 Now accepting new students
We are based in the San Francisco Bay Area on a regular basis and offer both private studio lessons and masterclasses. If you would like to register for voice lessons, please contact us!
Firm grounding in bel canto technique
Studio Voix-LA! is firmly dedicated to the vocal, physical and spiritual health of its students.
We offer both private studio lessons in San Francisco and New York City, and regular workshops and lecture series in San Francisco, Chicago and New York City. From age 13 to emerging professionals accepted.
Please see our contact page for information on how to reach us.
Following as closely as possible the techniques discussed and taught by Manuel Garcia and Mathilde Marchesi, one of his most accomplished students and an excellent teacher in her own right, we teach singers the basics of proper breathing and support, from which all good singing originates.
Students receive a firm grounding in relaxed, balanced and healthy vocal placement, creating a free and open sound. We discuss and study physical anatomy, and imagery is used when appropriate. Students also receive careful training in English and foreign language diction, using IPA, and we emphasize translation/fluency skills. Following excellent technique, students receive guidance in interpretation and the deep psychological/anthropological basis for singing, both classical and modern. Fine technique must come first, and then it's the passion and consciousness of the singer that allows the genius to emerge.
For more information, please contact us!
Letter to young singers:
We're so pleased that you are interested in singing -- there are never enough talented artists in the world, and it's rewarding to know that young singers like yourself are coming along to keep the traditions alive, and perhaps breathe new life into them.
Our best advice for you, dear, is to know yourself. Know your voice and its limitations, and don't let anyone push you into doing things that do not suit your unique instrument! Many people in the opera world are worried for several young "up-and-coming" singers because they are pressured into singing things they should not be singing, and may be permanently damaging the instrument. Please PLEASE do not let the lure of quick money tease you into doing something that will hurt your voice! Your voice is part of your soul; if you hurt your voice, your soul will hurt also. This may not make sense to you now, but if not, please think about it; you will understand it soon.
The next bit of advice to you, just as important, is to keep practicing! Study with a teacher whom you love, and practice what he or she tells you. Continue studying even once your career is established, because someone will always have some new insight that you don't know.
Be willing to accept instruction -- although we must of course be extremely self-confident to do what we do, a healthy dose of humility is also necessary.
Now, speaking of confidence, we come to the last bit of advice, and that is to own the space where you stand . Do you understand? Whenever you make an entrance, whether it's your first or last entrance, and whether you are the "star" or not, you must enter with such poise and grace and power (but without "grandstanding" -- confidence, not stage antics, is the key here!) that people will notice you even before you sing your first note. Remember who you are at all times. No matter what your economic background is, to the rest of the world you are a star, a member of an elite caste, because God has given you a gift that He does not share with many. You are extraordinary for even trying!
Our very best wishes to you always!
- Studio Voix-LA!
Rebekkah Hilgraves
|