Why I Teach
Today I was contemplating why I teach. Then I had the most amazing lesson with a student and realized the profound difference I have made in his life by sharing this technique that took most of my life to find. It is like the treasure at the end of the rainbow to me and I cherish it. I feel very privileged to be one of the chosen few who “get it” in the world of singing.
So for me teaching mix is more of a mission than a profession. I am so excited to be part of this new organization. Already the synergy of like-minded people has energized me. I am so excited to learn more and share it with the few voices that have entrusted themselves to me. If you are reading this you have already decided to join us. Please feel free and maybe even a little obligated to share so we can learn from each other’s successes and failures. I am delighted to be counted among you!
Teri, Thank you. That was really beautiful. I have felt driven as well to share what I have learned with others. I guess that is really the purpose of this website in general, to unite teachers and to learn from each other. Thanks for sharing!
Why do I teach? For me, it’s summed up in one singer’s story. About a year ago, I received a 10 p.m. phone call from a parent whose 15-year-old son had just been told by his voice teacher that he was tone deaf, his voice was hopeless, and he should stop trying to sing. The mom was near tears: “My son loves musical theatre more than anything and he is devastated.” The next afternoon that young man walked into my studio. He wasn’t tone deaf. He was singing with an extremely high larynx; his vocal folds didn’t adduct; and there was so much extrinsic muscle involvement that he sounded as though he was choking. All of us who have trained as teachers of mix have the knowledge to help a student with those problems. Seven lessons later, he auditioned for his school musical, nailed it, and was cast in chorus in the show. Yes! That’s why I teach. P.S. He just got one of the leads in this year’s musical.
Awesome Mary Ann, those stories are my favorite. I had a student like that. At the beginning my husband would walk by and cringe and say, “How can you stand that?” He could barely articulate any pitch. I cried happy tears the day he was able to sing a song. My husband commented, “Who is that? He is really good!” I feel so blessed to have the right tools and knowledge of what this technique can accomplish!
I am so happy to be a part of this organization. I am still struggling with some vocal issues after being trained classically for 15 years, but have had some glimpses into what I feel is my ‘real’ voice. My story was much like that of the ‘recovering opera singer’ except that I chose choir instead of solo singing once I got to BYU. I was often confused by the phrases used by my choir directors and felt like the more I studied, the less answers I had. Since I began studying with Dean 3 years ago, I have been learning how to teach correct vocal principles to the choirs I teach. It is SO rewarding, not only because it sounds better, but more importantly, I feel that singers who sing without manipulation have an amazing ability to sing with heart. One of the reasons I love choir is that it provides a platform for ANYONE to perform as a singer, and this organization is a perfect compliment for that. Thank You!
Welcome Rebecca! Glad to have you on board!