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Voice Lessons

with Sarah Webster

What exactly will I learn in my singing lessons?

Why study singing with Sarah?

The human voice is my passion. Every day I work with singers, I am more and more amazed by the voice as an instrument. Your singing voice is as unique as your thumbprint. I consider it a special privilege to journey with singers of all ages, helping them to discover their vocal potential and even unlock a deeper understanding of their truer selves.

I trained as a classical singer in the Bel Canto tradition, but worked professionally primarily in musical theatre before deciding to focus on teaching and vocal ensemble directing, as I realised my strong desire to help others reach their vocal and performance potential.

When you take private voice lessons with me, you will develop the skills you need to sing more easily, effectively and expressively.

You will develop a vocal technique, suitable for your age and stage of development, ensuring vocal health and stamina.

You will be encouraged to study age-appropriate repertoire across a wide range of genres and styles (contemporary/pop, classical, musical theatre, jazz, etc).

You will also explore the musicianship skills required to be a confident musician, such as learn to sight-sing your music. I can also provide piano skills for those who wish to sing and play for themselves.

I sincerely look forward to welcoming you into my studio!

For more details, click on the appropriate button below

Lessons: IN THE STUDIO

Lessons: IN-SCHOOL

TERMS & CONDITIONS

What exactly will I learn in my singing lessons?

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Vocal technique

Your singing voice is an instrument like any other.
You need to learn how to "play" it properly.

Singing is both an physical AND artistic pursuit. You ARE the instrument making the music - but you can't necessarily "see" how this is happening. You need to understand how your instrument works to play it better, and then practise specific aspects of that music-making to improve them.

Explore all aspects of a good singing technique that will enable you to sing safely, comfortably and effectively across all genres and styles. This will include:
- audiation (the "inner hearing" required by every singer to improve pitch)
- posture & breathing
- exploring resonances
- articulation
- expressive techniques such as phrasing, dynamics, etc.
Learn how to look after your voice, through an understanding of the basic anatomy and physiology of your instrument
Access a wide range of vocal exercises with specific aims, so you know exactly HOW to practise and develop particular areas of interest or need
Pick up lots of little singers' tips and "wisdoms" to help you develop your OWN singing voice and what works best for YOU!

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Artistic expression

"Singing is the artistic expression of human emotion in sound."
(Lucie Manen)

People don't just go to hear a singer because they have a "nice" voice; they go because they want to FEEL something. Singing goes beyond putting words to music. We have to learn how to communicate through our singing.

Singers are the only musical instruments that have WORDS as an essential component of their musical performance. Learn to connect your deeper understanding of the music and the meaning of the text with authentic emotion to properly "tell YOUR story" to an audience.
Explore specific stylistic and expressive techniques to enable you to discover a true & personal expression/communication of your songs

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Musicianship Skills

Every human being can sing.
But not human being is a SINGER.
And not every singer is a good MUSICIAN.

Singers often carry the reputation of being poor "musicians" - that they do not know or "study" their music as closely as other instrumentalists, or rely to much on their supporting musicians to "carry" them in performance.

Learn the basic music reading and aural skills needed to truly "know" the music of your song
Use your deeper knowledge of the music you are singing to develop an even more authentic communication of the composer's ideas and your own artistic interpretation.
Be appreciated by your music teachers and colleagues for your deeper knowledged
Develop confidence for auditions and working in environments where your deeper knowledge of the

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Performance Skills

Singing in the shower is very different to singing on stage!

Understand how to best prepare to take your songs into a wide range of performance situations
Learn practical strategies for dealing with performance anxiety
Tips for using microphones and other important on-stage techniques
Learn about rehearsal, examination and audition "etiquette"
Learn how to work effectively and respectfully with accompanists and "associate artists" in rehearsals & performance
Learn how to develop true audience rapport in performance
Embrace a wide range of performance opportunities and learn how to prepare for them.

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Audition and Examination Preparation

"By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail."
(Benjamin Franklin)

Sarah can help you fully prepare for:

- Individual external singing examinations (AMEB, Trinity Guildhall, ABRSM, ANZCA or others as required)
- HSC & IB Music examination (performance components)

Sarah has a special interest in working with HSC Music students, with over 20 years experiencing in preparing students for these exams and working closely with many HSC Music examiners. In 2024, she received six Band 6 and two Band 5 HSC Music results and two nominations for "Encore".

- Tertiary-level music instituition auditions

Sarah's students in recent years have achieved entry to tertiary-level music courses at the following music institutions:

- - - Sydney Conservatorium Of Music
    - Queensland Conservatorium Of Music
    - NIDA (Musical Theatre Course)
    - WAAPA (Bachelor Of Musical Theatre)
    - AIM
    - ED5
    - JMC Academy
- Community and professional musical theatre auditions

Sarah's current and ex-students have performed professionally with Opera Australia, Disney Cruise Lines (USA) and many recent Australian musical theatre productions including Sunset Boulevard, Moulin Rouge, Beauty & The Beast and local theatre groups including North Shore Theatre Company, Lane Cove Theatre Company, North Sydney Kids Musical Theatre.

- Other auditions and assessments
  - Schools Spectacular & Arts Unit vocal ensembles
  - Choirs & Vocal Ensembles
  - School music scholarship applications
  - School musicals
  - Stage 5 "Elective Music" (school-based) performance assessments
- Vocal Eisteddfods & other singing competitions
  - Sydney Eisteddfod
  - City of Ryde Eisteddfod
  - Northern Beaches Eisteddfod
  - Talent Quests, etc.

What clients are saying about Sarah...

Hi Ms Webster!!!!!

I just wanted to let you know I got a band 6 in Music. Thank you so much for your teaching and advice and overall support for the past few years. I have grown so much in my love for singing and I owe a lot of that to you. I got accepted to do Musical Theatre at AIM! Thank you so much for your guidance and support.

Kind regards,

Grace

Grace, 2024
HSC MU1 (nominated for "Encore")