I specialize in singing lessons in Contemporary Voice for adult learners (18+). So if you want to be able to sing and/or perform Rock & Pop songs with a solid vocal technique and confidence, you’ve come to the right place.
Our private singing lessons take place either at The Piano: Centre for Music and the Arts in Christchurch Central or at our modern home studio in Silverstream, Kaiapoi.
If you prefer to develop your singing skills in a group, you might be interested in our SingMates group singing sessions.
About Singing Lessons in Contemporary Voice
Why should I take singing lessons to sing Rock & Pop?
Some may think that people with amazing voices just fall from the sky but that’s not quite how it works. The vocal acrobatics and power vocals you hear in many contemporary genres take skill and practice which is why most professional singers out there will have some vocal training or guidance along the way to be able to sustain a career that lasts many years.
But vocal training is not just for aspiring rock stars. Working with a dedicated singing teacher with a solid background in performance will benefit anyone who wants to sing on a regular basis, feel more confident with their voice or become a well-rounded vocalist and performer.
Singing lessons can help you make the most of your natural talent, whether you are a complete beginner or a natural born singer. As your teacher and coach, I will help you identify your vocal strengths and tendencies so you can gain a better understanding of where you’re at as a singer. A structured program tailored to your needs will then support you in building healthy and effective singing habits so you can get in charge of your vocals. This will also empower you to make informed decisions when it comes to choosing songs for example. You will be supported with a practice routine and resources so you can reinforce your skills at home and make progress quickly.
What does a typical singing lesson look like?
The structure of a lesson depends on your skill level, there is no one size fits all. I believe it is important for singers to have a basic understanding of their vocal instrument and build solid foundations in vocal technique. This will give you the tools to develop vocal control and keep your voice in shape. Knowing what you’re doing is what boosts your confidence and ability to express musical ideas. Vocal technique is then reinforced with songs we choose together, based on your skill level and goals. Songs offer many opportunities to develop other important skills, such as musicianship, stylistic awareness & vocal effects, how to make a song your own, mic technique and performance (be it on stage or just in our studio).
What specific areas can you help me with?
Here are some possible goals you can come to me with:
- Develop a healthy and effective vocal technique for singing Rock & Pop genres.
- Sing and/or perform songs with confidence.
- Find your voice and style.
- Perform at a special event or in public.
- Learn some basic piano to accompany yourself when singing.
- How to record your singing at home.
- Learn more about music theory to help you understand songs better or how to sing harmonies.
- Pick up a new hobby and do something for yourself.
- Sing to release stress and improve personal wellbeing.
In any case, my goal will be to create a fun and supportive environment to make you feel at ease and grow more confident with your voice.
Can anyone learn how to sing?
A famous Zimbabwean proverb says ‘If you can walk you can dance; if you can talk, you can sing.’ We definitely believe that with the necessary focus and dedicated practice anyone can learn anything. From a technical point of view, singing – like playing any other instrument – is a physical activity. It requires our body to build muscle memory so we can execute specific movements reliably and automatically. Coordinating the body parts and muscles involved in singing is not very different from learning a dance choreography or playing golf. If you have the passion, patience and discipline to develop the muscular coordination, you can learn it. Talent helps of course but in my experience, as adult learners, we are more often held back by our overthinking brains rather than a lack of talent.
In addition to that, singing is set in the world of music of course. Singers need to feel the beat and have a sense of key so their vocals come in at the right time and ‘in tune’ with the song. The first step to musicality is exposure to and a love of music. Most adults who have been listening to music all their life will bring some musical skills to the table even if they don’t know the proper musical terms. The language of music theory can be learned at any stage in life. Understanding how music works will take your musicianship and ability to communicate with other musicians to a whole new level.
How long are the lessons?
I currently offer lessons of 45 and 60 minutes. One hour will give you more time for guided practice and asking questions which is especially valuable when you’re just starting out. If you already got some experience, more time will allow us to really develop your performance and musician skills.
What about playing the guitar, do you teach that too?
I wish I could… but I leave that to my awesome better half and favourite guitar hero Sascha von Kaenel. He can teach you everything you need to rock’n’roll!
Awesome, when can I start?
Right now! All you need to do is contact me.
I also got a profile on NZ Music Teachers Online.