Pedagogy
Unhurried Voice Lessons
Unhurried means calm, intentional, and free from haste. And yet, somewhere along the way, voice lessons became a race. We speed through warm-ups. We rush through repertoire. We cram in theory, ear training, sight-singing, scales, and exam requirements. And then we assign more practice to “make up” for what we couldn’t fit in the lesson.…
How to Help Singers with Pitch Accuracy
When a student struggles with basic singing skills, many teachers feel lost about what to do next. And in a result-driven studio culture that expects quick progress, these are the students who are turned away from lessons if we are not sure how to approach them.
Attention in the Voice Studio
Especially for younger students, neurodivergent learners, or anyone feeling unsure or overwhelmed, attention is part of a growing set of executive function skills. It’s not something we can demand on command. It’s something we can nurture, support, and strengthen.
What Does “Student-Led” Really Mean For Voice Lessons?
We talk a lot about student-led learning—but what does that actually look like in a singing lesson? Sometimes, it looks like a game. Sometimes, it sounds like laughing. Sometimes, it feels like a sigh of relief—from both the student and the teacher.
Lyrics, Literacy, and Learning: Strategies for Voice Teachers
Understanding song lyrics is not as simple as reading everyday language. Lyrics are compressed, poetic, and often inverted in order to fit rhythm, rhyme, and melody. They can use unfamiliar vocabulary, metaphor, or imagery that doesn’t exist in a child’s lived experience, and meaning is frequently implied rather than stated outright. Here are strategies to…
A First Voice Lesson with a Young Singer
New to Teaching Kids? Start here POV: You are an amazing voice teacher and have started working with a student much younger than you are accustomed to. You are unsure where to start, what singing exercises are appropriate, and how to structure a lesson. You have come to the right place. (Song and Lesson Plans…
Vocal Exploration: Rhythmic Chants
Vocal exploration is a powerful teaching/learning tool in singing lessons. These kid-friendly activities allow students to explore their voices without the “right” or “wrong” narrative. (Something that is often missing from voice instruction.)
The NO SINGING Voice Lesson
What do you do when your student can’t/shouldn’t/won't sing? How about a no-singing lesson?
