Natalie Gunn Studio Policy

Natalie Gunn, Coloratura Soprano

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Natalie Gunn Vocal Studio

What is your training?
I hold a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Portland State University where I studied under esteemed pedagogue Ruth Dobson. My schooling included extensive pedagogy (the study of teaching) coursework. I am a capable pianist, and can play for my students' lessons. I have been teaching professionally since 2001. I presently study voice with Ellen Faull, Professor Emeritus of The Julliard School and New York City Opera star. I coach with several prominent professionals in Seattle, Portland and San Francisco. I am a performer as well. I have sung with many leading organizations, such as Portland Baroque Orchestra, the Carmel Bach Festival, the Olympia Symphony, Portland SummerFest, the Columbia Symphony, Portland Opera, and the Oregon Mozart Players, and have won several major competitions. I am a member of the Nat'l Assoc. of Teachers of Singing (NATS), and regularly participate in continuing education.

What ages to you teach?
I teach ages 6th grade through adults of any age.

Why do you not teach children younger than 6th grade?
The voice is a unique instrument in that it changes rapidly during adolescent years. I encourage young children who love to sing to enroll in a choral experience that will introduce them to musicianship skills, such as reading rhythms and ear-training (do re mi fa sol...). Around age 11 or 12 a young person begins to understand how to control the body. Training the voice involves whole-body coordination. Every person is unique. It may be necessary to wait longer before beginning lessons.

Is it ever too late to begin voice lessons?
No. The larynx (which houses the vocal folds) is one of the last organs to come to full maturity. If you enjoy singing you can improve your voice. What are your goals? If you have realistic goals in mind, you may achieve them at any age. Will you become the next Pavarotti if you start at age 50? Probably not--but you may be able to perform concerts for your community or participate in a singing group.

So then, what is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that all good, healthy singing is based on the same fundamentals. I want my students to have an accurate and functional understanding of their bodies-their instruments. Proper posture and alignment are necessary for successful singing. The source of our sound is breath. How to properly align one's body and how to breathe will be themes throughout all lessons. I want my students to understand tone, color, timbre, and resonance. Added breath and resonance, developed through singing, contribute to a better speaking voice, as well. Often, I see incredible improvement in my students' posture, confidence and self-esteem. I want my students to have trained ears for pitches and harmonies. I want them to read music fluently. These are valuable, lifelong skills that are essential to enjoying music to its fullest, and to singing one's best.
I want to instill in my students a love for music. I especially want them to harness the power of their voices. Music has the power to touch lives and to heal. I have seen it in my own life and in many around me. I want my students to enjoy singing and to find joy in learning new music and in sharing music with each other. I want them to learn healthy habits that will carry them along for a lifetime, navigating life's changes with grace.

What kind of music or styles of singing do you teach? Will I (my child) become an opera singer?
I teach what many call 'classical,' 'breath-based,' or 'bel canto' technique. When you are trained classically, with a full understanding of the voice's abilities, you can sing any style. I use folk songs, art songs, sacred music, musical theater, and popular songs in my studio. The advanced student who has an interest in opera may choose to sing it, but I will not try to make you into anything other than the best possible you. I will choose music for lessons that is appropriate for you and your learning level. In addition, you may choose your own music to bring to lessons. Singing is fun! You should love your music. If you don't, you won't practice it! Just tell me and we'll find something you do like. Music is a performing art, so all students are encouraged to participate in studio recitals and other opportunities. Performance practice and etiquette will be taught, and will assist in your progress as a musician.

I see that you play the piano. Do you also teach piano?
No. It is truly rare to have a teacher who is a master of more than one instrument. I may be proficient at the piano, but knowing what I know about teaching, I wouldn't dare try to teach piano! I know some excellent piano teachers I'd be happy to recommend. I DO teach musicianship. What is that? I teach students to read music using their bodies and voices, and I teach ear-training, so students learn to sight-sing melodies and hear harmonies.

How do I know what length of lesson is right?
I teach 30, 45 or 60 minute lessons. Usually, I have 6th & 7th graders begin at 30 minutes. Longer intervals are appropriate for teenagers and adults. Depending on how much you wish to / need to improve your musicianship skills, or what your performance goals are, I will always advise longer lessons. Please call or write me for fees and studio policies.

How often are lessons?
Lessons should happen weekly for the best results. Singers are half athlete, half musician. Singing is kinesthetic, and needs regular coordinated routine, much like sports training. Occasionally, I will have to travel out of town for my singing engagements. I rarely consider every-other-week lessons, but it is sometimes possible. I do my best to offer weekly lessons.

How long do I need to study voice?
Learning to sing one's best is a lifelong pursuit. Many professional singers still check in with their voice teachers regularly. You cannot hear yourself the way others do by nature of our ears and instrument. My students must commit to at least three months of lessons so they have enough time to embody new concepts, develop good habits, and recognize marked improvement and success. I encourage students to study for as many years as they have the desire to improve.

Do you ever not take a student?
Yes. There is a certain feeling of rapport that must exist between the private teacher and students. I will work with students who are polite, respectful, clean, and teachable. I will not teach students who are rude, disrespectful (to me or to others), chronically dirty, unable to take directions, or stubbornly conceited.

What can I expect for our first meeting?
I will meet with prospective students (and a parent or guardian) before commencing lessons. I usually do this at my home studio, but may meet at a local coffee shop if you prefer. At this meeting we will get to know each other. I have students fill out and bring along my New Student Intake form, which you may receive via email. We will discuss your experiences and your goals for voice lessons. I will walk you through my Studio Policy, discuss scheduling, and answer any questions you may have.
Then, if we are at my studio, I will lead you through some easy vocal exercises so I can listen to your voice as it is. You will learn how I give directions and what it feels like to exercise the voice. I will learn how you receive directions, what qualities you have in your singing, and what areas of technique would be best to work on with you. I do not charge for this meeting, and it usually takes about 45 minutes. You may decide to sign a contract to begin lessons at that time, or get back to me later.

What should I expect for my first lesson?
Each week, ring the doorbell when you arrive. I will answer the door and invite you inside. Please remove your shoes. If I am finishing up with another student, you may stretch and wait in the entryway until I am ready for your lesson. Please bring to each lesson:
Water
3-ring binder for keeping your lesson book, hand-outs, and music
Lesson book (I will give you one of these)

Do you record your lessons?
Yes. I have a high-quality digital recorder. Often I will record your lesson. During the last few minutes of your lesson I will transfer it onto a CD for you to take home. These are for your review and as practice guides, NOT for your critical analysis. Remember, a machine cannot capture your voice the way a human hears you.

How much am I expected to practice? Is it really that important?
You wouldn't sign up for a tennis league and only show up to the matches, would you? You wouldn't know what you were doing! It is the same in voice lessons. You have the sole power to improve your singing voice. Teachers and learners are equal partners. I can only help you help yourself. Singing is kinesthetic, and needs regular coordinated routine, much like sports training. Your progress is directly proportional to the frequency and quality of time spent practicing and implementing the concepts introduced in lessons.
Students who don't practice get frustrated, remaining on the same concepts week after week. Practicing can be fun! Part of the problem with practicing is that most students don't know how to do it. How to practice is an important skill and I teach my students how to do it.
A little regular practice is so much better than one 3-hour cram session. Plan in your calendar exact times to set aside and focus on your music. GOALS: Beginners: 15-30 minutes 5x/week, Intermediate: 30-45 minutes 5x/week, Advanced: 60-90 minutes 5x/week. Use my hand-out guidelines on How to Practice and How to Learn a New Song, and then be creative in your use of singing time and approach to learning. Practice time also includes listening to vocal music, reading about singing, or memorizing words and music. Be willing to commit to a practice routine, to make mistakes, and to learn from them.

What do I need to have at home to practice?
You will need a keyboard, a CD player (that will play CDRs), a full-length mirror, and a hand mirror. I ask my students to get a piano/keyboard if they don't already own one. I used a 1980s Casio keyboard for 10 years before I got my piano! A keyboard will aid in developing musicianship and learning songs. Using a mirror to watch your body is essential for learning.

Why should I take lessons from you? There are other teachers out there who are cheaper.
Sure there are, but as in anything--you get what you pay for. My fees reflect the conservatory level of teaching I provide--available to you without driving into the city. There are some excellent teachers out there, and I advise you to find one who fits your needs. Plenty of teachers will take your money and tell you that your voice is pretty. My students develop an unbreakable technical foundation built upon tried and true principals, and become total musicians--not just "singers." I don't have 40 students, either. I am a creative teacher who crafts lessons for each student individually. This allows me to only take a limited number of students.

"Natalie understands how to work with me. She makes me feel comfortable so that I can take risks in my singing, but she also sets high standards for me so that I am always working and moving forward. Teaching is more than just a job for Natalie. I know that she honestly cares about her students."
-- Former Student, now a music major

"She explained things to me in a way that made more sense than any way I had been taught before. She was very observant and intuitive, noticing what 'clicked' with me and what didn't. Ms. Gunn was always showing me ways to display the good in my voice, and to correct the old habits that I had. My confidence in myself was given back to me through my lessons with Ms. Gunn."
-- Former Student holding a BA in Music

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws