Guiding Singers to Themselves

Jess Baldwin, Apr 26 2024

for Clare McLeod’s Contemporary Voice Ped Course, Berklee School of Music

Ask what they want.

Assertive (Sunny): They know what they want and can tell you. Great! Help them do it!

Exploratory (Cloudy): They want to make a choice, but they’re not sure what the choices are. Offer choices. Then help them do it.

Hesitant (Foggy): They aren’t ready to make a choice. Lead them until they rise to exploratory or assertive level.

Tip: You can put a chart in your studio with the different levels so students can point to or say the one they feel like as you ask that question.

Say back to the person what they said to you. “I’m hearing you say…” “Let me reflect that back and see if I understand you…”

If they need to clarify or correct your reflection, say the new clarification back to them.

Keep doing this until you see evidence that they feel seen and heard.

“It sounds like a Part of you wants this and a Part of you wants this.”

“It sounds like a Part of you likes this and a Part of you likes this.”