About Vocal Coaching at Northeast Ohio Vocal Arts

WHAT HAPPENS DURING A COACHING SESSION?
A brief interview to determine your goals.
Light exercises to determine your skill levels.
Covering the basics: Breathing, Posture, Tone, etc.
Maximizing range with focus on smooth connectedness throughout.
Expression and Gesture in Performance.
If you are preparing for a recording project, we can arrange to be in the studio with you, to help with microphone technique, sound checks and more.

HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD I PLAN FOR A COACHING SESSION?

Most vocal professionals (teachers, presenters, etc.) require one or two-hour sessions, though that is up to you and may depend on how far you're coming from, how often you expect to come, and of course, your personal goals.

Singers, actors and other vocal performers should have repertoire thoroughly learned before coming to a coaching session. The amount of time needed to coach depends upon the type of coaching (acting, singing, role coaching) you require.

NOVAA coaches are experienced professional performers; if you need auditional material or repertoire suggestions, call us.

In addition to your private coaching, you will receive a video tape of the session to take home and study.

WHAT DOES COACHING COST?

The top vocal coaches and voice teachers in the music business can be expensive ($100/hour and up), but it is possible to find reasonably priced voice lessons; music instruction schools and lesser-known private instructors are your best bet.

At NOVA Academy, professionals can arrange for a private two-hour coaching session with a Vocal Technician. If session involves singing, the Client must bring three copies of music; two copies of script or monologue if the session is for dramatic coaching. Accompanist fees are not included; non-traditional repertoire must be submitted one week prior to first coaching session.

Vocal music coaching usually requires at least two sessions to determine changes. Because the vocal instrument is somewhat fragile, coaching sessions are limited to two hours daily. In addition to your private coaching, you will receive a video tape of the session to take home and study. The client will then work on the coaching information privately. At a subsequent session, the Coach will check for comprehension and retention.

Repertoire/role coaching fees will be based upon needs of the project in question and individual performance needs of the student, i.e. audition, recital, role. One assessment session, no longer than 45 minutes will be required to determine the individual performance needs of the student; the assessment session will cost the current rate of one 45-minute voice lesson. The results of this assessment session will determine the number of coaching sessions required, as well as the cost per session.

Voice lessons are for teaching you how to sing, but a coaching session prepares a specific piece of literature for a performance — including an audition. Here is the correct procedure for planning an audition!

When you plan to audition for a specific show, let your Vocal Instructor or Coach know when the audition dates are, at least a month in advance. Do not wait until a week before tryouts to pick out a song and ask your Instructor to “help you learn it”.

If there is no particular show scheduled, you need to start preparing two pieces for audition purposes. The first piece should be a smooth-flowing ballad; the second should be more of an up-beat comical or character nature. Beginning students often select a song that is inappropriate for their voice type and attempting to sing it may cause vocal damage. Let a Vocal Instructor or Coach help you choose the material.

Depending on the venue level (school musical, community theater, semi or professional), you may need only an excerpt (16 measures). More difficult venues may require a recitative or soliloquy, as well as a sequed interlude. Professionals need at least five audition pieces ready at all times.

When preparing an audition selection, you should become familiar with the complete work from which your music is selected. This allows insight for character definition as well as interpretation and musical style.