To: "VOCALIST" <vocalist>
Subject: Re: WAS "Suzuki singing lesson" now Group Lessons
Date sent: Mon, 7 Feb 2000 08:58:02 -0500
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Dear Susi:

I wish I had a better group experience to share:

When I was an undergrad and at first a music therapy major, we were given
only group lessons and I was miserable. First of all, there was nothing in
the catalog that said we would be thus discriminated against - all other
majors received private lessons. Secondly, I had paid for private voice
lessons and was only singing at most for 10 minutes out of every hour - and
boy did I ever need the other 50 minutes! We vocalized together, group was
composed of male and females, sang different songs. Unfortunately, since my
teacher was a pragmatic "now try this" kind of teacher, what she did with
one student did not necessarily apply to the others. I fought tooth and nail
against the policy and was eventually moved to private lessons to shut me me
up.

I think that if one is giving group lessons, that they should cost less than
private, be well advertised as such, and as much as possible, deal with
good, sound, general voice technique, with seminars once a month or so.
Then, when a student is clearly beyond the scope of the group curriculum,
or, conversely, clearly needs more individual attention, they should be
moved to private lessons.

All that said, I too am thinking of teaching group lessons for adults - but
specifically for those who are afraid to sing alone.

Good Luck Susi!

Laura Sharp

----- Original Message -----
From: Susi
(SNIP) Do any listers have experience and tips on teaching singing to adults
in
groups.(SNIP)