One of the programs my D is considering employs the estill method. We’ve been researching it and would appreciate any thoughts or input.
Thank you!
I mean one of the Colleges my D is considering uses the estill method.
@MTMOM17 You might talk to a Pace student. I think that some of their voice faculty use that technique
Thank you @Notmath1!
If you look on their website, there is a list of all of their certified master teachers. There is not a huge number of them in the United States. You may have to google them to see where they teach, but you can see the list of those who are certified here:
https://www.estillvoice.com/instructors/search
I don’t know much about this training method but did read where there was some concern about the lack of focus on breathing and breath support. But like with all things there are pros and cons, and people who will be in favor and some who will not.
Thank you so much @vvnstar!!
This is one more factor my D is taking into consideration because UCF uses this method. Miami does not.
Point Park trains students using estill. On of the co-founders of the method was a voice teacher there until last year. Once my daughter got used to it, she really enjoyed it. If your daughter is in The Green Room facebook group, suggest that she ask her question there. I’m sure she’ll get a number of responses.
Thank you @GSOMTMom!
She posted in the Green Room yesterday!
I’m pretty sure Tom Burke (Tom Burke Voice Studio in NYC) uses Estill method: http://www.expressyourgenius.com
His website might give you more insight to the method.
Thank you @zebracocoa!!
My daughter and I went to a lecture on the estill method last year. She was selected as one of the participants for the lecture. I thought it made good sense and you could hear the difference right away.
Jo Estill was one of the first voice teachers to apply scientific research to belting. The approach requires the students to learn specific “figures” in the beginning. Once the student learns those figures, it gives the teacher a great common vocabulary to help the student navigate multiple styles. I am not an Estill teacher, but I have studied a lot of Estill teacher writings, the new Estill book, and attended many workshops. There are some very good Estill teachers out there, including several speech language pathologists. I have met some people who love it and others that think it is too manipulative. I think there is a lot of value in having a knowledge of exactly how the parts of the larynx work together and the Estill method is very good at that. The lack of emphasis on breath is completely in line with modern scientific research on the singing voice, so that should not be a concern. If your student likes the program overall, the Estill training should not be a deal breaker. Watch some Tom Burke videos to get a taste.
Thank you for your insight @VoiceTeacher!
Okay, if PPU uses the Estill method, and if it’s sort of science-based, now I understand why my science-brained daughter who did a robotics program all her four years of high school (and one in middle school) loves her PPU voice lesson. As soon as she started she said it “clicked” with how her brain works.
HA! And for the same reason, my NON science brained daughter didn’t, @CTDramaMom! =))
She’s great with it now though.
I agree that it really appeals to today’s students. Because of STEM, I think today’s youth are interested in knowing how things actually work. I teach a science-based method similar to Estill and my students love knowing how things work. What I love is that when they understand why something isn’t working, they usually fix it more quickly. The problem is with a strength or coordination problem, not a lack of talent. When progress in accelerated (in a healthy way) it makes the rest of their training so much easier. ~ VT
@VoiceTeacher Joan Lader is a certified master teacher, when I was looking for a voice teacher I really tried to find more about this technique. I really admire Joan Lader and this is one of the reasons why I am still looking forward to learn more about Estill. I suppose you know more about Joan´s teaching method? or have you attended any workshop with her?
Aaahh and here’s an article about Ms. Lader.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/cross-training-for-rock-stars-and-broadway-belters-1468284373
@luisen Yes, I know her personally from multiple conferences and professional organizations. Great personality, VERY intelligent, if you can get in her with her do it. If you get on YouTube you can find a NATS talk she did by searching “October 2017 NATS Chat with Joan Lader: Putting it Together.” She stays up to date on the science, conducts research with her colleagues, and knows all of the important people in the singing voice world. HIGHLY respected by the Broadway community. ~ VT
Thank you so much @VoiceTeacher