teaching

 
Welcome to the Jennifer Cece Bellon Vocal Studio!

We welcome students of all ages and levels of experience. 

Singing classes are designed to be a beautiful diversion from the regular stress of the week or the frequently stressful patterns of thinking.  Private lessons are an opportunity to immerse in music and have fun!

Experiencing joy in singing in your private studio lessons will help develop good vocal technique and confident mindsets.  Those new habits will transfer to life outside of class and to your public vocal performances. 

The private studio students will learn to breath effectively,  comfortably extend range, understand the differences between head, chest, mix voice as well as various other vocal pedagogical terms. 

Students will learn relaxation techniques, some borrowed from yoga.  Students will learn to be more comfortable with their body while singing and more aware of it's role in vocal production.  They will learn greater awareness about the anatomy of breathing and the role of the larynx, the mouth, tongue, pharynx, face and jaw in expressive healthy singing. 

We help students prepare for auditions as needed, which includes repertoire, scales or sight reading requirements as needed. 

As for styles of music, we teach contemporary commercial music as well as classical singing techniques.

My contemporary commercial technic is primarily based on Somatic Voicework, the LoVetri Method and of course life experience! 

Other educational experiences that have influenced my teaching includes the New York Singing Teachers Association's professional development programs and workshops, the National Association of Singing Teachers workships, Westminster Choir College courses.

My formal education includes a B.A. Psychology University of Richmond, where I also studies under a Voice Scholarship University of Richmond.

Later I achieved an M.A. in Opera Performance New Jersey City University.

I have continued my studies with Somatic Voicework (TM)

I have continue studied with Voice Study Center, London, England participating in online workshops called Singing and the Brain: A Harmonious Connection with Dr Patricia Izbicki .

I will continue my studies with the Voice Study Center, London, England for a three week course called Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) for Music Performance Anxiety (MPA). 

And I have over 30 years of vocal and piano music teaching experience.  

I learn from my students every day!  

More info on my performance experience please click here 

A typical lesson in our studio begins with relaxation and breathing exercises.

Posture and body alignment is observed. Tension reduction is an important step in the warm up process. Many more advanced, experienced students of mine, will learn to arrive to a lesson early and prepare themselves physically to relax, breath properly, and sing properly before the lesson begins. Isn't this the type of habit you need to have when you audition frequently or are a working musician?  During the lesson we have lots of breathing exercises and relaxation exercises ( many of which are borrowed from yoga) to help you relax, release tension, focus, and set a positive intention for the work ahead. We do encourage related disciplines such as yoga and pilates.  For more information on the benefits of yoga please see the Yoga 4 Performers page.

Another preparation is the sight singing component.

I use a particular sight singing book to help the student increase their comfort with reading music and recognizing vocal intervals. The book I use is called Successful Sight singing for Singers, by Valerie Telfer, published by Kjos Press.  Every Fall I help singers who are preparing for choral auditions with their major and chromatic scales as well as reading.  

A core part of the lesson is the vocal warm up.

Warm ups are determined on an individual basis depending on the needs and goal of the singer. Repertoire is chosen depending on goals. Songs should be in the correct key or range for the individual singer. We do have a transposing piano. Many websites will offer sheet music in a transposed key.  There are programs on chrome that allows you to transpose karaoke. 

Choosing the right song.

 Sometimes a song is chosen because it will help the voice develop effectively in a particular way.  Sometimes it is trial and error.  Evolution.  Success!

In many instances the singer is in a hurry to audition, and the goal is to perfect the audition in a short amount of time. We can accommodate the "prepare me for the audition' parameters.  I have some students that only come in for a quick preparatory coaching for an audition. It is ideal when the student has lots of time to come to lessons and develop the voice without an immediate deadline of audition or performance, and then when they earn that particular role in a musical, or decide on songs for a recital we smoothly transfer the technique to the music. Proper practice in my studio and at home sets the singer up for success when they perform their part in public. We recommend bringing some kind of recording devise, such as a smart phone  with a recording app or a digital recorder or computer to record the lesson so you can practice the exercises and review your progress regularly in your home studios.

All new students should download and complete our intake form so we can best prepare for your lesson.

Please click here for the student intake form. Thanks!
 

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