The main goal is to make the experience enjoyable for all and be encouraging because singing is great for development and confidence!

A voice lesson typically starts with posture check and breathing exercises for breath control development. It moves on to vocal warm ups involving vowels and expanding the range, as well as checking tuning.  Then we sing.  Generally  repertorie is a mix of student/parent choice and teacher input, keeping in mind that I want the student to absolutely enjoy what they are singing, and I am open to requests as well as having repertoire that I use to be sure it is in line with the student's stage of singing. 

For younger children, a focus is kept on keeping each activity short enough to maintain attention, and also making the activities fun and enjoyable.  Songs can include action songs. I also ask students what type of music they like to listen to or if they sing, what they are singing, to get a feel for their preferences. If the student needs help with tuning in being able to match a pitch/note, we work on the ear  training.  If the student has a special needs, adaptations are made as we go as I sense how they respond and what is understood, keeping a balance between joyful energy and calmness.  Checking also for how best they understand or communicate and using prompts or giving choices, etc, depending on the need. Breathing exercises are relaxing for all students.

Alternately, this could be used as a coaching session by a more advanced singer who wishes to go over a piece they specifically are wanting to prepare. In this case, there would  also be more in depth work on passagio, blending the registers, increasing range, more advanced breath control techniques, resonance, enunication, expression, projection, pitch, language if it is foreign, as well ways to connect with an audience and bring the the piece alive if they plan to perform it.  

Of course a first lesson will touch on some of the above and further lessons would touch on more.  The first lesson serves as a way for me to assess where the student is in order to best know how to proceed. In the first lesson we also discuss what to expect.  Also, at the first lesson I am flexible on how the lesson runs because I am sensing the comfort level of the student, especially if it their first time singing with a teacher.  I want them to feel pressure free and to build their confidence. 

No previous learning is required. I will ask if there is any musical background for my own information to know where to steer lessons. 

I am very open to parent input into the child's learning.  My main goal is to have a positive experience for everyone in leading toward enrichment for the youth because singing is a way to skills, joy and and growth!