Jane Edgren Voice Studio

Vocal Fitness Training™ Method 

Private Voice Teacher and Vocal Coach

Online Lessons Now Available

Jane is passionate about helping singers improve their singing.  She loves to prepare them for whatever goals they might have, be it singing professionally, in a choir, performing in musicals, at the local open mike night, in a band, or for fun — those who just want to learn to sing.

Jane has been teaching private voice lessons for over 25 years, drawing on her rich background of singing various styles of music.  In a voice lesson with Jane, students learn a healthy, consistent and reliable vocal technique, while expanding their range and developing their own musical identity and style.  Additionally, she also offers short-term coaching and preparation for auditions, competitions, musical theater performances, and college entrance auditions.

Many of her students have performed in musicals, bands, and many have majored in music and theater in college. Current and former students include John Mark McMillan, Cara Watson—2014 Hollywood Week and Top 48 Contestant on American Idol,  Chris Sheridan of Simplified, Kristi Ormand of StellaRising, and Josiah Prince of Disciple. Musical theatre credits include students who have performed with Matthews Playhouse, Theatre Charlotte, Children’s Theater of Charlotte, Old Courthouse Theater, and the North Carolina Theater. 

Jane has had students from the Northwest School of the Arts (Charlotte, NC), and the Central Academy of Technology and Arts (Union County, NC). Many of Jane’s students have gone on to further study and performance majoring in voice, music, musical theater or theater, including the following universities: Appalachian State, Catholic University of America, Belmont (Nashville), Berklee School of Music, Boston University, Charleston Southern, Davidson, Elon, Furman, Hofstra, Liberty, Marymount Manhattan, UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Greensboro School of Music, University of South Carolina, and Wheaton College.  Additionally, Jane prepared students who have auditioned for, and were accepted into voice and theater programs at: American University, Auburn, Coastal Carolina, Florida State, Indiana, and Mississippi.

Jane is a member of both the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the New York Singing Teachers Association.

Adults and High School Ages 

Adult singing lessons are customized for each individual’s singing style and needs, along with a healthy vocal approach and technique to help them accomplish their goals. Technical emphasis is on developing the whole voice for vocal fitness, so that it is strong and reliable. This is accomplished through specific vocal exercises that strengthen and tone the instrument and the muscles that support vocal production using the standard Vocal Fitness Training curriculum. These initial lessons cover basic tone production, vowel formation, and breathing, with a structured practicing plan to strengthen the concepts.  I also provide a link to vocal exercises, and guidance in practicing.

First lessons generally are spent on learning the technique and how to practice properly to get the best results. Students will spend approximately 2-3 months (or 8-10 lessons) learning basic vocal technique. Please note: if a student has an audition or performance during this time, technique training can be replaced with coaching and preparation, with regular lessons resuming afterward.

After the basic technique is learned, another 3-4 weeks will be spent on developing an efficient approach for learning and practicing songs using deconstruction, deliberate practicing and performance practice designed to connect the singer to the text. Then, intermediate vocal technique will be offered to expand and strengthen the singer’s range and smooth the transitions through the registers, and song work will continue to develop audition books and building song repertoire.

Standard Voice Lessons

30 Minute Lesson Format – all lessons taught online

Most students begin with a 30-minute lesson, which covers all the basic training and technique instruction. Some students choose to increase to a longer format, depending on their needs.

45 or 60 Minute Lesson Format – all lessons taught online

In general, this length of these vocal lessons would be for either high school age students who are heavily involved in performing, those who might be looking at college auditions in the future, or for adults who are able to, or would like a longer singing lesson. Some adults and advanced students do choose to start with longer lessons, and all basic skills can be taught in these formats, too.

Adolescents

Inspired by the research and principles set forth in John M. Cooksey’s book, Working with the Adolescent Voice, Jane helps teens work through their changing voices, teaching them a healthy vocal technique, while working through aural and vocal pitch adjustments. Jane was also privileged to attend a workshop with Dr. Cooksey to learn his approach first-hand.

Voice Lessons for Children

Jane has been teaching children for years, and loves the passion they have for singing. To that end, she first and foremost wants the best for them, and to help move them ahead with a good approach to singing that is natural and fun. She generally accepts children for formal voice lessons starting somewhere around the age of 12. In special circumstances she will offer vocal coaching for younger children.  Learn more

Vocal Coaching

Vocal coaching differs from regular voice lessons in that the emphasis is on polishing songs.  Most people who take vocal coaching sessions usually need help preparing for short-term projects, such as preparing for an audition, recording session, or performance.  Technique can also be taught through the coaching sessions as we can approach the song through vocal exercise techniques.

Jane Edgren

Teaching Resumé