my Philosophy

Singers are vocal athletes. Singing is also a profoundly emotional, mental, and spiritual experience. Freely sharing our voices with others is vulnerable and takes courage. As a result, realizing our vocal potential means not only understanding how our amazing instrument works and developing a finely-tuned awareness of our bodies, but also recognizing how our thinking, past experiences, and even the way we see ourselves as vocalists, all impact our singing. High-level performance of any kind involves a training of the mind as well as the body, and I believe in approaching singing from this holistic perspective.

  • My teaching utilizes tools from many pedagogical approaches that I have gathered, studied, and practiced for more than twenty years. It also incorporates aspects of my extensive studies in yoga, meditation, mindfulness practices, and performance psychology.

  • Teaching voice is a creative process through which we, together, discover what YOU need to become the best singer you can be.  The method that is right for you is the method (or combination of methods) that is designed through this creative approach. The most effective vocal coaches are not those with the right “method” but those who have developed the ability to listen on a very deep level, are highly empathetic, are always learning, and can set ego aside to focus exclusively on the needs of the singer.  

  • Vocal study is essential: you only have one instrument for a lifetime— learning how to protect it is your best insurance policy!

  • I believe in a balance of Technique and Artistry that looks different for every singer; in other words, I strive to protect what is unique about YOUR voice.

 

Depending on the client’s needs, my work includes, but is not limited to:

  • Healthy function of the vocal instrument for pop, rock, country, R&B, gospel, rap, hip hop, musical theater, and other Commercial genres, and beginning Classical

  • Handling Pressure

  • Reconnecting with the Joy of Singing

  • Studio Prep & Vocal Production

  • Warming Up & Cooling Down

  • Vocal Hygiene

  • Musicianship (including Theory and Ear Training) 

  • Individualized Practice Plans and Goal-setting

  • Maintaining Health and Balance On the Road

  • Artistry

  • Creativity Practices

  • Overcoming Performance Anxiety and Other Limiting Beliefs

  • Support for Returning to Singing after a Vocal Injury

  • Holistic Living and Mindfulness Practices

 

I begin every coaching relationship with a consult. If you think we’re a good fit, schedule below.

FAQS

  • My fee is $200 for an hour-long session if single sessions are purchased. My preferred way to work, however, is with packages of sessions, which provides a significant savings for the client as it drops the per-session cost to $175. Packages must be paid for in advance and the minimum commitment is 4 sessions ($700).

    The package of sessions enables us to develop a relationship, set very specific goals, and work together toward those goals with consistency. When we agree upon a number of sessions we will also agree on the time frame in which they happen. I love working this way because I can truly get to know how the individual client learns and how best to support them in the specific goals we set for the sessions. I do not offer a cookie-cutter technique or methodology that I pass on to my clients; rather, I follow the client’s lead in terms of what is desired and needed and I design our sessions accordingly. I frequently refer to the goals we set in the beginning and I take notes on our work together, which enables me to stay connected to the client's individual needs. There is no real magic in the number 4 but I have found, through years of teaching, that 4 sessions is the minimum amount of time for most people to get comfortable and make some noticeable change. Many people reach very specific goals in those 4 sessions. Others decide to continue with regular sessions, but everyone experiences growth. Certainly there are cases when a vocalist can experience dramatic change or improvement in one session; however, the impact of working together with regularity cannot be overstated. Consistent work together is where the magic happens. As the client, you will get far more “bang for your buck” when you commit to focused, consistent sessions.

  • High-level coaching is not cheap. But it is life-changing, and why would that be inexpensive? We value the things we invest in. High-level coaching is an investment in the rest of your life and your career.

    My own personal rate is a thoughtful decision based on the market and my clientele, and takes into consideration the results I get from 30 years of study & experience coaching vocalists. If you are shopping for a voice teacher, I recommend you interview several before you invest so that you can ask questions and get a sense for what it might feel like to work with each potential teacher.

    Any professional (or aspiring professional) session or touring musician, engineer, or producer will spend thousands of dollars on instruments and/or gear in order to work in their field. This is a necessity that is not questioned. Investing in your vocal instrument is a similar investment— the one significant difference being that your vocal instrument is irreplaceable.

  • Yes. I work with anyone who wants to transform their life through and with their voice: Singers and other vocalists, songwriters, and people who simply want to access and communicate their most powerful and free voice, whether that’s singing or speaking or both.