Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much do private lessons cost?

There is a detailed pricing chart for lessons and classes on the Private Lessons page.

Where are you located?

Downtown Portland, Oregon in the Goose Hollow neighborhood.  Details here. 

How do I schedule a lesson?

Contact Resound NW.  Phone: (503) 489-7464 or Email: [email protected] 
You can also search for an available lesson time on the Appointment page.

What are voice lessons like? What will we do?

Voice lessons can be very different depending on the teacher and the student.  We tailor the voice lesson experience to each individual student.  We will likely experiment with different exercises, using the piano as a tool to help you hear the pitches.  We will talk about how singing feels, discuss the anatomy related to singing, and work on breathing and posture.  We might also do some stretching to loosen up your body.  And, of course, we can work on any kind of music you would like.  Here is a list of common coaching requests we get from students.   Also, you can read more about lessons here.

Do you teach student to sing a specific style of music (i.e. Classical, Rock, etc.)?

Teachers at Resound NW are familiar with many different styles of music, including Classical, Pop, Rock, Blues, Broadway, Praise and Worship, Folk, World Music, Opera, etc, etc.  Resound NW students have included total beginners, opera singers, rappers, high school students, members of church choirs, homemakers, songwriters, retired people, children, engineers, lawyers, accountants, clergy, etc.  Whatever your walk of life or musical interest, singing can be an enjoyable and meaningful artistic pursuit.

I'm not sure I know the best way to breathe when I sing.  Can you help me with that?

Yes, definitely.  Breath is one of the primary components of healthy and strong singing.  We can work together to find the easiest and most helpful way to breathe when you sing.

Will voice lessons help me strengthen my voice?

Absolutely!  Vocal strength is a result of great technique, good use of breath, and confidence as a singer.  Depending on your voice, you may have more power after just one or two lessons!

Will voice lessons help me increase my range (higher or lower)?

Certainly.  Like vocal strength, your vocal range is a result of good technique, including breath, posture, and vocal resonance.

I haven’t really sung that much (or at all), but I’d really like to try taking lessons.  Are you willing to work with me from the very beginning?

Yes.  We teach students of all levels, some with lots of performing experience and others who just want to feel more comfortable with their voice.  Rest assured that voice lessons with be fun, relaxed, and non-threatening.

Can you teach me to read music (or read music better)?

Sure.  This is a great skill to have, and we can teach you to understand what all those markings on the page mean.  We can learn key signatures, chords, and lots of different parts of music theory.  If your sight-singing skills are rusty, we will teach you some ways to improve your reading ability.

My son/daughter is 7 years old and really likes to sing.  Do you teach children?

Generally, it’s best to wait until a child is about 10 or 11 years old to start private voice lessons.  We do teach children ages 5 to 9, but in general these lessons incorporate both singing and piano, as well as general music learning and activities.  Contact Resound NW if you think voice lessons might be appropriate for your child.  If not, your child might be interested in a children's choir or taking a music appreciation class.  We would be happy to refer you to resources like this in your area.

I have written some songs and need help with them.  Can you help me write music and notate it?

We would love to!  We always enjoy hearing original music.  We can help you write out your melodies, come up with good accompaniment, and create a great structure for your songs.

Do you teach piano lessons?

Yes!  Contact Resound NW to be matched with one of our piano teachers.

I play piano, but I want to learn to read chord charts and to play different styles of music (jazz, pop, etc). Can you teach me how to do this?

Yes. Reading chord charts and improvising can be very different from playing the notes you see on the page! If you already have piano skills, we can help you expand your repertoire by teaching you to read a lead sheet or chord chart.

Can you tell me more about the performing and teaching experience of the Resound NW teachers?

Every Resound NW instructor has years of experience teaching lessons and performing as a professional singer and/or pianist.  You can read a little more about the teachers on the About page.