Finding a good voice teacher is like finding a good builder or doctor, though on a much less serious note (no pun intended).
No two voice teachers are the same in their level of experience or their approach.
It's important to find someone you are comfortable with, as a person's perceived ability to sing can be a very sensitive issue.
Many people taking lessons for the first time do so with nervousness and self-doubt.
There are some important qualities to look for in a voice teacher.
It's always a plus if the teacher is established enough to be able to give a client reference.
Just like when hiring for a job, people are more comfortable knowing that the person they are hiring has a good track record.
If the voice teacher you're considering is just starting out, it still may be worth checking in to, though it is more of a gamble than hiring based on references.
However, some people have a natural gift in their area of expertise, and that shouldn't be discounted.
A good voice coach should above all, be enthusiastically patient and approach a student's challenges with gusto.
They should be encouraging, goal oriented, acknowledge any positive change in a student's progress, and never show frustration.
This may seem like a lot to expect because the teaching and learning process can be challenging.
It should be expected that voice teachers realize that people seek out voice lessons because they have a need that they want fulfilled that is closely linked with their perception of themselves.
It defeats the purpose if a teacher shows any kind of impatience or an attitude that the student is beyond help (or at least that they can't help them).
A voice teacher who is truly effective develops new methods based on their acquired teaching experience and asks questions to get to the root of challenges students may be facing.
Voice teachers often advertise on internet directories that qualify them before allowing them to be represented on the site.
Some valuable sites are takelessons.
com, privatelessons.
com, vocalist.
org, and voiceteachers.
com.
You can search by region and other variables to meet your needs.
A voice teacher can have all the bells and whistles in terms of education and experience level, but you must feel comfortable entering into a teaching/learning relationship for training to be effective and rewarding.
As is true with any purchase, it's important to do thorough research, ask questions, interview several voice coaches, and quite simply feel comfortable with the teacher before making a choice.