What to look for in a Vocal Coach

What to look for in a Vocal Coach

Find the missing element when searching online for voice lessons

How do you know if you’ve found the right vocal coach? 

Is it the slickness of their website? The many performances they’ve done? The number of singing lesson testimonials? 

What if I told you that all the hours you spend on the internet googling “Voice Lessons Near Me” is missing the most important component for finding a Voice Teacher….

Not because that website, those performances, and testimonials don’t matter - they do!! It's just not crucial to finding the right vocal coach for you. 

I won’t bury the lead too much longer but just one more question…. What’s missing from the google search, the website, the performances, the testimonials…. What ONE missing element that can take you from struggling to soaring in song? 

YOU. 

You and your voice are the missing ingredients that transform any vocal coach into your artistic guide in the wonderful journey that is singing. 

That's because finding the right voice teacher for you isn’t just about what you read online but the real relationship you build with your teacher and the transformation that happens both inside and outside your studio time. 

Any teacher could have what I mentioned above and be phenomenal at what they do. And any teacher could have none of the above and be legendary ( for example, my teacher of 10 years, Marlena Malas, could barely handle her email,  never once had an online presence, and yet she was the most influential person in my training). 

So, how do you bring yourself into your relationship with a prospective voice teacher?

You interview them and take a trial lesson. 

This interview allows you to set the tone and see if you vibe well with a vocal coach. If the vibes are good, you then set up a trial session to see if your styles of learning and their styles of teaching fit to match your goals. 

Bringing yourself into the singing lesson can look like expressing your dreams and wishes for your voice to this potential new voice teacher. The “right” voice teacher for YOU will listen to your goals and start the process of helping you step towards them. Maybe that looks like asking a bunch of clarifying questions or maybe that looks like jumping into the deep end with vocal exercises like slides, arpeggios, and yodeling! Every voice teacher is different and singing is NOT a one-size-fits-all-journey. 

( and if they tell you it is, find the exit and run ). 

The “right” voice teacher is equally adept in listening as well as vocalizing - we’re musicians right? We have to have both skills. The “right” voice teacher may not have all the answers in the first lesson- they’re just getting to know you and your unique voice. But the “right” voice teacher will help you towards your goals with a presence that allows for exploration to take place. 

Not sure how to start articulating your nebulous dreams aside from “sing on broadway” or “perform regular gigs” - The Nest Vocal Studio sends an in-depth questionnaire that helps clarify your dreams into actionable goals that helps Ms. Ashley prepare for your first voice lesson.
You can find that questionnaire here: The Nest Vocal Studio Voice Survey 

 So find the “right” teacher for YOU. Bring Yourself to the lesson with your dreams and goals. Find a vocal coach that listens to your goals and allows for your song to shine in each session.