| As a private instructor, I believe the voice is very | | | | believe these concepts are most important at this |
| individual. I do not believe training should begin | | | | age.o When the child is young, be prepared to be |
| under 5 years of age, but as an instructor, I | | | | patient and have clear outcome goals. Unless you |
| prefer 13 years of age and older. Here's why:o | | | | are over 21, your voice will continue to 'grow into' |
| Between 5 and 10 years old, their voices are so | | | | the technique. In other words, it may take a full |
| immature and fragile. Even if we do get great | | | | year for your child's voice to show the progress; |
| sounds out of them, too much can cause undo | | | | extremely natural. It's not that they aren't |
| tension and strain. That can lead to hoarseness, | | | | following directions, it's just that as voices grow |
| and eventually damage. Too often, I see young | | | | and change, what they are capable of changes |
| children being forced into this 'box' of "being a pop | | | | also. |
| star", that the teacher or parent want them to | | | | The goal at this age is to introduce the art of |
| be. All of this eventually leads to a teenager with | | | | good singing. |
| a very airy voice.o The goal at this age is more | | | | If you plan to be in it for the long haul starting |
| rounded, and voice lessons mimic a specialized | | | | early can be a very rewarding experience. Your |
| music appreciation class. I teach music theory, | | | | child will statistically perform better in academics |
| rhythm, movement, instruments (for the really | | | | along with heightened awareness of culture and |
| young ones) and voice. Since I'm a heavy | | | | the arts. Not to mention the value they will place |
| technique teacher, I always challenge the young | | | | in the hard work it takes to do well; even in |
| student to have proper breathing and posture | | | | something like singing. |
| techniques, while teaching how to phrase a song. I | | | | |