Voice teachers play an important role in helping students develop their vocal skills and achieve their musical goals. Whether you're interested in teaching classical singing, musical theater, or pop music, teaching voice can be a rewarding career choice.
Voice teaching is a profession that has been around for a while. Still, it's only recently become more popular due to the rise of streaming platforms and digital music services. Becoming a vocal coach is more than just singing; it requires discipline and dedication, as well as knowledge about vocal techniques, styles, and health. In this article, we'll go over some tips on how to become successful in the field.
Education and Training
Assuming you have a basic understanding of vocal technique, there are still many things to learn before becoming a voice teacher. As with any profession, the best way to learn is through experience and education.
Just so you know, you must have a solid background in singing and music to work as a voice teacher. Several different types of programs offer training for voice teachers, each with its unique description.
A degree in music, voice pedagogy, or teaching certification can help one become a vocal coach. Musicians and voice students who want to pursue a career in vocal coaching can select from a wide variety of courses as a part of their formal education.
Degree in Music or Performing Arts
A degree in music or performing arts is not required to become a voice teacher, but it can be helpful. It can give you a foundation in music theory and history and provide you with performance experience.
However, a four-year degree is typically required for admission to a master's degree program in music education. If you have a degree in music, you will likely have taken some courses that will teach you about voice students' different learning styles. It will also enhance your teaching skills as you get exposure to formal training for better, more hands-on teaching experience.
Solid Knowledge of Vocal Pedagogy
Aspiring vocal coaches must have a solid knowledge of vocal pedagogy in order to be able to teach their students properly. Pedagogy is the study of how knowledge and skills are taught. There are many different methods of teaching voice, and you will need to be at least familiar with them.
Vocal teachers must be able to understand the anatomy of the voice and how it produces sound. It is also vital for them to be familiar with more contemporary singing styles, such as belting and mixing. To best serve their students, they must have adequate knowledge of the various pedagogies and be able to teach a wide range of styles correctly and safely.
Teaching Certification
If you aspire to become a voice teacher, you might want to consider earning a teaching certification. In this route, make sure that you take classes in vocal performance, vocal technique, and vocal health. Once you have completed your education and training requirements, you will need to pass a state-issued teaching certification exam.
Many voice teachers also pursue additional education or certifications, such as the Contemporary Voice Teacher Academy certification (CVTA).
The CVTA program is a response to the feedback from singing teachers, and the music industry provided input on what was needed to positively impact their students and businesses. Music teachers can receive ongoing professional development through business coaching, progressive course training, and a supportive network community. While certifications or degrees may not be required, they can help to demonstrate your qualifications and credibility to potential students.
Many programs are available for voice teachers to develop their skills and knowledge. Some options include workshops, masterclasses, and online courses. For instance, if you aim to improve your singing control by understanding your voice and being a better singing teacher, you may consider getting certified in Vocal Science. Meanwhile, if you want to unshackle your unique belting voice without pain or exhaustion, you can further your knowledge and learn the techniques to teach that properly, too.
Whichever education and training you choose—whether a music degree from a bachelor's program or a certification from training—you have a massive chance of obtaining the necessary tools to train students in vocal technique, sight reading, and musicianship. Once you've chosen among your options, the next step is to complete your coursework and pass any required exams.
Most programs will require you to take classes in music theory, ear training, sight-singing, vocal repertoire, vocal pedagogy, and performance practice. You'll also need to complete supervised teaching experiences in order to gain hands-on experience working with students.
Building Your Skillset
If you're interested in teaching voice as a career, the first step is to develop your own skillset. This means studying vocal techniques, learning to read music, and gaining experience performing.
Voice teachers should have a strong understanding of vocal techniques, including proper breathing, support, and phonation. Additionally, they should be able to teach a variety of musical styles and have knowledge of music theory and notation.
To become a voice teacher, you need the following:
As with any career, voice teachers must continue learning and growing to stay current and offer the best service to students. This may include taking additional classes, attending workshops, or observing other teachers in action. That said, many vocal coaches are constantly keeping abreast of building and honing their skills.
One way to build your skills as a voice teacher is to observe other voice teachers in action. This can be done by attending workshops, masterclasses, or watching other teachers in their studios. Additionally, it can be helpful to take classes or seminars to stay current with the latest teaching methods and techniques.
You may also consider gaining experience through performing in a choir or theater group. Not only will this give you a better understanding of the challenges your students face, but it will also help you develop your own stage presence and performance skills.
Building Your Business
Voice teachers can choose to teach in a variety of settings, such as a private studio, music school, or college. Some teachers also choose to teach online or through virtual platforms.
To build a career in this field, we advise you to start by:
Identifying your target market.
Knowing who you are teaching and what they need will help you tailor your marketing and teaching methods to serve them best. When identifying your target market, consider the age range of students you would like to teach, their skill level, and any other factors that might be relevant.
Spread the word.
You can get involved in the local music scene and let people know you're available for voice lessons. You can also create flyers or post online ads to reach a wider audience. Marketing your services can also include creating a website, listing your services on online directories, and networking with other music professionals in your area.
Offer a free consultation.
Giving trial lessons to potential students enables them to get a taste of what your classes are like. This is a great way to show off your teaching style and build a clientele base.
Develop a solid lesson plan and pricing structure for your voice lessons.
It's essential to make sure that your students are getting value for their money. This means providing quality instruction and ensuring that your students learn and embody the skills they need to improve their singing.
Keep growing as a singer and teacher.
One of the first steps to being great in this field is to become knowledgeable about the craft. This means constantly learning new techniques and taking classes yourself.
The more knowledgeable you are, the more likely your students will recommend you to other potential students. It's also important to stay up-to-date on current trends in vocal technique and performance.
It's also essential to build networks. See this relationship-building as one of the many ongoing opportunities as a voice coach.
Building relationships with other music professionals can help to expand your network and bring new students to your business. This can be done through networking events, joining professional organizations, or collaborating with other teachers.
Need More Guidance?
Becoming a voice teacher is an enriching career path in which you can make a difference in the lives of your students. It requires dedication, passion, and hard work, but it will be worth seeing your students grow and develop as singers. Resources such as professional organizations, workshops, and online courses can provide further information and support for someone interested in becoming a voice teacher.