How to find a Voice Teacher in Corning, NY
What to Look for in a Vocal Coach: What Makes a Voice Teacher "Part of Your World"
As a millennial darling, Disney's The Little Mermaid captured my imagination from the very moment Ariel sang "I wanna be / where the people are." Such a simple yet impactful statement makes this "I want" song one of my absolute favorite songs to coach. I never, ever tire of hearing it.
Like Ariel, I long to be part of a supportive community that shares my dreams and values. As a voice teacher — one who works both virtually and in person — this looks like:
Belonging to Professional Organizations. I'm a member in good standing of both the National Association of Teachers of Singing and The Speakeasy Cooperative, aka SECO (thespeakeasycooperative.com). These organizations connect like-minded voice teachers who are held accountable to teaching standards and kept current on the latest in vocal science and pedagogy.
Getting Involved with My Local Singing Community. I'm currently rehearsing as the Soprano Soloist with Elmira’s The Cantata Singers for their upcoming performance of Dan Forrest's Creation. I also work with singers in our local community theater, Elmira Little Theater, helping them prepare for mainstage roles. And I'm always in the audience — or making a donation — when Corning Painted Post Drama Club puts up a production. This year I will be volunteering with Marich Music at Make Music Day Corning, NY !
Creating Community. At The Nest Vocal Studio, I've built group classes with the intention of fostering connection through song and friendship. The Starling Singing Circle is designed for tweens just starting their singing journey. The Nest Performance Class is a nine-month curriculum-based group class that takes a performance from behind-the-scenes character work all the way to the stage. And The Brave Birds — our adult class on Monday nights — is where we have the most fun. Like, laugh-so-hard-you’re-gonna-pee kind of fun.
So why does it matter that your voice teacher invests in community? Ariel says it best: "Ready to know what the people know / Ask 'em my questions and get some answers." No single voice teacher has all the answers — and if they claim they do, swim away faster than Flounder in front of a shark! Having a community where teachers openly ask questions and share resources is invaluable for students.
Equally important is making music with others. Singing in community sharpens listening skills and performance skills faster than almost anything else. As former student Trent Williams puts it: "Ms. Ashley is a great instructor who encourages her students to reach their full musical potential. She helped me overcome my fears of singing in front of full audiences. Plus, through her studio sessions I made lasting friendships with other students."
When you're looking for a voice teacher, ask them: Where do you sing? Who do you learn from? What communities are you part of? The answers will tell you a lot.