Singing with Kristen R.

Hi! My name is Kristen and I am originally from Monterey, CA. I started my music career in theater at the early age of 8 and haven't stopped singing since. I grew up singing and playing instruments with my family and I encourage my students to do the same. Having been both an instrumentalist and vocalist, I feel it is important to not only know how to sing, but to be able to read music and understand what you are singing. After graduating with a music degree from BYU-I, I feel I have the tools to teach these skills and more. Through my years as a musician, I have come to appreciate many different kinds of music ranging anywhere from Broadway to opera to Jazz, etc. I feel this gives me the ability to cater to my student's individual goals as musicians. One of my goals as a teacher is to help you to learn to sing what you love while giving you the correct foundation to build on. Music is supposed to be fun! I believe self confidence is extremely important as a vocalist. "Stage fright" is one of the most common things that holds us back from reaching our full potential. Singing with confidence makes you feel great, and sound even better. Sometimes it is all that's missing from a potentially amazing singer. I have helped many students overcome this road block and emerge filled with confidence and self assurance. *** Lesson Details *** Did you know that people can hear a smile in your voice? Smiling while singing actually produces a different sound that is pleasant to the ear. I want this experience to be fun for my students. I do, however, believe self discipline is a very important aspect of music. I will encourage students to practice regularly and come prepared to learn. I will usually request that young students bring a recording device so they can take home our lessons and practice. This also allows you to hear how you sound during lessons and reproduce(or improve) that at home. During lessons, we will cover topics including technical skills, basic singing principles, ear training, sight-reading, and theoretical knowledge. We will also discuss voice maintenance. That said, I feel it's important to get out of the lessons what you want, so I don't have a set curriculum. I tailor each lesson to the student. All in all, I am a patient, fun-loving teacher who will work hard to bring out the very best in all my students. I will neither push too hard nor be too lenient as we strive to reach the goals we have set together. *** Studio Equipment *** Piano and music books provided *** Travel Equipment *** I will provide some music for the student. I would prefer that the student have access to a piano and bring a recorder and/or notebook to each lesson. *** Specialties *** Although I was classically trained and studied opera in college, my younger singing experience largely involved musical theatre. I have always been told I am a natural on stage. I strive to instill that confidence into my students because confidence really is half the battle. I especially love to help students prepare for auditions!