How to find a GOOD Voice Teacher!
When I think back to my first days of voice training, I realize that I trusted anyone and everyone that taught voice in a collegiate environment. Whoa. I was very naive!
Learning to sing well was not a straight-line, A to B journey for me. However, I did glean good things from all my voice teachers. And, some helped me out in ways I didn’t expect, not even music-related! I am forever grateful.
But, the thing about voice teachers is that they are hired at most colleges for their resume and performance career. It is assumed that if one has sung in some type of professional/paid setting, they can teach singing. But, unfortunately, its not true! However, hiring big names is how colleges attract students. Sadly, learning vocal pedagogy is an after thought in a voice degree. Its a craft of its own.
The truth is, NOT all good singers can teach. Let me repeat that. Not all great singers can teach.
Truth #2 All great teachers CAN sing. Unless they have had a major accident, if they can teach it well, they SHOULD be singing it well. Yep.
So, to simplify my long journey to find a teacher that could do both, sing and teach singing, let me give you my tips if I were in search of a teacher:
Make sure you like their singing. Yep, listen a lot to them and see if they sound good. Do you like their timbre of voice? Do you like their technique? How has their voice changed over time? Do they have good technique as they’ve aged?
Vet their training in vocal pedagogy. Who were their teachers? What types of vocal classes did they take and whose works did they study? What is their teaching philosophy? How do they cater to different voice types? (This is kind of a trick question! See blog about voice type). What vocal pedagogues do they currently study? (Yes, I have my favorites and I have red flag warning “pedagogues or teachers” too!)
Sit in on several lessons as they are teaching another student. See how you like them, not only as a person, but as a teacher. Do they take time to train the instrument? Do they skip right to repertoire? Do they treat the student well? Do they only teach by demonstration or analogies? I would take notes.
Can they play piano decently? Are they a good musician? This is important for your lessons. If you have a voice teacher that can’t accompany you a little bit, it will be a hindrance in the pace of your lessons. If you have a teacher that doesn’t understand music theory, and can teach basics to you, can see how your note relates to the chord beneath you, then it will not be advantageous to your musicianship or ear training.
Listen to their students perform. Then, interview the students. Ask how they like their teacher. Ask if they’ve ever had vocal problems. Ask how long they’ve been studying with them. Ask if their teacher continues to take lessons and study pedagogy themselves! If you like how the students sound, and you like their answers, that is helpful.
Take red flags seriously. If they don’t pass these tests above, its a red flag. I wouldn’t let my one and only voice be under direct influence with anyone that didn’t pass my rigorous interview and audition process.
Do they love teaching? A great teacher loves what they do, they continue to learn about it, share it, enjoy it, shine from it, and make a difference in others lives, joyfully.
For me, there are right and wrong answers to all the questions above, which have taken years for me to learn, realize, and hone in on. As it should for you. Remember, all students deserve a teacher that will continue to hone their craft (singing and teaching), so don’t settle! Good luck.
