Norwood Music Studios - Virginia Norwood

Clients can pay per lesson, monthly, or purchase a 2, 4, or 8 lesson package. There is a discount for monthly and package purchases. Please refer to my web page for current prices, packages and specials.

At the first lesson I will take the student through a diagnostic scale to assess their voice and determine what it's strengths are and where they need to improve. Based on that assessment, I develop a workout program for them, then we work on a song and learn how to apply their improved coordination to singing.

As a certified Speech Level Singing (SLS) Instructor, I am required to fulfill educational requirements yearly. These include private lessons with Mr. Riggs, teaching in front Mr. Riggs and other SLS teachers, watching Mr. Riggs work with one of my students, and attending the yearly SLS Training Camps.

I always knew I wanted to work in music. I performed in many bands and held a day job as an office secretary for many years. After studying for years with over a dozen different teachers, and earning my B.A. in music, I didn't feel I had made the vocal progress I was capable of. I spent thousands of dollars and many years studying vocal technique with very little improvement. Someone told me about Speech Level Singing, and I met with an SLS teacher. I saw results at the first lesson, and have continued to study and improve ever since. Through my study of Speech Level Singing, I became passionate about sharing this technique with others. I believe I can empower singers with the right tools to so that they can follow their dreams and be vocally prepared when opportunities arise.

The most common jobs are: technical and performance coaching on songs prior to recording; technical and performance coaching for professional and semi-professional singers for live performance; audition preparation for musical theater auditions and college application submissions and auditions; teaching vocal technique to recreational singers. I work with all levels from complete beginners to working professionals.

Every voice is unique with its own needs and challenges. While beginning singers may need a few months or years to fully develop their voice, an advance singer may only need a lesson or two to fine tune their technique.

Ask the teacher what their background is including their education and live experience. Know their studio policy in regards to scheduling, cancellations, makeups and refunds before you sign up. Have an idea of what your goals are. Are they purely recreational or professional? This will help to determine what your budget is for lessons. If there is an immediate need, for example: recording sessions, an audition, a tour, etc., you will want the best teacher, and more frequent lessons for a short time. If there is not an immediate need, weekly or biweekly lessons are recommended. Be willing to pay a little more to get an instructor that will guide you to immediate results. You will save a great deal of money and frustration in the long run. Be wary of teachers that focus the majority of the lesson on breathing. Look for a teacher that has performance experience and has had many years of private lessons themselves. Look for a teacher that is constantly continuing their own vocal education.

There is a great deal of misinformation on vocal technique. If you don't see results within the first two lessons, try a different teacher. Don't just hire the cheapest teacher. You get what you pay for. A well trained, and experienced, teacher will make a huge difference in your career. Keep in mind that with ANY musical training, progress comes with consistent practice. How long you practice is NOT as important as how often you practice. Daily practice combined with the proper guidance from your teacher, will develop proper coordination and muscle memory. Even only 30 minutes of practice a day is better than one or two longer sessions in a week.