Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE CURRICULUM ?
Q: How will I benefit from studying voice?
A: Your vocal cords, and the muscles involved in singing, will be trained and strengthened in a healthy way, to be more responsive to your artistic choices. You will also become more familiar with using your resonating chambers in the mouth, throat, sinuses, and chest.
Q: Why study singing with Barbara?
A: Besides vocal training, you will work on songs
that are appropriate to your development and useful
in audition and performing. You will learn new
approaches to these songs, discuss the meaning
behind the music and lyrics, and explore your own
inner voice as it grows inside your singing voice.
Q: What styles of music do you teach?
A: My teaching is based on Musical Theater
where emphasis is placed on the character and plot
development in the song. But my students have
taken this technique and succeeded in Rock, Blues,
Indie Pop,and Classical.
Q: What is the difference between a Voice Teacher and Voice Coach?
A: A Voice Teacher used the exercises to build and strengthen the voice. A Voice Coach works on the performance of songs. Barbara is both Teacher and Coach, and the lessons involve both kinds of training.
WHAT KIND OF STUDENTS DO YOU TAKE ?
Q: Do you hold auditions to see which students you will accept into your studio?
A: No. Anyone who is interested in learning is welcome.
Q: What if a student is tone deaf?
A: There’s no such thing as tone deaf. If a student is having trouble matching pitches, it just takes a little longer to teach the student how to feel the pitch in his/her throat.
Q: Do you teach children?
A: Yes, age seven and older. They just need to be able to read English fluently.
Q: Why don’t some other voice teachers teach children?
A: Some people don’t want to train a voice until the “chest voice” has appeared, which happens during puberty (around 11-14 years old.) But there are many things about singing a student can learn before that age that don’t involve the “chest voice.”
PARENTS’ QUESTIONS
Q: Does the student have to practice everyday?
A: Not at the beginning. It’s best if the student does not attempt the vocal exercises until given a recording of the exercises. It is too easy to practice the wrong thing.
Q: Can the student get a recording of the lesson on CD?
A: Yes, we can record the lessons on my equipment and you can take home a CD. Or you can bring your own tape recorder.
Q: Do you give other kinds of homework?
A: Yes. Homework can be to memorize a song, or to write out a personal story that relates to a song we are doing, or find a song you want to sing. Parents of young singing students will not always witness the work being done at home.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I TAKE A LESSON ?
Nick Fargo and Zodiac rock band
“Sebastian Bach” Opening Act at Croc Rock Cafe
