The Visible Voice

Teaching Voice and Developing True Sounds

I believe that being an effective vocal teacher is an egoless art and craft. My teaching style is about tuning into a student’s individual needs by listening to their voices and staying open to their ideas.  This is essential to alleviating fears and building confidence – the main stumbling blocks in a developing vocalist.

There is no strict method, no set path but with over 12 years of teaching experience, I have an arsenal of techniques and exercises at my disposal that can assist students to find their way that works best for their voices. Using this approach helps students feel relaxed, non-competitive and gets them in touch with their unique sound.  Students then begin to unlock their individual voices and gain confidence in sounding like themselves.

Here are a few comments students have made after working with me:

“Fay is a patient teacher who put me at ease with finding my true voice.  Her training has taught me the key ingredients to be more comfortable singing and speaking professionally.   She drives home the importance of breath support and making that inner connection so that I can express myself through singing. She not only listens with her trained ear, but also with her heart.”— Jodi

“As a beginner, I couldn’t have asked for a better teacher than Fay. She is not only extremely knowledgeable regarding technique, but also highly intuitive when it comes to tapping into the creative and mental blocks that keep us from realizing our full potential. Because of her compassionate and encouraging nature, opening up and trying new things with my voice has been much less scary than I had imagined, and even therapeutic for the soul.” –Kristin

“Your philosophies on voice really appeal to me. Your views on artistic interpretation and what makes a great vocalist is why I decided to start studying with you. It makes me want to work harder to learn the rules so that I can break them! For me, singing is such a personal experience that trust is a big issue. And I’ve come to the point in our lessons that I truly trust you and value your advice. I look forward to many, many more lessons and great things to come” –Lucy

“You make me feel safe to explore my own voice and guide me toward finding whatever I would like to do with my talents. That is a rarity in a teacher as many will try to put there style or wants for you on you, you however adapt to what you think I need. That is the best part of being your student; the freedom and safety you give me to learn. ” – Kia

“You’ve taught me that a song isn’t simply something to sing, but something to feel and interpret as your own. You’ve also helped me a great deal with my confidence and performance anxiety. You’ve made me look forward to my voice lessons instead of fearing them! The biggest thing that I can thank you for is helping me to find a deeper appreciation for music. Thank you!” –Asiyah

I learned so much about my voice. I feel freer with the use of my voice now. Thank you!” –Heleen

I loved working with you. You’re one of the best teachers I’ve ever had.”–Wendy

You helped me understand certain vocal needs and disciplines and helped me develop better vocal habits. You treated me as a person and supported and encouraged my development as a singer. You helped me find my own voice which was very important to me. – Azito

Please get in touch for more information about: private lessons, group lessons, vocal coaching, clinics, workshops and master classes at lessons@fayvictor.com
For more about my teaching ideas and philosophy please check out http://thevisiblevoice.blogspot.com.  It’s a bit out of date but there’s enough information to get a sense of how I approach the voice.  Any questions please drop a line.

Vocal Music Workshops

Available based on demand.  Stay tuned for the Workshops @ Home Series coming Fall 2009.

Let’s Get Started!

A workshop focused on helping the budding vocalists with the rudiments of performing in public and leading an ensemble Some of the issues covered include but aren’t limited to: microphone technique, calling tempos, repertoire development, counting in, writing lead sheets picking the right key for a song, intros and endings and band interplay. Open to all vocalists’ etiquette. Musical accompaniment is provided.

Find your Sound: Improvising in Music + Life

is an empowering workshop to help students find validity in their voices and thoughts, to feel free to express that in the songs they sing and the musical choices they make. This workshop supplies tools to help students find and develop their voices with authenticity. The workshop begins with a discussion of the philosophical and real life leading onto practical applications and experiments along the way to finding the voice and the sounds that’s truly theirs. This workshop is open to all levels.

You, the Song and the Music

You want to sing this song as opposed to that song. Why? No worries lets work it out here where we’ll delve deeper into your song choices and to open up more choices for your interpretation. This workshop is for groups of 4 or more and is for students with performance experience. Private view consultations for “You and the Song” are also available.

Free Soul Flight

Franka Fiala and myself have joined together to share the world of hypnotherapy, chakras, voice work and unleashing communicative powers through the voice + the opening of self through hypnosis. We strive to help our participants develop a deeper connection with their audiences and relationships with the use of probing interactive exercises and hypnosis. More about Franka at www.frankafiala.com and check out our blog for updates on upcoming workshops and more information about Free Soul Flight: www.fayfranka.blogspot.com

Senior Vocals

A special workshop offered to senior groups to delve into the joy of singing with an aging voice. Gentle technical excises focused on breathe support and ease of delivery. In addition the life experience of senior student is a goldmine of rich experiences for students to draw upon as an entrée into song interpretation. What beautiful sounds can erupt full of depth of feeling in this workshop. This workshop is best suited to groups of 8 or more.

Jazz History Rewind

In this workshop, I take an unconventional approach to jazz history by starting in the present and going back as far as time and students allow. We start with the music of today and with students’ perception of what jazz is to them. We discuss this through playing recordings and through the music that students’ themselves bring to the discussion. We search for bridges with the music students’ associate with jazz and start making links to “traditional jazz” heroes all along letting the students lead the way back.

Improvising Words & Sounds!

A workshop designed for kids developed through a residence I have with Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning. This seven-week course, taught to 2-graders, is an adventure in words, music and sounds for students. The goal of the course is for children to experience music making and the lyrics that accompany so much modern music in an organic, open environment where they are free to express themselves and delve into their own ideas about the words they use and the fun involved in making music in the moment. In this workshops children write their own lyrics and the other classmates improvise musical sounds to accompany the lyric/melody. We touch on rhythm, harmony, melody and lyric making in an interactive form.

Workshops available as of October 1, 2009. For more information, rates, scheduling and to get in touch lessons@fayvictor.com