[Perform-Talk] Questionable singing advice opinion needed

[annedonnellon at gmail.com]

Kelsey,
First question: When she had you lie down on the flor and try it, did you notice anything?
Have you tried doing crunches outside the lesson for at least a few days?  As someone else said earlier, yoga doeshelp strengthen the abdominal muscles, and I've worked with other voice teachers who recommend it.
While I have not been advised to do crunches in this context, I would say, at least give her a chance.
It is often easy for us to "turn around and run" when we disagree with someone's advice.  (Trust me, I have been known to do the same).  If she specializes in the styles you want to sing, it would be in your best interest to follow her lead, at least for a few months.  And if you don't see any improvements, communicate with her what you're feeling.  In a perfect world, you would come to a mutual decision as towhether you are a good fit.
Hope that helps and happy new year.
Annie

-----Original Message-----
From: Perform-Talk <perform-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Kelsey Nicolay via Perform-Talk
Sent: Thursday, January 1, 2026 10:49 AM
To: Performing Arts Division list <perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Kelsey Nicolay <piano.girl0299 at gmail.com>
Subject: [Perform-Talk] Questionable singing advice opinion needed

Hello,
i booked a lesson with a teacher a couple weeks ago who has been teaching in schools for a while but is relatively new to my area. She seemed nice, but I'm not quite sure I trust her advice and was curious what you all think. i struggle with breathing and have for a while, so she proceeded to tell me that the reason I am having trouble getting a deep inhale without raising the shoulders is because of wak abdominal muscles and advised me to do crunches every day for a week and I would notice a difference. I have never been told by any previous teacher to do crunches; she actually had me get down on the floor during the lesion and do some so I could feel proper engagement. i could be wrong, but it is my understanding that you don't use the abdominal muscles to inhale, only to supportthe realease of air when singing. I have another lesson with her on Monday, but I'm considering canceling it since I am not sure her advice is correct. For those of you who have more experience with this than I do, what are your thoughts? Have I been given incorrect advice and should not continue with the lessons or is this accurate technique? luckily the teacher allows booking one lesson at a time, so I can terminate at any time without losing anything. I chose this teacher because she specializes in contemporary genres which is what I'm interested in, but her advice on breathing has me a little concerned about the validity of her training.
Sent from Kelsey Nicolay’s iPhone 
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