Learn the Physical Techniques of Singing
All singers need to have some understanding of the physiology and anatomy of singing. Through an understanding of how the voice works and the most efficient method of vocal production, the singer can feel in control when singing at all times. When the singer feels in control of his or her voice, confidence builds. Then the singer will never find themselves in a vocal performance situation or problem that he or she will not be able to handle. Instead of mindless vocalizing, Lyle gives each student a set of individual exercises designed specifically for certain vocal functions and makes sure the student completely understands what each exercise is for so that when the student is practicing alone the student will be able to make progress in their technique.
Based on the Latest Vocal Pedagogy
Lyle is a specialist in the latest vocal pedagogy. To insure the best teaching and vocal health, it is important to entrust your voice to a teacher who is up to date on the latest vocal research. No matter whom you study with, make sure the teacher is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. NATS keeps its voice teachers up to date on all the latest voice research with numerous symposiums, conventions and scientific journals. Would you go to a plastic surgeon who is not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery? I think not. it is just as important that you study with a teacher who is certified by NATS to insure that no damage is done to the delicate vocal instrument. Countless students are daily damaged by uncertified teachers. Vocal damage can take years to undo and can sometimes result in the need for surgery to remove nodes and other vocal pathologies.
All Styles of Singing from a Pro.
Lyle has a systematic method to teach you any style of singing. You can learn the agility techniques of R&B and pop, the sustaining power of musical theater and rock, the conversational qualities of jazz or the mastery of opera. Lyle has sung every style of music that she teaches. She has performed on every type of stage from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the smoky caves of Paris to the Playboy Mansion. Lyle has actually sung in the Great Pyramid in Egypt which was rented for her to sing in for a movie sound-score. Lyle's vast musical experience has made her an amazingly versatile teacher and enabled her to teach a variety of musical styles. Lyle's ongoing professional career also aids her in giving invaluable professional advice to students embarking into the world of professional singing.
Belting
Popular singing styles and musical theater are requiring more and more vocal acrobatics from the singer. Musical singers have to sing 8 shows a week, pop and rock singers have to belt, scream and yell to excite the audience. Heather Lyle utilizes the latest techniques to teach the singer to safely belt and maintain vocal health and longevity.
Learn Proper Breathing Techniques
Most of us use only a very small portion of our lung capacity for breathing. For vocal mastery, the performer needs to utilize costal and diaphragmatic breathing. The diaphragm muscle is the power source of the voice. By getting in touch with this power source, the singer can regulate the flow of breath and sing loudly and intensely without harming the vocal instrument. How to actually gain breath support can sometimes be a nebulous achievement. Some teachers still teach the outdated "push form the abdomen" technique while others teach the "suck the abdomen in" technique. Both have been dismissed as incorrect by recent vocal pedagogues. Lyle teaches a systematic easy to learn approach to breath support that any singer can use and is based on the most current vocal research.
The Body-Voice Connection
One of the most common complaints of students is that their voice does not feel connected to their body. To make the voice-body connection the breath has to first become connected to the core of the body. Then, through specially designed exercises, the student can begin to add sound to the breath and eventually connect the voice to the core at all times, whether singing or speaking. When the student is able to connect their voice to their body they will then be using their complete vocal potential.
Increase Your Vocal Resonance
The general characteristics of a well resonated voice are clarity and sonority, with a full ringing forward character. Many actors and singers use only a small portion of their resonance potential. Without resonance, the singer's voice will sound dull and out of tune and the actor's voice will lack power and depth. You will learn to find your resonance while removing breathy, cracking or unwanted colors in the voice. Once you find the full resonance of your voice you are guaranteed to fall in love with it!
Learn To Free the Voice
Many actors and singers suffer from throat pain or feel vocally choked. The tongue, jaw and swallowing muscles of the throat can all contribute to vocal tension. Lyle is a master at teaching singers to free the voice while retaining a solid supported body connection. Learn priceless techniques to release the voice and ensure vocal health.
Creatively Designed Workshops and Classes
Lyle's voice workshops are incredibly informative, stimulating and fun. They are composed of lecture segments, group exercises and partner exercises. Each activity is designed to maximize voice training while giving the student an opportunity to test the waters of vocal performance. Singing workshops are offered at different locations around the Los Angeles area. Lyle's next group class will be offered on Thursday evenings at Santa Monica College starting January 3rd. This is a fantastic extremely well priced class that will give you a solid foundation of all of the techniques in singing. The class fills up fast so I recommend that you enroll early. For more info. contact me voice@vocalyoga.com or Santa Monica College at 310 454-3400.
I would like to express what a dedicated instructor Heather Lyle is and what a positive response we always receive from her students. As you are probably aware, singing classes are extremely popular and students have a vast amount of options to take singing classes with other organizations but Heather's classes always have full enrollment and many students take her classes each semester. This is a clear reflection of Heather's capabilities in the classroom.
Kathlyne A. McKeever, Program Coordinator, SMC Continuing & Community Education
