Katie Weber
Voice Teacher

Introduction to My Studio:

My studio is for singers who are looking to better their singing voices, and to who want to become independent and confident singers. I teach a wide range of styles, from pop and musical theater, to classical. My students feel prepared to sing on their own and to make brave musical choices. Whether they are preparing for college auditions, NYSSMA solo competitions, auditions for local shows, or just wanting to better their singing voices, my students can rely on my knowledge and experience to give them the tools they need to sing their best! My studio is a “brave space” it is inherently vulnerable to sing in front of others, and I set up an environment of encouragement and uplifting help so that my students can be the brilliant singers that they are. We will work very hard, and find each singers own beautiful and unique voice.  My goal as a teacher is to stay informed and up to date on the latest research and science of the voice. I will make sure that my students are gaining the best and most up to date knowledge, while staying rooted in what I know to work for students from years of experience.

 

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Practices:

While I do not follow any specific technique, I take my philosophies from some of the best voice teachers in the world:

Ken Bozeman - Author of Practical Vocal Acoustics http://www.kenbozeman.com/ 

Mary Saunders Barton - Creator of Bel Canto Can Belt https://belcantocanbelto.com/ 

Claudia Friederlander - Author and Founder of Liberated Voice https://www.liberatedvoice.studio/ 

Heidi Moss Erickson - Scientist, singer and voice teacher doing research in the field of neuroscience and singing https://www.heidimosserickson.com/ 

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Practice Suggestion:

Students should plan to practice for a minimum of 30 minutes a day, and keep track of their progress both by taking practice notes, and by recording themselves and listening back to their practice sessions and lessons.

Practice suggestion:

1. A brief but thorough warm up, stretching and then using the Appcompanist exercises assigned during our lessons.

2. Sing through the piece(or pieces) that we are working on, actively circling or making note of sections that you want to go back over.

3. Going back and working on those specific sections, referencing lesson recordings if we worked on the piece, thinking about what vowels you are using etc

4. Start learning a new piece by listening to a recording of it, playing the notes on the piano for yourself and singing along with it, speaking the text, singing the notes without text, making note of different issues you forecast may come up in a lesson.

5. Brief cool down, singing smaller stepwise exercises and stretching.

 

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Suggested Texts

• For Young singers, I recommend learning about how music works, so a theory book like the Alfred Essential’s Music Theory Book, our a history of music book like Broadway Musicals Show By Show by Stanley Green. I will also recommend song anthologies based on the students interests and singing level.

• For upper middle school and high school singers, I still recommend the above books if they would be helpful.  For those interested in classical music I also recommend Carol Kimball’s books, Song and Art Song. I will also recommend song anthologies based on the students interests and singing level.

• For adult students, I recommend all of the above if they apply, with the addition of Complete Vocal Fitness by Claudia Friedlander and The Performer’s Voice by Mary Bunch Dayme. Both books were incredibly influential for me as a singer, and would be of great help for anyone looking to improve their voice.

 

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Teaching Bio

Katie has been teaching her whole life, from coaching friends for auditions in middle school, to helping run rehearsals for her high school chorus teacher, to teaching in studios and schools in NYC and now in her own private studio in Syracuse NY, she has helped hundreds of students sing better and feel more confident in their sound.  Katie worked in New York City where she auditioned for and premiered multiple shows, including off-broadway shows and operas. Her love of teaching kept her in the classroom, and she taught private voice, chorus and general music in NYC and multiple locations in New Jersey. She teaches private voice in her home studio and is the Artistic Director for the Syracuse Youth Chorus, a non profit choir looking to give excellent musical opportunities to the young people of Central New York.  She is currently getting her masters degree in Vocal Pedagogy(the art of teaching the voice) from Syracuse University, anticipating graduation in spring 2024, studying Voice Pedagogy with Dr. Kathleen Roland-Silverstein and voice with Prof Janet Brown.  Katie got her double bachelors degree in Vocal Performance and Music Education from the Eastman School of music, studying voice with Kathryn Cowdrick. 

 

 

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FAQ

 

What age groups do I teach?

I teach all age groups, and have a passion for upper middle school, high school, collegiate,  and adult singers.

 

Fees:

My rates are available upon request.

I teach 30, 45 and 60 minutes lessons.

Lessons are sold in packs and paid for on a monthly basis.

 

Cancellation policy:

More than 24 hours notice - free cancelation, with a roll over into the next month

Less than 24 hours notice - You may make up this lesson within the month at the teacher’s discretion

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Note: If the student is at all sick, please make sure to reach out as soon as possible. It is better to cancel and roll over into the next month than have to reschedule.

 

Group/studio classes:

Studio class once a month on Sundays at DeWitt Community Church. Please bring a piece that we have been working on, it does not have to be memorized or “performance ready.” We will sing for each other and give each other feedback.

 

Studio recitals:

2 studio recitals a year, one in the summer and one in the winter.

 

**For my older students, I always encourage a stand alone or duet recital. It is an incredible learning experience and healthy challenge!

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