Suzanne Chafin, Private Voice Studio

As summer fast approaches, I am pleased to announce that I am opening more slots in my studio!

Summer Lessons will begin in June, and will run through the end of July. There is MUCH more flexibility with the summer schedule, so don’t worry about scheduling around camps, vacations, etc. 😊
Summer is a FANTASTIC time to prepare for fall auditions, and to really hone in on technique- Less distractions, responsibilities, and, therefore, more free time to practice!

Summer lessons might look like-
- 4, 1 hour lessons
- 6, 45 minute lessons
- 8, half hour lessons
Or some combination of the above! Maybe you’re busy in June and we squeeze in 2 hour lessons, but then we have half hours in July… I’m happy to make it work- I enjoy having a summer too 😉☀️

Currently, I am teaching both in person and virtually.
Students taking over the summer will have first dibs on scheduling available lessons lots in the fall.

It’s amazing what our bodies are capable of!

https://www.futurity.org/broadway-singers-vocal-health-2697112-2/?fbclid=IwAR1Kji8J9kSsTHfp7mk3jdgVBNYYLoJEYBYQUdmhrsD9qUwWWXJXfIydeRE

'Vocal Fitbit' shows how hard Broadway singers work - Futurity New research using a “vocal Fitbit” quantifies the demands of today’s musical theater roles and empowers Broadway performers to protect their vocal health.

One spot has opened up! If you’ve been looking for private lessons, NOW IS YOUR CHANCE!
I’m currently teaching both in person and virtually, with the understanding that may need to be adjusted at any given time.
🎵 Feel free to share 🎵

In working to find a new normal during this time, I have transitioned to 100% virtual lessons for the foreseeable future... which is a change to be sure! I will miss seeing all of my students in person, but this seemed the most loving thing to do, for all parties involved.

If you are interested in exploring lessons for yourself or your child while they’re schooling-at-home, please let me know! I actually capped my studio this fall, but maybe this is a time I can offer a service to those who wouldn’t normally have the margin in their schedule to explore another interest? Happy to chat, if you’re interested ❤️

Suzanne Chafin, Private Voice Studio

Absolutely! ❤️

Music Lessons Were the Best Thing Your Parents Ever Did for You, According to Science If your parents ever submitted you to regular music lessons as a kid, you probably got in a fight with them once or twice about it. Maybe you didn't want to go; maybe you didn't like practicing. But we have some bad news: They were right. It turns…

Have you ever wondered how or why physical exercise, strength, &/or movement might impact the VOICE?! Anyone need ANOTHER great reason to hit the gym or studio?! ( ) …First of all, it is important to remember that as an occupational voice user, your VOICE is your instrument through which you deliver your very important message out into this world. You must not only take optimal care of this instrument if it is to perform as you desire, but you must exercise, condition, & “fine-tune” this instrument consistently if you expect it to be successful during the (likely) high demands placed upon it.


Additionally, it is important to realize that your entire body is also a larger instrument in & of itself. When using your VOICE in the most optimal & free way possible, you are using your entire body and mind and spirit. Your feet ground you, your legs support you, your lungs expand with air to fuel the vibration of your vocal folds, and 360 degrees of core activation enables you to speak with power &/or maintain a softer tone without fading away. Your musculature supports your skeleton, which promotes good posture (essential for good voice production), your resonators & articulators create YOUR unique vocal sound, & your mind & heart provide the “feel” behind your voice & the beautiful intrinsic “story” & emotion you can use to share & authentically connect with others.


There is a beautiful, flexible, natural, powerful, & expressive coordinated connection between the breath, the body, the voice, & emotion. Since it is easy to understand the voice does not “stand alone”, it should also be easy to see that exercising the physical body can profoundly impact the voice and its function, quality, support, & stamina. Exercise uplifts overall mood (endorphins!), releases stress/tension, & improves energy (and it is essential to have sufficient energy with the least amount of effort/tension possible to produce a well-supported and dynamic voice that is reliable & successful in the “work” setting). Working out can improve the voice by increasing cardiovascular strength, improving lung capacity, increasing muscular tone, & improving overall stamina. In addition, it can provide a "letting go" of the mind and body, as well as a stretching of the mind and body, which promotes relaxation & release of tension. Just like we experience bodily or mental fatigue if we perform a task we are not conditioned for, our voice can also experience fatigue if the body is not working together to support it or if it has not been trained or strengthened properly. This prolonged vocal fatigue can result in physical vocal injury & possible changes in neuromotor planning related to voice use. "Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness" (Edward Stanley).


STAY TUNED for Part TWO where we further discuss some specifics and research related to the positive impact of “working out” on the voice.


health

HUGE congratulations tonight to Colleen Allard-Smith who has won Georgia’s Celebration of Music competition and will be going to perform in their national concert in LA!

How many times will we have to hear this before we believe it? 🎵

Giving students more music, theater, and dance boosts writing scores (and compassion), big new study finds One of the largest gold-standard studies on arts education ever conducted finds measurable benefits to giving students more music, theater, and dance.

In related news, I still have available slots for summer lessons! ❤️

Middle School Music and Theater Students Get Better Grades New research presents the best evidence yet that taking arts classes benefits kids academically.

👏🏻

'Arts teaching could become more important than maths in tech-based future' – education expert Researcher Andreas Schleicher has told a House of Commons inquiry that he believed young people could benefit more from the skills gained through creativity than test-based learning

Slots available for summer lessons- take advantage of some of these benefits!

The 6 Benefits of Music Lessons Learning to play an instrument can help your child fine-tune her ear and enhance skills needed for education and social interaction.