Training Methods

TEACHING METHODS

Stuart is a fully qualified vocal coach, having trained overseas with some of the most well respected teachers and organisations in the world. The methods below have a proven track record of success among top professional singers and have the backing of proven vocal science.

Some of the key benefits you will receive from this training are:

Eliminate Vocal Breaks

Fix Vocal Strain

Long Term Vocal Healthy

Increased Vocal Range

Greater Vocal Power & Control

Whilst most other voice teachers teach classical singing, what makes Stuart’s teaching unique is his unique focus and range of techniques that apply specifically to modern styles of contemporary music such as Pop, Rock R&B, Jazz, Musical Theatre and more.

The Speech Level Singing Method is exceptionally adaptable to a broad range of styles, because it does not force rigid technique. It develops the voice free of clutter, manufactured sounds, and overculture. This techniques is successful for improving the voices of singers ages 8 to 85 and is particularly effective at rejuvenating senior and damaged voices.

The technique is based around the natural bridges in the voice, allowing the singer to vocalize with a connected tone from low to high and back. Traditional vocal methods are limited to using exclusively chest voice for pop and theater styles, or using a more classical sounding head voice for classical or opera (or in musical theater when the chest voice gives out). In these traditional techniques, there is generally no cohesion between the chest and head voice.

Stuart has personally trained with Seth Riggs (Voice Coach for Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Madonna etc) who discovered the SLS method. His dedication has earned him the honor of being personally certified to teach Speech Level Singing by its founder Seth Riggs.
Click here to view his certification

INTERNATIONAL VOICE TEACHERS OF MIX

Founded in 2010, IVTOM is a professional organization for voice teachers. We provide ongoing education, a mentor program, resources, international conferences, and a network for our members. IVTOM members include highly trained professionals who hold degrees and certifications from the world’s best universities and associations; and specialized experts, including otolaryngologists, speech pathologists, and voice scientists, who give us unparalleled access to medical and scientific information about the human voice.

“Mix” is a technique that can be applied to any style of singing. It gives singers the capability to perform with a smooth, strong, balanced and continuous sound, from the bottom to the top of their vocal register, typically with a range that extends far beyond where they began. Singers who mix can easily transition through the bridges in their voice without strain, blending registers effortlessly. They are able to focus on performing a song, whatever their musical style, because their voices are strong, flexible, and reliable.

Stuart has worked with Dean Kaelin, who is the founder of IVTOM, since 2006. Deans student David Archuleta was runner up on American Idol.

HOW WE TRAIN THE VOICE

1. REMOVE EXCESS TENSION

Every singer, at some point in time, will have to deal with excessive muscular tension. One reason it’s so common is that great singing is usually very dramatic. This means that singers have to “live on the edge” and communicate extreme emotion to their audience. It can be very difficult to do this without over engaging the muscles inside and outside of your larynx. Many of us will try to force the instrument to do our will. As you likely already know, this doesn’t work out very well!

2.BUILD COORDINATION

The qualities that singers strive for (range/power/consistency) are directly related to how much coordination exists in your larynx. Most singers have a hard time singing strong higher pitches without “flipping” into a much lighter tone/timbre. The Thyroarytenoid (TA) and Cricothyroid (CT) muscles are particularly important. It’s my job to give you a workout that teaches these muscle groups to play nicely together. As you learn to transfer necessary muscle tension between these two muscle groups with a lot of accuracy, your sound will become consistently strong over a very large range.

3.BUILD STRENGTH

Technically, strength comes from coordination. However, I’ve found that it’s necessary to approach our exercises a little differently when it comes time to “finish the tone”, especially on higher pitches.

4.APPLY NEW SKILLS TO SONGS

As your voice grows, we are always working on injecting your songs with these new skills. This requires making a lot of vowel and consonant adjustments so that the vocal folds get as much help as possible. Songs are so challenging also because the emotion that comes with singing actual music can sabotage our technique in the beginning. Emotion is a very important part of singing, we just need to learn to thrive within that state of mind.

5. CONSTANTLY INCREASE MUSICIALITY/STYLE

Style and musicality are what thrills your audience, even more than range and power. Therefore, I make a point of adding as much musical work to your training as possible.

6.ENCOURAGE FREEDOM AND CONNECTION TO SONG MEANING

At the end of the day, we never want to be overly technical. It’s so important then to always take some time just to sing without over thinking.

Kristian Lavercombe (Riff Raff Rocky Horror Show)
“I’ve been a professional singer and actor for nearly 15 years. Years of mistreating my voice in shows combined with a lack of technique had started to take their tole. My voice is incredibly important to me, so finding a singing teacher that understood the problems was essential. The methods that Stuart teaches explores the areas of singing technique that I need to address. Every lesson proved to produce new results that bring me closer to my goal. I’m confident that these lessons will provide me with a technique that will enable me to handle the demands of my profession with ease.”

Saxi (TV Star, Nomine for the LA Music Awards, Babyface)
“I’ve been going to Stuart for 3 years now, before going to Stuart I was having on going vocal problems from straining and incorrect vocal technique, I also had a very limited range. Since going to Stuart I no longer have any vocal problems and my range and power has improved DRAMATICALLY. I am now hitting high notes I never thought I could have and can sing a lot more freely. Stuart also helped greatly on the song I recorded called Lip Stick which I received NZ On Air funding for. I recommend him to anyone who wants to learn to sing or anyone who’s having trouble with their voices!”

Auckland Singing Lessons, Parnell

TEACHING METHODS

VOCOLOGY IN PRACTISE

SPEECH LEVEL SINGING

INTERNATIONAL VOICE TEACHERS OF MIX

HOW WE TRAIN THE VOICE

VIDEOS OF STUART’S STUDENTS & EVENTS