Building Confident Musicians
As a pre-professional studio, most member singers are aged ten to eighteen. The primary goal is to assist these young people in growing into confident and competent young adults who can address a crowd of hundreds with charm, grace and good humor. They are given the tools to skillfully present heartfelt, meaningful and personal performances. Please take a moment to browse through a sampling of video recordings of some recent student successes.
A Singer's Problem
Many voice lessons follow a standard format:
50% vocal exercises, 50% repertoire. The first half is filled with teacher and student navigating the many vocal challenges a singer may present, struggling to communicate concepts such as "support" and "resonance". Once sufficient time has been spent drilling various exercises, the teacher will repeatedly play the melody of the student's songs, hoping that the singer has the ear and memory to catch on. Performances are infrequent and often stiff and anxiety-inducing because the vocal technique is insecure and unreliable. Singers are rarely taught how to practice or how to learn their music, often simply listening to their music over and over.. Progress can be slow and discouraging, even for very talented singers.
50% vocal exercises, 50% repertoire. The first half is filled with teacher and student navigating the many vocal challenges a singer may present, struggling to communicate concepts such as "support" and "resonance". Once sufficient time has been spent drilling various exercises, the teacher will repeatedly play the melody of the student's songs, hoping that the singer has the ear and memory to catch on. Performances are infrequent and often stiff and anxiety-inducing because the vocal technique is insecure and unreliable. Singers are rarely taught how to practice or how to learn their music, often simply listening to their music over and over.. Progress can be slow and discouraging, even for very talented singers.
The Studio's Solutions
Hensley Voice Studio teaches fundamental music literacy from the very first lesson. Singers will:
• Learn basic keyboard/piano skills
• Learn sightsinging and accurate rhythm
• Learn how to teach themselves their music, by reading, not by rote
• Learn the elements of all good, reliable vocal technique
• Learn how to work on their voices in home practice
• Understand the harmonic structure of good music and how to compose and notate their own music
• Perform repeatedly, until it feels natural and easy
• Receive peer feedback and encouragement
If you or your teen or 'tween is interested in joining this program, please contact the studio.
• Learn basic keyboard/piano skills
• Learn sightsinging and accurate rhythm
• Learn how to teach themselves their music, by reading, not by rote
• Learn the elements of all good, reliable vocal technique
• Learn how to work on their voices in home practice
• Understand the harmonic structure of good music and how to compose and notate their own music
• Perform repeatedly, until it feels natural and easy
• Receive peer feedback and encouragement
If you or your teen or 'tween is interested in joining this program, please contact the studio.