Jackie Sm-

Much emphasis is given to improving typical problems that most singers have; to include but not limited to posture, proper breathing, tonal quality (in all ranges), technique; such as diction for singing. Work on developing upper register is employed, as well as a solid tonal quality in mid and lower ranges. Vocal exercises will be tailored for each individual. Most of the pedagogical training will be from the Bel Canto (Italian school, translated: Beautiful Singing) school of music. However other schools of singing may also be employed, such as the German, French, and English schools. It all depends on what type of voice we are dealing with. Many types of voices exist, for example. Bass, Baritone, Tenor, Alto, Soprano, and within each voice range there are different types of voices. For example: the tenor voice (which is the most difficult voice to master), can be of a leggiero quality; which is one of the smallest sounding of the tenor voices. The most popular tenor voice is of a lyric quality. Luccino Pavarotti was a lyric tenor. The lyric tenor voice is the most common tenor voice. The agility of the leggiero and lyric voice is much quicker than that of the Dramatic tenor. Next is the spinto vocal quality. It is the type of voice which still has much agility like the lyric voice type, but loudness which is more related to the dramatic tenor (the most powerful tenor voice).
There is so very much to consider when training even the newest singer. I employ methods from leading pedagogy teachers; such as Richard Miller, Manuel Garcia, and Barbara Dosher to mention a few. Vocal science is also employed. I don’t usually tell the student every little technique that is being employed because it can sometimes be more of a distraction than benefit. My pedagogical background is an extensive one.

That being said, even teacher’s that understand the above mentioned material may not possess the ability to spot and treat problems. So many things need to be considered; even with head position, musculature being used when producing different sounds in different ranges.
The material used usually comes with CD’s for the student. As we work through the semester, we will require the use of an accompanist to perfect the songs that the student is learning. Throughout the semester the student will learn f