Information on Online Lessons
FORMAT CHANGES HERE I used online lessons on snow-days or for travel, and can say that they work well as both a teacher and a student. Online lessons do challenge the singer to improve their ear training skills, as there is more a cappella singing or singing with pre-recorded tracks.
Will another online activity contribute to Zoom fatigue?
While lessons are online, lessons are interactive and students don't need to look at the screen in order to have a successful lesson. For instance, if a student is facing at an angle, I can still see and hear them quite well. It's less tiring than a lecture-style class.
How has teaching changed during COVID?
(Knock on wood), but so far they actually haven't changed all that much for me. I had to research and get a lot of equipment and I've incorporated some creative solutions to bring feelings of community into the online studio. It's been a matter of balancing pushing the students to the next level while still acknowledging that right now is an extra hard time for them. They might not be able to practice as much or feel as motivated, and that's ok. We are all just doing the best we can week to week right now. Some things I've implemented have been: a weekly studio class on acting your song, a masterclass, socially-distanced outdoor lessons, delivering 'singer goody bags' to the students' homes, and organizing an outdoor, socially-distanced recital of solos and duets. Right now, I think singing is more important than ever for my students as a vessel for self-expression and some feeling of normalcy.
Due to COVID-19, all voice lessons will be taught online for the foreseeable future.
Luckily, voice lessons actually work very well online!
FAQs
When will lessons go back to being in person?
I don't know. Right now singing is considered a less-safe activity because it sprays additional aerosols into the air.
Do online lessons work as well as in person?
While we all miss the comeraderie of in-person lessons, online lessons work very well! As a teacher, I am able to see and hear the students very clearly and I've noticed that all of my
students have continued to improve. In the past,
Tech Information
Online lessons require a device with an internet connection. Students can use a computer, phone, or tablet. The stronger the internet connection the better, and it is ideal if a student is able to have a lesson at a time where other family members aren't also taking online calls or streaming video. Students should also have a second device available to play pre-recorded piano tracks during the lesson. While not required, an external microphone does increase the quality of the lesson.