Open Intervals
Teaching & Diction
Free German Diction Class
On April 7th I offered a free German Diction class for singers and voice teachers and it was an absolutely lovely time.
There were singers and teachers from Virginia to Colorado and from one part of Minnesota to another.
Here's what we covered (and all of this in 90 minutes!):
- how the German vowel:constant ratio differs from English
- how German children learn to read and how that instructs singers on German diction
- the Ich-Laut
- the Ach-Laut
- pronouncing the German "w" or /v/ sound
- an ove…
Expression in Violin and Singing - Part 3: Making Your Violin Sing
Nicole Notes: Several years ago I paired up with violinist and orchestra teacher Katie Gustafson to write several articles for String Notes, published by the Minnesota String and Orchestra Teachers Association (MNSOTA), which is the local chapter of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). We had a great time exploring the commonalities between playing the violin and singing. Please enjoy this three-part series.
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by Katie Gustafson and Nicole Warner
In the first two installments of our …
Expression in Violin and Singing - Part 2: Breathe Your Way Out of Your Lizard Brain
Nicole Notes: Several years ago I paired up with violinist and orchestra teacher Katie Gustafson to write several articles for String Notes, published by the Minnesota String and Orchestra Teachers Association (MNSOTA), which is the local chapter of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). We had a great time exploring the commonalities between playing the violin and singing. Please enjoy this three-part series.
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by Katie Gustafson and Nicole Warner
Urbandictionary.com defines ‘lizard b…
Expression in Violin and Singing - Part 1: Body Awareness
Nicole Notes: Several years ago I paired up with violinist and orchestra teacher Katie Gustafson to write several articles for String Notes, published by the Minnesota String and Orchestra Teachers Association (MNSOTA), which is the local chapter of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). We had a great time exploring the commonalities between playing the violin and singing. Please enjoy this three-part series.
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by Katie Gustafson and Nicole Warner
A few years ago I was singing with a …
9 Goofy Things Voice Students Say
Voice students say the darndest things! And my students are no exception. Over the past couple of years I've collected their antics and funny comments. Here, without further ado, are 9 goofy things my voice students have said:
You know you're old when...
A: *takes out smart phone and hits the button* Siri, who is “Milli Vanilli”?
Do I have a wobble?!
T: *looks at me wide-eyed.* Nicole, your vibrato…it scares me.
Confessions of a high schooler:
D: (whispered) I like orchestra better t…
7 Words of Wisdom for Senior Voice Students
Dear Senior Voice Students,
It's hard every year when you depart. The last concert is so emotional, your last lessons are poignant. I often imagine what you'll think 20 years from now when you think about your voice lessons. Did you learn what you wanted to learn? Did all the music theory sink in deep enough? Do you remember to breathe with your belly?
Here are 7 pieces of what my students would probably call unsolicited advice I give to seniors and any voice student who's going off on a new a…
The Importance of Routine in the Voice Studio
Having a general, predictable routine in the voice studio is part of what I call the "culture of a voice studio." When students start taking lessons from you, whether it is your private studio or at a school, they need to learn how your studio functions--they want to know what they can predict. Having a general structure to lessons creates a sense of security for you and your students and avoids chaos.
Over this past school year I've implemented a beginning-of-lesson-routine that has helped man…
3 Lessons I Learned from Teaching Voice
In 2004 I started teaching voice.
I must confess, it was the last thing I wanted to do.
Long story short, I thought I was too good for it, that I should be singing, not teaching, and I was soon proven completely and utterly wrong.
I LOVED it. My first student was an attorney who sang in the concert choir in the Musikverein Lippstadt and took voice lessons to enrich her life and so that she might enjoy her singing more.
Other students followed, from teens who wanted to sing the choir music ar…
For Voice Teachers: The Private Voice Studio Handbook
Joan Frey Boytim's Private Voice Studio Handbook is a Must-Have for all Voice Teachers
Disclaimer: Some, but not all, of the links in this post are Affiliate links and are followed by: (Affiliate link). That means if you click through that link and make a purchase, I may receive a small portion of that purchase, for which I thank you. I don't see who bought what, only what was purchased. Read the full disclaimer here.
What is Solo & Ensemble? And What Do the Judges Do, Anyway?
Solo & Ensemble (or "Solo-Ensemble") is a yearly opportunity for kids in music programs to perform a solo, duet, and/or a small ensemble piece and get some feedback from a judge. This feedback includes a rating and if it's really high, they can go on to perform at state and receive another critique.
For some students, Solo & Ensemble is the only time they get to perform outside of band, orchestra, or choir. (I'll focus on choir and solos & vocal ensembles in this piece.) It may be the only time …