Summer Lessons
Summer is always an interesting time for private music instructors. With families going on vacations, schedules changing for softball practice and games, or students just taking the summer off to travel or hang out, we often find ourselves with extra time on our hands. But one of the things I love best about the summer are the number of students who take lessons just in the summer. Now some may be quick to question why a person would only want to take lessons in the summer, so here are a few reasons why summer lessons are awesome.
1) This is a great time to try new things. During the school year, adding one more extra-curricular activity might just be enough to throw you overboard. But in the summer, where the stresses of school are out of the question, students can really try something whole-heartedly without feeling added pressure.
2) Summer is a great time to focus. I can't tell you the number of times my students will tell me, during the school year, that they couldn't find time to practice during the week. Between homework, tests, play practice, and volleyball games, there just isn't time. But when summer-time comes, those other things fall away and you can focus completely on your lessons and practicing.
3) You can take lessons from a different teacher every summer. This isn't to say that I'm for jumping around from teacher to teacher (you can't expect to make progress if you're constantly in transition) but studying with different teachers can give you a different perspective. It's also a great way to try out a new teacher.
4) More performing opportunities open up during the summer. Community theatres may have a Summer stock session. Week long workshops, summer music festivals, talent shows......they are everywhere and are happening every weekend. Make the most of these opportunities by complimenting them with lessons throughout the summer.
5) It doesn't have to just be for the summer. When fall rolls around, and you're wondering how you can live without seeing your voice teacher every week, just remember: it doesn't have to end! Most voice teachers will have had seniors graduate and afternoon and evening lesson spots will open up.
So, if you haven't thought about summer lessons before, or you're sitting around just waiting to cross off some of the things on your bucket list, call a local teacher and spend your summer SINGING!