Katie Weber
Voice Teacher

Introduction to My Studio:

My studio is for singers who are looking to better their singing voices, and who want to become confident independent singers. I teach a wide range of styles, from pop and musical theater, to classical. My goal for my students is feel prepared to perform and to make brave musical choices. Whether they are preparing for college auditions, solo competitions, community theater auditions, or just wanting to better their singing voices, my students can rely on my knowledge and experience to give them the tools they need to sing their best!

My studio is a “brave space.” It is inherently vulnerable to sing in front of others, and I set up an encouraging and uplifting environment to help my students aspire to the best they can be. We will work dilligently to find each singer's beautiful and unique voice.

My goal as a teacher is to stay informed and up to date on the latest research and science, while mixing in tried and true techniques from masters of the past. I will make sure that my students gain the best and most up to date knowledge, while staying rooted in what I know works from years of experience and research.

 

While I do not follow any specific technique, I take my philosophies from some of the best voice teachers in the world:

Ken Bozeman - Author of Practical Vocal Acoustics http://www.kenbozeman.com/ 

Mary Saunders Barton - Creator of Bel Canto Can Belt https://belcantocanbelto.com/ 

Claudia Friederlander - Author and Founder of Liberated Voice https://www.liberatedvoice.studio/ 

Heidi Moss Erickson - Scientist, singer and voice teacher doing research in the field of neuroscience and singing https://www.heidimosserickson.com/ 

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Practice Suggestion:

Students should plan to practice for 30-60 minutes a day, and keep track of their progress both by taking practice notes, and by recording themselves and listening back to their practice sessions and lessons.

Practice suggestion:

1. A brief but thorough warm up. First stretching, then using the Appcompanist exercises assigned during our lessons.

2. Sing through the piece(or pieces) that we are working on, actively circling or taking note of sections that you want to go back over.

3. Going back and working on those specific sections, referencing lesson recordings if we worked on the piece, thinking about what vowels you are using etc

4. Start learning a new piece by listening to a recording of it, playing the notes on the piano for yourself and singing along with it, speaking the text, singing the notes without text, making note of different issues you forecast may come up in a lesson.

5. Brief cool down, singing smaller stepwise exercises and stretching.

 

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Suggested Texts:

• Learning how to pracice, audition, and perform are 3 different skills. The following are a few books I have read and reccomend for all singers: The Balanced Musician: Integrating Mind and Body for Peak Performance by Lesley Sisterhen McAllister, Performance Success: Performing Your Best Under Pressure by Don Greene, Mental Practice and Imagery for Musicians: a practical guide for optimizing practice time, enhancing performance, and preventing injury by Malva Susanne Freymuth, D.M.A.

• For Young singers, I recommend learning about how music works, so a theory book like the Alfred Essential’s Music Theory Book, our a history of music book like Broadway Musicals Show By Show by Stanley Green. I will also recommend song anthologies based on the students interests and singing level.

• For upper middle school and high school singers, I still recommend the above books if they would be helpful.  For those interested in classical music I also recommend Carol Kimball’s books, Song and Art Song. I will also recommend song anthologies based on the students interests and singing level.

• For adult students, I recommend all of the above if they apply, with the addition of Complete Vocal Fitness by Claudia Friedlander and The Performer’s Voice by Mary Bunch Dayme. These books were incredibly influential for me as a singer, and would be of great help for anyone looking to improve their voice.

 

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Teaching Bio:

Katie has been teaching her whole life. From coaching friends for auditions in middle school, to helping run rehearsals for her high school chorus teacher, to teaching in studios and schools in NYC. Now teaching in her own private studio in Syracuse NY, she has helped dozens of students sing better and feel more confident in their voices.  Katie worked in NYC where she auditioned for and premiered multiple shows, including off-broadway shows and operas. Her love of teaching kept her in the classroom, and she taught private voice, chorus and general music in NYC and multiple locations in New Jersey. She is the founder and Artistic Director for the Syracuse Youth Chorus, a non profit choir looking to give excellent musical opportunities to the young people of Central New York.  Katie just graduated with a masters degree in Voice Pedagogy(the art of teaching the voice) from Syracuse University, studying Voice Pedagogy with Dr. Kathleen Roland-Silverstein and voice with Prof Janet Brown.  She got her double bachelors degree in Vocal Performance and Music Education from the Eastman School of music, studying voice with Kathryn Cowdrick. 

 

 

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FAQ

 

What age groups do I teach?

I teach all age groups, and have a passion for upper middle school, high school, collegiate,  and adult singers.

 

Fees:

My rates are available upon request. Lessons are sold in packs of 4.

I teach 45 and 60 minutes lessons.

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Cancellation policy:

More than 24 hours notice - free cancelation, with a roll over into the next month

Less than 24 hours notice - You may make up this lesson within the month at the teacher’s discretion, if we cannot find an amicable time for both parties, this late cancellation will not be made up.

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Note: If the student is at all sick, please make sure to reach out as soon as possible. In these emergency circumstances it is better to cancel and be able to reschedule in the next month.

 

Group/studio classes:

Studio class once a month on Sundays. Please bring a piece that we have been working on, it does not have to be memorized or “performance ready.” We will sing for each other and give each other feedback.

 

Studio recitals:

2 studio recitals a year, one in the summer and one in the winter.

 

**For my older students, I always encourage a stand alone or duet recital. It is an incredible learning experience and healthy challenge!

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