FAQ's

Why should you sing?

Singing is personally and socially rewarding.

It builds self-esteem and connects us with others who enjoying performing or listening to live music (which is most people).

Singing is an outlet for emotions and a way to rechannel frustration, depression, anger and boredom. (And during this Pandemic 2020 there has been a lot that.)

It is an opportunity to embody a character different than our own. Singers dive into their imaginations to experience life, place or situation that is different from our regular lives.

Sometimes we connect with situations so similar to our lives it is a way to directly vent our feelings with the world.

Once we warm up and practice with the guidance of a trained teacher, singers are prepared to freely to surrender into the experience of the song and begin to reap so many benefits.

According to the studies sited in this link: https://upliftconnect.com/neuroscience-of-singing/

“Singing is energizing and calming at the same time. Numerous studies demonstrate that singing releases endorphins and oxytocin – which in turn relieve anxiety and stress. ” They wrote. And added:

“Singing helps people with depression and reduces feelings of loneliness, leaving people feeling relaxed, happy and connected. What’s more the benefits of singing regularly are cumulative. People who sing have reduced levels of cortisol indicating lower stress.”

What are online lessons like?

They are very similar to live in person lessons. Please see our page on online lessons.

Can I come in just to get help with an audition?

Yes.

What genres of music do you teach?

CCM (musical theatre, pop, rock, folk, jazz standards) and Classical (art songs and opera)

What is your teaching background?

Applied teaching:

Twenty five years private lesson teaching in my private studio and at Westwood Music Studios.

College:

Experience from my personal studies as a voice and psychology major at University of Richmond, VA (where I had a voice scholarship) and my masters in operatic performance at New Jersey City University.

Post College:

Somatic Voicework™, The Lovetri Method – certified in Levels 1 – 3, plus additional workshops and private studies with Ms. Lovetri.

New York Singing Teachers Association – various online courses and workshops

National Association of Teachers of Singing – various workshops

Voice Foundation, Philadelphia, Pa – various workshops including many on vocal health such as “Vocology and the Singing Teacher, San Antonio TX, 2006”.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Boonton, NJ –

I was the music teacher for nine years teaching children from age 4 to 14 age appropriate literature and performance activities.

What is Somatic Voicework™ The Lovetri Method?

This is the training that has influenced my CCM teaching the most.

Somatic Voicework™ The Lovetri Method is an organized method of vocal training for Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) styles, (those styles that used to be called “non-classical”) based upon somatic (physical) awareness and aural discernment. It allows singers to develop functional skills to meet the demands of music in a healthy manner. It clarifies the terminology that describes vocal behavior. ** Such terms may

include belter, belting, head-voice, chest-voice, mix, soprano and more.

How much are lessons?

$43 half hour

$65 forty-five minutes

$85 hour

What is the cancelation policy?

24 hours notice.

Please call or text my cellphone to cancel. Failure to do so will result in a charge of the full fee for the service provided. If I can reschedule you for a make up lesson within the week then the make up lesson will replace the late cancelation of the lesson.

How can I pay?

Cash, check

There is a discount for purchasing ten lessons in advance.

Where are you located?

Westwood, New Jersey which is in Northern Bergen County about 23 miles from New York City and 10 minutes from Paramus, NJ

Can I get there from public transportation?

Yes, there is a train that stops in Westwood, NJ downtown area which is very close to our location.

There are also two buses.

What is my first step?

To visit our student intake page and fill out an student intake form and Jennifer will call you.

** This is a quote from Jeannie Lovetri’s Somatic Voicework™ The Lovetri Method, Level 1, Basic Application, book page 1.