Voice Lesson Information for New Students
Initial consultation
All voice students are seen for an initial consultation and then assigned a teacher based on age, availability, interests, background, and emerging vocal textures (Classical tone - maybe one teacher, Broadway tone - maybe another).
Beginning students might be placed in either:
-
Split lessons - 15 min piano, 15 min voice. (PreK-2nd grade)
-
Voice class (grades 3-7)
-
One-on-one lessons (8th and up, or those completing a few years of voice class, all adults).
New students K-7th presenting with vocal issues such as possible vocal malady or difficulty matching pitch will be likely placed in one-one lessons for individual help. The aim is to prepare them to then join a voice class. ​
​
Merits of voice class for beginners grades 3-7
Voice classes follow the same curriculum as one on one lessons, with a few advantages:
-
Peer-to-peer support encourages self-confidence in what can be a deeply personal thing - your voice. Kids see each other make mistakes and shake it off when they make a mistakes. This builds resilience and a healthy growth-oriented perspective.
-
Classes provide more instructional time at a lower cost - this is great for kids for whom singing is just one of several interests and activities.
-
Very little expectation for outside practice or homework - all the instruction takes place in class. Practice materials will be sent home, but no need for “I didn’t have time to practice”.
-
Group singing in harmony can only happen in a class setting. You could join a children’s choir, but those experiences are often 2+hour rehearsals several days a week. In class, we sing in harmony every class
-
Students taking group classes perform in recitals - a group song and their own individual song (if they want to). They will work on their own individual song regardless of whether or not they choose to perform it.
-
Private one-on-one coaching sessions are always available outside of class for auditions, performances, etc.
​​​
Voice class structure
-
Opening exercises that build foundational technique (breathing, tone, vowel structure).
-
Group song with theory (solfeggio, counting). Group song developing performance skills - both solo line and in harmony,
-
Coaching on individual songs - students should be ready for coaching in every class, they can skip it if they are ill or low energy.
Private one-on-one lessons, roughly grades 8-12, adults.
​​
-
For students for whom music and singing is a priority.
-
For students who are preparing for auditions or performance opportunities.
-
For students grades 5-7, who express a strong desire for one-on-one lessons over voice class, who have preferably tried voice class as an alternative, or who have demonstrated consistent preparedness and can complete assignments independently.
-
For all boys grades 4-7 as they navigate the voice changes that accompany this age.
Private lesson structure:
Technique
Opening exercises that build foundational technique (breathing, tone, vowel structure).
Theory
The student will demonstrate solfeggio and counting exercises taught and assigned at the previous lesson to be practiced and mastered at home. The expectation is that the student will progress through independent work.
Song Exploration
30 minute lessons: One song at a time, developing performance skills, demonstrating progress in concepts taught in previous lessons.
45 minute lessons: Two or more songs, developing performance skills, demonstrating progress in concepts taught in previous lessons.
Lauren Musick Canna
(it's her married name!)
Ms. Canna holds a BM in Voice from Rutgers University and an MM in Choral Conducting from Temple University. She has completed additional studies at Westminster Choir College and Rowan University. Owner of AfterSchool Music, Ms. Canna maintains a selective studio of students.
​
She is the former conductor of the Garden State Girlchoir, (a part of the Commonwealth Youthchoir Systems and cousin to the renowned Pennsylvania Girlchoir). She was the Program Director of the Pitman Recreation Theater for many years. She has taught voice and conducted the choir at Cumberland County College for 10 years, has taught at Buena Regional High School, Cape May Technical High School, and the New Jersey School of Music.
​
She is especially proud to have taught over 25 local music teachers and maintains a warm and collegial relationship with many of her former students and their families. Many of her students have become professional performing musicians, music academics, working actors, music therapists, and studio musicians.
​
Ms Canna is a great choice for 6th-12th grade developing singers with some previous experience, although dedicated beginners are fine as well. Adult singers and those looking to improve their classical, musical theater, or pop/jazz singing. Ms Canna's approach is centered in solid, healthy singing technique.
Ms Canna teaches Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in Pitman
Jessica Nelson
​
Ms. Nelson enjoys teaching both voice and piano. She is a professional singer of opera and art song, and has sung with various companies - Delaware Valley Opera Company, New York Opera Forum, and Bohème Opera of NJ, to name a few.
​
Some of her favorite roles include Gretel in Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, and Musetta in La Bohème, a role she studied and performed in part at the Manhattan School of Music Summer Voice Festival. Jessica completed her Master of Music degree in vocal performance at Temple University. She holds undergraduate degrees from the University of Delaware and Rowan University.
​
Jessica teaches singers of all ages, and has a strong pedagogical background in classical technique. Her focus is on healthy, age-appropriate singing and on the building of solid musicianship. Jessica will do well with a committed singer who is dedicated to long-term study.
Jessica teaches on Wednesday and Thursday in Pitman.
Adi Achterberg
Adelaide is a singer, musician, and actor graduating from Rowan University with a degree in Musical Theatre. Her main instruments are voice and piano, as well as oboe, ukulele, saxophone, and bass guitar.
She started playing piano and performing onstage at a very young age and performed with many musical groups and community theatres in her home county of York, PA.
Adelaide prides herself on her versatility of vocal styles, though she specializes in musical theatre and jazz. With her strong background in musical theatre, she believes in creating a well-rounded performer with a healthy voice and an equal focus on musicality and emotional expression.
Adi teaches singers of all ages. Our K-8th grade students particularly love her.
She teaches on Mondays in Woodbury and Thursdays in Pitman
What students need to start voice lessons:
​
All students will need a non-school email address, preferably gmail, for sharing recordings and assignments.
​
They will need the technology to play those tracks at home and an external speaker for listening to those tracks. In-ear or over-ear buds or headphones are not recommended.
​
Some students will require songbooks, which will be supplied individually since all students and voices are different.
​
Voice class students do not require sheet music - all pieces are provided for them in a binder.