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To: VOCALIST <vocalist>
From: Peter Louis van Dijk
Subject: Re: List of Greatest Voice Teachers
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Dr LaFond wrote:
>
>I submit that you will find the best voice teachers in the back woods
>somewhere who instilled in their students a sense of balance early in life.
>When the student moves on to bigger things, usually some other teacher who
>may have helped polish them is given responsibility for that students
>achievements.
>

An article I read many moons ago stated that every student requires about
three different levels of teaching and teachers. This article was talking
specifically about young instrumentalists, but something can be learnt for
our purposes.

The first teacher should be able to instil the joy of music-making without
over-emphasising technique.(obviously correct technique is important, but
secondary if it kills enjoyment, especially when dealing with young
children)
The second teacher should be more picky and finally the last needs to
expect total technical committment from the pupil.

It would be wonderful, and it does sometimes happen, if one teacher could
guide a pupil through all these stages, but lets face it, somewhere along
the line pupils can become teacher-deaf and vice versa.
A fresh approach, slightly different terminology and imagery, and hey
presto,suddenly a problem resolves itself. And yes, sadly, the new teacher
gets the credit.
Also some teachers are better with beginners and can concentrate on
technique, while others have a gift when it comes to
interpretation.Teachers in private practice do not have access to the same
facilities that a College or University has.Students sometimes become more
committed when they become music majors and are surrounded by peers who
share a similar level of committment.That doesn't negate what they have
learnt before with a private teacher, but they easily forget that part of
their lives.

I take my hat off to those pupils who have the courage and courtesy to
mention ALL their teachers on their C V's, because learning is such a
multi-faceted growth-process.

Another thought: What comes first, the great voice teacher or the ability
to pick and choose good voices and then become" a great voice teacher" by
association?

I suppose there is a little place for all of us on this planet!

Regards
Susi
C T RSA