It is not always easy to know who is the best vocal coach for your individual voice.
Pretty much anyone who is so inclined can put out a shingle and call themselves a Los Angeles Vocal Coach. Unlike many professions, there are no standards for voice coaches. The problem is that a voice teacher can do great harm or great good to a voice, depending on their level of skill and expertise.
There are many roads to Rome, some are good and will get you to your ultimate destination. Others are not so good. I had a famous Broadway star come to my studio some years ago. When she tried to sing a simple five note scale, she literally could not hold a single pitch. Having previously heard her marvelous voice on cast recordings for years, I was astonished. When I asked her what had happened to her voice, she told me that a very well known actress (who shall go unnamed) had sent her to a popular Hollywood vocal coach (who shall also go unnamed). This was an enormously talented and intelligent woman who had been singing gloriously her whole life. After several months with this particular voice teacher, she literally could not sing a single note. After seeing doctors throughout the country she was referred to me by Dr. Edward Kantor, a top Los Angeles otolaryngologist. She came to my studio in tears, afraid that she might never be able to sing again. I am happy to say that with very careful and painstaking work, she is now able to do what she loves to do – sing!
So what should you look for in a good vocal coach? First and foremost a good vocal coach should do no harm! They must be committed to the vocal health of their students and do everything to foster healthy vocal habits. They must understand that no two voices are alike – each voice is unique and should not be subjected to a cookie cutter approach. Medicine that cures one patient can kill another! One thing I can tell you for sure – if something does not feel good in your throat, it is not good for you. I will write more later about what constitutes healthy vocal habits.
Until next time…
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