to every song or genre a singer wants to try!

 

 

Performance Coaching is provided in conjunction with technique training. It helps a student prepare and polish their songs to create a flawless performance. A key element of coaching concerns effectively relaying the ‘heart of the song’ to capture your listeners’ full attention and create an emotional connection through your music. PC also includes:

• Repertoire selection
• Arrangements, key selection, rhythms, modulations
• Phrasing, breath spots, articulation, enunciation, dynamics
• Memorization tips
• Interpretation of lyrics/the story
• Emotional expression through voice & body
• Stagecraft (i.e. where to look, gestures, stage movement, microphone technique)
• Managing anxiety

 

Students are encouraged to participate in selecting music to take ownership of their learning process, and keep interest & enthusiasm strong. Students who sing in school, perform publicly, record etc., are encouraged to bring in their school music, original or cover songs & audition selections to work on them during lessons. All ages and levels participate in regular studio concerts &/or Individual Mini-concerts to gain skill and confidence on stage.

 

 

PIANO INSTRUCTION: Beginning to Intermediate Students; Ages 8-adult

Lessons include both "playing by ear" to wow your family & friends by learning to play simple songs early on, AND learning to read music to play both classical & contemporary pieces.

 

All piano students study the following:

 

· Piano Technique

 

· Music Theory

 

· Traditional Sight-Reading a variety of styles of music (i.e. classical, pop, boogie woogie)

 

· Playing By Ear- using chords and lead sheets allowing you to play simple songs very early on!

 

· Performance Preparation for studio concerts and other public opportunities where beginning to intermediate pianists can demonstrate their talent.

 

 

INITIAL VOCAL OR PIANO ASSESSMENT:

As it is important to ensure a good match between student and teacher, the first lesson consists of an assessment of current skills and goals as a pre-requisite for enrollment as a voice or piano student. For vocalists, a CD is made, providing the vocal assessment results and basic vocal exercises customized to address the current level and needs of the student. For pianists, handouts & suggestions are given regarding how the course of study might be shaped together. If the assessment indicates the likelihood of a good fit to work together & the student desires to proceed with weekly lessons, enrollment forms are completed & a weekly slot assigned.

 

 

LESSON OPTIONS:

 

Voice and piano lessons are one hour per week (most students choose to study both), and consist of:

 

· Technique Instruction developmentally appropriate techniques designed to support the vocalist or pianist to develop their technical skills; practicing songs to incorporate technique

 

· Performance Coaching to build a repertoire for auditions, studio concerts, gigs, recording and other musical opportunities; Performance Preparation to grab your audience-heart and soul! Dramatic interpretation, basic stagecraft and how to 'sell your song/tell a great musical story’

 

· Ongoing Review of key concepts & techniques to reinforce learning & foster student ownership of their developing skills and musical choices. Feedback is vital to growth & ownership.

 

· Support & Supplementary Learning related to other aspects of music, i.e. Theory (i.e. scales, triads, intervals), Reading music, Self-Promotion (i.e. promo packs, networking, the business of music).

 

 

Upon enrollment, all students are provided with CCMS Studio Policies, Yearly Calendar detailing the lesson schedule, holidays and studio concerts & Swap Sheet to connect with other students regarding swapping lessons if a situation arises & you absolutely cannot attend your scheduled lesson.

 

 

 

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS:

 

Students are encouraged and expected to play an active role in their learning process. Expectations include:

 

· Come to lessons fully prepared (*see The 5 B’s below)

 

· Attempt to apply & integrate the concepts & techniques introduced during lessons

 

· Set up & maintain a regular home practice schedule

 

· Participate in Studio Showcases and other performance opportunities

 

 

HOW MANY LESSONS WILL I NEED?

 

You should begin to see notable improvements in your singing voice relatively quickly (within the first 4-12 weeks). The information gained in the first 3 lessons should immediately affect how you approach your singing. However, the length of time that you choose to study depends on a number of factors:

 

Natural level of ability, exposure to music & the severity of unhealthy habits…Everyone begins lessons from their own unique starting point. Some individuals have more natural talent, more family reinforcement and better technique than others. Changing old unhealthy habits is a process, and some have more unhealthy habits to reverse than others. “Undoing” old habits generally takes a minimum of 3 months before a new & healthy pattern can begin to take hold.

 

Rate of learning, dedication & practice schedule… Your dedication to your lessons will affect how quickly you develop. Some students practice daily between lessons and come to lessons well prepared with lots of questions, and they tend to progress at a very steady pace. Others take a more relaxed approach to learning, and thus develop more slowly.

 

Goals… If your desire is to feel more confident and sound better singing in church or with family and friends, you may choose to stop after a few months, once you feel more confident and have learned the basics of good technique. If your goal is to become the absolute best singer or pianist that you can possibly be, you will likely be prepared to study for many years and with several instructors. Ongoing lessons are a great investment to make in your career.

 

This list of considerations is not, by any means, exhaustive. Each student needs to examine their reasons for desiring to take lessons and evaluate their progress periodically in light of their goals.