My view on singing education

I have always known, as a professional singer, that you never stop learning. The body is constantly changing and therefore your technique must change with it. All the great Operatic singers of today have teachers, and are wise to do so. I firmly believe that a teacher should be a constant pillar of support and strength in a professional's life; it's integral.

So, how do I teach? I believe firstly that singing should be enjoyable. It is an action that should create joy, regardless of the piece of music you are singing. Music is a brilliant way to increase your self-confidence, your energy levels, your fitness and even your personality. Especially for children, music should be a hobby, a passion and certainly a part of their development. I start with breathing, the way the sound should be made. Your stomach can create breath flow, which in turn creates sound flow. What I will teach you is the natural way to create sound, the way a Lion can roar so perfectly so too can an opera singer sing; as Pavarotti once said 'Singing is perfected shouting'.

If you are looking at this in regards to your children, you might consider lessons 7 years onwards, however at that age the larynx is under-developed and there is no physical benefit to starting so young. However, the  mental benefits are huge. I only point this out because singing lessons will be based on fun learning, with goals like improving sight-singing, creating strong relative-pitch and improvisation. The other stuff will come later after the voice breaks (even girls voices break you know!). 

Music is such a powerful thing, it should be a part of everyone's lives.