End-of Semester Interview

At the beginning of lessons in September, both students (and their guardians) signed a consent form for their permission to be recorded and written on, as well as participate in an end-of semester interview. Today I asked both students at the beginning of lessons if they were still comfortable doing an informal interview, to which they both said yes. I ensured them that if there were any questions that they did not want to answer, they are welcome to pass. I also encouraged any critiques that they may have making it clear that any constructive criticism is a learning opportunity for me. Both students have been given pseudonyms in order to protect their privacy.

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Themes

Both students spoke towards the following...

• Enjoying the balance between warm-ups and repertoire.

• They enjoy my informal or "less strict" attitude in lessons.

• A learning experience that resonated with them was the image of singing to their two front teeth or their chin.

Interview

Have you had other voice or music teachers before me?

Emilie: Yes. I’ve had two teachers at this studio before you.

Courtney: Yeah, I had two teachers here before you.

Have you noticed any differences between the way that I teach?

Emilie: I’d say there’s a pretty big difference. “Ben” never did vocal warm-ups. It would always sort of be like, ‘Sing through the song, Emilie! Ok great, let’s move on!’ And then I forget what I worked on with “Julia” because that was like a year ago. I feel like you’re a lot more informal, and I like that. I would definitely prefer that over being told what to sing and then no conversation in between.

Courtney: Sometimes we don’t do warm-ups and I like that, because I know that sometimes they help but “Julia” my old teacher used to do so many. And also, not that teachers are very strict, you’re just very chill and relaxed and I like that.

Is there anything about my teaching that you really like?

Emilie: Definitely the informal-ness.

Courtney: Sometimes we get off-topic, which I like, and I just like talking about stuff because… No one really asks me how I’m doing. Like no one asks me how my day’s going and sometimes I’ve had a bad day and I don’t want to talk about it, but I like talking. And, I don’t really show that a lot. Especially in school, I don’t talk very much to anyone but my friends. And I like how you actually try to get me to sing better and open my mouth more. I feel like other instructors just had me go through the songs and they didn’t really help me, but you do.

Is there anything about the way that I teach that you wish was done differently?

Emilie: I don’t think so… No.

Courtney: Not really. I’m not such a big fan of talking about what the song is about, like what’s behind it. Like sometimes I see that it’s helpful, but then sometimes it’s not.

Is there anything that we’ve talked about that has strongly resonated or stuck with you?

Emilie: Yeah, it was mainly when we were practicing for my audition when you told me to sing to the front of my mouth rather than the back. Because in choir I was always taught to sing to the back so that your sound doesn’t shoot out and drown everyone else out. So that was really helpful.

Courtney: I like when we were talking about the sit bones, sometimes in class I do that, and I feel like it actually helps me sit better and it feels better. Also, when we talked about singing to your chin, I found that really helpful.

Is there anything that you would like to speak to about your experiences in having voice lessons with me so far? (Positive or negative equally encouraged).

Emilie: It’s just weird because I know we started in September, but it doesn’t feel that long.

Courtney: I don’t know… I think they’re going good!