Singing Lessons
Singing lessons
I am what you would call a vocologist or a “singing voice specialist”, a designation that has only recently come into the voice vocabulary. A specialist of this sort has training in voice performance, voice pedagogy and voice science.
Given this background, I teach singing using a systematic approach that allows students to understand, appreciate and take ownership of their own vocal development.
Want to learn how to sing? I can help.
Singing voice rehabilitation
Unfortunately, singers can sometimes experience problems with their voice. Symptoms can include: loss of vocal stamina or range, loss of one's ability to manage dynamics, hoarseness, intermittent voice loss, and even pain.
Singers that are worried about their voice should consult with an Ear Nose and Throat Doctor, and thereafter, to seek the advice of a registered speech-language pathologist (and I can recommend some good ones!).
For further assistance with ongoing singing health and wellness, seeking out a singing voice specialist like myself is the next step. I can help to reduce your unhealthy singing behaviours by replacing them with healthy singing behaviours. I can help guide your voice back to consistently free and healthy singing.
Clinical voice training & clinical voice supervision for music therapists
If you are a Music Therapist, you sing as part of your clinical practice every day. You use your voice to lead group singing with adequate volume, and to facilitate client response. You also perform in a variety of moods and styles (e.g., classical, pop, children's songs, chant, vocal toning) which often incorporate client preference and improvisation. If you were a voice major in University, you’ve likely had training in singing. If your primary instrument wasn’t voice, you may not have had singing training at all. Applied singing lessons for Music Therapists include: basic functional singing training, techniques for maintaining good vocal health and injury prevention related to the demands of your profession, training on how to sing in non-traditional postures with self-accompaniment, stylistic instruction (classical vs. pop), work on improvisational singing with lead sheets, and vocal toning.
If you are a Music Therapist, you may also come across clients on your caseload with voice disorders. If you want to learn how to use a music-inspired voice therapy approach like Neurologic Music Therapy® to improve your professional practise, I can help. One example Neurologic Music Therapy® speech and language exercise is Vocal Intonation Therapy®, which employs the use of vocal exercises to “…train, maintain, develop, and rehabilitate aspects of voice control due to structural, neurological, physiological, psychological, or functional abnormalities of the voice apparatus” (Thaut, 2014).
If you are a music therapist looking for clinical voice training or clinical voice supervision, please reach out.
"When I began studying under Charlene during my undergraduate program, it did not take me long to realize the honour and privilege I had of working with her. Not only is she an immensely gifted vocalist, technically and artistically, but she is also a kind and intuitive teacher. Under Charlene’s tutelage, my singing was given the space it needed to transform. Rather than singing to simply produce notes, I now sing to participate in the creation of moments wrapped in grace, beauty, humour, and passion. Getting to this point in my singing would not be possible without the great care Charlene took during our time together and for this I am so very grateful."
Elissa N.
"Words cannot explain the gratitude I have for Charlene. She challenged me to grow not only as a singer, but also as a more passionate individual. She taught me about what it requires to pour all of yourself into something you love, and I could never thank her enough for that."
Victoria M.
"Studying under Charlene was wonderful. Through her tutelage, I was able to grow as a vocalist and as a pedagogue. She explained technical concepts so that I could understand them and then attempt to apply them in a practical way. She engaged both my body and my mind in our lessons together. She made me feel comfortable enough to try to take risks, and through her extensive knowledge, she was able to make me feel supported while guiding me in my progress as a musician."
Caitlyn B.
"I learned so much from Charlene and am so thankful to have had her as my teacher!"
Natasha W.
“Charlene was a pleasure to work with during my undergraduate years. Her knowledge of vocal technique, and her ability to share her knowledge clearly and concisely, were invaluable in our voice lessons. She helped me to understand concepts using a variety of pedagogical approaches and guided my vocal development to a level beyond which I had previously believed I could achieve. She demonstrated kindness, patience, and humour in every lesson and was consistently able to interpret and meet my needs as a singer and as a person. Charlene was an encouraging teacher who continually inspired me to work hard while raising my confidence in myself as both a singer and as an academic. Charlene was an inspiration to me in my own career as a voice instructor, as she demonstrated professionalism and care in every aspect of her teaching.”
Laura C.