While it is true that not everyone can be a great singer, everyone can be taught to use their voice to the best of its ability.  Tonal quality, musical ear and power can be taught to a degree, but are often influenced by genetics.  The point of voice lessons is to improve "what is there" in a students raw material, and make the most of what God has given them.

Lessons begin with simple exercises to get students comfortable with the idea of singing and using the voice as an instrument.   At Loudoun Music, I focus on the following....   ·        Feeling the vibration of the voice ·        Breathing and relaxation of neck and throat ·        Posture/Anatomy and activating the diaphragm ·        Care of the voice ·        Singing Common Vowel Sounds ·        Taking care of the voice/warning signs ·        Controlling the Voice and avoid over singing ·        Music Theory-sight reading notes and rhythm in a melody ·        Supporting the voice with power

After a year or two of vocal instruction, the pupil will be able to sing with control and confidence, sight read music in order to learn songs quickly, care for their voice for years of enjoyment, and know the limitations of their voice in order to use it most effectively.        Successful voice students are extremely confident, likely to perform in school plays/musicals, and often involved in music at their house of worship.  Voice students also develop excellent short and long term memory skills that serve them well academically.         Nothing has given me more satisfaction than seeing the young men and women I teach grow in talent and confidence.  I watch year after year as the confidence in their "inner voice" leads to confidence in their "outer voice."  It usually hits them in fifth or sixth grade.  I try to give them the tools they need to succeed, and they internalize the skills and respond.  The parents get a true kick out of seeing the kids progress concert to concert.  These kids have a lot of fans and I am the biggest one.

If your child displays an interest in singing, it is smart to develop that skill before the child goes into the "adolescent shell" that tells them it's NOT OK to open up and express themselves.  Getting them involved early keeps them involved later.

September 2009 - As the years go by I really see the impact of voice training on the young men and women I teach.  Singing while playing an instrument develops internal rhythm in a very unique way.  The students who have accepted the challenge to sing and have worked hard at it, have become more creative and passionate solists on their instruments.  The singing while playing adds a certain dynamic to the students' "feel" for rhythm that non-singers can never hope to attain.  Vocalists "play it" like they "sing it," putting heart and passion into their playing.   Just one more reason to "get 'em singing"... Frank Keim