VOICE CURRICULUM

BUILD A HEALTHY INSTRUMENT: YOUR VOICE

- Practice proper posture and relaxing exercises for the whole body
- McKlosky technique: 6 steps relaxing exercises for the voice
- Warm up routine focusing on resonance, placing the sound in
the "mask" and controlling the breath
- Progressive vocalizes
- Maintenance and hygiene of your voice
- Learn about the mechanical process of singing: what parts of the body
are involved
- Receive a personalized repertoire: American & international folk songs,
classical art songs, opera, Broadway, Jazz...
- Strengthen your speaking voice


SPECIFIC TECHNIQUE FOR OPERA SINGERS

- Learn the 4 steps of Bel Canto:
1) Free the throat keeping it relaxed
2) Focus the voice placing the sound in the resonance chambers
3) Gain breath support to control the color of the tone and the volume
4) Learn to use the diaphragm to extend the range of your voice
- Focus on the specifications of each era: baroque, classical, romantic, modern
- Practice proper diction in foreign languages: Italian, French, German, Spanish
- Build a repertoire
- Practice and improve stage skills and acting
- Learn to build a balanced and exciting recital program

PRACTICE TIPS
Always train yourself to be able to sing 2 steps higher than required in your program. You will
feel more confident and will remain relaxed on stage.


MUSICALS

- From Cole Porter, Gilbert & Sullivan, Rogers & Hammerstein to Leonard Bernstein and Frank
Wildhorn practice stage performance and acting techniques.
- Build a fun program for recitals
- Prepare auditions: acting, dancing and focusing on style

PRACTICE TIPS
Try to avoid "belting" technique.
Using "belting" will damage your voice. You might experience frequent sore throat, voice loss
or/and throat nodules.
Famous performers like Liza Minnelli, Julie Andrews and Rob Stewart have had throat nodes and
had to end or put their career on hold.


JAZZ

Learn the specific interpretation techniques related to Jazz repertoire:
- Control and use of the vibrato
- Keep a healthy voice to be able to perform night after night without losing your voice.
- Create exciting improvisations
- Learn harmonisation

PRACTICE TIPS
* DO NOT SMOKE! You put at risk the entire mechanism and... your life.
* Keep a good posture. It is the foundation of a beautiful sound production.
* Always imagine the sound that you want to produce and then sing it using
your entire body, mind, spirit and emotions.
* Don't try to imitate other singers. Develop your own style, unique voice
and musician identity.