It’s that time of year again, where summer’s winding down, kids are heading back to school, and people are looking for new hobbies or activities. This is a great time for voice teachers, as studios begin to fill up once again. This means it is also a great time for me to write a blog post on how you can find a great teacher for you! Rather, I should say a great time to write two blog posts, as there’s actually two different sets of information I want to give you: where to find a good voice teacher, and what to look for in a teacher.
Today’s blog post will focus on the first question. Where do you find a good teacher? With the world at our fingertips, sometimes we can get overwhelmed with options and information. Therefore, I hope to make this as simple and straightforward as possible so you can end your searching and begin your singing!
1. Your Local College or University
Besides being a wealth of teachers, they are often a wealth of information. Oftentimes these teachers give private lessons. However, if they don’t, their students might. Many schools also have bulletin boards within their music departments that either have ads for teachers, or you can place an ad looking for one.
2. Local Music Stores
Local music stores often are a great way to find affordable lessons, and are great for those who want to learn multiple instruments at once, such as voice and piano. Keep in mind though that singing does not produce instruments you can sell, so oftentimes the “voice teacher” at a store is the primary guitar or piano teacher. Generally speaking, these kinds of teachers do not have pedagogical knowledge of the voice and instead speak from their own experiences. This may make them a good teacher, but it also might not. Be sure to ask about the teacher’s background (more on this in part two).
3. Organizations
Various voice organizations like the National Association of Teachers of Singing and Classical Singer often have teacher listings. Check out their websites or print publications for teachers in your area.
4. Online Postings
This category refers to sites such as Craigslist and Thumbtack, amongst others. They can be a surprisingly good way to find a teacher. Just make sure they give their credentials as these sites do not screen for quality, and that the first meeting at least is in a public area for your safety and theirs.
5. Word of Mouth
Do not underestimate the power of word of mouth! If someone you know takes lessons, ask them about it. Teachers are not one size fits all, but if someone you know loves their voice teacher, then maybe you will too!
Where did you find your voice teacher? Teachers, where did you find your students? Do these suggestions match up with where you look or advertise? If not, how can we bridge the gap? Your comments are always welcome, and be sure to come back soon for things to look for in a good voice teacher!