Voice Lessons in Manhattan, NY

Instruments: Voice

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Practicing is one of the hardest things to be consistent about. Every student has a level or time frame of frustration. Some can do an exercise for 5min then get frustrated and go check their phone; others can be focused for about 20min and then go check their phones. In my case its like 15min! So when I'm learning something new or reviewing a subject, I know I have to take quick 1min-breaks every 15min to push through my frustration level. If you just sit there and go through songs without being aware of what it is you are targeting to get better at (melody, rhythm, intonation, articulation, chord recognition or passing through chords if you are learning guitar) it will be very hard for you to advance effectively. Ideally, you should try at least 4 - 5 exercises that can be around the same topic but using a different approach in each one; that should take between 10-20min. If in an hour you can go through three or four different subjects. This means that in just one hour you broke down 4 different subjects into at least 16 different exercises. Now, I don't really count them, I just ask myself constantly, What other way can I understand this? If I were teaching this to my mother how would I begin to explain it? I know my mom has nothing to do with music so I'd have to bring some serious kindergarten expertise in teaching her about piano or vocal range. Break it down! The idea is to figure out where you are lacking practice and that usually implies slowing down and breaking your goals and your process apart. I can't tell you practice will make you perfect, but I can tell you that getting those 45min - 2hrs of effective practice time every day will get you to where you want to be as a musician and singer. Envision it, ask yourself how to get there, break it down into topics, target your topics with effective practice and research, and then treat yourself for being so awesome!

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
Children love music. Being exposed to introductory music lessons allows them to explore what they like and what makes them jump and sing without hesitation. Trying out different games, rhythms, songs and instruments that allows them to feel confident. Once exploring has advanced you will know by how much they ask for music lessons or piano lessons, listen to them! Get them into a few classes and see how much they advance, when they want music they are open to the exercises and practice that comes with it, these little artists know from a very young age that music makes them feel different and happy and even though sometimes it can be hard or frustrating, doing it feels 100 times more rewarding.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
Yes! I've had a few teachers that really changed the game for me. But there was one teacher when I was about 12, that really listened to what I wanted in music and helped me achieve it. Its those teachers that are so passionate about teaching and music and go beyond the regular lesson. They are always innovating with new exercises and ideas and it feels more like an adventure. Just picture two nerds talking about their favorite subject and how to approach it; this combined with an open mind makes the student feel safe and ready to take on the hardest subjects. This inspired me to be the biggest nerd in music, meaning I love it so much that when I teach it I transmit that passion to my students. We approach the curriculum with curiousness and I allow the student to explore their favorite genre, subject, theory; this way we both contribute with imagination.

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