I wanted to make this one of my first posts because, as a teacher myself, and also a student of singing for many years, I feel a need to address this. I’d like to start by saying that, when working with a teacher, you must trust your gut. It doesn’t matter how illustrious the teacher or how your friend Suzy got into a prestigious YAP program after studying with said teacher or that they are giving you a “scholarship” to study with them. None of that matters. There are some very good guides I can offer you regarding whether or not your teacher is working for you. It is difficult to know if a teacher is working for you or not after only one or two lessons (although sometimes it’s pretty clear!!!). If you’re mostly feeling good about a teacher and think they might be good for you, give it a few lessons. I say between 4 and 8 lessons. During that time, if they are helping to change things for the better, you should start to see evidence of those positive changes. And here is my guide:

1. How does your voice feel? Does it feel freer? Are you able to do things now you couldn’t do a few weeks ago?
2. If you sing in a church or a community setting or even just for friends and family, have they said they notice a change? Comments like, “Oh… you hit that note so much better than you used to.” Or, “I don’t know what it is but you sound so much warmer (richer, freer, silvery, etc)”
3. A trusted coach comments that you’re sounding better or your breath management has improved or your vowels are clearer.
4. You get a job you don’t feel you could have gotten before studying with this person.

If you’re hearing the opposite from family members or coaches or your voice feels tight and you you’re having trouble getting notes out, it’s time to move on.

Many students have a tough time leaving a teacher. Especially when you’re young and authority figures hold a lot of weight. Also especially inside a conservatory setting. Just know that it’s ultimately about YOU. You are paying and you are spending your time working to improve your voice. So you get to decide how best to spend both your time and your money. Any teacher who tries to keep you or make you feel bad about leaving, or worse, makes you feel that you are going to fail without them; this is a person you should absolutely be getting away from. A true vocal professional should understand that maybe their way isn’t working for you, that maybe you need a different approach and they will wish you well. Because, as teachers, what we want, is to see you thrive. And that means, at some point, letting go.