Jane, I would think that you should be able to interview the teachers, tell them what you are interested in, and decide whether or not they can meet your wishes and needs.

I took singing lessons from two different teachers. The first one was a retired soprano who had sung with the Metropolitan Opera. She was not one of the biggies, but had sung "comprimario" parts such as Violetta's maid, Anina, in "La Traviata." I was a teen-ager at the time, was interested in opera, and it was before I developed an interest in folk music.

Mrs. Bianchi taught me to breathe correctly and keep my throat relaxed and open. This, she said, is the key to preserving your voice into advanced age (Russian bass Mark Reisin was still singing at the age of ninety. He could barely walk, but wow! could he sing!). Mrs. B. guided me through a bunch of vocal exercises, and started me on a couple of easier art songs. She diagnosed my voice as "bass-baritone." Then I ran out of money….

When I developed an interest in folk songs a few years later. I heard a small, informal concert by Seattle folksinger Walt Robertson and was so enthralled by the songs he sang, I decided I had to do that!

I did all the wrong things, according to the self-appointed folk music pundits! Walt played guitar with his right-hand fingers, not with a pick, so I went to a classic guitar teacher, knowing that was what they taught. And was persuaded to get a classical guitar. And I resume lessons with Mrs. Bianchi, telling her of my newfound interest. She was sympathetic and kept going with the vocal exercises ("Good for any kind of singing you want to do."). I told her about Richard Dyer-Bennet and how I liked the way he sang as a "minstrel" rather than trying to roughen his voice and sound "folky." Mrs. B. taught at a nearby college and when Dyer-Bennet sang there, she arranged for me to come backstage after the concert and meet him. Dyer-Bennet was very friendly and helpful.

Somewhat later, I took more voice lessons from George Street. After a few lessons, he asked me to bring my guitar to the lessons so that we could work with the songs I actually wanted to sing. I learned many valuable things from Mr. Street, but one of the most valuable—as I was singing a song for him, he would occasionally stop me and ask, "Now, what does that line mean?" Now, he knew perfectly well what it meant. He just wanted to make certain that I knew, and wasn't just singing the song by rote. Know what you are singing and what you are singing about!

With all those lessons I still don't sound "Operatic." I don't have an operatic voice. A pretty good voice, yes, and it has served me well for many years and continues to do so. I never became famous, with the possible exception of around the Pacific Northwest, but people seem to enjoy listening to my singing, and although I have worked at other jobs from time to time, I've managed make a halfway decent living from singing folk songs and ballads.

Good hunting, Jane! I hope you can find the teacher you're looking for.

Don Firth