Vocal Training with Dileesa H.

Singing has always been my passion. Not just singing, but the instrument, the human voice, has always intrigued me. I’ve been singing since age 2, and on singing on stage since age 4. By age 6 I was traveling with my grandfather’s gospel band as a featured soloist. By age 12 I found myself analyzing voices. I would hear people, celebrities, singing and would think, “Gosh, he/ she would sound so much better if only they did ___ differently. I sang all throughout high school in small ensembles, mixed and women’s chorus, barbershop quartet and gospel church choirs. I studied voice in college because I figured I had a gift and wondered what would happen if I stretched it to perform at its best. My first year was admittedly a disaster. I was a gospel singer who pushed my chest voice up too high and had ruined my mix and head voice. I couldn’t sing above an E5, I never had enough air to sing my phrases, and my voice was constantly hoarse and raspy. Also, I didn’t realize how hard it would be to sing classical voice. I admit, I had my doubts about the techniques I was being taught. I didn’t see how humming exercises, lip trills and other mundane vocal exercises would translate into me singing Mozart, Schubert, or even being Kirk Franklin’s background singer one day. And then one day, at the end of semester 2, I noticed a change. There was an ease and comfort in singing. My vibrato was freer and brighter. I could sing an E6, which means I had added a full octave to my range. And I had so much more control over my breath and phrasing. My second year as a voice student I had a new voice. So much so, that I was awarded two full music scholarships simultaneously (one for jazz vocalist, one for musical theater vocalist) and a paid leading role at a local opera company. I was 19 years old and still singing with a local gospel choir and doing studio work and live background singing. The vocal techniques I learned to be a versatile, well- rounded singer are the techniques I bring to all of my students. I’ve been to Dubai, London, Portugal and several cities in the US, doing workshops and meeting my fantastic clients and online followers. I’d love to help you find your voice and fall in love with the voice you have.