Dana M  
Instruments: Voice
Styles: Classical, Pop, Rock, Folk, Country, Musical Theater, Showtunes

I've been working with children long before I chose my major and started college. Singing was always a big part of my "play". I studied elementary education but even when I was in the general classroom I used music. I enjoyed making up songs to help different skills and ideas stick. For the past 3 years I have been teaching music. I have taught Preschool up to 8th grade. I've also worked with high school age students in a worship band capacity at my church. My favorite part about teaching music is the look on a student's face when something finally clicks. The most important part of my music classes is that my students are having fun as they're learning. I want them to feel safe and comfortable, especially in making mistakes. Mistakes are a big part of the learning process, especially when you're working with something as tricky as your voice. If a student is not comfortable putting themselves out there it's going to be much harder to reach their full potential.

I want to get a sense of why my student is interested in singing. Do they want to sing in a choir? Be the next pop star? Once I have an idea of what their goals are we start working with their voice and figuring out what styles work best for them. We always start off with warm-ups. They're a very important part of the singing process. They can also help students when they are on their own. If they understand what each warm-up is for and how it affects the voice they can use that to make the most of their voices outside of voice lessons. I feel as though my job is to give them the tools they need to be the best vocalist they can be outside of their lessons.