Hi, my name is Rebekkah and I have been teaching private voice since 2000, after graduating from Western Washington University with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance. Dr. Guelker-Cone was looking for a recent graduate who could teach some overflow students looking for voice lessons through WWU. When asked to start teaching, I jumped right in...this was the beginning of my teaching career.
Finding YOUR voice is a journey. This is my philosophy of teaching. I've been learning about people and how we learn, grow and absorb information...and it always leads me back to this philosophy.
Learning how to sing, and how to become the best and healthiest singer one can be, requires time, investment and the understanding that it's a marathon - not a sprint. When a student comes to me with a song to prepare for an audition - hoping I can wave a magic wand to get them ready for the audition (when we only have a few lessons beforehand, and perhaps the student cannot hear pitch, has very little fundamental foundational understanding of the mechanism)...it requires me to have a conversation with them...so that they understand that I can help them prep for an audition to get them through THAT audition (newly working with me) - but moving forward, we will need to focus on growing the voice in a healthy way - not simply placing a quick-fix band-aid over the voice to do back-to-back auditions with continued bad technique. I do not teach to this mindset, and will always encourage students to embrace the long distance process - ESPECIALLY those who plan to go into professional singing and theatre. Younger students do tend to have a harder time understanding this (I once did as well so I completely understand). This is why it's important for parents to join the conversation so that we are all on the same page.
"But what if I'm somebody who has no plans to become a professional singer...who really just wants to learn how to sing a song at karaoke (while not embarrassing myself)?"
I get this question A LOT. In fact, several of my students are that very type of student. The one who really just wants to learn a song or two, in order to sing at karaoke with friends or colleagues...and do it well. Even with this type of student, I encourage them to embrace the journey. They may study with me for a shorter amount of time (than those who are pursuing a future in performance)...but they will still get solid, foundational teaching.
The voice is the barometer of the deeper things, therefore one will quickly find that what is often happening in the (literal) voice is often happening in their (inner) voice. It's something that goes hand-in-hand. From many years of experience, navigating my own growth journey as a singer, teacher and performer, I've accrued quite the toolbox of information, experiences and understanding regarding this truth. Students who embrace the process, express that they become better people while they are becoming better singers. I've often heard "Wow, I didn't realize that voice lessons would be so therapeutic!"
The process of finding your voice is (and should be) a journey, therefore opening up many opportunities to grow as a person.
Why Monitz Vocal Studio?
Finding YOUR voice is a journey. This is my philosophy of teaching. I've been learning about people and how we learn, grow and absorb information...and it always leads me back to this philosophy.
Learning how to sing, and how to become the best and healthiest singer one can be, requires time, investment and the understanding that it's a marathon - not a sprint. When a student comes to me with a song to prepare for an audition - hoping I can wave a magic wand to get them ready for the audition (when we only have a few lessons beforehand, and perhaps the student cannot hear pitch, has very little fundamental foundational understanding of the mechanism)...it requires me to have a conversation with them...so that they understand that I can help them prep for an audition to get them through THAT audition (newly working with me) - but moving forward, we will need to focus on growing the voice in a healthy way - not simply placing a quick-fix band-aid over the voice to do back-to-back auditions with continued bad technique. I do not teach to this mindset, and will always encourage students to embrace the long distance process - ESPECIALLY those who plan to go into professional singing and theatre. Younger students do tend to have a harder time understanding this (I once did as well so I completely understand). This is why it's important for parents to join the conversation so that we are all on the same page.
"But what if I'm somebody who has no plans to become a professional singer...who really just wants to learn how to sing a song at karaoke (while not embarrassing myself)?"
I get this question A LOT. In fact, several of my students are that very type of student. The one who really just wants to learn a song or two, in order to sing at karaoke with friends or colleagues...and do it well. Even with this type of student, I encourage them to embrace the journey. They may study with me for a shorter amount of time (than those who are pursuing a future in performance)...but they will still get solid, foundational teaching.
The voice is the barometer of the deeper things, therefore one will quickly find that what is often happening in the (literal) voice is often happening in their (inner) voice. It's something that goes hand-in-hand. From many years of experience, navigating my own growth journey as a singer, teacher and performer, I've accrued quite the toolbox of information, experiences and understanding regarding this truth. Students who embrace the process, express that they become better people while they are becoming better singers. I've often heard "Wow, I didn't realize that voice lessons would be so therapeutic!"
The process of finding your voice is (and should be) a journey, therefore opening up many opportunities to grow as a person.
Why Monitz Vocal Studio?
