Re: Voice Teachers--what to look for?

lorelei2702
Fri, 14 Oct 2005 16:05:01 +0000

Earlier message mentioned offspring being given “scholarships” for lessons. In the world of voice teaching, according to the tenets of various organizations, this is considered very unprofessional. There is too much danger of singers being exploited, either asked to pay commission for gigs, or just plain used to further own (meaning teacher’s) careers. It would not be surprising if this teacher had/has asked for some kind of favor in return for those free “scholarship” lessons. Beware. Arranging a scholarship from local arts patron would be okay, and helping to find a way for singer to work for lessons would be acceptable. When I have had students approach me who could not easily afford lessons, we have arranged less frequent lessons sometimes, and/or a graduate student has taught them and I have monitored things through a practicum course. No teacher worth their salt/oats/whatever gives lessons for free, period. This is a very serious issue.