So you’ve been singing in the shower for years, but now you want to take it to the next level. You might have dreams of stardom or maybe you just want to sing beautifully for your friends and family. What are the things you need to look for in a singing teacher?

Questions to ask a voice teacher

Finding the right music teacher is a bit like playing Perfect Match. You need to feel energised and inspired by them, and feel comfortable enough to bare your soul when you’re belting out those ballads.

First of all, you want to know if they are a qualified teacher – not all musicians can teach! Ask them where they studied music teaching. While a musician will be of course be able to teach you some things, only a qualified music teacher will be really able to tailor a lesson to meet your needs.

What is their professional singing experience? This is important, especially if you want to end up on the stage – you want to know that they’ve been there too.

What type of musical styles do they teach? Opera? Jazz? Pop? Make sure they can teach you what you want to sing.

Listen to some of their students if you get the chance –has the music teacher been able to nurture the differences and individualities of each singer? This is important, because you want a teacher who values your individual voice and can help you develop solid technique, without sacrificing your personal sound.

And finally, find out what other aspects of music training they provide – such as theory, group classes or keyboard tuition.

Questions a voice teacher should ask you

Learning is a two way street. Just as you want the best teacher, your teacher needs to know if your attitude and personality is a good fit for them, too. Don’t be surprised if you find your potential teacher asking you some questions. They might ask you what you hope to achieve from your studies, or what style of music interests you. What is your musical background? Do you read music?

Voice teachers to avoid

Ultimately, you are the one who is paying for lessons, so make sure the lesson is all about you. You want to learn to sing in your own style, not sound like every other singer out there, so if your teacher doesn’t appreciate your individual sound, then he isn’t the teacher for you. In addition you don’t want a teacher who hogs the limelight, and sings more in the lesson than you do!

Where’s the best place to look for a teacher?

Great music teachers can be found all over the country, but specialised teachers can be few and far between. If you live in a metropolitan region or near a university you are in luck – you will be able to take your pick from all the teachers and music graduates with a degree in voice. If you are in a regional area try asking the music teachers at the local schools, or the choir director of your community church. Perhaps they have contacts in the area if they are unable to teach you themselves.

If you decide to go through an independent performance studio make sure you check out their staffs’ credentials first – sometimes their teachers are fabulous professionals that offer first-rate vocal training, but sometimes they are more concerned about the end-of-year concert than teaching you the skills you need to shine.

There are more than 3000 experienced music teachers around Australia listed in the Yellow Pages. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, it’s a great place to start.