Vocal Coaching (Zoom or in person)
Who hires a vocal coach?
Vocal coaching is different from voice lessons. Those who opt to schedule vocal coaching with me are almost always preparing for a specific performance, audition, or recording session. They might need only one session or several. Coaching sessions are used to focus on areas such as performance and performing strategies, stage presence, and stylistic and musical choices. Singers may also focus on acting within the song, mic technique, pronunciation and diction and we'll iron out any other challenges that you might be experiencing.
What do you do in a vocal coaching session?
Coaching with me first addresses is what I call the bones of the song- the rhythms, melody, and words. We play through your song, and I listen to see whether you have learned the song accurately, or perhaps it’s the case that you need to learn the song from the ground up. In my coaching I've noticed that many learn songs by listening over and over to a YouTube recording, imitating it exactly and then auditioning with that product. While that is one way to learn the notes, rhythms, and words, at the end of the day, it is only an imitation of someone else's work.
Next we focus on vocal production--working wisely with the vocal mechanism and diction in order to produce the sounds required for a professional performance. While I can provide singer's diction instruction in every language, I have often found that singing in dialects can also present a singer with real challenges to tone production. Other vocal production issues such as maneuvering smoothly between head and chest, blending the two when appropriate, and healthy belting are also addressed.
Musical interpretation is key to helping you discover your own individual artistry on the way to an excellent performance. Once we've got the notes down and have various vocal tone production strategies in place, I can help you shape a nuanced performance that is musically compelling to the audience while being authentic to your innate abilities and skills. Aspects that can shape this outcome include: inflections that are true to the character you're portraying, understanding the story being told and where the song falls on that timeline, actionable choices for movement that highlight and accentuate lyric interpretation.
What Makes Your Coaching Unique?
I continue to be energized by working with students even after over 40 years of teaching and coaching experience. When students evaluate my teaching they most often comment on my enthusiasm. It’s not a cheerleader, fake kind of “ra-ra” enthusiasm, but an inner spark that comes from a deep love of music and from being a master teacher. That spark is contagious and illuminates those I work with. Teaching music comes as naturally to me as breathing because it is my purpose in life. In short, there’s nothing I’d rather be doing!
It’s long been a part of my teaching philosophy that every student deserves to learn in an environment of consistent positive regard, motivational energy, trust, and support. We will work together not only on building skills but on building courage while minimizing fear. I’ve rehabilitated hundreds of students who were literally petrified to sing. I’ve seen all kinds of past traumas, and even experienced some myself, learning to come through those on the positive end.
A hallmark of my coaching is that all students learn a good bit about reading music. I specialize in making this area a fun and easy part of the lesson so that you’re not just singing back notes while I pound them out on the piano. We sing a lot during the hour, but we also look at the music and discover how the piece was originally composed and how it varies from any performer's recorded interpretation. It’s important to juggle accuracy and making conscious decisions when veering from the score.
Summing Up
The overall goal is to present the song in a powerful and personal way. By integrating all you learn in your coaching sessions, your interpretation of the song should reflect accuracy, ease in delivery and really reach the audience emotionally. With thorough study, any musical decision that is instinctive and "in the moment" onstage during your performance will then make sense to the listener, enhance the story, and be heard as confident and unique to you.
Vocal coaching is different from voice lessons. Those who opt to schedule vocal coaching with me are almost always preparing for a specific performance, audition, or recording session. They might need only one session or several. Coaching sessions are used to focus on areas such as performance and performing strategies, stage presence, and stylistic and musical choices. Singers may also focus on acting within the song, mic technique, pronunciation and diction and we'll iron out any other challenges that you might be experiencing.
What do you do in a vocal coaching session?
Coaching with me first addresses is what I call the bones of the song- the rhythms, melody, and words. We play through your song, and I listen to see whether you have learned the song accurately, or perhaps it’s the case that you need to learn the song from the ground up. In my coaching I've noticed that many learn songs by listening over and over to a YouTube recording, imitating it exactly and then auditioning with that product. While that is one way to learn the notes, rhythms, and words, at the end of the day, it is only an imitation of someone else's work.
Next we focus on vocal production--working wisely with the vocal mechanism and diction in order to produce the sounds required for a professional performance. While I can provide singer's diction instruction in every language, I have often found that singing in dialects can also present a singer with real challenges to tone production. Other vocal production issues such as maneuvering smoothly between head and chest, blending the two when appropriate, and healthy belting are also addressed.
Musical interpretation is key to helping you discover your own individual artistry on the way to an excellent performance. Once we've got the notes down and have various vocal tone production strategies in place, I can help you shape a nuanced performance that is musically compelling to the audience while being authentic to your innate abilities and skills. Aspects that can shape this outcome include: inflections that are true to the character you're portraying, understanding the story being told and where the song falls on that timeline, actionable choices for movement that highlight and accentuate lyric interpretation.
What Makes Your Coaching Unique?
I continue to be energized by working with students even after over 40 years of teaching and coaching experience. When students evaluate my teaching they most often comment on my enthusiasm. It’s not a cheerleader, fake kind of “ra-ra” enthusiasm, but an inner spark that comes from a deep love of music and from being a master teacher. That spark is contagious and illuminates those I work with. Teaching music comes as naturally to me as breathing because it is my purpose in life. In short, there’s nothing I’d rather be doing!
It’s long been a part of my teaching philosophy that every student deserves to learn in an environment of consistent positive regard, motivational energy, trust, and support. We will work together not only on building skills but on building courage while minimizing fear. I’ve rehabilitated hundreds of students who were literally petrified to sing. I’ve seen all kinds of past traumas, and even experienced some myself, learning to come through those on the positive end.
A hallmark of my coaching is that all students learn a good bit about reading music. I specialize in making this area a fun and easy part of the lesson so that you’re not just singing back notes while I pound them out on the piano. We sing a lot during the hour, but we also look at the music and discover how the piece was originally composed and how it varies from any performer's recorded interpretation. It’s important to juggle accuracy and making conscious decisions when veering from the score.
Summing Up
The overall goal is to present the song in a powerful and personal way. By integrating all you learn in your coaching sessions, your interpretation of the song should reflect accuracy, ease in delivery and really reach the audience emotionally. With thorough study, any musical decision that is instinctive and "in the moment" onstage during your performance will then make sense to the listener, enhance the story, and be heard as confident and unique to you.
Audition Now (Zoom or in person)
This service is essentially laser coaching on short notice. Laser coaching is a phrase I created to describe what I’ve done with musicians for years in my studio: give professional pedagogical instruction that is highly targeted, simple and easily accomplished, yet effective when there's not time for more involved strategies. You will sound better when you leave!
When a singer contacts me on short notice it might be because they have started having issues with their song maybe due to nervousness, stress, or just incomplete technique. It happens, panic can set in no matter how experienced you are! It also happens that singers are called back after their first audition and are given a song or songs to learn in a very short amount of time. An Audition Now session can really save the day. Buy an Audition Now session and receive good advice, strategies for doing well under the circumstances, tips/tricks to fix any issues you may be having, and emotional support!
I realize that sometimes it takes time to trust a singing coach, but with my regular students, my laser coaching has been called magic! You do not have to be a returning student to benefit from laser coaching- it works without us knowing each other not! Music and a shared understanding of what it means to audition is our connection. If you can follow instructions and remain focused, you can receive the benefits of laser coaching. The confidence and support you will receive often proves tremendously effective in transforming a performance.
Both virtual (FaceTime, Google Meet, Zoom, etc.) and in-person sessions are available on a first come first served basis.
When a singer contacts me on short notice it might be because they have started having issues with their song maybe due to nervousness, stress, or just incomplete technique. It happens, panic can set in no matter how experienced you are! It also happens that singers are called back after their first audition and are given a song or songs to learn in a very short amount of time. An Audition Now session can really save the day. Buy an Audition Now session and receive good advice, strategies for doing well under the circumstances, tips/tricks to fix any issues you may be having, and emotional support!
I realize that sometimes it takes time to trust a singing coach, but with my regular students, my laser coaching has been called magic! You do not have to be a returning student to benefit from laser coaching- it works without us knowing each other not! Music and a shared understanding of what it means to audition is our connection. If you can follow instructions and remain focused, you can receive the benefits of laser coaching. The confidence and support you will receive often proves tremendously effective in transforming a performance.
Both virtual (FaceTime, Google Meet, Zoom, etc.) and in-person sessions are available on a first come first served basis.
Vocal Evaluations (Written via email)
A vocal evaluation is a great option for those who may not be able to take regular singing lessons or who aren't ready for a more personal connection through vocal coaching but need objective and professional advice on their performance. Maybe you need a second opinion/ confirmation of feedback you've received elsewhere. The supporters in our lives will always sing our praises, but every singer has areas where they shine, and areas that need attention. Even celebrity artists have issues they are working on improving. Be brave, sometimes the most challenging issues are remedied by the simplest remedy.
After reviewing the singer’s recording, I create a written summary of what you're doing beautifully, skills that are demonstrated, but also areas to improve. A list of detailed suggestions for improvement is provided in the spirit of support and encouragement. There's nothing to fear. Being willing to consider an objective, trained professional assessment is key to vocal development.
The personalized, written evaluation provides you with a thorough assessment of your skills, presentations, as well as general technique and style advice. Because it’s focused on your unique skills and talents, it can be highly illuminating, stimulating, and motivational and can also lead you to deciding what steps to take next on your vocal journey.
After reviewing the singer’s recording, I create a written summary of what you're doing beautifully, skills that are demonstrated, but also areas to improve. A list of detailed suggestions for improvement is provided in the spirit of support and encouragement. There's nothing to fear. Being willing to consider an objective, trained professional assessment is key to vocal development.
The personalized, written evaluation provides you with a thorough assessment of your skills, presentations, as well as general technique and style advice. Because it’s focused on your unique skills and talents, it can be highly illuminating, stimulating, and motivational and can also lead you to deciding what steps to take next on your vocal journey.
College Audition Prep (Zoom or in person)
This service is essentially vocal coaching for high school vocalists who are seeking to prepare for college auditions. I guide you through the process of selecting, learning, and preparing to audition with vocal pieces that meet the audition requirements, are in your range and best highlight your voice and present skills. Review my write up for more details on the process.
Choral Music Tutoring (Zoom only)
I see quite a lot of amateur and professional musicians who are in community or church ensembles who may not read music very well and are struggling with the literature! This is because many ensembles do not focus on improving music reading skills. Book a Choral Literature Tutorial and we'll work through those trouble spots and places that maybe tripping you up for example: knowing what note to come in on, or how to hold your harmony while everything else is going on! I don’t just woodshed the notes over and over with you, I help you understand your part in context of the music as a whole. Making sense of the music often solves a host of problems and makes it much easier for musicians to master their part with confidence. I will also play your part and you can record on a phone app for at home practice where needed. Boost your confidence and learn the music on a deeper level-- buy a tutoring session!
Vocal Range Assessment (Zoom only)
Have you ever wondered what your vocal range is? Are you singing the wrong choral part?
This 1/2-hour session explores the qualities of your vocal range and determines the highest and lowest notes in your range that can be comfortably sung. If you would like a professional assessment of what choral part is best for you to sing, that's included. Please note that with study, maturity, and experience your range can expand, reduce, or change in various ways.
This 1/2-hour session explores the qualities of your vocal range and determines the highest and lowest notes in your range that can be comfortably sung. If you would like a professional assessment of what choral part is best for you to sing, that's included. Please note that with study, maturity, and experience your range can expand, reduce, or change in various ways.
Record your Accompaniment (online transfer of materials)
Often singers not only need the piano accompaniment to practice with, but they need one that's tailored to their interpretation of the music! Boxed arrangements or prefabricated karaoke recordings are not customized at all and don't allow for the real time musicality and ebb and flow that you need. In order for me to tailor the accompaniment to you, send both a recording of you singing the song, a PDF of your music and the key you prefer to sing it in. You will receive a recording a Google Drive link to the recording that can only be used by you.
Voice Lessons (Zoom or in person)
"The woods would be very silent if the only birds that sang were those who sang best."
- Henry David Thoreau
Do you have to be a professional to take voice lessons?
The reason I am willing to provide instruction to all ages and ability levels is because the notion that we all can sing is paramount to my teaching philosophy. I reassure you; everyone (yes everyone) can learn to match pitch, read music to some degree, and make a beautiful sound. This isn't just an opinion; these are data driven facts from empirical research that have evidenced themselves out in my extensive experiences as a music teacher and university professor. Literally thousands of students of every age and from all over the country and abroad have some through my doors over 40 years. The successes allow me to reassure you with confidence.
Observing vocal student’s progress in lessons has brought me a lot of joy and personal validation of my calling to be a teacher. Singing is a joyful way of expressing yourself and touching others with beautiful music. While there are many wonderful professionals that inspire us, everyone has a right to sing!
How and what do you learn in a voice lesson?
Voice lessons are ongoing sessions focused on vocal technique to help increase your vocal range, build vocal strength, give you better ability to blend smoothly between vocal registers, achieve mixed voice and belt coordination, master many musical and vocal styles, sing high notes with ease, gain confidence for live performance, and eventually achieve technical and artistic mastery.
There is not a one-size-fits-all technique or method for all students and all styles of music. Your instruction is carefully individualized to fit your needs and growth goals. I create individualized vocal exercises not only to accommodate your particular vocal mechanism, but to make learning your repertoire easier.
What kind of music do you teach?
We can work on many styles of music, including Pop from all eras, Rock, Musical Theatre, folk and Classical genres. Classical voice repertoire often includes songs not only from different eras, but in different languages as well. Singing in other languages, particularly Italian is essential to establishing good technique even if you’re a popular singer. It’s also fun and not as hard as you think! Professional diction instruction is so important for all singers.
Summing Up
All voices lesson with me are high end- you’ll develop and receive: stylistically diverse repertoire that’s chosen just for you, professional diction across the major languages, individualized pedagogical instruction and practice routines, and skilled accompanying. Voice lessons can be fun as well as enlightening as we often work on dissolving limited beliefs about ourselves in relation to music that often hold us back.
From Students and Clients
Coaching & Teaching Highlights
Teaching Intermediate Piano Students: Duets
Janice Cusano Music Studio
Directing URV's production of "Those That Knew Him"
Unity of Roanoke Valley, Good Friday
Conducting Las Palmas Philharmonic Children's Choir
Canary Islands, Spain
Directing Christmas Musical: Kindergarten
Barron Elementary School