I am doing Voice Coaching now - What is coaching anyway?

I am excited to let you know that I have transitioned from Voice Teaching to Voice Coaching. It was originally supposed to be a sabbatical from teaching, but I'm having so much fun coaching, I may not go back.
Many people ask me, what is the difference?

Both Voice Lessons and Voice Coaching;
-I accompany your lessons on piano, if needed.
-Access to my huge music library
-Variety of styles

Voice Lessons:
-More teacher led
-heavier technical focus
-teaching you how to sing (half the lesson is warming up, and a little breath work)
-a variety of songs are chosen for you (though you can participate in that)

Voice Coachings:
-More student led
-more of a performance focus (come warmed up, and we will jump right into the music) (not to say that I won’t give you technique and exercises here and then when needed or requested)
-You choose and provide the music that you want to work on (this doesn’t mean that I won’t make suggestions when you need it)

In addition, there will be performance opportunities possible through Masterclasses and Vocal Workshops.

In the Voice coaching, there is even more time to explore the creative aspect, the artistic interpretation, the performance. I find that the older I get, the less I want to listen to myself, and the more I want to abandon myself to the music. This has been very meaningful and important for me, and I want to give others the tools to move in this direction.

When you gain skills, you gain confidence.
When you gain confidence, you can be creative.
When you are creative, you make art.
When you make art, you touch the heart.
-Robin Idestrom
(I just came up with that off the cuff!)
Send me a message at robin.idestrom@gmail.com if you want to set up an appointment, or have question about rates. I sell single sessions, or packages of 5 and 10 sessions.
I am based in Calgary, but online sessions are possible.

Retuning to Calgary and Accepting New Students for January 2020!

Hello people!

Can you believe it, after 12 years, we are returning to Calgary!
In the dead of winter, no less!
However, my studio (in my home in the NW) is full of warm welcome and I am taking new students in January.

There are many years of experience teaching all kinds of voices and ability levels under my belt.
I teach adults of all ages, college and youth.  Depending on the child, I can also teach children.  (I do have a blog posting about this - My thoughts on teaching kids) It is my joy to help each person find their individual voice by first building healthy vocal technique, and then exploring various styles and helping you to find your unique expression.

I also do coaching, accompanying you and giving you tips for solos, auditions, recordings, whatever it is that you need. I am available to work with groups and choirs.
Once my voice studio is up and running, I plan on holding studio voice classes and recitals.

Please check out this page if you are wondering what others have said about me. What others have said about Robin
I look forward to hearing you and getting to you know!

Please email me : robin.idestrom@gmail.com for further information.


Thank you so much!

Accepting New Voice Students for the Fall!

My studio is open and ready to accept new students! Whether you are looking for a Voice teacher for your son or daughter or you are looking for yourself, I accept all levels, from beginners, to professional singers. Wherever you are at, I am ready to work with you to achieve your musical goals, whether it be preparing for auditions, performances, learning how to read music, make a stronger vocal contribution to the choir you sing with, or simply sing for the joy of it. 

Check here to see what others have said about their experience with me:
http://robin-idestrom.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-others-have-said-about-robin.html 

I have over 20 years experience of teaching voice, and am ready to take you to a new level in your musicianship, vocal quality, communication, to name a few things. It is about joy, not perfection! Becoming a better singer, or learning to sing at all is a commitment and takes work! But it's important that it be fun and bring out the best in you. 

I would be happy to set up a preview lesson, where you can ask questions, and I can work with your voice.  I am available for regular weekly lessons - 30 minutes, 45 minutes 
or 60 minutes, or I can even do a la carte coaching sessions, where I will coach you on specific music that you are working through. I accompany my students on my piano (unless you want to accompany yourself on piano or guitar). 
I am also available to do some piano coaching. 

Maybe voice lessons are something you have thought about for years, but have never pursued. Why not start now? Singing is an absolute joy, and when you gain the knowledge and tools to have freedom and confidence in your voice, 
your joy will increase!

robin.idestrom@gmail.com
646 894-0954

To contact me

robin.idestrom@gmail.com

Bio

Soprano Robin Idestrom has performed throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, in a variety of genres from contemporary, spirituals and gospel, to Broadway, concert repertoire and modern opera, as well as being featured on a number of recordings. Robin began teaching voice and piano privately in California in 1993 after receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance from Azusa Pacific University. She has performed with the Calgary Philharmonic, the Calgary Civic Symphony, the Johnny Summer’s Jazz Orchestra, the Calgary Opera Chorus, The SymphoNYChorus and Connecticut Lyric Opera. She had the privilege of portraying Ruth Baldwin in the New York premier of the opera, Later the Same Evening, as well as the Second Housewife in Griffilken by Lukas Foss. Robin has studied and performed with Centro Studi Lirica in Italy and graduated with her Masters in Classical Voice from the renowned Manhattan School of Music in 2009, studying under Joan Patenaude-Yarnell. The recipient of the Birgit Nilsson Scholarship in Voice, Robin is passionate about creating life and beauty through music that will touch the soul, as well as inspiring others to reach their unique potential as artists and communicators.

My thoughts on teaching kids

I am hearing this more and more lately: "My daughter just LOVES to sing, what do you think of teaching kids?"

"How old is your child?" I ask.

"Well, they actually aren't born yet...."

O.k, so no one has come to me inquiring about their fetus yet, though I'm hearing about a few 7 year olds these days and even a 5 year old. (5 is a bit young!)

Readiness for voice lessons really depends on the child themselves! What is the ideal age for starting voice lessons? In the past, I would have said adolescence. Ages 11-13 are GREAT ages to start lessons and I still think those are good ages to start. However, starting younger can be a very good thing, depending on the student.

I have taught voice to 7 - 65 year olds. Right now I have a 7, 9 and two 10 year olds. The age of the student is not the main issue. The passion of the student is the main issue. A passionate and talented 10 year old student can see vocal improvement more quickly than a 25 year old student! A committed 50 year old student will quickly outshine (and outgrow) a talented, but non-committed 18 year old student.

I find that voice, for children in particular, takes a bit more personal motivation than for other instruments. It can't be the parent's desire for the child - it must be the child's desire for themselves! After all, their body is the instrument! Singing involves the body of course, as well as the heart, soul and mind. Good singing engages all of these things. I used to find that teaching older kids was better, but if you show me a child who has talent, an exceptional desire to sing and is willing to practice, I know that it can work.

When it comes to kids and singing, I find they often already do so much right! They tend to be freer, less inhibited, and more joyful when they sing. It is once we get older, hear criticism and learn to fear that we, sadly, hinder ourselves when we sing. When I teach a child, my job is to discover all they are doing right, encourage that and keep them from getting in their own way. Sure, they all have some unhealthy habits that need fixing. Those are addressed in a persistent but non-threatening manner.

My young students are delighting me! Some of the wonderful things that they are doing could be an example to my older students. For example, my youngest student today was dancing freely, with joy as she sang her new piece, and as a result, her voice rang out beautifully. Ah, if everyone would free up and sing as unhindered as she was.

Most of all, kids want to have fun and sing their hearts out. I am there to help them do it.

A little bit about me & the lessons...

Many people ask, what is your teaching style? What is a lesson like? The second questions is easier to answer than the first. The best way to find out how you fit with a voice teacher is to meet with them in person and ask them questions, or try a sample lesson. You can also observe a lesson that I teach someone else. But it takes time for a student and teacher to get to know and understand one another!

A little bit about my personality: I am passionate, creative, and full of energy. I am a people person, relational, flexible, and with a good sense of humor. At the same time, however, I push you to your potential and I will not accept mediocrity.

I am passionate about helping each student to find their true voice and develop it to be as beautiful, honest and healthy as possible. When we first meet, I find out where you are at - your hopes for lessons, your musical goals/dreams. I want each student to be really happy with what they are receiving from me and so from time to time, we review how the lessons are going and if there are new goals that you hope to accomplish. I hope for lessons to be a time to work, but also a time to experience joy.

As I get to know your voice, I make goals for each lesson -something I hope we can work on/accomplish. The lessons are broken into 2 sections; the 1st half is technique, including breathing and vocal exercises that I choose for each individual student to help grow her vocally and to overcome problem/weak areas. The 2nd half of the lesson is singing; learning and preparing a variety of repertoire for performance. (I accompany on piano) This gives you the opportunity to put what you are learning into practice. I encourage learning a variety of styles of music, but teach a very solid technique that will help you to become a more powerful and effective performer. Besides the whole technical and musical aspect, I help students learn how to really spend time with the text and express themselves in an authentic way, vocally and expressively. That is so important! This is what will impact ourselves and others as they hear us.

I offer chances for my students to perform in recitals throughout the year. This is not meant to be an intimidating experience, but rather an opportunity to share what is in you with others. There are student recitals - where you perform for one another, in a mutually supportive and low-key environment, as well as recitals where you can invite friends and family to come and hear you. There is nothing like having a performance date on the calendar to push you to a whole new level!

I have a Master's (and Bachelor's) Degree in Classical Vocal performance and I relish singing this type of music, however, I am unique in that I have had a great deal of experience performing contemporary, pop, gospel and even some Broadway music. I use my solid technique and strong communication skills, but can easily adjust my style of singing to suit the piece and I know how to teach others to do the same. It is a joy to pass on the wealth I have learned to others, to see the excitement and confidence that accompanies growth, and to see people find their true voice.