Lesson Topics
Lesson Topics
Audition preparation for all ages including events such as school shows, professional musical theatre and opera productions, staff singers positions, etc.
Based on the student's needs and goals, we can work on any of the following:
-Choosing and preparing a song
-Choosing and preparing a monologue
-Learning how to do a slate
-Learning basic dance moves that tend to appear in most musical theatre auditions or learning/cleaning provided choreography
-Building earned confidence so that the audition feels less frightening
-Setting up an at-home practice schedule based on the remaining timeframe and goals of the student
**A musical theatre audition workbook is now available to purchase! Email cmoultonstudio@gmail.com to order. The workbook contains more than a full semester's worth of information, but is the same cost as just one thirty-minute lesson.
Performance preparation for all ages for events such as school shows, musical theatre and opera productions, funerals and weddings, etc.
For a school or similar program to put on a show in the time they have, the majority of their rehearsals are spent on learning the ensemble music and choreography and staging the show as a whole. It is very difficult to find time within that process to do a great deal (or sometimes any) real work on acting, singing, or dancing technique. This is not a statement on quality of instruction... it is simply the reality of that sort of program! Students who come to me for help getting ready for their show typically work on...
-Figuring out notes in a song that they weren't quite sure about
-Learning how to reach a note they are struggling with
-Learning how to make it through longer vocal phrases without running out of breath
-Staging their solo
-Developing their character; working through the lines to figure out how to act them
-Cleaning up their choreography
-Building up the confidence to walk out and say their lines or sing their song
-Memorizing their lines
*It can be incredibly valuable for students who are working on the same show to come to a lesson all together. They can work on scenes, choreography, and ensemble numbers that they share and learn from each other while I work on individual songs or monologues, and it cuts down the cost for each family.
-Choosing the best material for their voice and performance ability
-Learning the music
-Staging the piece, when applicable
-Working through vocal technique as it directly relates to the piece or exercises
-Improving sight reading skills
-Improving aural skills
-Learning how to handle an interview, when applicable
-Choosing the material
-Staging the material
-Working on vocal, acting, or dance technique, as applies to their talent show piece
-Learning mic technique, when applicable
-Building up earned confidence so they are less nervous at the audition and/or performance
-Understanding how the voice works and how to produce sound in a healthy way
-Learning how to expand range and gain control of the sound
-Applying the learned technique to specific musical pieces
*I do not teach vocal technique as a solo skill set. All vocal technique students will also learn a foundational amount of musical grammar and syntax, more commonly referred to as 'music theory.' See the next section.
-Understanding the symbols on the musical page
-Learning to read music - and hear what you are reading without the need to audiate
Option 1: A student will come in for a lesson and tell me what their goals are (to get into X program/college, make X technical improvements, have X career, etc.) and, after checking their skill level, I will tell them what they need to do to reach that goal.
Option 2: I will attend a performance and provide feedback. (Student must provide the ticket to the show plus an hour and a half of lesson-time pay. This covers my attendance plus the written or verbal expression of the feedback.)
-Learn how to edit an accompaniment track for an audition or performance
*I will also edit tracks if you are in need of one before you have time to learn. The cost is $20 to $40 depending on the complexity of the edit. Yes, it makes much more sense to pay to learn how to do it yourself!
-Learning how to use a handheld microphone.
-Practicing a specific song for a competition, talent show, choral solo, etc. with a handheld microphone.
-Getting a chance to hear your voice through a microphone before tech week, show, or concert, and become comfortable with it.
-How to give a presentation or speech confidently and clearly.
-Having a firm handshake
-Making eye contact when speaking or being spoken to
-Adjusting posture
-Adjusting gait
-Building habits of self-control
-These include such necessary life skills as packing for yourself each day, basic cooking, a basic understanding of what fuel your body needs for various activities and times of day, physical fitness goals and routine, keeping an organized and tidy room, setting - and keeping - a practice schedule, and other responsibilities to yourself and the family.
What does making your bed and packing your own lunch have to do with being good at music or performing? I'm so glad you asked!
Through many years of working with students of all ages and backgrounds, one of the primary factors that determines their overall confidence and success toward any goal is responsibility. Children who have responsibility - to themselves and as a member of their family - are happier, more confident, have better problem solving abilities, are more grateful, and generally more capable and pulled together than those who do not. The earlier they take on responsibilities, the greater the effect.
A one year old can throw clothes in a hamper or hand laundry to mama for her to fold. (They may also take it all back out.) A toddler can put their own clothes and toys away and help put dishes in the dishwasher. By fifth grade, ANY child can: wake themselves up with their own alarm clock, pack for themselves for the day - including snacks/lunch, make their own breakfast (not cereal, but cook eggs and toast!), make their bed every day, keep an organized room, and have several household responsibilities.
We can grow these skills in separate drop-in style lessons that take place at my home or yours (depending on the need of the skill we are working on at the time) or mixed in with semester-long music and performance study.
*All lesson topics are available as private or small group sessions. The cost of a lesson remains the same for up to 6 students in the room. Inviting friends who are working on the same material is an excellent way to cut down on cost and build a supportive community.
How to Schedule
Weekly lessons are a regular lesson day and time every week except for school breaks, running August through December and January through May. These can be 30 minutes to an hour in length, which will be determined after a preliminary lesson which a parent should also attend.
To schedule a preliminary lesson, email cmoultonstudio@gmail.com and include as much information as possible, such as age of the student, urgency of lessons needed (is there an upcoming audition, performance, etc.), any previous training, goals of the student, what general days and timeframes can work in your schedule, etc.
Location
Lessons are held at The Strand on the Marietta Square (117 North Park Sq., Marietta) and my home (a couple of minutes past 1410 Dura Dr. SW, Marietta, GA 30008), depending on the lesson day.
Strand Details: The box office is not typically open during lesson times, so please wait at the front doors. If another employee lets you into the building, wait in the lobby as the space the lesson will occur in changes based on availability and lesson needs. It is possible that The Strand will not be available on certain days. When that occurs, the lessons will be offered at my home instead.
Home Details: Please park in the driveway or in the street to the right of the driveway (when facing the house). Students should be ready on the front bench a couple of minutes before the lesson start time. During the lesson, parents and siblings are welcome to play in the front yard, sit on the front porch, take their dog for a walk around the neighborhood, or even run errands. Shoes should be removed upon entry. There are animals on the premises.
Payment
$40 per 30 minutes, cash. $50 per 30 minutes, check or digital currency. Weekly lessons are paid for a full semester at a time. If families need to pay month-to-month, that can be arranged. If the tuition is not manageable for your family, there are ways to reduce the cost.
The lesson rate remains the same for up to six students in the room. Bringing a friend (or two, or three) who is working on the same material is a great way to receive the same training for less.
Bartering is also an option. Everyone has a skill or resource they can trade - even the students. There is always a lot that can be done in the old house I live in and the studio never runs out of music and such that can be organized. Handy fixing a fence? Great. Can you pull weeds? Wonderful. Have your own farm fresh eggs? Fantastic.
(The rate for Quadratum members is $30 per 30 minutes, cash; $40 per 30 minutes, check or digital currency.)
If you cancel a lesson, or are a no-show, you still owe for the lesson. If the instructor cancels and you had already paid for the lesson, your payment will be refunded.
The following documents are due at the start of the first lesson. Hard copies are available at the lesson for you to sign, if preferred.