How to Choose the Perfect Online Vocal Coach: How I use my skills to Help You Sing Your Best
Hi there, singer! Are you looking for a vocal coach but not sure where to start?
There are thousands of highly skilled singing teachers in the world, but not all of them will be your cup of tea, and that is absolutely OK. The best way to get results from singing lessons is to choose a vocal coach who is the right fit for YOU. Sometimes this decision is a matter of convenience—taking into account factors such as location and budget. However, the online world means that we now have so much more choice, and you should feel empowered to choose to work with someone that you feel excited about.
As a singer and online vocal coach in London, I have been part of this decision-making process from both sides of the table. Sometimes you have to try a few before you find the right one! I am a strong proponent of playing to your strengths, and in this blog, I’m going to tell you about mine, using my top 5 CliftonStrengths as a guide. Perhaps this will inspire you to consider your own personality and what might work for you when looking for your next singing teacher. (This is not an ad for CliftonStrengths, I just like this particular framework.)
Empathy: Understanding and Connecting on a Deep Level
My number one strength is Empathy. This means that I am attuned to the feelings of others and really value building relationships.
Building Rapport: Often people are nervous when they start working with a new vocal coach, but this doesn’t last long as I enjoy making others feel comfortable and getting to know how best to work with them.
Singing with Emotion: According to CliftonStrengths, I am “attuned to the full gamut of human feelings.” This is really handy when it comes to supporting others to connect to the story in a song.
Feeling Safe: It's impossible to separate voice and emotion, and expressing yourself through singing can make us feel vulnerable. Empathy helps me to create a space where you feel safe to do this.
Adaptability: Flexibility in the Face of Change
Adaptability helps me to be flexible and embrace every individual singer’s needs and quirks. No two lessons are the same.
Personalise Lessons: All singers are different. We have different bodies, personalities, lifestyles, tastes in music, ideas, and more. For this reason, one particular vocal exercise will work really well for one person and not at all for another. Adaptability allows me to understand what each singer needs and to personalise their training so that they can progress as quickly as possible.
Embrace New Techniques: I love to stay current with new methods and technologies, incorporating them into our online sessions to enhance your learning experience. I am always learning and passing this learning onto you in our vocal coaching sessions. I am currently training in the Buteyko Breathing Method and researching the impact of tongue tie on singing, for example!
Connectedness: Building Bridges and Finding Meaning
Connectedness allows me to see the bigger picture and find meaning in the connections between people and ideas, creating a sense of community and purpose in our online vocal coaching sessions.
Instill Purpose: I help you understand how your individual growth contributes to your overall journey as a vocalist, giving you a sense of purpose and direction.
Create Meaningful Lessons: I design lessons that not only teach technical skills but also connect to your personal goals and aspirations, making each session more meaningful and impactful.
Comfort and Stability in the Face of Adversity: I enjoy supporting singers who are struggling with issues such as performance anxiety or vocal injury.
Developer: Cultivating Potential and Encouraging Growth
Developer allows me to recognise and nurture your potential, providing ongoing support and encouragement to help you grow and improve.
Identify Potential: I see your unique strengths and abilities, even at the beginning of your vocal journey, helping you gain confidence and motivation.
Celebrate Progress: I celebrate every small step of progress, helping you recognize and appreciate your own growth. This positive reinforcement keeps you motivated and engaged.
Invest in Growth: I am dedicated to your long-term development, providing ongoing support and guidance to help you overcome challenges and continuously improve.
Positivity: Inspiring and Uplifting Others
Positivity allows me to have an optimistic outlook and inspire enthusiasm, creating a joyful and motivating atmosphere in our online vocal coaching sessions.
Boost Morale: As I often work with singers who are having a hard time, it’s important that I stay positive. Often this can involve a lot of problem-solving, and we do this together from a place of optimism (I am honest, but not critical.)
Encourage Resilience: Singers can be really hard on themselves and putting yourself ‘out there’ can be scary. I like to remind you of your progress and potential, helping you push through challenges.
Create a Supportive Environment: My genuine encouragement and optimistic outlook make you feel valued and supported, fostering creativity and risk-taking essential for vocal growth.
Conclusion
I hope that this blog has helped you to do two things:
Reflect on Your Own Strengths: Are you currently playing to your strengths in your singing journey, or are there some changes you could make?
Consider the Qualities You Value in a Vocal Coach: You deserve to work with someone who is the right fit for you.
I find that playing to my strengths—Empathy, Adaptability, Connectedness, Developer, and Positivity—I am able to build amazing relationships with the singers I work with, and this in turn helps them to get the best out of their singing.