Dear Karen and Vocalisters:
Thank you for your most informative and vulnerable comments about the process of changing teachers. I applaud you for your honesty.
Just a thought. Because a students study of voice is, basically, a one-on-one relationship with the teacher, it is of primary importance that the student be comfortable with that relationship. There is a lot of similarity between the relationship with a voice teacher and the relationship of a patient with his/her therapist. It is important that the student is convinced a positive situation is in effect, one that supports the student and believes in the students potential. And it is the responsibly of the teacher to convey that confidence to the student.
We, as voice teachers, are not able to be everything to every student. It is most common for a student to find a teacher that does not me his/her needs. A look for another teacher in this situation is a natural result. I know of few voice teachers worth their salt who would not encourage an unsatisfied student to find another teacher. In addition, it is the obligation of a voice teacher to be an encouraging influence in the development of the student, even if that means the student should be studying with somebody else.
There is little need for ego if one teachers voice. But ego often become the reason for teaching voice. -- Lloyd W. Hanson, DMA Professor of Voice and Vocal Pedagogy, Emeritus Director of Opera-Theatre, 1987-1997 College of Fine Arts (formerly, School of Performing Arts) Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ
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