Students must find teachers whom they can trust, who will give the proper doses of encouragement and push to improve.  Of course, a teacher must be full of good singing tips that they are able to explain well, but then there are plenty of books that are also full of singing tips.  Remember that you are hiring a teacher to help you grow, not to lavish you with praise, and that you must be able to take constructive criticism alongside compliments and singing tips.  However,  if the teacher is so critical as to make you feel intimidated during your lessons, you may eventually find yourself feeling too timid to really sing.  When considering a teacher, watch a studio recital.  Are you impressed with the work of the other students?

Find a teacher who has a lot of experience in your desired focus area.  If you want to sing musical theater, you may benefit from the technique of a classical teacher, but you will learn more from a teacher who had a career in musical theater before becoming a teacher.  If you are a classical singer, you may find it helpful to find a teacher in your fach, as a soprano may not fully understand the challenges faced by a mezzo despite all her training and study.

Singing success depends largely on a student’s relationship with his or her teacher, so take the time to find one you respect and are willing to work one-on-one with for a long period of time.

One of my favorite “reminders” is to use singing as a social outlet.  In singing lessons and during practice, the singer works as a soloist which allows one to become narcissistic.  Choirs are a popular outlet for singers, from the amateur to the professional, to contribute to an ensemble.  However, choirs are often large and create a sense of anonymity for the participants.

A particularly enjoyable social outlet for singers is to organize a chamber ensemble with a few instrumentalists and a small number of singers.  Looking for music written specifically for your ensemble make-up may lead you to some interesting pieces you haven’t heard of before, and arranging some of your own favorite tunes for your group will prove rewarding.  Working with a chamber ensemble will strengthen your musicianship without your singing lessons instructor breathing down your back, and allow you socialize musically.  Your fellow collaborators will likely help you maintain a sense of humor regarding music, and you will find satisfaction and singing success in creating music together that you could not do alone.

began his career as a gospel singer before falling into opera.

J.M.H. shared with me that the only way to survive the heart-wrenching drama of opera day in and day out in the rehearsal studio–the break-up of Rodolfo and Mimi and her ensuing death, the betrayal of Susannah for example–is to maintain a sense of humor.  One might throw a rubber chicken into Senta’s suitcase as she leaves the Flying Dutchman or stage a mock boxing match between Carmen and Micaela in order to turn a depressing scene into a laughable situation during rehearsal.

The difference between the work ethic of goofy professionals and music students, still absorbed in applying singing tips from their voice lessons so that they too can become a singing success, is striking.  Students are very serious, and almost afraid to laugh while they work.

Not that all professional opera is entirely fun and games; after all, the singers worked very hard to build their careers with years of singing lessons, coaching, dance lessons, and acting classes.  And for all the laughter in the rehearsal hall, they are passionate singing successes on stage.  But the next time you watch Mimi breathe her last, know that the singers have likely spent as much time laughing as crying over it.

During a recent bout of depression, I came to understand more fully the power of song.  I remembered the way the hymns my mother sang gave me the peace of mind to fall asleep at night during my childhood.  My Dad’s gruff, uncomfortably-off-key-yet-joyous voice drifting into the family room at night brought a smile to my face.  On more recent nights when tears refused to stop coming, my boyfriend sang to me until I believed him when he told me everything would be okay.

None of these people sing anything like the brilliant opera singers I have heard, but their heartfelt songs have been no less inspiring.  It does not necessarily take voice lessons and professional singing tips to render one capable of expressing joy or offering comfort through song.