daniel formica

I read a book by Jerome Hines (a world- renowned operatic bass and classical Vocal Instructor) called The Four Voices of Man.  In this book something grabbed me in the introduction which I never forgot and made me strive to be better at what I do as a teacher.  He spoke about how he was not just presenting and talking theory but actual "pragmatic experience or demonstrable fact."  This is something that I learned the hard way $$$ from going to so many "expert vocal coaches" and "Maestros."  The thing is if they cannot practice what they preach and demonstrate, they are merely presenting ideas, opinions, and theories.  These opinions might hold weight might not.

As a final thought I would just like to say in the words of Mr. Hines "I will not suggest you do anything that I (now in my mid 40′s) cannot do myself..  If anyone wishes to challenge me on these matters I will simply suggest they meet me face to face and do with their voices the things I do with mine. "