.
comFrequently Asked Questions
For Voice Lessons
Natalie Gunn Music Studio (503) 704-4101 natalie@nataliegunn.com
Q: What is your training?
A: I hold a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from
Portland State University where I studied under esteemed pedagogue
Ruth Dobson. I am a pianist, and can play for my students'
lessons. I have been teaching professionally since 2001. I most
recently studied voice with Sheri Greenawald, of the San Francisco
Opera, and Ellen Faull, Professor Emeritus of The Julliard School
and New York City Opera star. I coach with several prominent
professionals in Seattle, Portland and San Francisco. I am a
performer as well. I have sung with many leading organizations, such
as Portland Baroque Orchestra, the Carmel Bach Festival, the Olympia
Symphony, Portland SummerFest, the Columbia Symphony, Portland
Opera, and the Oregon Mozart Players, and have won several major
competitions. As a member of NATS and OMTA I regularly participate
in continuing education.
Q: What ages to you teach?
A: I teach ages 6th grade through adults of any age.
Q: Why do you not teach children younger than 6th grade?
A: The voice is a unique instrument in that it changes rapidly
during adolescent years. I encourage young children who love to sing
to enroll in a choral experience that will introduce them to
musicianship skills, such as reading rhythms and ear-training (do re
mi fa sol...). Around age 11 or 12 a young person begins to
understand how to manage the body. Training the voice involves
whole-body coordination. Every person is unique. It may be necessary
to wait longer before beginning lessons.
Q: Is it ever too late to begin voice lessons?
A: No. The larynx (which houses the vocal folds) is one of the last
organs to come to full maturity. If you enjoy singing you can
improve your voice. What are your goals? If you have realistic goals
in mind, you may achieve them at any age. Will you become the next
Pavarotti if you start at age 50? Probably not--but you may be able
to perform concerts for your community or participate in a singing
group.
Q: So then, what is your teaching philosophy?
A: I believe that all good, healthy singing is based on the same
fundamentals. I am not a snob. I enjoy several different kinds
of music. I want my students to have an accurate and functional
understanding of their bodies-their instruments. Proper posture and
alignment are necessary for successful singing. The source of our
sound is breath. How to properly align one's body and how to breathe
will be themes throughout all lessons. I want my students to
understand tone, color, timbre, and resonance. Reliable breath and
resonance, developed through singing, contribute to a better
speaking voice, as well. Often, I see incredible improvement in my
students' posture, confidence and self-esteem. I want my students to
have trained ears for pitches and harmonies. I want them to read
music fluently. These are valuable, lifelong skills that are
essential to enjoying music to its fullest, and to singing one's
best. I want to instill in my students a love for music. I
especially want them to harness the power of their voices. Music has
the power to touch lives and to heal. I have seen it in my own life
and in many around me. I want my students to enjoy singing and to
find joy in learning new music and in sharing music with each other.
I want them to learn healthy habits that will carry them along for a
lifetime, navigating life's changes with grace.
Q: What kind of music or styles of singing do you teach?
Will I (my child) become an opera singer?
A: I teach what many call 'classical,' or 'bel canto' technique, and
also am comfortable coaching singers in folk, jazz, and musical
theater styles. When a singer understands breath, voice and
resonance choices, s/he can sing any style. I use folk songs, art
songs, sacred music, musical theater, and popular songs in my
studio. The advanced student who has an interest in opera may choose
to sing it, but I will not try to make your sound into anything
other than your best possible. I will choose music for lessons that
is appropriate for you and your learning level. In addition, you may
choose your own music to bring to lessons. Singing is fun! You
should love your music. If you don't, you won't practice it! Just
tell me and we'll find something you do like. Music is a performing
art, so all students are encouraged to participate in studio
recitals and other opportunities. Performance practice and etiquette
will be taught, and will assist in your progress as a musician.
Q: I see that you play the piano. Do you also teach
piano?
A: Yes. I am now teaching beginning piano for singers. I also teach musicianship to my
voice students. What is that? I teach students to read
music using their bodies and voices, and I teach ear-training, so
students learn to sight-sing melodies and hear harmonies.
Q: How do I know what length of lesson is right?
A: I teach 30, 45 or 60 minute lessons. Usually, I have 6th & 7th
graders begin at 30 minutes. Longer intervals are appropriate for
teenagers and adults. Depending on how much you wish to / need to
improve your musicianship skills, or what your performance goals
are, I will always advise longer lessons. Please call or write me
for fees and studio policies.
Q: How often are lessons?
A: Lessons should happen weekly for the best results. Singers are
half athlete, half musician. Singing is kinesthetic, and needs
regular coordinated routine, much like sports training.
Occasionally, I will have to travel out of town for my singing
engagements. I will consider every-other-week lessons on a
case-by-case basis.
Q: How long do I need to study voice?
A: Learning to sing one's best is a lifelong pursuit. Many
professional singers still check in with their voice teachers
regularly. You cannot hear yourself the way others do by nature of
our ears and instrument. My students must commit to at least
three months of lessons so they have enough time to embody new
concepts, develop good habits, and recognize marked improvement and
success. I encourage students to study for as many years as they
have the desire to improve and interest in the repertoire.
Q: Do you ever not take a student?
A: Yes. There is a certain feeling of rapport that must exist
between the private teacher and students. I will work with students
who are polite, respectful, clean, and teachable. I will not teach
students who are rude, disrespectful (to me or to others),
chronically dirty, unable to take directions, or stubbornly
conceited.
Q: What can I expect for our first meeting?
A: I will meet with prospective students (and a parent or guardian)
before commencing lessons. I usually do this at my home studio, but
may meet at a local coffee shop. At this meeting we
will get to know each other. I have students fill out and bring
along my New Student Info form, which you may receive via email. We
will discuss your experiences and your goals for voice lessons. I
will walk you through my Studio Policy, discuss scheduling, and
answer any questions you may have. Then, if we are at my studio, I
will lead you through some easy vocal exercises so I can listen to
your voice as it is. You will learn how I give directions and what
it feels like to exercise the voice. I will learn how you receive
directions, what qualities you have in your singing, and what areas
of technique would be best to work on with you. I do not charge for
this meeting, and it usually takes about 45 minutes. You may decide
to sign a contract to begin lessons at that time, or get back to me
later.
Q: What should I expect for my first lesson?
A: Each week, ring the doorbell when you arrive. I will answer the
door and invite you inside. Please remove your shoes. If I am
finishing up with another student, you may stretch and wait in the
entryway until I am ready for your lesson. Please keep your
materials in a special bag, and bring to each lesson: water, 3-ring
binder for keeping your lesson pages and practice journal,
hand-outs, and music.
Q: Do you record your lessons?
A: Yes. I have a high-quality digital recorder (an Edirol R-09, I
highly recommend it). During the last few minutes of your
lesson I will transfer it onto a CD or flash drive for you to take
home. These are for your review and as practice guides, NOT for your
critical analysis. Remember, a machine cannot capture your sound the
way other human hears do.
Q: How much am I expected to practice? Is it
really that important?
A: YES. You wouldn't sign up for tennis lessons and never
practice, would you? Your body wouldn't know how to do it! It is the
same with voice lessons. All students sign a Practice Agreement
and use my Practice Journal at each practice session.
You have the sole power to improve your singing voice. Teachers and
learners are equal partners. I can only help you help yourself.
Singing is kinesthetic, and needs regular coordinated routine, much
like sports training. Your progress is directly proportional to the
frequency and quality of time spent practicing and implementing the
concepts introduced in lessons. Students who don't practice get
frustrated, remaining on the same concepts week after week.
Practicing can be fun! Part of the problem with practicing is that
most students don't know how to do it. How to practice is an
important skill and I teach my students how to do it. A little
regular practice is so much better than one 3-hour cram session.
Plan in your calendar exact times to set aside and focus on your
music. GOALS: Beginners: 15-30 minutes 5x/week, Intermediate: 30-45
minutes 5x/week, Advanced: 60-90 minutes 5x/week. Use my hand-out
guidelines on How to Practice and How to Learn a New Song, and then
be creative in your use of singing time and approach to learning.
Be willing to commit to a practice routine, to make mistakes, and to
learn from them. If you are sick, practice time may also include
listening to vocal music, reading about singing, or memorizing words
and music.
Q: What do I need to have at home to practice?
A: You will need a keyboard, a CD player (that will play CDRs) or
computer with decent speakers, a full-length mirror, and a hand mirror. I ask my students
to get a piano/keyboard if they don't already own one. For
purchasing a new or used piano, I recommend Classic Pianos, where
you will get a discount for studying with me! Although, I used
a 1980s Casio keyboard for 10 years before I got my piano! A
keyboard will aid in developing musicianship and learning songs.
Using a mirror to watch your body is essential for learning.
Q: Why should I take lessons from you?
A: Yes, there are other teachers out there who are cheaper. My fees reflect
the conservatory level of training I provide. There are some excellent teachers out
there, and I advise you to find one who fits your needs, but be wise. Plenty of
teachers will take your money and tell you that your voice is
pretty. My students develop an unbreakable technical foundation
built upon tried and true principals, and become total
musicians. I
am a creative teacher who crafts lessons for each student
individually. This allows me to only take a limited number of select
students.