tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5147700491581729042024-03-13T07:56:27.361-07:00Healthy and Confident Singing VoiceSusan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.comBlogger240125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-83272050435398525982023-03-06T02:00:00.001-08:002023-03-06T02:00:00.174-08:00Summer Singing and Summer Musical Theater Programs: Why are they beneficial and what is an option?<p> <b><i><u>Summer Singing Programs and Musical Theater Programs</u></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3VoVlZeg6a5rgJ33lXqnXlXCFcUclghNdzXyjJKzm66sVlR-qUdQq-naHCF9x2VOuhbwL_9eOsxjn-Sg6mNbgZ0yfS2u6ZJAmKUr_aOzSeYdjqCHgPnlpKxjNY6B_3V4amnMYdIYfiG0/s1600/blue+music+tree.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3VoVlZeg6a5rgJ33lXqnXlXCFcUclghNdzXyjJKzm66sVlR-qUdQq-naHCF9x2VOuhbwL_9eOsxjn-Sg6mNbgZ0yfS2u6ZJAmKUr_aOzSeYdjqCHgPnlpKxjNY6B_3V4amnMYdIYfiG0/s1600/blue+music+tree.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b>Why</b> is summer the time to do an intensive Singing or Musical Theater program? We often have unstructured time to fill in our summers. Do something constructive that takes focus and concentration while having a fun time! Sing, dance, and act and fine tune those skills to enhance your experiences throughout the year and increase your chances of getting cast in bigger roles, being given a solo, whatever your dream may be.<br /><br />There are so many <b>different options</b> to choose from, how do you decide? Take some time to analyze what you (or your child) need and want to get out of a program. NOW is the time to address those things that need to be worked on or what you want to fine tune.<br /><br />Do you need direction in what is the best repertoire for you to sing either in the musical theater genre or in general? Do you need Vocal technique only? Dance training? Acting coaching? Vocal technique in combination with acting and dancing or work on all 3 simultaneously? Confidence building? Do you need a small setting for individual attention or a large setting where individual work is minimal? Do you want a combination of all of the above? Maybe you do 2 programs of different structures. One can give you the individual attention you know you will thrive under and the other a larger stage experience. If taken simultaneously or back to back you maximize your potential! <b>What is right for you or your child?</b><br /><br />Here is an option to consider:<br /><br /><b>Summer Musical Theater Series: </b><br /><br /><b>What is it? </b> Longer individual voice lessons over a span of a few weeks (5 lessons of 1 hour each over a 6 week period), an Acting a Song Masterclass and Dance Workshop. This enables repertoire selected for each individual, focus on learning 2 songs quickly, address vocal technique, text analysis, acting a song, and delivering musical theater repertoire in a performance.<br /><br /><b>Will this work with other summer programs? </b>This program is designed to work on all of these skill sets and enhance your skills in any other program you may be doing. Commitment is 5 1 hour blocks of time over 5 1/2 weeks of Tuesday and Thursday teaching times. You identify when you are available during teaching hours presented and which of 2 Workshops work for your schedule. Focus on the INDIVIDUAL voice and how to add it to other performance aspirations.<br /><br /><b>When is it? </b>Tuesday/Thursday June 8- July 20, July 12 or 17 Masterclass and July 26 Performance<div><br /></div><div>NEW: Lesson Package Options for those who want to explore lessons but have limited time. (3-5 lesson package options)<br /><br /><b>How do I find out more? </b>Visit <a href="http://www.susanandersbrizick.com/" target="_blank">Susan Anders Brizick Website and Registration</a> Full Program Information and Registration page is found here. You may also comment on this blog requesting information. Happy Singing!!<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-85488131467461452162023-02-13T09:06:00.001-08:002023-02-13T09:06:30.087-08:00Take care of your body and mind to prepare for practicing singing AND performing!<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPdT9jrpWz44zJyc6u9cjlh7ra2yahMaO51qQVZf9xdEhZWXHqmBM1hQxvuFbPTIgo1l83Ypr42OsThKYHJS9mbzncGtRiuyZLZJgk1VSQ1onFcYnhm0AIPVKwrCZ46OJG2H88xGuqKgmu43IZ1gDQRa6u9VQm7V1Mmt2Buhh-mfDRu6SOgiI1sYX3rg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPdT9jrpWz44zJyc6u9cjlh7ra2yahMaO51qQVZf9xdEhZWXHqmBM1hQxvuFbPTIgo1l83Ypr42OsThKYHJS9mbzncGtRiuyZLZJgk1VSQ1onFcYnhm0AIPVKwrCZ46OJG2H88xGuqKgmu43IZ1gDQRa6u9VQm7V1Mmt2Buhh-mfDRu6SOgiI1sYX3rg" width="320" /></a></b></div><b><br />Taking care of yourself is the first step in preparation to practice singing AND to perform. </b><p></p><p>Everyone says they are going to do a better job at taking care of themselves in the New Year. It's now mid-February and how are you doing with it? February is the NEW January in 2023, so lets get to it. Many high school and middle school singers are in the midst of their musical theater production rehearsal schedules and others are preparing for choir festivals. Its a time you are around so many other people, have more stress, and LESS sleep. </p><p><b>What are the most important things that YOU can do to take care of yourself and your singing voice? These tips take care of your BODY and well as your MIND to stay healthy.</b></p><p><b>1. Make a schedule that will help you to accomplish all that you need to get done. </b>Make a list of what you need to do. Prioritize what need to be done today and daily vs. what can possibly wait. An example might be:</p><p>**Practice the song you are going to be working on in your lesson or rehearsal tomorrow.</p><p>**Study for your math test that is in 2 days for 30 minutes today and 30 minutes tomorrow.</p><p>** Look at lines for OFF Book rehearsal for 10 minutes each day so ready for Saturday</p><p>** Workout or do a few minutes of yoga to focus your mind.</p><p><b>2. Eat a healthy diet. </b></p><p><b>3. Stay well hydrated. Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily. </b></p><p><b>4. Wash your hands </b>and avoid close contact with those who are under the weather when possible<b>.</b></p><p><b>5. Workout or do Yoga daily. </b>It releases feel good endorphins and creates natural energy.</p><p><b>6. Make a good nights rest a priority.</b></p><p><b>7. Find time to relax and do something for you, </b>even if only for 10 minutes</p><p><b>8. Prioritize your practice time. </b>Remove your phone from your practice space (or silence it if you are using it to practice). Staying well practiced help you to maintain healthy technique when in rehearsal.</p><p><b>9. Meditate or stretch, breathe relaxing belly breaths</b>, take a few minutes to connect with what YOUR inner voice is saying. Do you need to take a break to eat, walk around the room, chat with a friend?</p><p><b>10. Pay attention to your body and its signals.</b> Starting to feel a scratchy throat or run down? Gargle with salt water or take vocal rest. </p><p>Taking a few extra minutes to PLAN your days will remind you to take things one step at a time and keep your stress levels under control. Taking care of your needs will keep you healthy. A healthy body and a health mind equal a healthy voice!!</p><p><br /></p>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-79816701399177006292022-03-17T08:02:00.003-07:002022-03-17T08:02:00.163-07:00What are 3 big principles we should think about in the the singing practice room? <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihd533-mjpETcw-NGdB4-vKtJT2ML_crz5JmpzPJ_LzsUhHlpd4GqpoMPGf4J-KNLQQ87MZOLmdw6wAvJxZjNYiWdPBgzIGBGdn2Zr93ajUiXcPt8tgKeZV2evIKkVMdIQRmNVUwkww19AErlTkA8u33ph1_1zuGOjBpdVLHsEmgKzba2d_4gG79YMxw=s259" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihd533-mjpETcw-NGdB4-vKtJT2ML_crz5JmpzPJ_LzsUhHlpd4GqpoMPGf4J-KNLQQ87MZOLmdw6wAvJxZjNYiWdPBgzIGBGdn2Zr93ajUiXcPt8tgKeZV2evIKkVMdIQRmNVUwkww19AErlTkA8u33ph1_1zuGOjBpdVLHsEmgKzba2d_4gG79YMxw" width="259" /></a></div><br />In the Singing Practice Room and Lessons: 3 Main Principles of singing we should think about.<p></p><p>Now that you have identified a good place to practice and practice disciplines, let's tap into our brains!! By setting our space we have gotten the brain ready to think about singing. Here is where a few yoga or short meditation may help as well to set the brain and body in the right space.</p><p>The actions one performs while singing begin in the brain. The brain sends certain instructions to the nerves and muscles used to produce singing and often needs extra time to learn new messages and retrain the old thoughts. You must be intentional is asking the brain to send new instructions with regular practice. 'Old habits die hard' and thinking differently is a true key to getting the muscles to respond differently and improve or change singing. </p><p>There are 3 main principles we should all think about in the practice room AND lessons</p><p>1. Breath management</p><p>2. Getting rid of tensions</p><p>3. Vowel formation</p><p><b>Breath management:</b> One of the best ways to tap into managing your breath for singing is through yoga, meditation, pilates. A short practice leading into singing practice is great to tap into the low relaxed breathing we need to sing. Learning to take a full breath in a relaxed way, learning which muscle groups to engage when expelling the breath, and doing so reliable takes time and practice. So too does learning tto release the tension in the muscles at the end of an exhale in order to prepare for a full inhale involves much muscle coordination. We can work on managing our breath with these extra body practices as well as breath exercises specifically for singing. Self monitoring and teacher monitoring are crucial.</p><p>-Outside disciplines: Yoga, Pilates, Meditation</p><p>-Singing exercises: Full inhale and exhale on a hiss like a leaky tire for certain number of counts</p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Lip buzzes or motorboats both general and on particular pitches</span><br /></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Sustaining sung phrases while monitoring breath management</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><b>Eliminating Tension: </b>We identify tension in our bodies as we work on breath management and work towards releasing that tension as we produce singing. We often first feel where the throat is tight, but not be are that the tightness begins in another area such as the back of t eh neck, the jaw, the tongue. Taking time to identify the tension is the first step in relieving the tension. </span></p><p><span>For example: Identify: Is your tongue tight? Ribs collapsing or tight?</span></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Then: </span>Do you have enough breath for the phrase? </span></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> Do you have enough space in your jaw or is your jaw tense and cutting down on the fluidity of breath?</span></p><p><span>*What are the areas of tension and can you release that tension to get better breath management.</span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><b>Vowel Formation: </b>Warm up exercises should begin with a series of pure vowels in a comfortable middle range. We most often use Italian vowels of (/a/ //e/ /i/ /o/ /u/) in mid-range voice on warmup exercises, we work towards extending the range. This helps our sound be carried by the breath in a flowing manner. We then add consonants to eventually form words. Time spent on vowels only is very beneficial to identifying breath management and eliminating tension before we introduce true words. Consonants do aid in this process both in nonsense words and true words that are not a part of a song. </p><p>These concepts are all interconnected but can be focused on individually in warmups or vocalise before moving on to repertoire. As you work on your repertoire, reiterate the concepts both individually and combined. Write down what you notice changes between warmups into repertoire and apply the next day. Remember one thing at a time and due diligence with regular practice pays off. Your brain and your body will thank you!</p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-26749808453509282332022-03-10T07:42:00.000-08:002022-03-10T07:42:00.179-08:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4PD-vQ4ZGvsNCfgjFBAyejq0CNQZK0M4HmWdi50YgRlz9Q-0UC1vwqTi8OV-Hpd7KrXibzDeZ1TFozTJ5aQhszaEy1RgWHxHiUSq5r5efoMwTU9QGF6hSoCjTKpxEwYt25NksTqS8UxPJgqNMooRWNKJsp29fq37oEvnFkQSLCx6x8G1B86PUW_LBqQ=s275" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj4PD-vQ4ZGvsNCfgjFBAyejq0CNQZK0M4HmWdi50YgRlz9Q-0UC1vwqTi8OV-Hpd7KrXibzDeZ1TFozTJ5aQhszaEy1RgWHxHiUSq5r5efoMwTU9QGF6hSoCjTKpxEwYt25NksTqS8UxPJgqNMooRWNKJsp29fq37oEvnFkQSLCx6x8G1B86PUW_LBqQ" width="275" /></a></div><br /><b>Why is the concentrated format of a summer program such as the <span style="background-color: #a64d79;">Summer Musical Theater Series</span> so beneficial?</b><p></p><div>-More intense time focused on singing is a lot of fun!</div><br />-The concentration of longer lessons for just a few weeks makes everyone work harder and see progress faster!!<div><br />- Much practice must happen in between lessons to master technique (breathing, phrases, and pitches) and to advance to the next phase of the song.</div><div><br />- Focus on the lyrics really enhanced the understanding that we are <b>communicating </b>when we sing.</div><div><br />- Masterclass work on acting emphasizes expression &how we must <b>feel </b>the emotion of the song.</div><div><br />- Dance workshop made everyone more comfortable moving in general. Get to know basic musical theater dance steps and sequences. </div><div><br />- Masterclass work helps make all more comfortable with one another and get to know others who like to do what you like to do. AND the more often you perform, the better you become!!</div><div><br />- Shorter span of time between first starting a song and performing it really creates a spark to practice and make it the best it can be.</div><div><br />- Keeps the singing voice working over the summer. Remember what its like to stop a sport for 3 months and then start again? Avoid the backslide and keep singing!!</div><div><br />- Focused time can be spent working on singing without extra pressures of the regular school year.<br /><br />Give it some serious thought and sign up today! Full Program and NEW Partial Program with a la Carte workshops! </div><div><br /></div><div>Outside of the area? Sign up to do programming ONLINE. Find out more about summer music programs, especially those that focus on developing your individual talents. Happy Singing!</div>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-50825388714123371992022-03-02T11:59:00.000-08:002022-03-02T11:59:00.159-08:00Summer Music Programs and Working on Your Singing, Acting, and Dancing Skills: Why its a good idea!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQc0SmE_0RCKUvqk36YD6wKJpIxenniXvt4kR5vxLFBYPbQ2an2pm9P2GmjDDPFldsCyPtsyML61fVPFQtUfyG7X92IlH1nVbOgy0ICsC9poQG6HdEYgyBhrsFiKVKsqIwdSusZhM-Im2DwDezEVYdHZwX2RfjN50KUasntxev0OOs8mEoRB2fQClDIA=s259" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="194" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQc0SmE_0RCKUvqk36YD6wKJpIxenniXvt4kR5vxLFBYPbQ2an2pm9P2GmjDDPFldsCyPtsyML61fVPFQtUfyG7X92IlH1nVbOgy0ICsC9poQG6HdEYgyBhrsFiKVKsqIwdSusZhM-Im2DwDezEVYdHZwX2RfjN50KUasntxev0OOs8mEoRB2fQClDIA" width="194" /></a></div><br />Can you believe it is time to starting the think about SUMMER? What is your child going to do during the summer months? How about sing, dance and act! Why is summer a good time to do a concentrated program?<p></p><p>It is a great time to work on your singing or any of the <a href="http://www.healthyandconfidentsingingvoice.blogspot.com/2014/04/musical-theater-productions-abound-what.html" target="_blank">trio of talents</a>! Sign up to take voice lessons or a Musical Theater Singing Series, audition for a summer production, pick up dance or acting lessons. There are so many benefits to more concentrated summer programs.</p><br /><br /><strong><br /></strong><div><strong><br /></strong></div><div><strong>What in General?</strong><br /><br />- You or your child have a little more free time (school is out or you have summer hours).<br /><br />- There is more time to schedule something that might not fit into your school year.<br /><br />- There is more time to practice. And More concentrated practice yields better results.<br /><br />- It can give structure to an otherwise unstructured time and focus on a goal.<br /><br />-It will keep you motivated to work on your goals.<br /><br />- It will increase your chances of attaining those goals during the school year (get into a select choir, get a lead in the play, get a music scholarship for college)<br /><br />- Many summer opportunities combine singing, acting, and dancing with an emphasis on one of the three.<br /><br />- You can pick up something new or something that you know you need to work on. (ie you are a dancer who know she needs to sing better in order to get the lead in the next musical).<br /><br />- Summer programs are often an intensive concentration on a subject.<br /><br />- It builds your confidence as a performer and a person.<br /><br />-It is fun!<div><br /></div><div>- A more concentrated time on a skill set has very beneficial results!</div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="susananders@aol.com ">Contact me for more information</a></b> on Summer Musical Theater Series programming and HOW to get involved. Registration opens March 15. If you are not local, research summer programs in YOUR area or consider taking lessons ONLINE. Very beneficial to do AND works well for the working parent and driving kids to activities (or not) in the summer months. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tune in next week for what are the benefits of a concentrated format of summer program such as the Summer Musical Theater Series (Full program option and Partial program option)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-46123616535025658912022-02-24T04:00:00.000-08:002022-02-24T04:00:00.157-08:00How Do I Know I am Making The Most Of My Practice Time? What Is The Best Way To Practice?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTyiGgPrtFAD96-Vv0s5dZdBpLrEViag1qs2PkuwsLMp8Pld0yO54j_i5EWvuS1tv6U8t6J9WYtJLBCL--z8EoMHA7lY4LyYHSvgDOsGVlTKNydoejJqsKfC-kPqZOyX7bWbdPJ8Z9C4uxGVUCV-5hKjTZW-z90MOmoq5Nr8VkHbBgQPpfd7KO0As-5Q=s259" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTyiGgPrtFAD96-Vv0s5dZdBpLrEViag1qs2PkuwsLMp8Pld0yO54j_i5EWvuS1tv6U8t6J9WYtJLBCL--z8EoMHA7lY4LyYHSvgDOsGVlTKNydoejJqsKfC-kPqZOyX7bWbdPJ8Z9C4uxGVUCV-5hKjTZW-z90MOmoq5Nr8VkHbBgQPpfd7KO0As-5Q" width="259" /></a></div><br /><strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">How Do I Know I Am Making the Most of My Practice Time? </span></strong><p></p><strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></strong><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">There are so many ways to practice, what is the best way to make sure you are prepared for your lessons and progressing at a good pace? Here are the top 6 things you can do to maximize your practice time.</span></span><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">1. Practice in a clearly defined practice space.</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">* Set up a place to practice and do not leave it. Once you have started practicing, do not answer your phone, text, talk to anyone. It is your private singing and practice time; stay on task.</span></span><br /><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>2. Practice what your teacher gives you.</b><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">* Voice teachers craft warm-ups (vocalise) for a reason. Start practice with the warm-ups from your previous lessons as well as a few favorites you know warm up your voice well. THEN move on to your repertoire.</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">3. Practice</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"> songs focusing on what your teacher recommended in your lesson in addition to learning new pitches.</span></span></b><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">* In your lesson, pinpoint 2 or 3 things you should work on during the week in practice. Put it into your own words. i.e. Breath Control (use your laughing muscles) and Breathe only where you have breath marks! You can do this with your teacher in every lesson.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">4. <b>Pay active attention to your voice in the moment.</b> </span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">* Make a note of it in both your warm-ups and repertoire. Write down questions for your teacher to take to your next lesson.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>5. Ask yourself WHY if things are not going the way you want them to in practice.</b> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">* Target the tough areas. (See details for this process next week!)<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><b>6. Sing a "Cool Down" for your voice.</b></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;">* Sing a song that is well set in your voice. This way you 'warm-down' and know if your practice of the day follows good technique for your vocal development. It is always fun to end your practice time by just singing something you love!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><b>Remember: The more active your brain is when practicing, the more you will get out of your practice time and the quicker you will obtain your singing goals! </b></span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Tune in next week for how to have a more successful practice session and target trouble spots in practicing using the "Why" Technique.</span></span>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-16807605849715581672022-02-17T04:00:00.001-08:002022-02-17T04:00:00.157-08:00What is the Triple Threat in Musical Theater? What do I need to do to be competitive in Musical Theater?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh48NV-jx7s_QwAU0xtYZNP8usaHVJGX54V9wtMt-0gHQYv1hDEAeMAGfEc_vrZUF_k_1tbME_-KmPaeWxX2jmEm2PgrWzzufLsTRN0uqFKlVJRhKGUmKIz8Of_WyO6JtMygwtECa6zq_RZnIaRmeTnLJ8RujSqkaaY5At2lq0hXw8NqZb-_Oa-Zx-hfg=s254" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="254" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh48NV-jx7s_QwAU0xtYZNP8usaHVJGX54V9wtMt-0gHQYv1hDEAeMAGfEc_vrZUF_k_1tbME_-KmPaeWxX2jmEm2PgrWzzufLsTRN0uqFKlVJRhKGUmKIz8Of_WyO6JtMygwtECa6zq_RZnIaRmeTnLJ8RujSqkaaY5At2lq0hXw8NqZb-_Oa-Zx-hfg" width="254" /></a></div>What is the Triple Threat in Musical Theater? It's all the things you need to be good at to be a Musical Theater star! You must be a good singer, a good actor, and a good dancer; all rolled into ONE! It can be done, but most people need to take extra time (and Lessons) in all three!<p></p><p>Singing, acting and dancing are all very important in musical theater. We all have one area in which we excel, one or two that are decent or needs a little more work at varying times in our lives. Some things are genetic, we have a natural affinity to them. Some we were exposed to early on in our lives through dance class or being taken to see plays at a early age. And some are just skills that we haven't had the time to work on improving OR just need additional time to work on!</p><p>What can you do to get there? Take a moment and think about your skill set. What comes easily to you? What challenges you in rehearsals the most? What did the director say would be beneficial for you to work on for future auditions? (That's a tough question to ask, but always a good one to know what skills others think you can improve upon!)</p><p>Let's look at the scenario of a person or two: </p><p><b>Madison</b></p><p>Madison is a great dancer. She has been taking dance lessons since she was 5. She takes ballet, hip-hop, modern. She dances up a storm. Acting comes naturally to her. She is always pretending to be in a play with her friends and is really good at imitating accents or repeating lines from movies or shows in perfect character. It comes naturally. She tries to sing in choir because she knows she should. It will help her in that next audition for the school musical. She struggles though. She lacks confidence and it's hard for her to hear herself in choir because she sings softly so she doesn't embarrass herself by singing a wrong note. </p><p><b>What should Madison do to be a better Triple Threat? </b>You guessed it, take VOICE LESSONS! Here she can work on her skill set and her confidence. In a one on one situation she and her teacher can really figure out what she is already capable of doing vocally in a comfortable environment. They can work on good singing technique to advance her skill set even more. They can explore different categories of musical theater singing to see where she is most comfortable and begin work on more challenging songs together. They build her confidence and skill set. She also can add acting lessons OR find a summer singing program that also works with Acting a Song (My <b>Summer Musical Theater Series</b> would be an example)</p><p><b>WHEN </b>can she do this? Always a hard thing to make the time, but <b>summer </b>is often an excellent time to begin working on that added skill. Since so many schools do a spring musical, late spring, summer or fall are wonderful times to begin voice lessons! ANY time of the year when she may have one less activity in her schedule OR a number of months before an audition.</p><p><b>Paula</b></p><p>Paula loves to sing. She has been singing ever since she can remember. She sings in choir at school, the audition only Chamber Choir, at church, in musicals, has had solos in all, she sings whenever she can! Paula also loves to dance and has taken dance classes off and on for years. She dances with her friends and it comes pretty naturally to her. Paula really struggles with her acting. She find it hard to fall into being a character outside of her self. She is an open book with her emotions in her regular life so it is hard to pretend to be someone else by acting.</p><p><b>What should Paula do to be a better Triple Threat? </b>Take ACTING LESSONS or get involved with a theater program. By working with an acting coach in either an individual lesson or acting class, she can work on techniques to help her build her acting skills. Alter her identity of always wearing her heart on her sleeve and learn how to act the part of a different human for a small period of time. She can learn its fun to do that and have a good time with others in a group setting OR work on monologues and channel her inner actor. There are many individual acting coaches and local theater programs which have small group acting class. </p><p><b>WHEN?? Summer </b>is always a good time, but so is ANY time of the year where maybe there is one less activity on the regular plan. And similar to Madison, a number of months before and audition. There are summer programs which help a singer learn to ACT a song or have acting games and segments interspersed with working on a show or scene. </p><p><b>Allison</b></p><p>Allison loves to act. She has been involved in straight theater since she was little as her parents always called her the little actress. She is a natural at impersonations. She also comes from a musical family and sings all the time. She does notice however that her voice is not as strong as she would like it to be to try out for the musical. She doesn't sing in choir because of her class schedule. Her other reason to pause- her 2 left feet. She struggles with dancing and doesn't really like to dance along with friends at a party or dance. She feels awkward. </p><p><b>What should Allison do to be a better Triple Threat? </b>DANCE CLASSES first and VOICE LESSONS or SMALL GROUP VOICE CLASS/join CHOIR. Taking dance classes will help Allison get more comfortable with moving her body and familiar with basic dance steps. There are many Musical Theater Dance classes offered through all times of the year. If after a class or two, there is not time for both dance class and voice lessons, she can find programs that work on both skill sets. I offer both a Dance workshop in which we work on basic dance steps and sequences commonly used in Musical theater productions and a masterclass that helps with acting a song. </p><p><b>WHEN?</b> Same answer- when you can carve out the time.</p><p><b>WHY and WHATS IMPORTANT?</b> Working on your skill sets in the areas which you are strong is just as important as the skill sets in which you need a little help. Becoming more comfortable and gaining knowledge in your #2 and #3 skills is just as important as fine tuning the one you excel in!</p><p>Do you fit the description of any of these people? A combination of them? Do you want to land that lead or larger role in the next musical production at your school or community theater? Take some time and figure out which skill set YOU EXCEL at and which maybe you can IMPROVE. Do you have plans for the summer yet? MAKE some by enrolling in Voice Lessons, Dance Class, Acting Lessons OR a summer program or show to work on your Singing, Dancing, and Acting. If summer isn't the time for you, analyze when you have a slightly lighter schedule and make it (YOU as a Triple Threat) a priority.</p><p>For more information about voice lessons and programming in my studio or the local area, comment on this article!</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-56907120301653982772022-02-10T05:00:00.140-08:002022-02-10T05:00:00.184-08:00Teaching a Singer Using the Mentality of a Dancer: How and Why?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzjHFrZEoEUSqKGJJ6_iRrKDzI-xCz7HV3DvHDJV91V7TM7JhGhPNwl0sRjIirKQkw4tfqV2n_hKZu5L4dgqrDNO0-tYHD6j9XMY7drAcn_xg51b4mxabE8TcqSisaP2USd9Z05ho6OSfTwE6CFfP5PzlN57NsNmPDZc-aO4Ay9lrZmzwJ9JB2oQTNew" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzjHFrZEoEUSqKGJJ6_iRrKDzI-xCz7HV3DvHDJV91V7TM7JhGhPNwl0sRjIirKQkw4tfqV2n_hKZu5L4dgqrDNO0-tYHD6j9XMY7drAcn_xg51b4mxabE8TcqSisaP2USd9Z05ho6OSfTwE6CFfP5PzlN57NsNmPDZc-aO4Ay9lrZmzwJ9JB2oQTNew" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b>Teaching a Singer Using the Mentality of a Dancer-</b> Seems a little different but hear me out and you'll see its beneficial. Dancers seem to be more mentally and physically disciplined than singers. Part of this is due to the early age at which many dancers start and part due to the fact based pedagogy dance teachers use that obeys the basic laws of nature. <p></p><p>Dancers, like any athlete, are taught at an early age to stretch and warm-up well before working on a dance routine and to cool down and stretch afterwards. There is a method, stick to it. </p><p>Dancers also understand that learning to dance requires patience with initially low expectations. They taught that the more diligently and regularly they practice, the more success they will have. </p><p>Dancers know that their muscles are challenged by learning new dances and they are told that it may be not be easy, it may take time. They are taught that systematic and continual work of the muscles is necessary to accomplish the task. It will take the awkward beginnings of that pirouette and make it happen beautifully over time. </p><p>Dancer teachers work the whole body the whole time, not one side or the other. </p><p>How is it different with Singers?</p><p>Singers on average start a lot later in training although they have been naturally singing in some way their whole lives. They often jump right into repertoire cold without warmups or a cool down because that is what they have always done. Singing lullabies, with the radio, in music class.</p><p>Singers often expect quick results and have high expectations without putting in the work. It is not publicly known how much work successful opera singers and musical theater stars put in. We also see all of these success stories and people being in the right place at the right time with a song that is picked up by a recording studio. Sound is enhanced with all of the technology we have. </p><p>Singers don't see all of the muscles on the outside or feel them working in the same manner. A singing teacher can not always point to a body part to help work on the particular technical issue at hand. Much of it is hidden and approached differently. </p><p>Many singers and singing teachers only work one register of the voice most of the time. Stretching it out to work more registrations balances the singing voice and the singer. This is an evolving concept still in the singing world as many different styles of singing emerge. The increasingly pop sound of musical theater is a good example. </p><p><b>So what does all of this mean? What if we approached teaching our singers using a dancer mentality? </b></p><p>I have found using dancing and athletic analogies in my teaching to help explain all of these concepts. I love teaching voice to students who are dancers first. They have already experienced what happens when there is dedication to a craft, it is drilled into them. Singers, it is important for you to spend the time practicing because it builds a solid technique which will carry you far. </p><p>Its expected that you warmup your voice and cool it down after working repertoire. That's how your body and your brain get ready to focus on the task at hand. Add some yoga to center yourself and then do your vocalise. Its important that you practice the particular warmups you are given as they will help you in your work on your repertoire. Then move on to work on your song (s). Spend 2-3 minutes cooling your voice down (speaking after singing counts to).</p><p>Diligent, regular practice is key to success in any physical endeavor. That means singing too! Shorter more frequent practicing makes all the difference. It works your muscles, your mind, and builds your stamina. Its like learning a dance sequence, your muscles have to learn what to do and regularly practicing, even if in small sessions, helps your muscle memory so it becomes natural or easier. </p><p>This is hard to instill as most singers have 1 lesson a week, so the regular work falls on the individual singer. Discipline is important, but so is the regular support of the choir directors who spend a little time on warmups and vocal technique in rehearsals. A teachers job is to help the student develop a regular practice schedule working a variety of skills. The more regular practice time spent develops all of the wonderful things you have learned in your lessons. </p><p> As the old dance adage says, </p><p>"If I don't [dance] for 1 day, I know it. If I don't [dance] for 2 days, my teacher knows it. If I don't [dance] for 3 days, everyone knows it." </p><p><b>Go on, read it again and substitute [sing] for every [dance]. That's it, and repeat!!</b> So important!</p><p>It's also important to challenge yourself in learning something new or stretching your boundaries to grow . It's not going to be easy or perfect the first time and that's okay. That's why you do it in a safe, comfortable space: your lesson and your practice time. Dancers get it may not be perfect the first time, but if we work on it, we will get there. We can step briefly <b>out</b> of our comfort zone in practice and work towards being comfortable with that skill to move it <b>into</b> our comfort zone for performance in time. </p><p>This is another thing to learn from teaching our singers with a dancers mentality. How many times have you heard a dancer say they have 3 different types of dance class this week? Its what is required by the studio to continue to work on different technical skills and be well rounded. Yes, singing teachers we should do the same to develop the different technical skills needed to work on the various genres of singing. The singing world has come a long way in the last 10-20 years in this, but we need to be diligent about helping our students add that to their practice. </p><p>So the long and short of it is, we can teach singers using some elements of a dancer's mentality and watch singing students soar!</p><p>By approaching teaching this way, we also start to work on our students <b>Triple Threat of Dancing, Singing and Acting </b>in next week's article. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-76204284486435391692022-02-04T12:34:00.002-08:002022-02-04T12:34:36.167-08:00How is singing connected to our health? Can it improve your overall health? Can it make you happier?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFpP3YAiKmB4OoPFDi3KQw9UmDAIQTeU1BNchawEglRkzSaV79EshgXego2c4XVAIQiCwevqwBYcHm0ol-sABCWpbuff0z7tZVb6LnvYZcvVkHct4IM95V6GvGcC6khGSQ27z1qW2kI73mWv5IT4B6Adv1pBDDSVrQU_9rcgBMzSQFQJig8BMUdXx57g" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFpP3YAiKmB4OoPFDi3KQw9UmDAIQTeU1BNchawEglRkzSaV79EshgXego2c4XVAIQiCwevqwBYcHm0ol-sABCWpbuff0z7tZVb6LnvYZcvVkHct4IM95V6GvGcC6khGSQ27z1qW2kI73mWv5IT4B6Adv1pBDDSVrQU_9rcgBMzSQFQJig8BMUdXx57g" width="320" /></a></div><br />It has long been said that singing lifts your spirits and that making music improves your mood! Is this just a saying or is it real? Can singing actually stimulate physical responses in our bodies that can have significant impacts on our health and well-being? Is this temporary or can it make a lasting difference to you overall well-being? Life experiences and science tell us yes it is long lasting and yes its real!<p></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>What does it mean to be healthy and what does it mean to experience well-being? How does this affect the singer physically?</b></p><p>Singing is a physical activity requiring fine motor control, physical stamina, and improves breathing and lung function. Singing requires coordinating breath, posture, and fine motor skills of very small muscles of the vocal folds. It also regularly challenges the cardiovascular system which in turn lowers the resting heart rate and improves cardiovascular health (Maxfield, Journal of Singing March 2015). <b>Physically it makes you stronger.</b></p><p>There is a also a positive effect of singing on the immune system and our responses to stress. Scientifically, singing increase SIgA an antibody that plays a vital role in mucosal immunity or protection to mucous membranes throughout the body. It has also been associated with <b>positive mood.</b> Another plus.</p><p><b>What are the physical and emotional impacts associated specifically with solo singing?</b></p><p>Singing can be an anxiety inducing endeavor but if the singer copes successfully with that anxiety, the experience can result in positive emotions, relaxation, and a feeling of group fellowship and overall satisfaction with the performance Maxfield, (Journal of Singing, 2015) So a little stress can have many benefits so long as it doesn't manifest itself in performance anxiety. <b>Raising the heart rate and getting the butterflies moving are good for us and our well being!</b></p><p><b>What are the physical effects of singing on our psychological well being?</b></p><p>Singing is said to improve our mood and sense of satisfaction as well as improve our personal growth and sense of purpose in life. We often feel more energetic and relaxed after singing lessons or singing along with the radio. Our muscles are more relaxed and our minds in better focus. Its undeniable through science and our experiences that singing improves your physical and mental health! </p><p><b>How can singing teachers put some of this information to use with students in lessons?</b></p><p><b>- </b>Use both moments of just singing for singing's sake and technical challenges in lessons to balance the physical and emotional benefits of singing </p><p><b>-</b>Challenge students on a regular basis in a safe environment to elevate the stress response that is surmountable with regular <b>Masterclasses and Studio Class in which students perform for eachother, </b></p><p>- Encourage students how to critically evaluate their own performances and make necessary adjustments in lessons AND after Masterclasses. Give them time and pause for their evaluation! </p><p>The bottom line is that much developing science confirms that singing IS good for our health both physically and emotionally. SO...get out there and get singing!</p><p><br /></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>What are steps that can be taken by singing teachers and coaches to maximize health benefits of singing among their students? </p>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-33969945696003306032021-11-23T03:30:00.004-08:002021-11-23T03:30:00.149-08:00Music: Its An Emotional Outlet. Why Is It So Powerful Today?<p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLV2c4CDjczjJCagHDIba4vvjN99JxNiNLKMpaU3br0za6T1XWQjOMjuE4q6e0e9gDA5Txf1_frPXV2_QNb9qarNFmClKH07CYXkG50P_0mP43i_Iq9e7FrDx2h9pYKSD9ubI-7F2-PQon/s298/music+as+an+emotional+outlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="169" data-original-width="298" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLV2c4CDjczjJCagHDIba4vvjN99JxNiNLKMpaU3br0za6T1XWQjOMjuE4q6e0e9gDA5Txf1_frPXV2_QNb9qarNFmClKH07CYXkG50P_0mP43i_Iq9e7FrDx2h9pYKSD9ubI-7F2-PQon/s0/music+as+an+emotional+outlet.jpg" width="298" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Find an Emotional Outlet- We have all been through a lot in the past couple of years and have even more reason to need to take the time to find an emotional outlet and coping mechanism. Music helped so many keep it together in the beginning of 2020 and continues to help us keep it together and express ourselves in a healthy and ever-present way. Taking Music Lessons (especially singing) helps you to find an emotional outlet and make it the best it can be. <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Another extra benefit to music! </span><p></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Understanding and appreciating art is so helpful when it comes to processing the hard stuff in the world.<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="messagebody" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span lang="EN">Music is a safe place to let out emotions. An outlet for times you feel powerless and it can be invaluable in your emotional survival. Art can be such a powerful tool for children to express themselves. Jennifer Nettles,<em>Sugarland</em></span></span></strong></span></span><br /><em><span style="color: #222222;"></span></em><br /><span style="color: #222222;">Music is such a wonderful outlet for our emotions and plays a role in how we deal with the ebbs and flow of life. </span><span style="color: #222222;">We all have tough times and need a way to help us get through it. We may have a favorite angry song we listen to and it helps us through it. Or we are so excited about something that we listen to our favorite 'up' song or have to sing it to the world. Another current theme, we look to express ourselves and how sad we are that we cannot be with others. </span><br /><span style="color: #222222;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222;">Music is a comfortable way to express our emotions whether it is a song we listen to, play or sing, or write ourselves. What better way is there to express yourself than through music and singing? It is an emotional outlet which can replace spoken words that may be so hard to express. </span><br /><span style="color: #222222;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222;">When a teenager is having a rough time in school and with friends, there is no better place to turn to than music. It is a safe place to turn and sing tor play through the pain, indecision, frustration, or love of something. Sometimes we are overwhelmed with emotions and music can help us to figure it all out.</span><br /><span style="color: #222222;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222;">Studies show that being involved in music reduces risky behavior and increase the involvement in volunteer activities. <a href="http://teenink.com/opinion/all/article/18053/The-Music-in-Children/">http://teenink.com/opinion/all/article/18053/The-Music-in-Children</a>/. Knowing how to help yourself can help you to assist others. Having the outlet to express yourself helps you to process the emotions that you are going through. This is a true for everyone of all ages. </span><br /><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span><span style="color: #222222;">Singing can also be a release of tension which often builds with the academic stresses in school. It releases endorphins to make us feel better and then we can focus on all the things we need to get done with a much clearer head. </span><br /><span style="color: #222222;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222;">I sing or listen to music based on my mood. When I am happy, I sing a happy song, when I am angry, I have my favorite angry song, when I am sad, I sing or listen to a sad song. When my son is angry, he plays his drum set or turns on his favorite CD and sings along. It is human nature to find a way to connect to our emotions. We need to soothe ourselves in times of trouble and celebrate when we are happy. Music is a part of all of our celebrations (weddings, graduations, parties) and all of our times of troubles (funerals, ceremonies for tragedies). </span><br /><span style="color: #222222;"></span><br /><span style="color: #222222;">Music holds a special place in our hearts that can mend you and raise you up. Isn't it even more rewarding to <strong>make </strong>the music yourself by singing or playing an instrument? </span><span style="color: #222222;">The ability to create that music yourself is an irreplaceable and wonderful thing. You can express yourself with your own song! Embrace it and encourage it by improving your singing or learning to play an instrument. Or sign your child up for music lessons now!</span></span>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-81272440704580184642021-11-17T03:30:00.002-08:002021-11-17T03:30:03.650-08:00Singing lessons can help improve your communication skills. How?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHnHr2nJvO84scV9Wq9GON4sSPOUxSdtAa951r3i6Mn_KBGR51Dtd0EtRVREAFTARtx76u8DBz6B3hpJALChurMVttP4t1ZEYADkEVWby0_5nZrkMD6bVhm6zUonHJTpS5AjYaZx6X-6z/s251/just+sing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="188" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHnHr2nJvO84scV9Wq9GON4sSPOUxSdtAa951r3i6Mn_KBGR51Dtd0EtRVREAFTARtx76u8DBz6B3hpJALChurMVttP4t1ZEYADkEVWby0_5nZrkMD6bVhm6zUonHJTpS5AjYaZx6X-6z/s0/just+sing.jpg" width="188" /></a></div><br /> Increase Communication Skills through Singing Lessons.<p></p>Wow, what a whirlwind we have had over the past 19 months or so of needing to go virtual for so many things because of the pandemic. We truly had to rely on using the computer to communicate our needs through email, text, zoom. How has this impacted everyone's communication skills? I know it has changed a lot, especially for our children. These are wonderful advancements that allow us to communicate at a time that is convenient for us and the person you are interacting with can get back to you right away or at a time that works for them. BUT, what does that do for real face to face interaction and communication? If we always have our noses in our technology, we start to lose the ability to communicate by simply TALKING to someone. Take a minute and look at the flip side. How comfortable is the younger generation LOOKING at an adult when talking to them? Do they speak to them with confidence? Singing lessons can help facilitate this and many other aspects of communicating by bolstering confidence and giving them to tools to express themselves face to face. Even singing lessons online can booster this skill as it is one on one interaction despite using an interface. <b>Singing lessons can help improve communication skills</b><div><br /><strong>Look them in the eye and tell them</strong> is something I frequently say in voice lessons with my students. When you are expressing the emotions of a character sometimes it is easier to express yourself than when you are trying to communicate your own emotions. Study of the lyrics enables the singer to see a new and different way to say something and how to show it in song.<br /><br />Not only do you learn to communicate with more confidence in singing lessons, you also spend time exploring the vocabulary of the English language (among other languages). What does the poetry really mean? What are the lyrics really saying? Is it symbolism? Or it may be a different way of saying the same thing. Exploration of the written word helps to expand someone's vocabulary. Knowing how to analyze lyrics helps you to also express yourself better. How can YOU say something differently to express yourself?<br /><br />When looking at lyrics to a song, we often see repetition of words. How do we express those words differently when we sing them to give them extra meaning or truly express what the character is trying to say?<br /><br />There are so many elements of singing that impact our overall ability to communicate- not only can you learn how to express songs with agility and ease, but can improve your ability to really connect with others and share your thoughts at a new and profound level.<br /><br />What do you think about how singing lessons facilitates communication in other aspects of life? Stay tuned for the extra benefit of singing lessons- <strong>An Emotional Outlet</strong>!<br /></div>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-55452192849556977212021-11-10T08:28:00.001-08:002021-11-10T08:28:00.153-08:00Why Should I Learn to Sing in Italian? Or in Another Language at All? <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhpp7bomQExJtfdU11V_mCW13p1texV9UILq0CJ2cjnmlOJybHllkmB_D6dN0cD2Qu105bADt6eh3fwI0FVBQ-YCvQfPXXVppFMN9SUoRTF_aeT_b6p41fwoc6MfaApqExZPJvSCabZor/s240/different+languages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="176" data-original-width="240" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhpp7bomQExJtfdU11V_mCW13p1texV9UILq0CJ2cjnmlOJybHllkmB_D6dN0cD2Qu105bADt6eh3fwI0FVBQ-YCvQfPXXVppFMN9SUoRTF_aeT_b6p41fwoc6MfaApqExZPJvSCabZor/s0/different+languages.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> I very often am asked the question, "Why should I learn to sing in a different language like Italian?" As Americans, we think everybody speaks English and we listen to most of our music in English, so why should we bother to learn to sing in another language?<p></p><br />Backtrack a minute- what were the first languages of the world? Latin, Italian, French, German, Hebrew, there are so many. Therefore a large bulk of music written to date has been in a different language. I am not speaking of pop music and musical theater, but many other styles of music that seem to be tossed aside. Why SHOULDN'T you learn to sing in a different language? Why should you rule it out simply because it is not your first language? Singing is a form of communication in addition to being a think of beauty. If we want to be able to communicate our song, we should learn to sing in more than one language.<br /><br /><b>Why Should You Sing in Italian or Latin? A short list:</b><br /><b><br /></b>- Italian/Latin have <b>PURE vowels </b>that make it easier to sing than English once you are familiar with the language. This can carry over to our singing in English since it enhances the resonance and overtones.<br /><br />- Because we do not generally speak it, we <b>do not inflect our accent</b> upon it. (Southern, Mid-western, or Northeastern).<br /><br />- <b>The beauty of the music itself! </b> There is a variety of beautiful songs for all ability levels available to study<br /><br />- Studying music in another language <b>broadens your horizons</b> and exposes you to music you may not even know exists.<br /><br />- It increases your <b>historical knowledge</b> of music how we got to the music of today<br /> Most Italian art songs use the following:<br /> - Sequence<br /> - Verse and Chorus<br /> - Embellishing (adding notes to) a basic melody<br /><br />- Creating <b>artistic licence</b> through embellishing a melody.<br />*Think about it -When was the last time you heard the National Anthem sung <b>without</b> added notes or looked at sheet music for a pop song that is written differently from how you hear the artist perform it? This concept did not develop in the 21st century, but is centuries old. When songs were performed as entertainment in parlors for guests, singers added notes and embellishments to the melody as personal artistry.<br /><br />- Learning a little bit about other <b>cultures </b>helps us to appreciate differences and understand our own.<br /><br />- When you then go and sing English, your <b>singing of English is improved </b>because of your mastery of pure vowels which CARRY the sound. This is not to say we do not stylistically need to alter vowels, but it helps you to find your true sound first.<br /><br /><b>What if people don't understand the language or what I am saying?</b><br /><b><br /></b>Few people in your audience would actually claim to know word for word what you are saying. However, if you have researched the meaning of the words, you are able to sing the piece in a way that communicates the MEANING of the song. Most recitals also provide a translation or opera's have subtitles.<br /><br />Why not give it a try and see not only if you like it, but what it can do for your singing voice? It is great to explore singing in many languages. Some may be more comfortable for you then others, but expose you to so much beautiful music!<br />Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-74641155630892942742021-10-31T07:30:00.001-07:002021-10-31T07:30:00.157-07:00Build Confidence in Yourself and Your Abilities through Singing Lessons<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmoVBS2_4CA6Lr0nl5enL5Woj7KhDCdB6U0ZIKtSPJRxz-P3syIV8voUeoDANE71LsNt2qq2U-18MLhVTYvp6k5iTqzwzFMFe3a6302LcFTORewbNFQFf8le6atuB7IPRCo6wurq7nW8R/s500/Self-esteem+quote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="500" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmoVBS2_4CA6Lr0nl5enL5Woj7KhDCdB6U0ZIKtSPJRxz-P3syIV8voUeoDANE71LsNt2qq2U-18MLhVTYvp6k5iTqzwzFMFe3a6302LcFTORewbNFQFf8le6atuB7IPRCo6wurq7nW8R/s320/Self-esteem+quote.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Build Confidence (In Yourself and Your Abilities) with Singing!<p></p><br />Do you love to sing, but are you afraid to sing in front of others? Scared to share your voice? Do you have a shy child who likes to sing and can carry a tune, but afraid to sing out in chorus or audition for that solo? Yes, you want to make your singing (or a child's) better by taking singing lessons, but how will that help you to be more comfortable in front of others or more confident in yourself?<br /><br />By taking singing lessons, you are spending time with yourself and working on a part of you. It's similar to when you spend that time at the gym. You are working on the overall person that you are and fine tuning a part of YOU! The endorphins created when you workout make you feel better about yourself, control stress, and affect how you interact with others.<br /><br />When you take singing lessons, you are also focusing on your body and what it can do for you as a musician. You not only improve your singing voice, but your confidence level in singing and yourself. The concentrated time spent with yourself and improving your instrument creates those same endorphins. This makes you feel good about you and enhances the music that you make.<br /><br />Singing lessons involve time spent on posture and poise. This increases your confidence level. Read more about it: <a href="http://www.healthyandconfidentsingingvoice.blogspot.com/2013/05/posture-and-poise.html">http://www.healthyandconfidentsingingvoice.blogspot.com/2013/05/posture-and-poise.html</a><br /><br />When you have more confidence in your skills, you perform a song differently. <strong>Look them in the eye and communicate what you (or your character) have to say!</strong> Being someone else for a little while in a play or opera often makes it easier. Being comfortable enough with yourself to let the inhibitions go and try to sing the song and be the character from <em>Guys and Dolls</em> or convey the meaning of <em>Danny Boy</em> in a performance can unleash a different part of a person. Once you can do that, it affects YOU in everyday life.<br /><br />(Remember that quiet girl who had a hard time talking at the party because she was too shy? Once a student has sung a song in a performance, the quiet, reserved person may start to come out of her shell, be confident enough to look a person in the eye in a conversation, or speak up in class!).<br /><br /><strong>Have you ever had this experience or know of someone who has? I would love to hear about it!</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Does a more confident singer and person <strong>communicate</strong> more effectively? Let me know your thoughts and tune in next week for <strong>how singing can help communication skills.</strong>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-27709470409900470592021-10-25T03:30:00.001-07:002021-10-25T03:30:00.221-07:00Can Singing Lessons Improve our Academic Skills? How?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkoxnixOwYC4WOGwog0e2TYIrtWBZ9Y_zwYYWX3jwtvELmT7XLGzWcmDd43Gf6FfMFYgJsiy_IbgsRCVw63zJZvTdVOZascONMXPF3waHVXCHok3OZVzK3iI5oaiItju61yCzVQ_NVrJk/s259/question+mark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="194" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkoxnixOwYC4WOGwog0e2TYIrtWBZ9Y_zwYYWX3jwtvELmT7XLGzWcmDd43Gf6FfMFYgJsiy_IbgsRCVw63zJZvTdVOZascONMXPF3waHVXCHok3OZVzK3iI5oaiItju61yCzVQ_NVrJk/s0/question+mark.jpg" width="194" /></a></div><br /><em>Studies show that students who study voice or a musical instrument, perform better academically</em>. In musical study, we learn problem solving, perseverance, and are continually using multiple intelligences at the same time. Artistic creations cause us to try to figure out how to sing or play that phrase with good support or more musically, answer questions such as ' How would the character in the musical <em>Guys and Dolls</em> react in the situation?' or 'How can I help the orchestra perform this piece successfully- what is my role and how can I play my part accurate?' Students are consistently being challenged to solve problems such as these. This helps to develop important problem-solving skills necessary for success in any career (All Catholic Orchestra Program). <a href="http://www.teacherweb.com/PA?AOP/HSArts">www.teacherweb.com/PA?AOP/HSArts</a><p></p><br />In solving problems in music, one learns perseverance and also develops musical intelligence, a separate trait in the 'theory of multiple intelligences' (both to be expanded up in future blogs). Music study increases the academic (and musical) functions of the brain!<br /><br /><strong>A few specific examples:</strong><br /><br />Many of the concepts of music and making music are based on math: time signature, beat, and rhythm are just a few examples. By learning how to organize the beat into measures and the rhythm within beats, we are teaching valuable mathematical skills.<br /><br />Most of the instructions given in music are in Italian. <em>Piano </em>(soft), <em>mezzo-forte </em>(medium loud), <em>Allegro</em> (quickly). Understanding their meaning increases our language awareness. We start to look at the roots of words to find their meaning. Since our language is devised from Latin as it Italian, students learn roots of words and prefixes which help their vocabulary and may even help in their success in language study.<br /><br />In voice lessons we also analyze the words of the song thus working literary skills. What is the poet really saying with these lyrics from the 16th century? Put it in your own words. How does the character feel at this part of the song when you say 'I love you although I can no longer be with you'. How do you translate this line to English from Italian? Singing lessons go one step further to not only interpret the written word just like you would in English class, but addresses other languages, and how do we communicate those words while we sing?<br /><br />In voice lessons, we also learn to organize time and dedication to a craft. Organizing time to practice and attention to detail in what and how we practice carries over into academic organization and improved study habits. <br /><br /><strong>We study music for the music itself and the joy it brings us, but the academic benefits of musical study are astounding. Why not encourage lifelong study? What else can singing lessons do for us?</strong>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-88719358446464207312021-10-17T05:00:00.001-07:002021-10-17T05:00:00.219-07:00Singing Lessons Help Increase Concentration and Focus- where is your focus?<p><strong></strong></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmy_xE9t9iHw09tI_fgo6suLwrwmdYXT1xEk4GcPwz7Mx7-0aFcZWfx26TLqKxT9plsE293K7umDOaVKlJzacC4fKLZbZkDpSHqatDu_ZdudwzGzrIq1geMgl1tG8SX21FxXfLnhCzkm7/s267/practice+head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="267" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmy_xE9t9iHw09tI_fgo6suLwrwmdYXT1xEk4GcPwz7Mx7-0aFcZWfx26TLqKxT9plsE293K7umDOaVKlJzacC4fKLZbZkDpSHqatDu_ZdudwzGzrIq1geMgl1tG8SX21FxXfLnhCzkm7/s0/practice+head.jpg" width="267" /></a></strong></div><strong><br />I don't know about you, but through the pandemic my ability to focus and that of many students has been challenged! Fine tune that ability to focus and increase the quality and length of time you can concentrate (both quality and length of time) by taking Singing Lessons!</strong><p></p><b>How does studying music help that?</b> Musical study requires the ability to focus on details for periods of time. <strong> </strong><b>How do you sing that phrase with a long, smooth line? What is that rhythm? </b>From reading music on the page to creating the music with our bodies, music making involves concentration and focus. Do you or your child have difficulty focusing on academic tasks? Singing lessons may help.<div><br /><b>Your body is your whole instrument</b> so it requires a lot of focus and concentration to sing. You work on getting your body physically in sync with your brain thus really concentrate. It is not easy to make beautiful music, phrasing, and sing the right words at the same time, so your concentration skills are challenged! <br /><br /><b>W</b><strong>hat is my body really doing?</strong> Not only does your brain need to interpret the notes and words it sees, but it needs to multi-task and tell your body what to do. It sends a message to your vocal cords to vibrate at a certain speed to create that specific note. It also sends a note to inhale, fill our lungs with air, and control the exhale. We are not consciously aware of all of the messages, but learn to help our body control the messages more clearly. We can think, 'breathe slowly and deeply on the inhale and control the exhale so I can sing the whole phrase' or 'I want to sing this phrase in one breath, let me see how I can stretch my breath to accomplish that.'<br /><br />These are complex thoughts when put together in a long strand in a sequence. This helps us increase our focus, concentration, and multi-functioning brain capacity! <br /><b><br /></b></div><div><b>We mus</b>t <b>block out other influences and concentrate on the task at hand.</b> No one else can do it for them as they cannot hide in a big class. The singing teacher helps each student to process the information on the page. Those notes are small and what do they mean? Their brains must interpret the notes and tell their bodies what to do. Repetition of the process to play or sing the phrase as it is written is necessary. Repeat, repeat, and the body and brain remember it. Repeat and add another command such as 'make these 4 measures one phrase and sing it in one breath' and one must really focus. Concentration to do these things carries over to other parts of your life!<br /><br /><b>Someone learning to read notes must learn to interpret what they are singing as they go</b>, just like when reading aloud as a young child, . Remember the days that we spent following the words on the page with our fingers to help us to keep our place when we read? Were you ever asked if you understood what you just read? Learning to read can be a challenging task. Learning to read music facilitates reading words as it uses symbols that need to be interpreted just like words do. Eventually reading and reading music gets easier and you DO understand it the first time. The process of the eyes following notes (words) left to right gets easier with repetition and processing.</div><div><br />What great qualities to learn to help us to create beautiful music and accomplish so many other things in our lives!! Get involved in singing lessons at the beginning of the school year and watch how concentration skills in music and your other studies grows!<br /><br /><strong>What are your thoughts about how musical study increases concentration and focus? What other skills are enhanced by learning to sing?</strong></div>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-42854108631221083782021-10-10T04:00:00.000-07:002021-10-10T04:00:00.222-07:00Why Take Voice Lessons In An Independent Voice Studio? The real reasons!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhb9qH-okBuJWWRxc2ul6RoX36tawxe9AJQPgSom7OszxtIzrkxySKn06LqT0OBxQ2PEZaT_LiZAwrpi-SiIXe-TIz_98eYVE72M1a6PXA5mK7eUA8mVtZBcwqoeZCoc3PdqSncCnq8_h/s128/music.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="126" data-original-width="128" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhb9qH-okBuJWWRxc2ul6RoX36tawxe9AJQPgSom7OszxtIzrkxySKn06LqT0OBxQ2PEZaT_LiZAwrpi-SiIXe-TIz_98eYVE72M1a6PXA5mK7eUA8mVtZBcwqoeZCoc3PdqSncCnq8_h/s0/music.jpg" width="128" /></a></div><br /> <b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Why should you take voice lessons in an Independent Voice Studio?</span></b><span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> <b>What does it do for you? </b><strong><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif">Can’t everyone sing? </span></strong></span></span><p></p><span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Almost anyone who can speak can learn to sing, but most people don’t use their voices to their full potential. Voice lessons teach singers how to control their breath and find vocal resonance to create a fuller, healthier, and more beautiful sound. Lessons also teach general musical skills and build more confident singers. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">The average singing student needs weekly guidance to establish a solid technique. Through solid technique you can find the capabilities of <b>your </b>singing voice, not merely imitating those that you hear on recordings.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong><i><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif">What we hear while we’re singing just isn’t true, so we are always dependent on someone we trust to take the role of our ‘outside ears’. </span></i></strong><strong><span face=""calibri" , sans-serif">Renee Fleming</span></strong></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">We don't always hear ourselves as others hear us. Think about when you hear yourself speaking on your voicemail greeting. It sounds different, right? The same is true with our singing voice. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">In an independent voice studio, the student gets guidance on their own individual voice, not the overall sound of the choir. This individualized attention helps develop the voice in a unique and powerful way. Together teacher and singer explore a variety of styles of music based on what the teacher hears in the potential of the voice, students' interests and how the voice starts developing. You gain confidence in your own sound. Also, there is so much music out there than many of us have never heard! There are also many styles of music which we particularly like which may or may not be suited to our voice type and range. Exploring your voice from a solo standpoint can help you find your potential and uncover beautiful things!</span><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: calibri;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #222222; font-family: calibri;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><b>Voice lessons can be taught both in person and online! What are the benefits to each? </b> (See blogs on <a href="http://healthyandconfidentsingingvoice.blogspot.com/2021/">Online lessons</a> vs. In Person Lessons). Many teachers, such as myself, are now incorporating both options into their studios. Turn around the skills you build in voice lessons and use them in your choral experiences!!</span><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><b>What about the fun of the choral experience, singing with others?</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">Add to your choral singing with voice lessons and keep having fun in choir! Other opportunities arise too which give you more confidence and enhanced singing skills. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">In an independent voice studio, the singer not only gets access to a voice teacher and vocal coach, but to the camaraderie of belonging to a group of people who enjoy singing. Most voice studios provide opportunities to perform musical repertoire one or two times a year. Some also give the opportunity to work on the repertoire in front of and with others in the studio (please see more information on my studio at </span><a href="http://www.susanandersbrizick.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri";">www.susanandersbrizick.com</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">). With more opportunities to share music with others, a student has a higher drive to perfect the craft of singing, builds a higher confidence level in their singing and themselves, and the better music we create!</span></div>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-37956867995956391042021-10-03T05:30:00.001-07:002021-10-03T05:30:00.194-07:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XLpbQ-dNO42EDSbTIIS8zAEo0yZPrGNahf6Efv0DGVR3C4xaXn47fPD9_ct8jFkVOXMFCcULeQluhwEchQG8rhz1Cm7AT767ls8ROP9J8acwq9TGMWy7DRpBLbWSkUTjeOpLqDSAfv4e/s276/recital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="276" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XLpbQ-dNO42EDSbTIIS8zAEo0yZPrGNahf6Efv0DGVR3C4xaXn47fPD9_ct8jFkVOXMFCcULeQluhwEchQG8rhz1Cm7AT767ls8ROP9J8acwq9TGMWy7DRpBLbWSkUTjeOpLqDSAfv4e/s0/recital.jpg" width="276" /></a></div><br /> "Why should I sing an Art Song? I want to sing something more complex or that's not the music I am interested in singing." This is the question I often get asked when assigning art songs to my voice students. There are so many reasons:<p></p><p>We learn from any vocal repertoire that we sing! Art songs give us a chance to work with words as poetry. Art songs (classical songs) were most often poems before they were set to music. The words inspired the composers to set them in a song. </p><p>We learn to pay attention to the words and their meaning as the composer interpreted. To look at how the melody interacts with the piano accompaniment to create a desired effect. To really communicate our interpretation of that meaning. </p><p>What Singing Art Songs Does For Us:</p><p>- <b>Teaches us the power of words and how they function in creating images</b></p><p>- <b>Teaches us to notice details</b>. (Nuances between the melody and accompaniment to create images)</p><p>- <b>Exposes us to poems by many of history's greatest poets from all nationalities</b></p><p><span> ** A great exercise is having students sing songs with the same text by a variety of composers and in a variety of eras!!</span><br /></p><p>- <b>It adds to our working vocabulary in various languages </b>(Italian, French, German). Our vocabulary in the specific language we are singing grows quickly as we study more and more art songs.</p><p>- <b>Stretches our imagination and how to analyze a poem. </b> How do WE interpret the poem? (A direct correlation to English classes in school)</p><p>- <b>It is history and song </b>that leads to so many of the contemporary music of today. (We didn't just get to where we are in music by magic!)</p><p>- <b>It teaches us to communicate a story.</b> Words are not always straight forward and need to be interpreted and then communicated.</p><p>- <b>It often teaches a simplified melodic line or recurring theme.</b> Often melodic lines are simplistic in nature in beginning art songs and folk songs. Repeated words lend to repeated melodic ideas. These are the backbones of most music regardless of genre.</p><p>Art songs (classical songs) are an essential to vocal study and learning to communicate the meaning of any style of music. Embrace the beauty of text and song to help you share meaningful music! </p><p>Sign up to receive my newsletter on this mainpage! </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-90080510877152227642021-09-29T04:00:00.001-07:002021-09-29T04:00:00.259-07:00Why Take Voice Lessons? The In Person Option Analyzed (but don't forget online too....)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbar7Nel6tWulmQIehVddUIgMMX_bnmr6KNz36UTklmJUu3KMyzq3bQRTrR-RxKlW2TNUDVHO0hDMSvRmfEyLpWEuvj0Rjg4U2ZguBc6jtQl_1h3HqfI_Roa8ExxN5sixBdQLqHcOhFWg/s293/recital+singing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="293" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbar7Nel6tWulmQIehVddUIgMMX_bnmr6KNz36UTklmJUu3KMyzq3bQRTrR-RxKlW2TNUDVHO0hDMSvRmfEyLpWEuvj0Rjg4U2ZguBc6jtQl_1h3HqfI_Roa8ExxN5sixBdQLqHcOhFWg/s0/recital+singing.jpg" width="293" /></a></div><br />Voice Lessons are such an important element of improving singing technique and building confidence to sing in front of others. In the previous article, I analyzed why online lessons may be a good option. Here are a few benefits of the IN PERSON option! Please read both and decide which option works best for YOU or YOUR CHILD. <p></p><p><b>In Person Benefits:</b></p><p>Being IN PERSON, you really get one on one attention in live time. Your voice is <b>analyzed exactly as it is heard by another individual</b>. That opinion and expertise is invaluable! We do not hear ourselves as others hear us!</p><p>Some people are just <b>DONE with the online concep</b>t because they have to spend so much time on their computers for work or school. Zooming meetings and other online concepts are here to stay but this may be a place you can get the <b>'humanness' of singing</b> back!</p><p><b>One on one singing in person may be less intimidating than jumping back into singing with the choir.</b> You or your child may have gotten a little rusty over the pandemic and singing online for choir class or maybe your church or community choir (or you) took a break over the pandemic. You want to work on your skills and confidence but have the face to face interaction with another human without technology involved.</p><p>You may be ready to <b>venture off the computer to in person singing but still fear singing with multiple people in a group. </b>Singing lessons give you that opportunity with less of a germ pool. Build your skills and confidence to get back to it.</p><p>Many people say there is just <b>NOTHING like hearing singing and music LIVE</b>! If that's you, that's your option:-)</p><p>Voice Lessons, no matter how you slice it, are beneficial not only to your singing voice but for your soul! You may want to give it a try but don't know which way will work best for you. Stop and think about it and go with what feels most comfortable. I enjoy teaching both online and in person as it presents the singer in a different way and gives a variety of things to work on in lessons.</p><p><b>Many studios (including myself) are offering both options or the best of both worlds.</b> You may choose or need to go back and forth! The option to primarily take IN PERSON lessons with the option to convert to ONLINE as needed can help you get into a regular lesson pattern regardless of daily life.</p><p>- Daily life patterns may change (travel for work, car broke down, to child playing a sport for one season which makes it difficult to make it to lesson on time, but can if online) </p><p>- Public health situations (COVID-19 exposure and quarantine or variants or you have a little cold but don't want to share it) </p><p>- Weather (an ice storm which leaves roads impassable but with electricity, a lesson still possible)</p><p>If we have learned anything through the pandemic, it is that things can always change! Make the move and get started singing more and being happy today with voice lessons!! Tune in next week for benefits of singing lessons in general!</p><p><br /></p>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-86759634475840095512021-09-20T09:59:00.007-07:002021-09-21T08:32:24.223-07:00Why Take Voice Lessons? How is best for YOU? Online or In Person or in a studio which offers both?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3K1GF5fxrLP3zSiyG-zuQ0jnuZ5dqzofPB1juGSOXqfs1MV-AwnhRRJevfxRoYN-Rbpz6YYzM2PgJ_F7GWPJPRUG3OcheYWn6FKOH5rYzI7wF9ocOvKZu5yT1eJPayWGoWOJvkYBRm_p/s225/music+note+-+purple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3K1GF5fxrLP3zSiyG-zuQ0jnuZ5dqzofPB1juGSOXqfs1MV-AwnhRRJevfxRoYN-Rbpz6YYzM2PgJ_F7GWPJPRUG3OcheYWn6FKOH5rYzI7wF9ocOvKZu5yT1eJPayWGoWOJvkYBRm_p/s0/music+note+-+purple.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br />Why should you or your child take voice lessons? It seems an age old question, but today is a <b>brand new</b> one! You have a larger choice HOW to take voice lessons too! With all of the time we have spent on computers and in online school, people need more one on one time. They need to reconnect to people. They need to be interacting with someone on a truly individual basis to reconnect to what matters to them what moves them, what they feel, how they can express it. <p></p><p>Individual time with a voice teacher is like nothing else! It fuels our souls, our creativity, balances our well being, and gives us confidence. In voice lessons, we work on YOU as an individual and on YOUR singing voice. </p><p>In the age of the pandemic, we found we can get this one on one time and reconnecting through both ONLINE and IN PERSON voice lessons. There are so many benefits to both ways and yes, you can do one or the other or BOTH. (Many of us are continuing online and in person options to serve all needs) So no matter which you prefer, you can explore both to GET THAT VOICE SINGING!</p><p>___________________________________________________________________________________</p><p>Many of us never thought to teach online, but through advancement in technology, we did it and it opened many doors. Here are some of the benefits of ONLINE teaching I have found (Tune in next week for IN PERSON benefits)</p><p><b>Location and Time:</b></p><p>You can have a lesson with a voice teacher even when you live across the country or go on a vacation for an extended time. Car breaks down or there is a storm that leaves the road a mess, you can still have your lesson! Going off to college but want to continue voice lessons with your studio teacher in your hometown, YOU' VE GOT IT!</p><p>If you found you didn't have time to take voice lessons before because of travel time to and from location in addition to the length of the lesson, this could be your answer! Or your teacher and your schedule are difficult to coordinate (even if its for a 2 week period)- you don't need to cancel or quit, move it online (even if only temporary)</p><p><b>Truly face to face (even if through the screen) :</b></p><p>When on the computer, a teacher and student are truly face to face (no voice lessons cannot take place without a camera). Voice teachers can see actions of the mouth, neck and posture issues very clearly. When singing in person during this pandemic many of us do still need to wear a mask. This hides our face, mouth, etc so sometime difficult to address certain areas of technique. Online we do not so we can see the singer more clearly. We also generally see the singer in a close up view. We can ask them to turn sideways, get a different view of posture. </p><p><b>Preparation:</b></p><p>I have found that students are more apt to work harder in between lessons when learning online. When they are more prepared for the music of the lesson, they are have a more successful lesson. They have accompaniment tracks ready to go and have planned out what they want to work on. Also because of the slight drawback of latency issues of working online, students work harder to combat it with more practice time. </p><p>Latency issues have been vastly improved with various technological advancements and tools. Voice lessons online have become very SUCCESSFUL and POPULAR.</p><p><b>Of course, singing in person is ultimately the best thing, but don't let this stop you from SINGING!! Explore the option to have ONLINE voice lessons (or supplement ONLINE when you have schedule issues with your IN PERSON Voice Lessons)</b></p><p>Go explore singing lessons for YOU (visit <a href="http://www.susanandersbrizick.com">www.susanandersbrizick.com</a> for information on Voice Lessons in my studio) . Tune in next week for benefits of IN PERSON Voice Lessons and singing in general!</p>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-74455380616206166912020-10-06T03:00:00.001-07:002020-10-06T03:00:07.123-07:00Thank you Teachers of 2020 "Good Educators Share Knowledge. Great Educators Make an Impression That Stays in Their Students Hearts Forever." Part 5 of 5 <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxl95xhEEHtPP-99VdflzT-TS88qBqoNFqCt7m3IjutA7_rQ4DVVZ8fR2ryLJOsl2XA-saF45PIFPvf5bX3-WZbBcVsVhyphenhyphenDagRL5MBJ1gHM2XYNDBhvRge8swtTV_YLIcwmjfwZTO0RcPW/s337/thank+you+teachers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxl95xhEEHtPP-99VdflzT-TS88qBqoNFqCt7m3IjutA7_rQ4DVVZ8fR2ryLJOsl2XA-saF45PIFPvf5bX3-WZbBcVsVhyphenhyphenDagRL5MBJ1gHM2XYNDBhvRge8swtTV_YLIcwmjfwZTO0RcPW/s320/thank+you+teachers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> As a quick wrap up to this series on "Good Educators Share Knowledge. Great Educators Make an Impression That Stays in Their Students Hearts Forever", I just want to say thank you to all of the teachers of 2020 who are out there doing their best to teach our youth today! And thank you students and families for joining us on the journey and embracing the new ways of learning of this challenging time.<p></p><p><b>Teachers:</b> No matter your subject area or age that you teach,we need to continue to support one another in our challenges and successes. Reach out to each other today to make sure your fellow educators are okay. Share a good story or something you found successful in your teaching in our modified models of 2020. Offer to be an ear or a help to someone who has hit a roadblock in how to do something. </p><p>What are you finding is rewarding in teaching in these challenging times? What are the benefits you see? I know I find my students are more prepared for their lessons and we are having fun exploring different opportunities to create music!</p><p><b>Students:</b> Stop and think about what you are learning about your OWN learning style. What works well for you? What is challenging? What do you enjoy about learning in these different ways?</p><p><b>Focus on the POSITIVE and YOU will make your world a Masterpiece!</b></p>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-40576822652749480202020-09-29T03:00:00.001-07:002020-09-29T03:00:06.592-07:00Voice Lessons and Chorus or Band: Tribute to "Good Educators Share Knowledge. Great Educators Make an Impression That Stays in Their Students Hearts Forever." Part 4 of 5 <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbRwKYPeBtqQceryLFW8uTe9Bet6wTJJNV1ZDHGH0yYOmilQvOd77PP5yPUv8DQ3qOU4_cVDk_2XnAH6LTNxOdP-vx7YGN8R_VFLF5zLxnJ2mN4f8qoYkJpnEBnx-_9I5Imf_ngmMb3VP/s251/music+teachers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbRwKYPeBtqQceryLFW8uTe9Bet6wTJJNV1ZDHGH0yYOmilQvOd77PP5yPUv8DQ3qOU4_cVDk_2XnAH6LTNxOdP-vx7YGN8R_VFLF5zLxnJ2mN4f8qoYkJpnEBnx-_9I5Imf_ngmMb3VP/s0/music+teachers.jpg" /></a></div><br />Study of music in the form of Voice lessons, Saxophone lessons, Chorus, Band, or participation in Drama and Musical Theater Productions have such a large impact on students. It is here that many students truly witness the concept that "Great Educators Make an Impression That Stays in Their Students Hearts Forever". <p></p><p><b>Why?</b></p><p><b>Many Years of Study--</b>Part of this phenomenon is that it is and opportunity to have MANY years of study with the same teacher so there is continual development of the skills of and whole of a person. </p><p>Individual Voice Lessons or Instrumental Study is a one on one opportunity to help develop musical skills and impact students over the course of many years. As the students ability levels change, so does the teaching. As their musical tastes develop, so does their repertoire and exposure to repertoire they didn't even know existed.</p><p>Although choir, band, and drama directors deal with many students at a time (often in much larger groups than the average classroom), they often also have the pleasure of teaching the same students over many years. As students grow and change, teachers affect them in different ways. It is an ongoing continuum of learning where students grow from year to year thus creating a large impact on students. </p><p><b>Music and Drama as a Subject Touch the Heart and Soul</b></p><p>Music and drama study really touch the heart and soul of a human being. Whether it be interacting with the other musicians and thespians in the room and creating a unique bond through those interactions OR an individuals response to the music they are making that lifts their spirits and makes them feel good to create, the impact of these subjects on a person can be so profound.</p><p><b>Music and Drama Study Develop Many Aspects of a Person as a Whole:</b></p><p>Study of music and drama instill discipline, ability to accept and work with constructive criticism to make something the best it can be, encourage creativity and so many more things!</p><p><u>Stop and think as an adult: </u> What are some of your fondest memories of your education in your youth? Many reply taking lessons, singing in choir, being in the musical, marching band. If not musically inclined it may be a particular group project or research which YOU did. Something that mattered or interested you at the time are what stick with us. Someone stirred that interest in you and the TOPIC fueled your interest. </p><p><u>Stop and think as a student:</u> What are some of the things you remember the most fondly of your education so far? Is it taking voice lessons? Participating in band? Missing being on stage in a Musical Theater Production? Something stirred that interest in you (was it your teacher, your parents) and that TOPIC or how making the music, singing, acting, made you feel keeps you there.</p><p>ENJOY your moments in music and drama! Seek out opportunities available to you. Let music and drama teachers help you to explore all that is out there! In 2020 many opportunities are available in different formats due to social distancing. Some may be more likely on a 1 on 1 basis such as Voice Lessons- sign up to enjoy today! Others may be outdoor opportunities in small groups- let yourself enjoy all that you can and be impacted by Arts Teachers over many years! Trust me, you will never forget it!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-42427369659214362292020-09-22T05:52:00.005-07:002020-09-22T05:52:00.502-07:00Individual Music Lessons: Clear Example of "Good Educators Share Knowledge. Great Educators Make an Impression That Stays in Their Students Hearts Forever." Part 3 of 5 <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiIe0bgyogH_Xyg9SeC5BP8zctJ6YBOhJ7aAmgL3nzFwGd8M2CKsXHDMuU6XWNmcK3dGx-1UrdEk6cnBX9KduFEGsC4QnbL7iWhMneS0J91tLkhFIFBN-FLGZGv1-vwwOCVz6JuNy2DVx/s1920/Sunbeam+Path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiIe0bgyogH_Xyg9SeC5BP8zctJ6YBOhJ7aAmgL3nzFwGd8M2CKsXHDMuU6XWNmcK3dGx-1UrdEk6cnBX9KduFEGsC4QnbL7iWhMneS0J91tLkhFIFBN-FLGZGv1-vwwOCVz6JuNy2DVx/s320/Sunbeam+Path.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Now almost a month into school, have any new teachers started to have that profound impact on you? Are they a teacher you had before? Or is it a new teacher and a new way of learning that make you appreciate them more? <p></p><p>Last week I shared 2 teachers who made a large impression on me and there are more. My 5th grade teacher had one year to make an impression on me and did so in a big way. He was there when I needed someone. My voice teacher had many years to make that impression because learning singing is a lifelong skill in which I have invested much time in lessons. My band teacher, choral teacher, drama instructor and future voice teachers also had a large impact on me. In study of these areas, I had many of the teachers for multiple years AND ongoing guidance in areas that interest me. The same is true of a coach in a sport which students get to learn across many years. They can shape our path for years to come. </p><p>This week I want to address <b>Individual Instruction in music </b>and the impact it has on a student (and next week group instruction). Individual instruction in music (voice lessons, guitar lessons, piano lessons) has a very powerful connection between student and teacher. The teacher is sharing their knowledge with the student but moving at the students pace and addressing their individuality along the way. Taking time to talk about individual posture for singing, where THAT student feels resonance, learning about reading music, discussing music preferences and what style or music suits THAT students voice. </p><p>As Independent Voice or Instrument Teachers, we work on building the individual through years of study in many areas. Here are some of the benefits of individual voice lessons (or music study in general)</p><p>* Teach Individual skills including fine tuning the instrument and musicality</p><p>* Develop a person and character through one on one interaction and teaching responsibility </p><p>* Build Confidence </p><p>*Teach discipline to craft their art </p><p>* Explore the INDIVIDUAL voice and the changes it may be enduring as a student has vocal demands of both choir and the musical, going through puberty, how the voice responds to singing different styles of music or languages.</p><p>* Through many years of study, continually develop musicianship skills and the person. We get to interact over a longer span of time and do have an impact on the student as they develop as a human and musician!</p><p>* Specific to singing and chorus: There is a human heartbeat to singing. A sense of belonging, of making music with YOUR voice, the person playing the piano, or the human singing with you (choir)</p><p>Many of these characteristics are present in the teaching of the arts in a larger group as well, which we we explore next week, but in the day and age we are living in with so many restrictions to publicly making music together, I wanted to address the many benefits to taking SINGING LESSONS (even if online for a while). </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-66213191473348141482020-09-15T06:04:00.007-07:002020-09-15T07:22:28.559-07:00"Good Educators Share Knowledge. Great Educators Make an Impression That Stays in Their Students Hearts Forever." Part 2 of 5<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRaBv5VroN-wxRgTjTRWrdc_1yN0jZAADRlmlMZ-w1sPNvoUCfOhTCBEhuutSWma__mGxXHDrDBQixNMKK6kz_ZITIoytVDeOssqwES6JXJi8ukyZ-rdItN8x_I162LLPieg2p779BRIN/s275/teacher+and+student+share.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRaBv5VroN-wxRgTjTRWrdc_1yN0jZAADRlmlMZ-w1sPNvoUCfOhTCBEhuutSWma__mGxXHDrDBQixNMKK6kz_ZITIoytVDeOssqwES6JXJi8ukyZ-rdItN8x_I162LLPieg2p779BRIN/s0/teacher+and+student+share.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It is beyond imagination the impact that a teacher can have on a child. Last week I challenged you to thank a teacher and also to think about a teacher who impacted you and why. Teachers are working even harder in this year of 2020 to do what they love, TEACH, and shape lives. They are met with added challenges and still persevere. Yes, I am a teacher too and realize why. It is partly because of the teachers who taught me.<p></p><p>There are many teachers who have greatly impacted a life that stick out to me from an article I recently read:</p><p>A high school English teacher impacted the life of one of her students and encouraged her writing. She is now famous author. The author has thanked the teacher in many of her prologues. Without the teachers words and encouragement, she would not of set the goal to be an author.</p><p>The caring nature of a 10th grade teacher towards a child who lost their parents gave the student the courage and drive to attend school and be one of the first in their family to go to college. The teacher became a reason for the student to show up to class and do well when the child thought there was no longer a reason to do so. He gave him a purpose and to know someone was counting on him.</p><p>These examples may seem severe or out of the ordinary, but they happen everyday. Who were the teachers that impacted you? Did you thank them yet?</p><p>As I reflect on my teachers who had the biggest impact on me, I am reminded of the life lessons they taught me and want to share a few who stand out to me:</p><p>Thank you, Mr. Bob Wilkey, my 5th grade teacher. He helped me through some struggles during that year. He believed in me and gave me courage to believe in myself and my strengths. He and I have kept in touch over the years. I know he has done the same for countless students. </p><p>Thank you to my first voice teacher, Pat Conrad, who also believed in me and fostered my talents. She showed me the joy of singing and love of helping others to learn to sing at their best. It was so valuable to me I decided I wanted to do the same. I continued to return to her for years to come and sang with her for many more. I think of her often as I teach and all she taught me.</p><p>YOU as a teacher make a difference. YOU as a student are impacted and YOU as a student also give teachers the motivation to do what they do. We all give energy to one another. Keep it positive and share your positive influencers.</p><p><br /></p></div>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-48235850007597557272020-09-08T08:04:00.002-07:002020-09-08T08:14:31.850-07:00"Good Educators Share Knowledge. Great Educators Make an Impression That Stays in Their Students Hearts Forever." Part 1 of 5<p style="text-align: center;"><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbgaJ9NPi1rEKOnSwrG-i6UKaXVKpG5pxzvFg_DNq1wG7ED9qdkliqgyF7h9NAzUNCM6nUzAES8lGUfJv4lNZOcuCWQKtv5s2m6sN62RMe-z_j9iun_kJHaCuKgk1J1dkFgcMkmJAm6Kr/s275/heart+music.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbgaJ9NPi1rEKOnSwrG-i6UKaXVKpG5pxzvFg_DNq1wG7ED9qdkliqgyF7h9NAzUNCM6nUzAES8lGUfJv4lNZOcuCWQKtv5s2m6sN62RMe-z_j9iun_kJHaCuKgk1J1dkFgcMkmJAm6Kr/s0/heart+music.jpg" /></a></i></div><i><br /> "Good educators share knowledge. </i><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Great educators make an impression that stays in their students' hearts forever." </i> </p><p style="text-align: center;">ESPECIALLY IN 2020! (Part 1)</p><p>I read these words a few days ago and it really rang true to me as something to remember <b>right now</b>! Educators are working harder than ever in this wild and crazy year of 2020! Not only are they doing what they love, TEACHING, but they are becoming proficient on technology, planning more than ever to hold seamless virtual classes or simultaneous virtual and in person classes, and trying to reach their students in all the different ways that they need through the computer and/or with COVID safety measures in person. So many challenges and so many added responsibilities. From the math teacher, to the 5th grade teacher, to the Chorus Teacher, to the college professor, to the Voice Teacher, I have no doubt some of the teachers our kids really remember in their lifetime will be from this time. </p><p>Teachers, take a moment and breathe and know <b>you've got this</b>. It will take extra time and patience, but your work is important and we will all get through this together. (Yes this is a pep talk for me too!)</p><p>Parents and students, take a moment to breathe and remember 'patience is a virtue'. <b>You've got this too</b>, you can adapt to learning in new ways. What teachers are sharing is still important. Not only the CONTENT of what they are teaching but HOW they teach with compassion and WHAT you learn about humanity. What sticks with you?</p><p>EVERYONE, take time to do something that lifts your spirits! <b>Listen to music, sing, play the guitar, go for a run, dance. </b></p><p><b>Once you have done that, think about what TEACHER really touched your life and why? </b>Was it in a particular subject or just who they are? Tune in next week for more. In the meantime, take an extra moment to <b>thank a teacher you appreciate in your life</b> right now. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-514770049158172904.post-71477230122942560032020-09-01T08:04:00.000-07:002020-09-01T08:04:07.967-07:00What? School is Online? I need a creative outlet and 1 on 1 interaction-Try Singing Lessons!<p> Ah 2020, what is going to be next? School (and work) is online for many of us and so many students need a creative outlet with one on one interactions. <b>Singing Lessons may be the answer!</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9ck1CpfhwgPxfA4s9hzhnJq-OHSLf2j2PTfWGGwj1KGMRI8FFkz7V59cyeL-psW59UZUrRPPY332z8IqRma_MFPXMCQrAwOOpG_1bjWETGbI7NLFJT226HxORKcqaPrpiSobFCRfRpVV/s0/practice+log.jpg" /></div><br />Think about it: Music has been the one thing that everyone went to when we first went into quarantine in March. How many videos did you see of people singing and making music together through the computer? How did it make you feel? It made me feel good and think about how much music soothes the soul or as a recent colleague said, "Music fixes everything." <p></p><p>Music and singing specifically gives you an outlet for your emotions. A chance to explore what lies within you. Interacting with a voice teacher is a human connection that helps you improve those skills. </p><p> The one on one attention makes you feel like you are important and what you do really matters. It does. Sing from the heart and work on improving something within yourself. Try singing a new style of music, learn to sing in a different language. One on one singing lessons have so much to offer!</p><p>Making music gives you a creative outlet, something we may be missing with online school. Singing releases feel good endorphins. Go out and sing your heart out to lift your spirits.</p><p>Do you love choir but not feel like you are getting the same satisfaction when singing in an online choir? Maybe you need more individual human interaction and guidance from a singing teacher. Not only can you hone your skills, but feel better in the process. </p><p>Sing a bit to yourself. Go on, Give it a try! How do you feel after a bit? Would you like to make it sound even better? Reach out to a voice teacher like me today and get started! <a href="mailto:susananders@aol.com">Voice Lessons Inquiry</a></p><p><br /></p>Susan Anders Brizickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17121209115990052557noreply@blogger.com0