The internet has changed the way we think, feel and have access to information (shock, lol). I would have never dreamed of online voice lessons 20 years ago. When I first heard of it, I admit to being skeptical. Then after my 10th annual teaching tour of Asia in 2016, several students wanted to continue working with me without having to wait another next year. That marked my beginning and changed my mind about online teaching.
Now when I say online lessons, I am talking about one-on-one, private lessons, not the multitude of YouTube videos. While you can gather tips from YouTube and other sources, I am sorry, but I believe that you cannot learn to sing effectively from a video, any more than you can learn to sing by reading a book. These can be wonderful tools and an adjunct to your learning experience, but private lessons allow the teacher to zero in on YOU, give feedback, and provide what YOU need in a lesson.
For example, I prescribe specific exercises for each of my students based upon their individual needs. I often “invent” exercises for them or make their song into an exercise. Their “prescription” includes instructions to practice the exercises for a minimum of 10 minutes on most days of the week. The exercises are what build and train the voice. We pay as much attention to detail and technique, no different than in an in-person lesson. I am still your “vocal detective”, emphasizing breathing and support; elimination of tension; resonance, diction, style and more. I develop a bond with all of my students, whether online or in the studio.
What do you need for a successful online lesson? A good internet connection and a computer with a microphone. Some students have also used iPads and phones when they could not get to their computers. No problem! I teach by Skype, FaceTime, Duo or Zoom. Zoom has the best reception and allows us to video record the entire session.
Gone are the days where we were limited by geography. Now you can have a world class, top quality lesson without leaving your home, allowing you to work with a teacher anywhere in the world. In fact, I also continue to study voice, yes through ONLINE private lessons, even after 40 years! I truly practice what I preach.