I started accompanying singers when I was a student in the 1980s. This led to playing for a lot of voice teachers both on the east coast and in Texas. I know the jargon from the whole spectrum of the voice teaching and coaching world. Most teachers are focussed on resonance rather than how the resonance is actually produced. My focus is on the breath and how that breath is supported. This is how we access your unique sound.
I arrived at this approach after observing teachers promoting the concept of ‘placement.’ When we sing this way, the vocal mechanism doesn’t get a chance to strengthen or grow. I also observed that when the sound is too language based, it deteriorates. My process involves building the language from sound.
When I worked for the Dallas Opera as an accompanist and assistant chorusmaster, I met a lot of people who knew a lot of songs but who had no organized technique. This is when I started working as a vocal coach and applying the lessons I had learned. The ‘aha’ moment for me was when a few of the singers who studied with me auditioned for the Dallas Opera Chorus. I played the auditions, and for each of them, the auditioner asked them with whom they studied. They turned around and pointed to me. This led to more vocal students coming my way.
Since then, I moved to the east coast and have been teaching voice in New York City’s East Village since 2000.
I consider myself to be a patient and knowledgeable teacher and I look forward to working with you.
Please be in touch if you have any other questions and to schedule a first lesson.
David