the world of purely classical singing is becoming only a small part of the big picture of singing." This is a quote from the National Association of Teachers of Singing Journal of Singing (Sept/Oct 2006) from an article entitled " The changing role of singing teachers today." Teachers such as myself are here to serve the entire profession of singing. Singing teachers need to know what the entertainment business is asking of performers today. It is my job to serve today's singers in ALL AREAS of music and vocal performance. Another quote from the same NATS journal states; " It is important to realize that classical singing is only a tiny part of the big picture. If those of us who love singing are to serve the profession, we have to look at a much bigger arena. We need to look, not judge, if we are to serve today's singers."
A classically-trained lyric soprano - I have a Bachelors Degree in Voice from Oklahoma City University and a Masters Degree in Vocal Music Education from the University of Central Oklahoma . I have also been schooled at the AIMS Institute of Music in Graz, Austria. I have had several leading and supporting roles in Opera's, Music Theater Productions and I have also served as Pianist/Singer in several Country Club's doing everything from jazz to pop. I have served as Pianist for Ballet Oklahoma and Ballet Arizona. I have also been Adjunct Faculty at Oklahoma City University. Today's students of voice know how important it is to find the right teacher that can relate to them and THEIR CHOICE OF MUSIC. It is important that they feel at ease in the studio. I use the "classical" method of teaching with many of my students - however, with my coaching, each student will sound like they were meant to sound - in other words - opera students won't turn into "rockers" - rockers won't turn "classical" - broadway singers are taught the proper way to blend all registers,etc... in other words - no matter what type of music you want to study - the Music Studio of Melissa Black welcomes you!
Teachers such as myself specialize in what is called CONTEMPORARY COMMERCIAL MUSIC - or CCM. In other words - there is more to teaching than purely classical - opera, art song,etc..., although that genre of music is still one of the best forms of beginning vocal studies in the fact that that type of music promotes healthy singing because of exclusive use of the "head" voice as averse to "belting" and using what is called the "mix" - mostly done with pop music. Although i am a huge advocate for getting a formal education through an accredited university - many teachers such as myself find it unfortunate that the only form of voice lessons available to students wishing to attend a college or university is classical only. The only other form that is sometimes offered and available as an official program to get a degree in is Jazz - and that is extremely rare. There are also degree programs available in Music Theater. NATS ( the academy of singing ) strongly encourages private studio teachers to initiate contact with other local voice teachers - including those in the universities - so that a professional relationiship can be formed and a network of resources established. The following is a quote from the NATS Journal of Singing (2003) and is extremely important for those teachers who teach music theater in colleges and universities; " Music Theater (Broadway) productions now encompass all styles of music including rock, pop, country, r&b, jazz and gospel. Young singers wishing to attend college and want to become rock, pop or country singers are forced to choose strictly classical vocal training or no vocal training at all." This is where the benefit of the PRIVATE VOCAL STUDIO comes in handy. There is a huge gap between the world of college training and the "real world" of singing today. Only a certain number of private studio voice teachers today train singers to sing contemporary music - pop,etc... - mainly because they only teach what they are able to perform themselves. Today's vocal students need a teacher who not only can teach them ALL STYLES OF MUSIC - but someone who can play and sing that type of music themselves - in other words - a "working musician" along with being a teacher. I am able to do this because I play everything by ear off of the radio, c.d.'s, music video's, etc..., have perfect pitch, and can transpose on-site the songs to fit the singers' range if need be. Because I keep lyric sheets in my studio of all of the up-to-date songs from today's artists - my students never have to purchase their own music AND never have to bring their own accompanist since I am an accomplished pianist in all styles of music. Another benefit of my studio - very cost-effective - AND you can study both voice and piano.
I am also what is termed a VOCAL COACH - someone who not only works with the voice - but helps with the arrangement of the song - works on performance techniques - microphone techniques - dealing with stage fright, learning about recording, auditioning, etc... The key to a successful audition - especially for "Idol" - is choosing the right song material, wowing the judges, looking the part, being totally prepared, perfecting your performance in every way, eating the right foods, dressing the part, getting proper rest,etc... I teach students how to CARE FOR THE VOICE in order to preserve it for a long and LUCRATIVE career - whether for the broadway stage or rock-n-roll. Another aspect involved in my coaching - is discussing with each student the image they want to portray - their potential marketability and business basics designed to protect their art and career - in other words, record contracts and the logistics involved, signing with talent agencies, hiring a manager, finding the right music business attorney,etc... According to Lis Lewis- Los Angeles-based Vocal Coach and the Official Vocal Coach of this year's (2006) Rockstar Supernova contestants - Management deals are usually three to five years long and the manager gets between 15 to 20 percent of your income. As with all contracts - the one you sign with a manager is negotiable and should be looked at by your music business attorney; he or she is the one who negotiates "creative control" into your record deal. In other words - as singers, you need to be not only an artist, but a business person as well.
My students have appeared on American Idol, Arizona Idol, Star Search, Nashville Star, Major Films, National Tours (broadway) and Regional Theater. I have also had several students touring with major singing stars as back-up singers and dancers (Amy Grant and Cher to name a few). My vocal students also win state and national pageants with their singing talent. As a session musician - vocals and keyboards - not only am I available to work in recording studios - but my voice studio is equiped with a cd recorder for students to record each lesson onto a cd. Students also make their own c.d.'s in my studio.
It is very important when choosing a Voice Teacher/Vocal Coach. That teacher needs to serve all of a vocalists' musical needs. Students come to my studio because I welcome all types of singers. Always up-beat and positive - I ensure that each and every lesson is a wonderful experience. My studio for the past 10 years has been a female-only studio. This is because i specialize in the female voice - although i have coached male voices in the past. My regular weekly students are female - HOWEVER - if you are a male and need immediate coaching for an audition, recording session, upcoming tour or performance - you are more than welcome to call and set up an appointment for a coaching session. My studio is a "city-licensed" school. Also - as a Certified Substitute Teacher of the Peoria Unified School District - I have been through an extensive background check. I am a member in good standing of NATS and ASCAP and am featured on several talent agency web-sites as an "approved referral" for a voice teacher. Lessons are individual as well as group. Again - I welcome all of tomorrow's " STARS"!
