About the Program

A progressive, stepped approach to lifelong achievement

All beginning and intermediate-level students – pre-teens, teens and adults – work on sight-reading and ear training, music theory for singers and studies for the voice including vocal exercises and vocal methods and repertoire selected by the teacher (including traditional and classical selections). 

I teach age 12 and older.  I do not recommend formal voice study for younger singers.

For toddlers and slightly older, I recommend a good musicianship training program, such as Orff Schulwerk, Dalcroze Eurythmics and Kodaly programs. These programs are difficult to find because not everyone insists on quality music education for their children. I suggest calling larger universities for leads, or finding the associations related to these types of programs on the Internet.

I recommend piano lessons for age 7 or 8 and older. If a child doesn't want to practice the piano (violin, etc.), or can't be cajoled into practicing, they will not do well with formal voice instruction, either. Multi-faceted choral programs such as the South Bay Children's Choir and other such offerings are a good training ground. I do not recommend show-type choirs, or groups requiring children to sing with a lower adjustment (chest, belt-style production) before they find and learn to use the upper adjustment. Singing only in lower adjustment often leads singers to believe they have no upper range. And reinforcing lower adjustment before a young physiology is ready for it can have other negative consequences.

Approximately a third to half of the lesson at my studio is dedicated to the study of technique through vocalises (vocal exercises) and vocal exercises in song form. The remainder of the lesson is dedicated to musicianship skills and repertoire development.

This program is a solid stepping stone for singers embarking on university studies and professional careers. Selected students may be offered an opportunity to participate in competitions and evaluations offered through the Music Teachers Association of California, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and the California Association of Professional Music Teachers.

Students may be required to purchase anywhere from 3 to 6 music books in a 6 to 12 month period. These books are readily available through online outlets. Other optional books may be recommended. Songs are selected for the student by the teacher. Songs texts will be in English, Italian, French and German. It is the student’s responsibility to learn the songs. Singers who do not have the ability to sight-read vocal music are required to take six weeks of piano instruction with me prior to starting voice lessons. Instruction is geared toward learning to read notes and rhythms and musical terms related to a vocal line in the music. Singers are also expected to obtain a keyboard of some kind to help them learn their music. The teacher is not responsible for teaching the notes of the songs. Students are expected to learn and memorize assigned songs in a timely fashion, record every lesson and maintain a lesson journal.

Lessons for advanced students are flexible and are geared toward individual need and expertise. Advanced students hone existing skills, work to eliminate deficits and add greater dimension to their practice and performance capabilities.

Students are expected to show up on time for lessons. (at least 5 or 10 minutes early)

Prospective students must book a preliminary consultation. While music education and singing is for everyone, not every teacher is for every student and vice versa. I do not turn out rock stars. I do not turn out child opera singers. I teach foundation-based technique and artistic singing to those who want to learn.

220 Newport Center Drive, Suite 16
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 723-4473

pshanks@studioshanks.com

Please call for information.

www.studioshanks.com