Do You Know the Difference between a Singing Teacher and a Coach?

1. Singing Teachers, also known as Voice Teachers
These professionals teach singing technique.  They address how the voice is produced. They teach posture, breathing, resonance, breath support, the way the mouth opens, how to shape the throat and  other issues that effect how the larynx functions.  They give instruction to singers about how to warm up and care for their voices and how to apply the technique to repertoire.
Singing teachers help singers increase the range strength, pitch accuracy and beauty of their voices.These professionals are almost always, themselves, singers.

2. Singing Voice Therapists /Voice Rehabilitation Specialists
These Professionals help singers recover from traumatic voice injuries and voice abuse as well as preventing problems in the singing voice.Generally they are singers with specialized training.

3. Performance Coaches help singers to interpret repertoire and apply acting, stagecraft, and presentation skills. Performance coaches are trained actor/directors and may also be musicians (pianists/singers).

4. Diction/Foreign Language Coaches help singers to pronounce the texts of their lyrics accurately.  They must be familiar with the language and how to apply it to music. They may be singers, pianists or musically educated linguists.

5. Piano-Vocal Coaches help singers prepare repertoire stylistically and accurately as well as suggest repertoire, while accompanying them on the piano. These professionals generally have strong piano skills. Most, but not all are performers.

6. Vocal Accompanists also known as Collaborative Pianists are musicians, who specialize in performing music with singers. They understand how to play their instruments in a way that allows singers to sound their best. They are high level performing pianists and usually excellent sight-readers.

Traditional Theater Taboos- Know What They Are!

One of the quickest ways to become branded an outsider is to not observe the traditional theatrical superstitions. Now, in general I am not a superstitious person , however, respect for the traditions of the theatre is a nice way to pay tribute to the history and community of the theatre as well as an indication that you have an interest in being a considerate and dedicated part of a theatrical community. It also shows that you are a good and serious performer and that you are educated.

 

There are many traditions and certainly many are no longer in use, but I will list the most common ones below. I strongly hope that any present or former student of mine would at least be aware of these.


 
1) NEVER wish someone good luck(especially inside a theater). unless of course you are trying to send them the EVIL EYE. If you don't know what the evil eye is find out. (NO I don't think it actually exists any more than fairies do but I do know what a fairy is). Break a leg , In bocca al lupo, etc. Knock 'em dead is OK too. If you send good thoughts prayers, thinking of you is I guess, OK but LUCK .... NO!

 

2) Never mention the Scottish play in a theatre, or it's opera versions. If you don't know which Shakespeare this is find out, OK?
 


3) Don't use real props if you can help it, especially flowers(think allergies) mirrors(duh). Don't use real holy books. For g-d sakes use toy guns.
 


4) Don't whistle in the theatre! The first stage hands were Sailors. The first stage hands were out of work sailors (think of all the ropes etc. There is a reason why is is a theatrical rig. Whistling is how they signaled each other. Send the wrong signal and a you could get crushed by a sand bag. OK now everything is computer operated so yes this is antiquated but knowing this and not whistling is an acknowledgment that you realize that a set is a dangerous place. Life and death. A very beloved stage hand was once crushed to death during an opera production I was in. No it was NOT caused by whistling of course. But hopefully you get my point. Have respect for your work environment.

 

5) Maybe in the current green world we can give up keeping the ghost light on, but find out what the ghost light is, ok?

 

6) Don't use brand new make-up opening night.... very important. Think... allergies... the wrong color etc. 



7) Don't complain about your bad dress rehearsal. Bad dress= good opening night. Good dress also = good opening night.