My philosophy of teaching singing does not advocate a particular method. It is based on a systematic approach acquired from science-informed principles of voice production that—together with a voice teacher’s trained ears, intuition, creativity, and experience—guides singers toward technical proficiency. My approach to voice technique is predicated on a belief that a systematic approach provides a template to teaching singing that ultimately promotes efficient singing. This approach ultimately enables great artistry. It is born of forty years of professional training, performance, pedagogical study, and teaching experience. (Teaching Philosophy continued below)
Teaching Philosophy
KARI RAGAN, DMV, SVS
“Dr. Ragan is the gold standard for what a voice pedagogue should be. Her technical prowess in the field of teaching voice is unrivaled.”
Darrell J. Jordan, DMAProfessional Classical Singer and Teacher
Learning to sing is a lifelong journey. There is no point of arrival for the singing artist, rather an ever-evolving destination. In my studio, singers are encouraged to embrace the process and “buckle up and enjoy the ride.” Even when proficiency in singing technique is attained, there will be constant recalibration within the voice systems as each new song brings subtle alterations to the many facets of technique and artistry. The joy in the journey is that with each passing year, a singer has richer life experience from which to draw for artistic expression.
Voice teachers have a tremendous responsibility to singers who rely on our expertise. The dynamic relationship between the voice teacher and the singer is complex and requires empathy, compassion, and intuition. As a teacher, I hold a position of authority over a musical instrument that resides within the body and impacts closely on the identity and spirit of another human being. It is a profound role in the lives of the singers who place significant trust in me. It is a privilege that I pursue with the utmost integrity.