[nabs-l] voice lessons

[Ryan Silveira]

Hi Kelsey,

First off, I have never heard of voice lessons being offered as a group.  There are master classes, where people perform prepared pieces for a voice teacher and are given little mini lessons.  These usually are performed in front of a group, but I have never before heard of group voice lessons.  Personally, as a trained classical singer, I wouldn’t advocate taking group lessons.  Every person has their own individual style of learning, every voice is different and every one needs different instruction.  Yes, there are basic techniques that all trained singers should master, but every person masters them at their own pace and in their own way.  In my experience, there is no one way to teach voice.  In fact, I couldn’t, for example, just give you some technical skills to work on without initially hearing you sing and figuring out where you needed work.  I would just think, from my own experience, that taking a group class, without private lessons to supplement what you have learned would only set you back in your vocal training.  Those are just my thoughts.

If you are still interested in taking the group class, I think it certainly would be acceptable to ask your friend in the choir if she would be able to take you, as long as you are willing to contribute something for gas.  Hope this helps.


Ryan L. Silveira
Corresponding Secretary
Ohio Association of Blind Students
A Division of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
(203) 731-7580
ryan.l.silveira at gmail.com

On Apr 28, 2014, at 3:33 PM, Kelsey Nicolay <piano.girl0299 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello,
> I had to stop taking voice lessons with my current teacher due to
> personal reasons.  I am going to take the summer off, but I am
> looking to start back up again once choir starts in September
> since I don't want to lose the skills I gained.  Therefore, I am
> considering a group class.  However, there are none in my town.
> There is one at a music conservatory that someone in the choir
> goes to, but it's a half hour away in another county.  The fore,
> using transit is not going to work and my family can't always be
> there to take me.  Therefore, would it be acceptable to ask the
> person if I could ride with her and offer to give her some money
> for gas? Also, for a blind student, how effective is a group
> class going to be? With private lessons, the instructor can spend
> one on one time with you to demonstrate physically certain
> concepts, but with a group class, that's more difficult.  What do
> you guys think about a blind person doing a group class? I have
> studied before, so would I be able to handle the group
> environment? What are some ways I could ensure equal access to
> the concepts presented in the class? I have heard that group
> classes aren't always the best for blind people, but it might be
> my only option.  I could easily arrange for music to be brailled
> since I have a transcriber and someone who can emboss it, so that
> won't be an issue at all.  Would I have to spend additional one
> on one time with the instructor to solidify my understanding?
> Anyone with experience with any kind of group musical class,
> please feel free to share your experiences.
> Thanks,
> Kelsey
> 
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