Frequently Asked Questions!

+ How does the Studio offer lessons?

Short answer: We now offer In-Person AND Online lessons! (Schedule permitting.)

The studio is thrilled to announce that we are now offering a hybrid studio approach. This means lessons will be available both in-person at the home studio in Chilliwack, BC AND online, with lessons being offered via high-quality low-latency platforms. (Please note, acceptance of the studio COVID-19/Illness Waiver and Liability Release is required for anyone planning on in-person lessons in any capacity.)

Online lessons will be continue to be offered going forward, so those who live in the Lower Mainland (Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Aldergrove, Langley, Delta, Richmond, Vancouver, North Shore) - or anywhere in the world! - and don’t wish to/cannot commute will still be able to take lessons at JRD Voice Studio!

In fact, all current students msy switch between online and in-person lessons at any time for any reason. COVID-19 remains a variable to be dealt with, and the studio will have various protocols in place to keep everyone as safe as possible as we continue to navigate a return to in-person singing. This is also a very handy option if you are feeling ill, there is inclement weather or something that may prevent you from attending in person - just text the studio, and we'll hop online!

More information about this, as well as the COVID-19/Illness Waiver and Liability Release will be shared should you choose to become an in-person student of JRD Voice Studio!

+ What is the best way to contact the Studio to schedule a lesson?

The studio has JUST released a few spots for our fall, 2024 registration period - and we want to talk to you if you're ready to dive into your vocal discovery journey! Get on the list now, and you will be immediately redirected to book your FREE 20-minute Discovery Call to see if joining the studio is the right choice for you! All email list members will continue to receive early access to any openings before they are released to the general public - it pays to be "on the list"!

+ What age should I start taking lessons? Is it too late for me?!

I literally have students age 7, to age 70+ - so it is NEVER too early OR too late! No matter where you are, no matter how much or how little experience you have with singing, I CAN HELP YOU DISCOVER YOUR UNIQUE VOICE! Don’t hesitate - reach out now to get started on your singing journey - I’m your #musicalmojomaven, and I get you!

+ I have never had a singing lesson before, do you work with beginners?

Absolutely! I firmly believe that EVERYONE can sing. I have the tools and resources to

• discover your voice
• explore your gift
• charge up your musical mojo
• remember why you love to sing.

I work with all kinds of people, from kids and adults who want to learn to read music and sing their favourite songs to those who want to be professional singers. My experience and personalized curriculum mean that I can design a program JUST for you.

+ Do you offer group singing class learning opportunities?

Currently, there are no separetely scheduled group classes running. As part of the studio membership tuition packages, all studio tuition membership students have access to quarterly group studio class weeks (in addition to their 1:1 session weeks). There are also masterclass options with industry professionals where possible. Group class opportunities are also available for those in the Connect Monthly package.

RCM group classes are built out on demand - if you are interested in putting together a class with fellow singers, reach out - I'd be happy to design a custom exam prep or musicianship/ear training class just for you!

And finally, I am always here to help - if you have a group of kids, teens OR adults who are interested in music and lesrning to sing, please reach out to the studio via email - I would love to see how I can help support your singing goals!

+ What is a #MusicalMaverick?

You may see me throwing this term around a lot on my socials! The definition of a #maverick is: “An independent individual who does not go along with the group or party….” Well, my amazing students are out there, taking risks, trying new things, and getting out of their comfort zones - they are totally #musicalmavericks - and they trust me to lead them to a better understanding of their unique instrument. I am honoured to be their #MusicalMojoMaven….do you want to find out more about becoming a #maverick in the JRD Voice Studio? I can’t wait to talk to you about it!

+ How do online lessons compare to in person lessons?

COVID-19 created a situation where it has not been safe for us to sing in person since March 2020. (For more info on the specific risks associated with COVID and singing, please read this awesome, informative [blog] by my stellar colleague, Dr. Heather Nelson.)

For this reason, JRD Voice Studio pivoted to exclusively online lessons at the beginning of April, 2020, with great success.

The studio returned to in-person lessons and hybrid learning as of September, 2022. In-person lessons are now be an option for students who wish them, subject to acceptance of the studio COVID-19/Illness Waiver and Liability Release form.

Online lessons will ALWAYS remain an option for students - whether they live down the block or across the country/globe - and as a fabulous alternative if there is inclement weather, illness or travelling! All students may select their preferred method of lesson delivery, and may have flexibility in choosing what method works best for them in the moment. It will always be an option to hop online - and adjust to everyone's comfort level - no matter the reason. The studio has implemented COVID-19 safety protocols to mitigate as much risk as possible, while understanding thst there is no such thing as no risk. Safety is one of my top priorities.

What started out as a necessary decision to maintain the safety of my students and my family has turned into a really wonderful option for:

• Maintaining your singing momentum
• Learning new skills
• Keeping in vocal shape

It turns out, this platform offers a wonderful opportunity to slow down, take our time, and really hone/solidify our skills. All online students have continued to make great strides in their musical training, and are enjoying the convenience and short commute time to their lessons each week - as am I!

Choosing online or in-person lessons is now a matter of personal preference (and potentially proximity!), not necessity - and I can assure you that the quality of online lessons is just as high as in-person lessons. We work on exactly the same technical ideas and goals. Online lessons allow access to working with JRD Voice Studio regsrdless of location - and will be a permanent cornerstone offering of the studio. They present an awesome opportunity to work together from anywhere in the world, and for anyone who lives in the Lower Mainland, to take advantage of high-quality vocal instruction without the commute - no more rush hour traffic jams or bridge/tunnel backups!

If you want to know more about the logistics of online lessons, and what you need to maximize this magical resource, or you're interested in what in-person/hybrid lessons could look like for you, get on the studio email list and be redirected immediately to book your FREE 20-minute Discovery Call for our limted fall, 2024 openings!

+ What is the optimum platform for online lessons and how do I get in?

JRD Voice Studio currently uses Rock Out Loud Live for all 1:1 sessions and group classes. We are always on the look out for the latest low-latency technology to help us serve you best, therefore platforms are subject to updating at any time. Upon registration, along with your welcome package, you will receive all information needed to log in at your lesson time if you decide on online lessons, where we can sing!

Sometimes, weird connectivity stuff happens, so we will have back up platforms that we can pivot to in case something happens. These might include Zoom or Marco Polo- if you have a platform you love, let me know, and maybe I’ll add it to the list!

+ What can I expect from lessons at the Studio?

Student agency and autonomy are one of the core values of the studio. I am a classically trained singer, as well as certified in Neuro-Vocal Method and Vocal Function 101/Mechanics of Mix and Belt for popular/microphone styles, so I work from both a classically based and CCM/popular style technique depending on what the desired tonal outcome of the singer is, focused on easy, sustainable, repeatable vocal outcomes. I will talk about body alignment, breath and registration of the vocal registers, all in the pursuit of helping you find YOUR unique voice, in whatever musical style the ignites your soul!

We will also (dependent on the student’s needs) work on things like musicianship, learning to read music, exam or audition/competition preparation and more! We will engage in regular feedback to ensure that things are feeling good, easy and free - there should never be pain, or discomfort when singing. We will have a lot of fun as I work with you to free your instrument, and discover what YOUR unique voice sounds like!

+ What materials will I need to bring to lessons?

For in person lesson

• music, workbooks, pencil, water, recording device are sufficient!

For online lessons:

A few things that can help enhance your online voice lesson experience:

• A laptop to run the video conferencing program, whatever that is [preferred, but other devices can also be used]
• A secondary device like your phone or tablet/external speaker to play tracks from
• A quiet place where you’re not distracted/feel like you can sing out, Louise!
• All your tracks queued up from the studio Google drive, YouTube, or wherever you keep them.
• All your sheet music, workbooks, etc. gathered together and ready to go.
• Pencil, water, pets to show me!

For ideas on optional equipment that can enhance your online lessons like Bluetooth speakers, external mics and music stands to hold your sheet music and workbooks, click the button below to get to the "Why Online Lessons Rock" page for my recommendations!

+ Will I need to practice?

It will vastly accelerate your development to practice some of the concepts we discuss in the lesson during the week, but generally speaking, consistency is much more important than duration. This is why it is so important to record your lessons each week, so that you have a curated track of what to practice - and I encourage you to sing along with this lesson recording like a karaoke track. You will work on the concepts we addressed in the lesson that week, and have my instruction in your ear to remind you of alignment, tricky spots, etc.

Avocational kids, teens and adults:

• 4-5 days of 15 mins of practice will make a world of difference.
• Younger kids/teens, or those with less developed voices should not be trying to practice hours a day. Voice is a significantly different pursuit than an external instrument like piano or violin. These are growing bodies, and they are still maturing, so a shorter amount of practice is completely acceptable. 2-4 days, 15 mins a day would be fantastic!

Pro-track and college students:

• The Studio expectation is that you will be working on your physical, technical singing at least 1 hour a day, in addition to any IPA, translation, interpretive, acting etc. work

+ What is the difference between tuition and hourly rates?

This one comes up a lot! Read on for the lowdown…

Tuition: Tuition comprises many valuable things - like tangible materials: sheet music purchases, theory materials, recorded accompaniments, access to google drive resources, etc as well as performance opportunities, reserved lessons times, group class weeks and a set number of dedicated lessons/flex weeks into one base price.

It also includes all the behind the scenes work I do: choosing repertoire, researching programs and applications, planning and participating in online and in-person professional development, engaging pianists, and organizing studio events.

The information you receive in your one on one voice lesson is not dependent on time. It is in the information itself that the value lies, not in the time it takes to deliver it. Time is just the tool we are using to deliver information. During the time your lesson is reserved, in addition to all singing and technical instruction, you can discuss plans for future projects, rep selection, vocal hygiene, and a host of other things!

Your tuition may be paid in one lump sum or divided up into 12 equal monthly payments, so there is plenty of both financial and educational flexibility built into the tuition model.

Please note that the Studio is structured as a primarily tuition-based model.

Hourly: Hourly lesson rates (or drop-ins) are specifically a pay-for-service model. This will include preparation for the lesson, on my part, based on information provided to me by the student, and the time of the scheduled lesson itself. These are designed for minimal follow-up.

+ Do I have to use the online Acuity scheduling and payment system? Why can't I email the Studio directly to discuss availability and scheduling/alternate payment methods?

I have configured the online Acuity scheduling and payment portal to provide maximum convenience for the student. Some benefits include:

• You can both schedule [as well as cancel] and pay directly through the Acuity portal.
• The Stripe payment portal is secure, safe, [I never see any of your personal information] and allows you to pay by debit or credit.
• Confirmation emails confirming your lesson time and payment, as well as automatic reminders, so you’ll never forget a lesson again!
• You can sync your lessons with your calendar of choice, including iCal, Google calendar, and Office 365. While using this software may have a bit of a learning curve, I have access to all settings in the back end, so any errors can be easily corrected, and your information is safe - and I am happy to walk you through the process virtually if necessary. Embrace the freedom of online scheduling and payment with me!

+ What if I have to miss a lesson?

There is no rescheduling in the studio. Your tuition package has 4 bonus weeks built right in! Life happens, and the bonus weeks ensure that if you have to miss a week, you will still get all the lessons you are entitled to.

There are no refunds for drop-in lessons. You are more than welcome to rebook for a new fee.

+ Do you allow parents or friends to sit in and observe lessons?

Lessons are a vulnerable place, and that is necessary to do the work. We often do silly things, to access the freedom needed for optimum singing. To keep that space safe, parents and friends are not allowed in the room during online lessons. They are more than welcome to listen/watch on your preferred audio/video lesson recording.

Addtionally, due to COVID-19 safety protocols, only the student is allowed in the studio for in-person lessons to mitigate the risk factor. Please refer to the studio agreements section on in-person lessons for detailed drop-off and pick-up protocols.

+ Anything else? Hit me up!

If you want to be notified when a spot opens up in the studio, hit that sweet button below to get on the studio email list - or click the email icon. You can also message me anytime on Facebook or Instagram - I can’t wait to talk to you, and get started helping you find YOUR unique voice!