Shaini B
5.0
(7)
Instruments: Voice
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Folk, Country, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera
Shaini B
5.0
(7)
Instruments: Voice
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Folk, Country, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 12-80
other: 10+ years of private lessons and experience
I am not only passionate about music, but about psychology and mental health and how the two work together. In my own journey as a singer, I have seen improvements with my voice have developed in tandem with my growth as a person, noticing how my relationship with my voice and vocal blockages I encountered had correlating symbology to various aspects my life. Fueled with passionate curiosity, I have investigated multiple singing methods, finding Speech Level Singing to be not only the most up to date with current knowledge of the voice, but the healthiest way to develop an instrument so closely linked to our psyche. Although my lessons are not intended as therapy, I hope to help my students see growth outside of singing as I have been able to.
I’ve been singing since I was a kid, spending my earliest years stomping around in the rainy weather of Seattle Washington, singing at the top of my lungs (yes, my theme song was ‘Singing in the Rain’). I was always singing in school and church choirs and started taking lessons privately at age 14, continuing to do so for over a decade. My background as a singer is primarily in performing musical theater, but my fascination and knowledge of how adaptable the voice isn’t limited to the one genre! The first genre I learned was classical, Celtic and indie come the most natural to me, and I love challenging myself with pop. As a teacher, I have helped beginners and professionals to develop confidence and sing without strain.
As I mentioned before, I investigated many singing methods and found Speech Level Singing to be the best. The principle of this method is that our singing voice is an extension of our speaking voice, which is also when our vocal muscles are the most relaxed and phonate in their natural state. Therefore, we’re not changing your voice, we’re peeling away the layers of unnecessary tension and building the strength and dexterity of your true voice! I also borrow ideas from the field of psychology, such as mindfulness, body awareness, meditation and visualization, somatic movement, and more. The voice is a psychological instrument, and the more we do to build a relationship between the voice and the mind, the easier it is for them to grow.
I love seeing my student’s grow, and I’m not afraid to show it! I find it easy to notice how my students are improving, even in small ways. Even when my student’s voice is squeaking and cracking, it’s something to celebrate! My enthusiasm comes naturally, which I hope inspires my students to nurture a growth mindset. My students’ perception of their singing experience is highly important to me and regularly ask them to communicate their experience. If an exercise sounds good to me but my student is experiencing any form of tension, I want to know so I can make appropriate adjustments. Throughout my sessions, you can also expect very brief lessons explaining why I provide certain exercises and what happens with the vocal anatomy. I find that helping my students understand on an intellectual level can help them better understand their physical experience, helping them make the progress they want in their practice at home. After each lesson, I send my student at-home practice suggestions catered to their individual needs, including specific warmups and my notes for the pieces they’re working on. This way, they have a clear objective to meet their goals. Each person is different, and as such, I take these ideas and prioritize the ones that are most helpful to the individual.
Shalli
It has been a game changing experience working with Shaini. She really understands singing in a holistic way and has been so patient in customizing a plan and approach to teaching to help me grow as a vocalist
Mellie
It is such a fun experience working with Shaini! I have been able to learn so much from her and use a lot of her techniques she teaches me outside of her lesson to help me grow vocally.
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