Working with a supportive teacher who can listen to your voice and help you correct problems that can hurt your vocal chords, do justice to the kinds of songs you're interested in or steer you gently to repertoire more suited to your voice and give you tips on how to do the things you'd like to be able to do with your voice can be invaluable. Here in DC a bunch of us have been very lucky to have Lisa Null willing to give us voice lessons and vocal coaching over the past few years. Lisa asks us "What do you feel are your problems, and what would you like to work on?" She has had voice training herself, and is familiar with a vast array of vocal styles: folk, classical and popular. She has helped me work on broadening my range and strengthening that tricky transition from chest to head voice to extend the range of songs I can sing.

No matter what kind of music you'd like to sing, treat your voice the same way you'd treat any musical instrument - learn to use it properly and practice to give yourself and your listeners a whole lot more pleasure!