What is your greatest passion or joy as a singer, voice teacher, or vocal professional?
The thing I love the most about singing and teaching singing is the storytelling power of music. The ability to sing a song and bring an audience to tears, or make them laugh, or just bring a smile to their face is one of the biggest reasons I love what I do. When one of my students first discovers that "superpower", it's a true moment of joy.
Tell us the latest news about you, your studio, and your work!
It's been a very exciting year in my studio. We had our first student recital in September which was a huge success! I'm already planning the next one. I also continue to perform and music direct all around Maryland. I just finished co-music directing Urinetown, music directing the Baltimore premiere of Goosebumps, and I'm currently in rehearsals to play King Charlemagne in Pippin. Coming up, I'll be music directing Young Frankenstein, Cabaret, and Sweeney Todd in concert!
What is an interesting or funny fact about you?
A fun fact about me is that I have a nine month old son! He spends his days getting to hear a lot of amazing students. I can't wait to start him on voice lessons once he can do more than screamo. He's already attending a rock music themed daycare.
What led you to the NYVC Voice Teacher Training & Certification Program?
I had been teaching for a few years without any formal vocal science education. I'd studied singing for a long time and I had a very good ear naturally, but I knew I needed more than that. Knowing Justin's videos and how wonderful a teacher he is, I knew NYVC's voice teacher training course was the right way to go.
What was your experience in the NYVC Voice Teacher Training & Certification Program?
The NYVC voice teacher training course quite literally changed my life as both a singer and a voice teacher. Not only did I feel lifetimes more confident in my teaching abilities after I graduated, but my toolbox, knowledge, and ear had all grown leaps and bounds. It shows every day in my students as they constantly have breakthroughs that I owe greatly to the knowledge I gained from Justin.
What advice would you give to future participants of the Program?
I encourage all future participants in the program to put your all into the program. Do the work, trust the process, trust your ear, and come in with an open mind. Justin broke down a lot of very popular myths in the voice training world that completely transformed my teaching and singing for the better.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an artist, teacher, or vocal professional?
I have two really big struggles as a teacher and performer. One is simply finding a balance of my schedule. I often rehearse or have shows in the evenings which is often prime time for my students who go to school or work 9-5 jobs. It's definitely tricky to ensure I have enough evening availability without having to turn down amazing gigs.
I also greatly struggled this season with colds. My infant son just started daycare and is constantly bringing me back coughs and stuffy noses. Vitamin C, saline nebulizers, and straw phonation have been lifesavers for me these last few months.
What was your greatest victory ever as an artist, teacher, or vocal professional?
My greatest victory would be the day of my first studio recital this past September. I had about fifteen wonderful students of all skill levels performing for an audience of about fifty people. It was such a special night with everyone cheering each other on and supporting each other. All of them put in so much wonderful work on their songs, and I'm so excited to see what the next recital is like.
What is one piece of advice that you would love all singers to know?
A rule I have in my studio is that whenever you sing a song, the first thing you have to say is something positive about your performance. As singers, we love to perform a song and say "that was horrendous". This completely ruins our confidence and enjoyment of singing. Even if we completely butcher a song (Which is almost never the case. It's ALWAYS a lot better than we think), finding even one small glimmer of joy and positivity will completely change your outlook and transform you into a more confident and happy singer.
What is something you've learned on your journey that you would love other vocal professionals to know?
A little wisdom I've learnt on my journey that I'd like to share is to trust yourself. It's so easy to have imposter syndrome as a teacher. "Will I mess up this student's voice? Am I saying the right thing? Are they not going to like MY voice?" etc. etc. Trust that you WILL lead your student in the right direction. There's a reason we do this for a career and there's a reason people come back to us week after week for years on end. Let that empower you to let go of any self doubts around your teaching. We've all had them, but it's a new year for teaching, and a perfect time to free yourself of those doubts.
How can we find out more about you and your work?
Please visit my website www.eliyahusvocalcoaching.com or follow me on Instagram and Facebook @eliyahusvocalcoaching. I'd love to hear from you! I teach both online and in Randallstown, MD. Send me a message anytime!
