Students enrolled in lessons at the Vocal Edge Voice Studio receive quality, personalized vocal instruction, through the Speech Level Singing Technique, in an encouraging atmosphere. During their lessons, students sing in a recording studio setting so their lessons can be recorded onto CD for personal use. Students ages range from about 6 to adult! All experience levels are welcome!
I emphasize four main areas for growth in my studio:
1. Proper singing technique: **Speech Level Singing (SLS) makes singing as natural and easy as speaking. Used by more than 120 Grammy winners and developed by Seth Riggs, legendary vocal coach to the stars, SLS produces an effortless, powerful and expressive voice. 2. Students perform exercises to eliminate breathiness, breaks, pain, weakness, limited range and other unhealthy habits. The exercises are then applied directly to their songs to help students master each one in their repertoire. 3. Students will learn overcome fear, doubt and stage fright and are given opportunities to express their own creativity and expression in their performance. 4. Students will learn how to master different styles of music from classical to rock, pop, jazz, Broadway, Contemporary Christian, UIL/TMEA music, etc. My students participate in classical performances, rock bands, musicals, American Idol auditions, lead in church worship, talent shows, CD projects, etc.
THE SPEECH LEVEL SINGING TECHNIQUE*Created by Hollywood vocal coach Seth Riggs, Speech Level Singing (SLS) is a revolutionary vocal training technique that maximizes your vocal abilities in any style of singing. From Opera to Rock; Jazz to Pop or R&B, over 120 Grammy award winners use it. SLS has also been practiced by Academy Award winning actors and industry leaders to perfect their vocal presence and empower them in speech. In many cases SLS rehabilitates vocal damage caused by poor teaching or years of abuse, that could otherwise limit or even end a career, or worse - require continual medical intervention. SLS training will both improve your voice allowing you to sing safely and with greater range, no "cracks," "breaks," or losing strength in the middle connection. Speech Level Singing is a way of using your voice that allows you to sing freely and clearly with maximum power and clarity. Since you are not learning what to sing but rather how to sing and maintain an even balance through your bridges, you can apply this technique to any type of music. (*www.sethriggs.com or **www.speechlevelsinging.com)
Just a few examples of some legendary singers who have studied or are studying the SLS technique: Ray Charles, Cher, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Randy Jackson, Madonna, Diana Ross, Whoopi Goldberg, Lionel Ritchie, Aerosmith, Bob Dylan, KISS, Josh Groban, Barbra Streisand, Tina Turner, David Archuletta, Vanessa Hudgens, Connie Francis, Bernadette Peters, Liza Minelli, Julie Andrews, Olivia Newton-John and Met Opera Star - Philip Webb.
OTHER CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS:
Studio to Stage Performance Workshops - Performance and stage presence workshops are offered to those who need to overcome stage fright or just add personality and passion to their performance. Each student will perform a song of their choice and are then recommended ways to move and express themselves to the fullest, in the style of their song, while an audience of other performers and parents watch (and learn). Studio to Stage Workshops last for 2 hours and have a maximum of 8 students. They are offered to my private students at a low cost through out the semester. New this semester - New students get their first workshop free!
I also teach music theory and sightsinging for the same price as a regular lesson.
I currently teach students ages 10* to adult in Round Rock, Pflugerville, North Austin, Georgetown and surrounding areas. Private Lessons are taught in my personal home recording studio.
My Background:
Laurie Winckel, Voice Instructor
Personal Information: I am a native Austinite and a graduate of McCallum High School (Class of '82). I have been married for over 19 years and together we have two very active boys, ages 18 & 14. Other than teaching, I enjoy singing, composing music, interior design, traveling, and spending lots of time with my family and friends. My most favorite things are watching the Texas Longhorn football and baseball games and dates with my husband, Chas, watching my youngest son, Nick, play sing/play guitar in his classic rock band "Unleashed" and watching him play trumpet in his high school band and visiting my oldest son, Christian, who is away at college!
Professional Information: I am a 1987 graduate of Southwest Texas State University (now known as Texas State University).
I received a Bachelor of Music Degree with an All-level Texas Teaching Certification. I study continuously and am a certified Speech Level Singing Instructor.
My focus in college was classical musical education and choral conducting. My major instrument was voice and I minored in piano. I have years of dance experience as well which I sometimes incorporate into my music.
I have 23+ years teaching experience with 21 of those years teaching choir and private voice.
I've taught middle and high school choir in Aldine and Spring ISD. At the same time I sang with the Houston Symphony Chorus and served my last two years there as the Alto section leader.
In 1992, after moving to Austin, I choreographed choir shows and school produced Broadway Musicals for numerous area middle school & high school choirs in Austin ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Round Rock ISD, Leander ISD and the UT Longhorn Singers.
In 1994, I founded the Christian Youth Choral Society of Austin (now know as the CCSA). I taught all grade levels in choir, private voice, sight-singing and theory. I ran the program for 5 years until I gave it over to the current director, Kathy Hargis, when my father became ill and needed full time care-giving. At one time, I had over 400 students and 8 teachers that met in 14 locations throughout Central Texas before spreading out to two other states. My award winning choirs had the honor to perform three times for President George W Bush for his VIP parties when he was the Texas Governor. In 2009, I became certified in Speech Level Singing so I can study to teach at a world class level. I now serve on staff as a Vocal Instructor at N2Worship Camps at Hope Chapel in Austin, TX. I work with worship leaders who desire to grow in their musical and vocal abilities so they can lead worship more effectively. I also work with the vocalists with the awesome kid band "Unleashed" based in Round Rock and directed by Brian Curtis.
This is a listing of some of the church worship teams/leaders I work with: Calvary Chapel Austin, Elgin Church of Christ, Sonterra Fellowship - Jarrell, Shoreline Church - Austin, Hill Country Bible - Cedar Park, Austin Stone - St John's, Hope Chapel - Austin, Church of the Hills -Cedar Park, Generations Church - Leander, Tree of Life - Pflugerville.
LINKS:
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We can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for our daughter over the last several years. You’ve been such a Godsend to her. We’ve watched Hannah grow from a little girl who loved to sing and dance, to a teenage singer/songwriter who will be performing her first paid engagement this Saturday! We’re really excited for her and what lies ahead. Only God knows whether her career path will remain in music, but regardless, you’ve helped Hannah gain self-confidence at a critical time in her life and learn to express herself in a most beautiful way.
Thank you for the care and individual attention you’ve given her that made this possible. Without you, her little light may not have shined.
THE SPEECH LEVEL SINGING TECHNIQUE*Created by Hollywood vocal coach Seth Riggs, Speech Level Singing (SLS) is a revolutionary vocal training technique that maximizes your vocal abilities in any style of singing. From Opera to Rock; Jazz to Pop or R&B, over 120 Grammy award winners use it. SLS has also been practiced by Academy Award winning actors and industry leaders to perfect their vocal presence and empower them in speech. In many cases SLS rehabilitates vocal damage caused by poor teaching or years of abuse, that could otherwise limit or even end a career, or worse - require continual medical intervention. SLS training will both improve your voice allowing you to sing safely and with greater range, no "cracks," "breaks," or losing strength in the middle connection. Speech Level Singing is a way of using your voice that allows you to sing freely and clearly with maximum power and clarity. Since you are not learning what to sing but rather how to sing and maintain an even balance through your bridges, you can apply this technique to any type of music. (*
My Background:
Testimonial: Dear Laurie,