| 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
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