Teaching Philosophy
My teaching philosophy centers around creating a balance of warmth and rigor. The two are not mutually exclusive, and I motivate my students to uphold high standards for themselves by setting a positive example of discipline, enthusiasm, and kindness. I believe that a consistent technical foundation is essential to building confidence as an artist, and I emphasize key areas including aural skills, breath management, registration navigation, alignment, exploring different resonance strategies, and articulation to increase freedom and emotional expression in performance.
A key aspect of my teaching philosophy is guiding students in reshaping their self-talk as singers, helping them separate moral value from their voices. Instead of labeling sound as "good" or "bad," I prioritize creating healthy and versatile voices that empower students to reframe their vocal development from that angle. I approach my teaching with a warm and candid style, fostering trust with my students so that feedback is a positive and collaborative experience. My students are encouraged to set their own goals and work towards them with my guidance and support, selecting repertoire that will help them achieve those goals.
When teaching belt, I follow Matt Edwards’ approach of isolating chest and head voice before integrating mix, allowing students to develop a sustainable and stylistically appropriate belt technique. I emphasize that belt is an aesthetic choice rather than merely a function of volume, helping students explore the nuances of registration balance, stylistic authenticity, and storytelling. By understanding belt as a spectrum rather than a singular sound, students can make informed choices that serve both vocal health and artistic intention.
As a member of both NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), NOA (National Opera Association), and MTEA (Musical Theatre Educators Alliance), I stay up-to-date with the latest developments and best practices in vocal pedagogy, incorporating these into my lessons as appropriate. I frequently use gesture and science-based imagery to supplement my teaching. My ultimate mission as a voice teacher is to help my students develop healthy, versatile, professionally competitive voices as well as the confidence and tools to coach themselves when they do not have access to a teacher.
