Dear Les and Vocalisters:
Les wrote: "What can they (voice students) get from them (independent voice teachers) that they can't get from other forms of education? The one-on-one attention is a given."
"I tend to think that some of those things as being: How to find out about auditions How to audition Stage deportment and dress The process of how to learn a song or role effectively How to figure out what your voice is best suited to do"
COMMENT: I am not sure I can answer this but I will try, of course. Because learning to sing well is such an individual, unique skill it is best taught individually and with a uniqueness that fits each odd talent. For me, this is the primary reason for the existence of the private or independent voice studio. The concept of "studio" implies a one-on-one relationship which teaches, disciplines, nourishes, and guides. This is the oldest and most traditional form of education. Studio education also exists in other forms of art such as painting, sculpture, etc. but in these forms it often becomes a one-on-several relationship.
Studio teaching is a problem for any education system that is founded on the concept of mass production or a generalized approach that must be used because of cost restraints. I have mentioned before that any education system that considers its students to be consumers is basically viewing their product as little more than something one buys, uses, and throws away. But if education is to have any real meaning, it will change the people involved, both student and teacher and administrator. And that change is life long and on going.
All of the examples you give could just as easily be taught in a generalized, larger class with the possible exception of the last one (what your voice is best suited for) and many universities do provide such a course. The person teaching such a course needs to be constantly updating his/her information because the music industry is in a continual state of flux. The constant in such a course is a concern for the individual such that he/she will find answers to these questions that best suit them, individually. If we attempt to train artists we encourage the individualism of each artistic expression.
After reading this over, I am still not sure I have answered your question. Please do respond and let us continue this discussion.
-- Lloyd W. Hanson, DMA Professor of Voice, Pedagogy School of Performing Arts Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ 86011
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