performing arts coach
Philosophy
My philosophy has developed, in part, from my introduction to vocal instruction as a teenager. My beginning technical teachers emphasized the importance of relaxing into the sound so that there was no harm done to my instrument as I grew and developed.
I have been fortunate not to have an instructor that pushed unnatural sounds that could damage my vocal cords. My theories have been assured through my twenty five years of studying and teaching about the voice. Richard Miller’s admonition ‘The first thing is not to do harm’. (The Structure of Singing), encapsulates my view on how to instruct a singer and reveals my background in The Italian School of Singing. This school of technique focuses on a relaxed production of sound, which is produced naturally. The flow of breath should work in its natural state so the sound is produced as if it were spoken.
This method can be learned through demonstrations, explanations, performing vocal exercises, studying literature, and understanding the knowledge of vocal physiology, and employing one's natural breathing process in vocal production.