“When it comes to singing, some people just have it – some people don’t.” Well that’s what many people say, at least. And for the longest time, I actually felt the same way. But after years of study and experience, I’ve come to learn that we all have “it”… for some of us, “it” is simply misplaced or maybe even damaged.
I don’t require auditions of the students who wish to study with me. I never have, and I never will. To do so would be to imply that how far you go is totally dependent upon where you are right now, and nothing could be further from the truth. Progress is all about your willingness to work and your willingness to make mistakes. I encourage mistakes, in order to expose the holes in the student’s approach to singing. We then fill those holes with new concepts and/or habits.
When I hear a student struggling through a vocal exercise or song passage, I never think “Wow, that sounds horrible.” I instead ask myself, “What is preventing this student from freely expressing himself or herself vocally?” The human body is made to sing; It is our birthright as human beings to be able to express ourselves through song. I believe that my gift as a voice instructor stems from the understanding that no student is beyond help. EVERYONE has a voice. When I teach, I don’t view my client as a “singer,” but as a person who sings. Each person is unique, and I have to cater to their unique vocal needs.
Since the age of 14, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from some of the best voice teachers in the world. At 17, I was already singing leads in operas and touring as a featured soloist on classical tours. I began working professionally with recording artists as a voice instructor when I was just 19. At 21, armed with a degree in vocal performance and 5 years of teaching experience, I opened my own artist development business in New Orleans, called Power House Studios. Record labels, talent agencies, and management teams in the New Orleans area would send artists to study voice, dance, and performance etiquette with me and my staff. Hurricane Katrina forced me to relocate, but I was glad to find my services in great demand in the Maryland-DC-Virgina areas.
Eric this site is great! I totally agree. We all have it, and we can all nurture it! Godspeed, man.
- Paolo
How can we purchase your method?
Check out http://www.vocalmasteryseries.com
Where are your studios in Maryland, D.C.? I am moved by your stories and I am very eager to sit down and study music with you.
Hey great coach, how can i get you training methods in Nigeria its highly needful and useful.
you are my mentor looking up to you
you are great
dvproof
hey love the way you break everything down to the point where i really get the best out of my voice
Hai Coach!
I do have a question. You say: everybody has “it”.
I am 45 years old. I did nog sing much. Only some lullabys for my children, wich did not sound specteculair )-;
I would love to learn to sing good. Do you think I am able to or am I to “old”…..?
Greetings,
Heleen
Eric,
I was a professional singer/entertainer for 30 years. Ten years ago I started losing my voice and after a year of seeing specialists was diagnosed with Spasmodic Dysphonia which has compromised both my singing and speaking voice and sidelined my music career. Some people with SD can’t talk BUT CAN SING. There are times when I’m singing in church or late at night when my singing voice will just “kick in” if only for a few moments. I’m wondering if, by utilizing your vocal tips and techniques, I could at least bring back my singing voice? Have you had any experience working with “disabled” voices such as mine? Thank you for sharing your gift. Finally, are you still based in New Orleans? I am just sick over this oil spilling unabated into the Gulf of Mexico. When will we ever learn? John Paul