>I've met a couple really >good teachers lately that I wish I had a voice for them to work with. I >"hear" my voice, the voice that is clear with healthy vocal cords, but >that voice isn't there when I want it because of all the teaching and my >own technique was never stellar. But, somehow I can teach, using >experience with other students and what I've read in books and what I've >salvaged from my past teachers and vocalist has been an amazing help in >improving my teaching.
I keep thinking that if you were able to take care of your voice better, then you would have EVEN MORE to offer your students. It's clear that you already have a lot to offer, since they are happy with you and are willing to pay higher rates and remain loyal.
>What I've come to today is I want to heal my voice. But, how do I even >approach this task when I have bills to pay and 1 daughter in college >and the other on the way and I'm paying for some of those expenses as >well? Charge more money, take less students... these are suggestions >I've been offered... I've raised my rates a little but I haven't been >able to lessen the number of students...
This alone suggests you must be a wonderful teacher. Maybe you could up the rates a little further and start a separate savings account wherein you deposit the difference. (In other words, make sure that you are truly using the extra money for yourself and not defensively plugging it into family expenses. If you got by before on your old rates, you can continue to do so and take the extra for yourself.)
I would start with a trusted voice doc, if there is one in your area. Find someone who knows the concerns of singers and who is willing to work with you and your insurance company. If a medical problem is one that threatens your livelihood, then the HMO's are more likely to cover some referrals for you. See if they can get you into speech therapy. Often just a few sessions will be enough because as a professional voice user you are already pretty savvy to what's going on with your instrument.
Also, take a lesson or two with one of these good teachers you've met recently and give yourself the chance to learn better technique. This will benefit both you and your students -- and will ultimately enable you to raise the rates further, if this is something you want to do.
I agree that you can use your voice less vigorously and more consciously when you are teaching -- also when you are going about other daily tasks. Do you yell at your girls when you get angry? Do you hold your breath? There are things you can do to help yourself that don't cost money -- like practicing meditation to help yourself feel less tense, like bringing more consciousness to breathing, like training yourself to use proper support when you speak. These are things that you have the capability to do RIGHT NOW; you need only to decide you can. I know you can!
Best of luck! Naomi
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