Private Instructors

These are just a few of the private instructors from around the local area. You should also feel free to contact the local community colleges or music teacher organizations to get more names if necessary. Prices vary from teacher to teacher. Typically, you'll pay more for the most experienced teachers with a range of $25 - $45 per hour. It is generally a good idea to wait till a student is emotionally mature enough to handle the practice element of lessons before spending your hard earned money. Usually this does not occur before their freshman year in high school. However, it is important for extremely talented students who wish to pursue music in college to begin early. Your financial output now may well turn into thousands of dollars of scholarship money for college. Four years of private study will not total one year's college tuition. We have had students attend college on major scholarships for their singing every year. Hard-pressed to come up with the money? Remember - many of you and your children have skills that could be used to barter for lessons - such as house cleaning, yard work, tutoring, meal preparation, etc. Be creative!

There are ethics to this business of voice teacher selection. It is appropriate to 'shop around' for teachers by requesting audition lessons (you will pay for this lesson) in order to see if you like the teacher and their style of teaching. If is also up to the teacher as to whether or not they are interested in working with your student, which means they think they can develop your child's talent and the personalities mesh well enough to facilitate progress. Not every teacher is right for every student. It is a very personal relationship and it is important to find someone you are comfortable with. Once a match has been found you can request a spot in that studio. This may mean you will be placed on a waiting list till a spot opens up. A great time to pursue this process is at the end of the school year heading into summer, as this is when teachers say goodbye to their seniors and find replacements from their waiting lists. In the meantime, you can let it be known that you would be willing to take lessons at the last minute when the teacher has cancellations. Remember, familiarity can bring a name to the top of a waiting list. Once in a studio, it sometimes occurs that the teacher or student concludes it is not working out. This is a very tricky situation that must be dealt with carefully. Honesty will always work best, though it will require diplomatic wording. The original teacher should always be informed BEFORE contact with a new teacher is initiated. We are blessed to have this fabulous cadre of teachers. Please treat them with the respect they deserve.

Lessons have many benefits besides the obvious vocal ones. Students gain confidence, poise, work ethics, communication skills, emotional development, appreciation for the art form, and pride in their accomplishments. Teachers are not creating 'STARS' at this age. They are trying to give your child the basic vocal technique to guarantee vocal health, and to create a vocal platform upon which further technical demands can be placed as their body and instrument become capable. The average voice is not 'mature' until a person's mid thirties. Typically, girls' voices (and their bodies) mature faster than the boys' but each child is a unique package. It is a mistake to have an 'agenda' for your child and their teacher at this age. Remember: Prepare the child for the path, not the path for the child!