April S.

I'm a 'classically trained' voice teacher with extensive training in dance and drama;
a liberal arts degree from Columbia University/Master of Arts Education from City College of NY.
Before settling into a music career, worked as a dance instructor, for the City of NY and received congrats from John Lindsey, then mayor, for outstanding achievement.
As an actor, performed in several off-Broadway plays and was a principal in the “Broadway tour”, ”Pulitzer prize ” winning play, “No Place to be Somebody.” I've performed through the years as a vocalist with a trio and as a ONE WOMAN SHOW at various night spots, concert halls and social events. As a voice coach I've had the good fortune to teach the skills and techniques of the art of singing.
Singing is the joy I share as a performer and as a teacher. Anyone can learn to sing; and do it on a superior level. It takes desire and the willingness to practice the skills necessary until the goal is achieved.
The journey is worth it!


*** Lesson Details ***
WORKSHOP FOR LEARNING TO SING
COMPETENCY: A SOLID FOUNDATION IN THE BASICS OF SINGING
OBJECTIVE: Students will learn 5 Basic Components of Singing and demonstrate via public (by choice) performance; at the end of course.
1. Pitch
2. Rhythm
3. Breath
4. Voice
5. Diction
Pitch
Tone is the use of pitch in language to distinguish words. All languages use intonation to express emphasis, contrast, emotion, or other such nuances.
Pitch refers to the notes and sounds that we hear when someone sings, and it determines if the song is going to sound great or not. The singer will have to hit various pitches in a song with a relative amount of accuracy in order to be in tune with the overall music accompaniment and harmonies.
RHYTHM
Every song has a certain beat, and it is essential that we keep to the basic rhythm of the song, or else we might find that we are constantly trying to catch up with the lyrics or always lagging behind. Rhythm also determines the groove of the song, and this is what gets us on our feet and dancing when we listen to upbeat or fast tempo songs.
A great sense of rhythm begins with learning to recognize various beat duration, to vocalize notes with different beats, as well as to be able to keep to the basic tempo of a song.
BREATH CONTROL
Breathing is an essential component of singing, and is what most singing instructors would introduce to students during their first lesson for singing. It is also what most people would want to learn about and also ask questions about.
Breathing is a natural process, and it is not difficult to achieve better breath control for singing. A great breath foundation is needed for singing!
VOICE
To produce great sounds when singing it is essential to adopt beneficial singing habits in order to produce sounds that are more relaxed and healthy.
DICTION
Learning how to produce sound with our voice is not enough. We still need to shape our voice, and form words in a language that our audience will understand.
This is why diction is also one of the vital basics of singing, because it determines whether our audience understands what we are singing, and whether we are able to connect with them through our song. Diction is also a key factor towards hitting the correct pitches, especially for the high notes, and this will be explained in detail.

COURSE OUTLINE:
Lesson 1 PITCH
How to avoid the most common singing mistakes that prevent singers from producing a clean and professional vocal tone.
Objective: Students will learn warm up exercises that strengthen vocal cords and loosen the muscles needed to produce a professional sound./ the importance of singing ‘scales’ to achieve this objective.
Lesson 2 RHYTHM
Rhythms often used in various standard songs.
Objective: Students will listen and learn to identify rhythms used in songs. CD player provided.
Students will learn to tap out the various types of rhythm.
Students will sing a favorite song; using rhythms learned in class.
Lesson 3 BREATH
For the purpose of voice projection, students will learn to breath more from the diaphragm, the muscles beneath the rib-cage, as well as the abdominal muscles.
Objective: Students will learn vital techniques to create a connected voice blending head, chest and diaphragm.
Lesson 5 DICTION
How to use the emotions, enunciation and clarity.
Objective: Students will learn to sing a favorite song with focus on elements of singing.
Lesson 6 Review of previous 5 lessons.
Lesson 7 Group/Individual Performances
Objective: Students will show confidence in employing elements from training.
Lessons 8/9/10 Rehearsal for recital TBA
*Each lesson to begin with a brief review of previous. Copies of previous lessons/homework assignments to be distributed at each meeting


*** Studio Equipment ***
CD Burner/SURE Microphone/Charts in various keys/Speaker System/Pitch Pipe/Recorder/keyboard/Metronome/Video Camera

*** Travel Equipment ***
Lesson plans, books, pitch pipe, keyboard. Student should be prepared to be serious and committed.

*** Specialties ***
I show the student how to use breathing and voice placement techniques to gain vocal improvement via projection.