Singing Lessons in Grants Pass
The voice is everyone's first musical instrument and it is the most personal one. Singing allows special communication with our friends and loved ones - mothers sing their children to sleep, friends sing happy birthday to one another, worshippers sing praises to God. . .the voice is the instrument of our deepest feelings. Singing also allows a person to express themselves in a way that no other medium accomplishes - this is very satisfying, especially for young people who have a lot to say to the world.
Whether your child would like to sing professionally, perform in local musical theater shows, join a choir, sing on their church worship team, or simply sing along with their favorite songs on Youtube or Spotify, private or group singing lessons are worth the investment.
Similar to working out to get in shape or the development of an athlete who exercises their muscles and trains to excel in their sport, vocal exercise and training can make a significant difference in the quality of the voice and its use in singing.
Principles of beautiful singing have been known and taught for centuries, even before the names of all the muscles and other moving parts of the vocal mechanism were understood. Current vocal pedagogy is now informed by science and so is even more effective.
Singing lesson options at Music4Kids are designed for the age of the singer. It is important to understand the development of the voice at different ages and to differentiate singing lessons accordingly. The breathing mechanisms and vocal chords of children younger than twelve are not fully developed and are not ready for the same type of vocal exercise that is a part of the training routine for teens and adults. However, younger singers are ready to learn some of the foundational aspects of good singing technique that will prepare them for more challenging vocal exercises when they are older. We prefer to offer these lessons in a group setting which allows for young voices to have breaks as they participate in non-singing activities such as working on music theory in pairs or playing a music game.
At whatever age your child begins singing lessons, over time the lessons will help them to sing confidently and project their voice with ease and clarity. Just as it takes years of training and practice to become a great athlete, learning to sing beautifully is a long game. The singer's instrument is made of muscles that must be exercised, toned, and trained. Daily practice will speed the process, but it does take time to see the benefits.
The good news is that singing is a delightful activity, the process of learning is fun, and all who love singing will enjoy the journey.
Private Singing Lessons
For ages 13 and older
Students enrolled in private singing lessons receive training in posture and alignment, diaphragmatic breathing, breath support, vocal resonance, vocal range, diction & articulation, and expressive singing. Longer lessons of 45 or 60 minutes may also include music theory and sight singing.
Repertoire is tailored to the vocal progress and preferences of the student and may include classical, Broadway, popular, multi-cultural, and traditional or contemporary Christian music.
Lessons meet once a week for 30, 45, or 60 minutes.
Group Singing Lessons for ages 8-12
"Rogue Valley Kids Choir" group lessons include exercises and games focused on foundational singing techniques, reading music notation, harmony, and sight singing.
The group also rehearses songs to be performed at our concert at the end of each session. This variety allows for singing interspersed with other activities which is much healthier for young voices than a private session with 30 minutes of continual focused vocal exercises and singing.
The Rogue Valley Kids Choir sings a wide variety of positive and uplifting songs which may include classical, Broadway, popular, multi-cultural, and traditional or contemporary Christian music.
Rogue Valley Kids Choir meets once a week for 60 minutes. The group performs at our concert at the end of each session and may also perform at a variety of community events throughout the year.
Group Singing Lessons for ages 13-18
Celebration singers provides similar vocal training as our private lessons but in a group setting. Group lessons are preferred by some students who are not comfortable singing by themselves or who just enjoy the camaraderie of being a member of a singing group. Group lessons are also more cost effective.
Members of the group sing songs together and also have the opportunity to work on preparing a song to sing as a solo in our end-of-session concert if they would like to do so.
The Celebration Singers sings a variety of positive, uplifting songs which may include classical, Broadway, popular, multi-cultural, and traditional or contemporary Christian music.
Celebration Singers meets once a week for 45 or 60 minutes depending on the number of students enrolled. The group performs at our concert at the end of each trimester and may also perform at a variety of community events throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I bring to my singing lesson?
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room temperature water
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notebook and pencil to take notes
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phone or voice recorder to record vocal exercises for practice at home
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any music the student is working on or would like to learn to sing
How long will my child need to take singing lessons ?
Vocal training is less concrete than learning an instrument. The muscles in the larynx and the diaphragm are hidden and not normally controlled consciously. Learning to become aware of them and developing a sense of how to control them takes time. How long it will take can vary from months to years depending on many different factors, such as:
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The student's age
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The level of focus the student maintains during lessons
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The amount of time they practice
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The quality of their practice - taking notes or recording lessons and practicing the same exercises at home will aid progress
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The condition of the student's voice when they first start
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The student's inherent talent in singing
Progress may sometimes seem slow, but there will be times when the "light" goes on and a concept is grasped and then improvement seems to happen quickly in that area. This is a recurring pattern of learning common to vocal training.
Planning to take singing lessons for an entire school year is a reasonable minimal amount of time. If the student enjoys their lessons, they may wish to continue throughout their school years and beyond. There is always more to learn! In fact, many professional singers continue to take vocal lessons throughout their career.
Will taking singing lessons ruin my natural singing style? I don't want to sound like an opera singer.
Singing lessons give you the necessary skills to sing in whatever style or genre you choose. You will learn about the mechanism of diaphragmatic breathing and how to support your breath. You will develop good tone and effective resonance, as well as increase your stamina, control, vocal agility, volume and range. Having complete control over your voice, breath and tone will enable you to have more flexibility and versatility, not less.
What can I do to maintain a healthy voice?
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Drink plenty of water to keep your vocal folds lubricated.
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Use a humidifier in your home.
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Warm up your voice using vocal exercises before singing a performance, giving a presentation, or talking for extended periods of time
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Don't strain your voice - avoid shouting and yelling. If you do strain your voice, try to rest your voice for a day or two - talking as little as possible or resting your voice for ten minutes every couple of hours.
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Don't clear your throat too often. Instead, try swallowing or drinking water.
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Don't sing when you have a cold or other illness.
Our Singing Teachers
Joe Gomez III
Joe is an accomplished bass vocalist and an experienced teacher of singing. Students and parents alike express their appreciation for his professional but friendly and supportive teaching style.
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Deborah Pratt
Deb has many years of experience as a vocal soloist, singing teacher and choral director. She focuses on teaching singing and reading music notation in a group setting using positive and uplifting music.
