I received this contribution to my Testimonial Page last night. She is a client that has worked with me for a few months. I include it here not so much because it talks about me, that’s what the testimonial page is for, but because I find what she says to be inspiring to the singer in each of us. Hopefully it will have a similar impact on other readers on how you think about your voice and singing.
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To Michael,
I thank you dearly for sharing your wisdom and energy in our vocal lessons together. You have taught me more than how to produce good tone or how to use my voice safely. You have made me realize that voice is a natural expression of life energy, and most importantly it is an expression of human feelings. Art cannot be taught, but you have pointed the way and wisely you’ve pointed to the heart. As a result, I am in touch with the artist within me, and I sing from my heart. So thank you.
To aspiring singers,
The voice is our instrument. That is in essence what we play, and we must play it well and safely. But this instrument is also living and can get hurt, can fatigue, can be overused and misused. Like a pianist who practices daily, we need to do that and more. We have to understand the voice, connect with it, become friends with it, and take care of it.
With Michael I have explored new territories with regards to where my voice can go. And I know there is much more to come. His use of images and science to explain function is phenomenal.
As a voice teacher, he gives his unwavering attention, energy, and information during a session. He remembers where you are at vocally, what you’ve accomplished, and what you are struggling with. He not only tells you what you need to do and how to do it, but also why you need to do it. You are then inspired to sing.
Like few great teachers, he makes sure you know you did it all by yourself.
If you are overwhelmed by and tired of the infinite opinions on singing and the endless claims to good singing, this site is a step away from the beautiful and healthy voice that you’re looking for. You will enjoy the peace of mind that comes with taking vocal lessons with Michael.
Mirvat Ammouri, Aspiring musician, Beirut, Lebanon
Thank you, Santiago. You have stated things better than I could. I'm going to use this for a new post.
Hi
first of all, I want to thank you for your this blog and all the information in it…
I just read some previous post and comments…I noticed some people questioned about your capacity as voice instructor…well, I'd like to say that being a career singer and being a voice instructor are not the same job. You don't need to be a perfect model of the concepts you teach, a teacher doesn't have to be the most perfect singer in the world…if things were that way, then only a few singers in the whole world could teach how to sing…Even best singers had teachers who were not famous or perfect… Being a teacher, or a guide to some one else is about being capable of bringing the best out of the person who trusted you.
The instructor is the torch which guides in the darkness… not the map to get to a destination…each singer will walk a different way to get where they want…the instructor will light the way but won't be the eyes of the walker…The light will show the bridge to cross the river (which is the safest way to cross it)..but it is up to the walker if they want to use it or if they want to jump to the current and try to get to the other side…some super talented swimmers will succeed, while others will drawn…
Yes, there are many ways to cross a river, but we must agree that using the bridge is the safest.
About this approach to singing…there are many people out there walking with their hands…this approach only says "notice you have feet, use them"… I am sure many will applaud the acrobatics of those walking with their hands, but only those waking with their feet can run, or jump, or reach the end of the road…
Thanks for the valuable help you are giving…