Rebecca Blinder VOICE

Teaching Philosophy

"My TEACHING PHILOSOPHY leads me to work with each student individually to help them find a tailored technique that works for them. No two voices are exactly alike, therefore I believe that there is not one rigid method that works for everyone. My ultimate goal is to help my students find their own unique sound, free of tension and full of confidence.  Every student who comes to me started singing for a reason — because it felt good. And it should always feel good, restorative, and empowering!

In lessons I aim to keep this positive energy at the forefront and focus on making singing easier. My students and I work together to eliminate unnecessary effort and complications — those things that take away from the enjoyment that comes from singing. I take a healthy, classical vocal approach to encourage freedom, ease and power in the voice. As a student of such methods as Bel Canto, Alexander Technique and Yoga, I incorporate a full body approach to singing. I also encourage my students to find ways of improving their voices and the use of their bodies in all aspects of their lives, both in and outside the studio. In today’s busy world maximizing time, while learning to take a beat and focus, is a huge part of vocal technique. The voice reflects what is going on in the mind and body. In addition to their vocal work, I encourage all my students to spend time doing things that keep them happy and feeling good. Yoga, running, dancing, attending that concert or play — these activities help keep us in balance.

In my work with children and teenagers, I take special care to nurture their developing voices, encourage strong practice habits and sing with joy every day. Depending on their level of skill and their individual goals, we incorporate musicianship and music theory into technical work so that each student has the practical skills to pursue music in their life however they choose.

Whether it is nailing that next key audition or speaking with more confidence at your next big board meeting, I look forward to working with you to give you the tools, training and support to succeed!

See you in the studio! —Rebecca"

LESSONS

Overview

Lessons are tailored to each individual student's needs, goals and interests. Generally lessons begin with a physical and breath warm up, to help facilitate movement and ease in the voice. Over time students build a repertoire of both functional and technical vocal exercises to help keep the voice on track both inside and outside the studio. Most lessons then dedicate the remainder of the time to a piece of music (or several) carefully selected together. In all aspects of lessons, vocal health is paramount and care is taken to communicate technical concepts directly and clearly in a non judgemental setting.

ALL Lessons are currently taking place ONLINE. Once you are signed up for your lesson I will walk you through what to expect and how to prepare. Looking forward to “seeing” you in the studio. xx

Lessons may consist of, but are not limited to:

• Breath Control

• Tension Release

• Posture Work

• Projection

• Ear Training

• Basic Music Theory

• Note Reading

• Diction

• Expanding Vocal Range

• Performance Techniques

• Audition Preparation

• Addressing Stage Fright/Performance Anxiety

• Song Selection

• Song Interpretation

• Combining vocals and instruments

Instruction is quite different for younger students. Please contact Rebecca to discuss the specific needs and goals of your child.

TESTIMONIALS

Student Feedback

“After an extended period of time not singing, I opted to start taking voice lessons. I was a soloist in my youth, but after a few personal set backs, I stepped away from performing. When I started with Rebecca, I no longer had confidence in my voice or my ability to sing. I was terrified to perform. She has been exceedingly patient, non-judgmental, and supportive of me. Rebecca reminded me that I was a musician and that I am talented.

She uses her musical knowledge and background to provide individualized sessions. Her approach is to help the student find their own style, while ensuring the appropriate technique is implemented.

I have been working with her for over a year and will forever be grateful for the tools she has has given me. Rebecca is always honest and provides constructive critique on how I can improve my voice.

I highly recommend her skills to anyone seeking out guidance and direction, as singer. I still have to battle my stage fright, but I am certain Rebecca will be there to help me navigate through it. She is an excellent teacher that has given me the courage to rediscover something that I love.”

-Amanda B.

“Rebecca is a joy to work with! I've been taking lessons with her for a year and have grown exponentially as a singer because of our sessions. She is incredibly warm and welcoming, and I love that her teaching approach combines vocal health, technique, overall musicianship and lyrical interpretation. Thank you, Rebecca!”

-Max J. (recording artist)

”Rebecca is the absolute best! Music has always been a huge part of my life. Taking voice lessons was something I had wanted to do for 20 years, but never felt I was good enough. About 10 months ago, I decided to take the plunge and have never looked back.

Rebecca is the most patient, caring, and supportive music teacher I have ever had. Her passion for helping singers of all levels is obvious. Walking into my first lesson, I was nervous, wondering what Rebecca would think of my abilities or if I made a mistake.  However, her friendly, warm, and encouraging demeanor put me at ease instantly. She demonstrated a genuine interest in me as a person and a musician, and in what my goals and interests were, tailoring every lesson accordingly. Lessons change as I grow and develop as a singer.  Rebecca knows exactly the right exercises, technique, and skills to teach me every step of the way and teaches them in an explicit and easy-to-understand way.  Rebecca never gets frustrated when I make mistakes, need her to break something down, or ask questions, which she always answers beautifully.  With Rebecca’s instruction and guidance, I have learned how to trust myself and let go of my inhibitions. My newfound confidence has helped me not only in Rebecca’s studio, but in countless other areas of my life as well. In just 10 months, I have been able to sing pieces I never thought I could and I continue to improve each week.

Rebecca’s breadth of knowledge and innate talent as a musician, singer, and teacher enable her to meet each student where they are.  Every lesson is a combination of fun, laughter, and focused, hard work. I would enthusiastically and without hesitation recommend Rebecca to anyone wanting to become a better singer.”

-Sarah G.

"Rebecca understands the voice and how to harness its potential like no other singer I know or voice teacher I’ve had. She truly understands the ins and outs of singing and has a gift for helping you learn to understand them, too. Not to mention, she’s a joy to have as a teacher! I looked forward to every single lesson, getting to chat, laugh, learn, and sing the songs I was interested in singing (and the ones she knew would work well with my voice!). She creates an environment where you feel totally comfortable, confident, and excited to sing. Having Rebecca as a voice teacher has made me understand and love singing in a way I never did before, and I can only hope more people get to experience her lessons as well!"

-Liv W. (Harvard)

“Growing up, I was told I couldn't sing. But I wanted to so badly. Then a few years back, I decided to follow my heart and face my fears. I started taking lessons with Rebecca, and she was perfect. She was patient, steady, warm, and so supportive. She never made me feel bad, even when I messed up or got frustrated. I trusted her completely. Every lesson, I walked away feeling like I learned so much. Even after my acting career brought me to LA, I kept doing the exercises I learned with Rebecca on my own. Then, earlier this year, I booked the most incredible thing. I got to sing "This is Me" from The Greatest Showman live on stage with Keala Settle at the Oscars! It was such a magical experience to be on that stage with such powerful performers. I still can't believe it! I know I couldn't have done it if I hadn't trained with Rebecca. She gave me all the tools I needed to find my voice. I found out later that Rebecca actually went to music school with the writers of "This is me"! How poetic is that? I still have so much to learn, but I think I'm finally starting to believe that I can sing. None of this would be possible without Rebecca. I'm so grateful I found her when I did! “

-Poonam Basu (film, television, stage actress)

“Rebecca is an amazing vocal teacher! Her incredible knowledge, constructive coaching, and supportive encouragement make each lesson incredibly productive and enjoyable. She not only always gives insightful and thoughtful feedback, but also gives detailed exercises, techniques, and suggestions to improve and bring your voice/performance to the next level - since I started taking lesson with Rebecca last fall, I’ve heard so much improvement in my voice, confidence, and comfort trying new things vocally! Rebecca creates such an encouraging, comfortable, and fun environment to enjoy and explore singing and I always look forward to our next lesson together.”

- Lauren W.

"I started taking weekly singing lessons with Rebecca in 2014 as a total beginner. I’ve learned so much in the past four years and have come to truly enjoying singing thanks to Rebecca’s excellent teaching. Lessons are well organized but there’s also a lot of flexibility and choice – we choose different warmup exercises and work on songs that we’ve picked in advance of the lesson. You get a real understanding of the elements that go into good singing – breath work, posture, muscle support, etc. – and the fundamentals of music theory.

Our lessons are productive and fun. Every week I leave the classroom feeling like I’ve improved and will improve more with practice. Rebecca has a very patient, non-judgmental teaching style (it’s one of my favorite aspects of our lessons). She explains challenging concepts very clearly and I always feel comfortable asking questions. Letting go of self-consciousness when singing has always been a problem area of mine but our years of lessons have helped so much.

Rebecca is a truly kind, smart, and cheerful person, and I can honestly say we’ve never had a boring or lackluster lesson. I’d enthusiastically recommend her as a teacher to anyone who wants to improve their singing.” 

-Kate A.

"Rebecca is a wonderful vocal teacher with an incredibly warm personality that puts me at ease and encourages me to enjoy the practice of singing. During lessons, she explains each exercise very clearly and always knows the right advice to give when I am having trouble grasping a concept. She always inspires me to work hard to reach my own goals and her dedication to our lessons together has already led to amazing leaps in progress in my voice. I would absolutely recommend her for students of any level of training; you will very quickly notice the progress in your own voice while enjoying the art of singing."

-Abby M. (Columbia)

“After 2 years without singing, I came to Rebecca in seek of help to find my voice. I first started singing when I was young. When I finally started singing again, during my freshman year of high school, I struggled with the idea that my voice wasn’t the same. I wanted to sound exactly like I did when I was younger, but I soon realized that my voice had changed and this would not be possible. When I first came to Rebecca all I wanted to do was belt which I soon found out was straining my voice. In my lessons with Rebecca, I learned how to have good posture while singing, breathe correctly, and use a “musical theatre mix.” After 3 years of lessons with Rebecca, I can confidently say that I have grown immensely as a singer and finally feel comfortable with my voice. She has challenged me. Just last year, for the NYSSMA competition, we decided to work on an Italian song. She walked me through every step including pronunciation, breath control, and diction. While working with Rebecca through all these years, we have grown the strongest relationship. She is one of the most caring, supportive, nice human beings I have ever met. She has supported me through any and all ventures I have pursued during my high school career. I am so grateful for Rebecca and all that she has helped me with.”

-Sofia T.

"I found Rebecca on the Internet because I wanted to learn how to sing.  I’m an office worker and singing is something I considered something I ‘just couldn’t do.’  All that has changed since my lessons started!

Rebecca is a great teacher for a great many reasons, but her special ability is to find out how you learn best, and cater the experience for the individual.  I needed a lot of help from the ground up, and she was able to help me break out of my shell, learn to listen, and actually sing real music and the songs I love.

On top of her ability to tune into (pun intended) a student’s learning style, she genuinely cares about her students’ progression and development.  From scales to full songs, and everything in between she has pushed me to trust myself while cheering me on when I find success.

I can’t stress enough how unskilled I was when I met Rebecca.  She has pulled the curtain back for me on signing, vocalization, breathing, and more.  My experience has given me a deeper appreciation and love of all music."

-Brian H.

"Rebecca is the most caring person I have ever seen. She wants her students to get better and find the voice that fits them. My experience with her was unforgettable and it will help me as I proceed with an intention of pursuing a career in singing."

-Noa S.

"So glad I decided to take lessons with Rebecca...I had never taken a singing lesson before, so was nervous about what I was getting myself into. From the first minute of the first lesson, Rebecca had already put me at ease, and now my lesson is the favorite part of my week. Rebecca is a gifted singer and a natural teacher. She works with students as individuals, helping them achieve their specific goals in a way that works best for them--no matter what their age or experience/ability level. I am probably one of her older students (41 years) and I have seen her interact with students as young as 6 or 7, and she is great with everyone. A real pro. She is smart, insightful, patient (very!), and has a knack for communicating ideas and helping me make the connections that lead to progress. I have been able to do things with my voice and improve my singing in a way I never thought I could. I have continued to make breakthroughs after 10 months of lessons, and the reason is Rebecca's ability to create a structured but relaxed environment in which I feel comfortable and focused, and inspired to improve. If you are thinking about taking singing lessons—whether for the first time or to hone your professional skills--I would highly, highly recommend Rebecca."

-Kevin H. (vocalist/guitarist)

"I've loved music and dance my whole life, and always wished that I could carry a tune. About a year ago I decided to see what I could do about it, and found my way to Rebecca.

I was nervous that a singing teacher would not want to deal with an absolute beginner like me. Rebecca immediately set my mind at ease. She has been so patient and supportive, and encourages me to push myself while keeping things fun. I've been surprised and gratified with how much I've been able to progress in less than a year, and consider Rebecca both a teacher and a friend.

Rebecca is a skilled practitioner (I love to listen to her sing) but has a gift for teaching and takes a professional approach to her work. She thoughtfully tailors her approach based on my skill level and interests, and remembers where we are lesson to lesson.

I've progressed in my singing, but the lessons have also had a positive impact on my life in other ways, such as my speaking voice when presenting at work, how stress manifests in my face, even my "oms" in yoga class are better. :)

I look forward to my lessons as an opportunity to explore my own creativity and vocal capabilities, and can wholeheartedly recommend Rebecca to other non-professionals."

-Sarah N.

"She's the Greatest!...The moment that Rebecca and I started working together, I knew that we would get along very well and that I would have so much to learn and so much to gain. She is very patient, professional, and kind, and makes you feel like you can be yourself. When singing during our lessons, she gives me wonderful constructive criticism where it is needed and she gives me signs of approval when i do something right. I've only been working with her for a couple of months and i already see a vast improvement in my singing and i know that she will help me go above and beyond. She's one of the people you'd want to keep in your life because not only is she an amazing teacher, but a wonderful person and friend.

-Dichell Z.

Parent Feedback

"Rebecca has been a wonderful vocal coach for my teenage daughter, so much so that, though she is in college, she will continue with Rebecca during her vacations. Rebecca is kind and encouraging while teaching the difficult technique skills that must be mastered to progress. I highly recommend Rebecca for voice training."

-Constance L.

"Rebecca Blinder is phenomenal!  She is kind and patient and encouraging.  She brings out the best in her students and encourages them to give their all, giving them confidence and poise.  We are thrilled to work with Rebecca and see her significant impact that will last with our daughter a lifetime."

-Rebecca G,

"My daughter absolutely loves her weekly voice lessons with Rebecca! She has been studying with Rebecca for 4 years now and I am amazed at the growth and improvement in both her voice and confidence over that time. My daughter has not only learned how to be prepared for and poised for her stage performances and auditions, but also her time with Rebecca has helped her mature in ways I could not have imagined. She happily practices each day with a plan that Rebecca created just for her, and eagerly attends her voice lessons. We could not be happier with Rebecca's studio!"

-Mary P.

"Rebecca was very warm and friendly which helped my teenager feel comfortable and confident. She focused on technique. My daughter felt she learned a lot and is looking forward to her next lesson."

-Sue D.

“My daughter, Zoe, started taking singing lessons with Rebecca at the age of 8, she is now 12. She loves Rebecca and looks forward to her lessons each week. Over the years, Zoe has grown a lot as a singer. She has learned healthy singing habits, her vocal range has improved, and she has a book of songs that she can perform. But best of all, she has developed a love of singing and a confidence in her abilities that allows her to perform in front of an audience without hesitation or fear.

Rebecca starts off with vocal warm ups and then they work on building a repertoire of songs that she can use for auditions. Rebecca thoughtfully chooses songs that work with my daughter’s vocal range and her age and personality. Rebecca always takes a fun and positive approach to music making. She is able to relate to Zoe in a special way that both motivates her and makes her feel self-assured. I would highly recommend Rebecca as a singing teacher for any child interested in having fun and improving their vocal skills!”

-Jordana J.

LISTEN

SERVICES

• Voice Lessons (in 30 or 45 minute sessions)

• Audition coaching

• Ear Training

• Children's Lessons

• College Audition Preparation

• Masterclasses

• Vocal Consulting

• Virtual/Online Lessons

• ”Mini” Sessions

 Contact Rebecca for rates and further information!

Contact

email: rebecca.blinder@gmail.com
address: Ballard, Seattle, Washington 98107

THANK YOU!

SEE YOU IN THE STUDIO...

(C) 2018 Rebecca Blinder. All rights reserved. Nothing on this website is intended to be, nor should it be construed as, medical advice. Always consult a doctor before beginning a new routine that affects your body.