Testimonials

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I have been teaching privately and coaching voices for over 25 years in the Central Massachusetts area in addition to serving on adjunct faculty/staff at Clark University and Assumption University. My students from all around New England have been accepted to and enrolled in undergraduate and graduate Vocal Performance Programs at: American Musical & Dramatic Academy in NYC, American University, Arizona State University School of Music, Baldwin Wallace University, Belmont University, Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at The Catholic University of America, Berklee College of Musi, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Boston University School for the Arts, Boyer School of Music at Temple University, Carnegie Mellon University-College of Fine Arts, Cleveland Institute of Music, Columbia College Chicago, Dean College, Eastman School of Music, Emerson College, Five Towns College, Florida State University, Fordham University, Gordon College, Harvard University, Ithaca College of Music, Liberty University, Long Island University, Manhattan School of Music, Marymount Manhatten College, Millikin University School of Music, Oberlin College, Penn State University, Plymouth State University, Providence College, Rhode Island College, Rider University, Roosevelt University, Setnor School of Music at Syracuse University, St. Olaf College, SUNY New Paltz School of Fine and Performing Arts, The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, The Hartt School at University of Hartford, The Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, The New England Conservatory of Music, The Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, The School for the Arts at SUNY Purchase College, The Schulich School of Music at McGill University, The Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, University of Alabama, University of Connecticut, University of Massachusetts (Amherst & Lowell), University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, University of Minnesota School of Music, University of New Hampshire, University of Tennessee, and Westminster Choir College. Summer programs for Ms. Shivick’s students have included Oberlin in Italy, V.O.I.C.Experience (Orlando & Tampa, Florida), Tanglewood (BUTI), Total Interpretation Project (Tito Capobianco Opera Studio), Cannon Music Camp (Appalachian State University), Savannah Voice Festival, Interlochen, Carnegie Mellon University’s Pre-College Voice Program, Boston Conservatory Summer Youth Vocal-Choral Intensive, SUNY Purchase College’s Summer Vocal Intensive, Syracuse University Acting & Musical Theater Program, Pre-College Music Theatre Institute at Rider University, The Hanover Theatre Summer Youth Program, Westminster Choir College Solo Vocal Artist Program, Pre-College Music Theatre Program at Emerson College, and Boston University Summer Theatre Institute.

Many of my students have performed leading roles with regional opera companies as well as with professional, community, and college theatre production companies across the U.S., in addition to high school and youth theater programs. Several students continue to participate in critically acclaimed professional choruses such as the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, New York Choral Society, St. Olaf Choir, Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Children’s Choir, Händel & Haydn Society, and CONCORA, as well as semi-professional choruses, community and church choirs, and guest soloists with regional choruses and orchestras. High school-aged students have been accepted to and performed with the All-National Honors Choral Ensembles, All-Eastern Choral Ensembles, Massachusetts and Rhode Island All-State Festival Choruses, ACDA Chorus, The New England Conservatory Youth Chorale, The New England Conservatory Youth Camerata Chorus, the Central Massachusetts District Senior & Junior Festival Choruses, the Worcester Children’s Chorus, and the Händel & Haydn Society’s Young Women’s Chamber Chorus. Students have successfully represented our studio at regional and national level vocal competitions including the annual New York State NYSSMA conference, NENATS, NATS Boston, and at the Classical Singer Vocal Competition (HS & Emerging Professional levels). Vocal master classes, workshops, and performance opportunities are available to my students.

How do I teach my students?

There are certain principles of vocal production that apply to all human voices. I take everyone through those fundamentals and guide them to understanding them. I determine the various habits and dysfunctional tendencies that exist in that individual’s vocal production.I learn these things that are unique to the individual from the process of guiding them to understand the fundamental principles in their unique physiology and psychology.

I don’t approach someone as a young adult or an older adult. Much the same way I don’t approach someone as a soprano or a bass. Each person is a unique voice that behaves by the same principles or laws of nature, but also has unique individual tendencies that act as interference to freely behaving in line with those principles. We all need to understand how these principles act in our body and brain. Which might not be the same as in someone else. Even though the principles are the same.

Recognizing the difference between what we do and what actually happens is crucial. What we do is what I mean when I say “technique”. The basic functioning is pretty much universal. We think of what we want to express with our voice. We inhale as a preparation and then we exhale to provide air pressure to the larynx to set the vocal folds into vibration. That vibration creates sound energy that sympathetically sets the air in the airway into vibration. That vibrating air is resonance and as it expands and radiates into the room is heard as tone.

In general, I think we need to keep things as simple as we can. Because when we are actually performing there is too much to keep straight if what we are thinking is too complicated. This is why I focus so much attention on breathing. If we can simply breathe, we can play the voice much like an instrument without anything more complicated than that. This is in line with an historical quote that said if we know how to breathe and pronounce well, we will know how to sing. At first glance that might seem too simple.But when you have experienced things the way I describe it really does encompass the whole situation.

Good breathing relaxes and opens the airway, which creates the resonator and the so-called “open throat.” It also creates the energy that causes the vocalization. What defines breathing as good is the regularity, smoothness and strength of it while retaining flexibility to allow it to realize the wide range of expression needed by a singer.

Good pronunciation forms and optimizes the resonator to maximize the acoustic effect. How we pronounce also establishes the position of the vocal mechanism, which also affects the condition and flexibility of it, determining how effectively it utilizes the breath for vocalization. There is a natural way the body wants to function in any physical act and that is also true for the voice. And the magical thing about that is when we operate in line with that natural way, we can express ourselves in any style of music. The problem with most techniques is they are limited to the style of music they are designed for – Opera, Musical Theater, Jazz, Rock, Pop. But if we learn to use the voice naturally, we will get better results in all styles we feel expressive in.

Please feel free to contact me via my Contact Page if you’re interested in private in-person lessons, online lessons, or vocal coachings. TESTIMONIALS highlighting my teaching can be found below:

“Jane is the most amazing voice teacher. She is firm yet nurturing and understands her students both in and outside of their lessons. She knows how to take a voice to the next level, in a safe, healthy and age-appropriate way. In addition to being a wonderful voice teacher, her professional experience and network make her a tremendous resource and asset for students (and their parents) when applying to college and graduate voice programs. My child has been a student of Jane’s for the last nine years and what she has taught her personally, vocally and professionally in that time is simply immeasurable.” – Melissa C., Princeton, MA

“I am an adult student, so I have a great appreciation for the quality of time Jane spends with her students. I am a visual learner, so whenever she requires correction, she gives insightful, thoughtful, and thorough direction I completely understand and then I incorporate into my practice. Over the years, she has helped me grow into an accomplished, grounded performer. Jane expects you to be prepared for your lesson as she works hard to teach and nurture her students. She has great compassion and love for the art of singing. Jane is highly educated and continues to perform and study voice herself, honing her skills and offering up what she learns to others. It is an honor to have her as my teacher. Every time she sits at the piano and begins a lesson she is always present to me. I have great respect for her and thoroughly enjoy every lesson I have with her.” – Anita C., Rindge, NH

“Jane Shivick is an extraordinary voice teacher. What is especially remarkable about her is how excellent she is at diagnosing and then solving problems in vocal technique. She knows a lot about the physiology of singing and is able to communicate that so effectively. I continue to grow in feeling how to sing physically and in understanding good vocal technique in an intellectual way. Jane is also a master at carefully layering her teaching to deal with just one or two key issues at a time and then building to more sophisticated layers of study. She is an excellent role model, a consummate professional about how she studies music herself, and her expectations as a teacher are ambitious. Jane is sensitive to the individual needs and personalities of the students she teaches and seems to know when to push and when to praise.” – Lee Ann H., Hardwick, MA

“There may not be enough superlatives to accurately describe Jane Shivick. She is a phenomenal artist, teacher, mentor and guide. A university music professor referred us to Jane, assuring us that, “Jane’s students are well prepared.” In truth, there is no detail that Jane doesn’t address. During lessons, each audition piece was taught and rehearsed with an emphasis on musicality, diction and poise. Most importantly, Jane has always been honest with my daughter. If something needs work, she states it directly and constructively, as only an exceptional teacher can do. Jane knowledgably discussed college programs with my daughter and helped her narrow down the programs that would benefit her the most. Under Jane’s guidance, she has become a better singer and more confident performer. Two college professors who knew my daughter from a summer camp and a private lesson, remarked on the incredible growth in her voice and technique in such a short time. Lessons with Jane require a weekly 100-mile round trip. But it is a trip we gladly make to work with such a kind and gifted teacher. And, yes, the vocal performance auditions have been very successful with acceptances at each of her top schools. Jane Shivick changed my daughter’s life.” – Natalie T., Woonsocket, RI

Email me for further information at janeshivickvoicestudio@gmail.com.

Photo Credit: Joe Santa Maria

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