My approach to teaching voice is focused on discovering and addressing the needs of individual students. Ascertaining each student’s motivations helps me to either push them towards excellence or to be a supportive presence as needed for varying personal goals with singing. Using exercises from the classical voice traditions, the objective in voice lessons is to understand anatomical forces engaged when singing, then develop a vocal practice and technique that helps to condition and develop the vocal apparatus. Daily practice is expected, a commitment to good vocal health and a willingness to remain engaged with the creative learning process.
Because developing a good vocal technique often takes years, my approach focuses on the process of singing; utilizing repertoire that is appropriate to age, voice type (or character “type” for musical theater students); and to activities involved in both expression and developing coordination in the here and now, continually exercising these elements through performance.
I understand that some students have a limited time to develop their technique before they are competing nationally and internationally, keeping in mind that the final “product” is as important as the process. Understanding the students goals from the outset is crucial to the process, and is established in the preliminary lessons. As a former artist myself, it is my personal goal that each student can respond to dramatic impulses or musical ideas in a healthful and effective way, and they will cultivate an emotional intensity that is supported by technical security in their singing. Successful students should achieve enough technical understanding to stay on their path, and ultimately become their own best teacher.
email: jkcdiva@gmail.com
In rehearsal for “Welcome to all the Pleasures,” with the Henry Purcell Society of Boston
M.M. Voice Performance, With Honors and Distinction in Performance, New England Conservatory, 1999
M.M. Opera Performance, With Distinction in Performance, New England Conservatory, 2000
Bachelor of Music Voice Performance, Outstanding Music Graduate, with Honors and Distinction in Performance, San Diego State University, 1997