Absolutely! If you haven’t had the opportunity to sing on stage yet, struggling with some fundamentals of singing, or maybe just not confident enough to share your voice with others, private lessons will help you in reaching personal goals as a vocalist.

Although exceptions can be made for more experienced children and focused personalities, ages 12 and up are ideal because online communication requires a relatively strong attention span for optimum results. Of course, Richard also regularly works with adults of all ages – it’s never too late to learn!

Yes. If you’d like to setup a 10-minute consultation to discuss vocal technique, scheduling options, or simply to ensure that Richard’s teaching style aligns with your goals, you’re welcome to do so. Before arranging the consultation, please make sure to review the lesson rates provided above. To request a consult, you can contact Richard directly.

Every lesson is individually tailored towards a students’ goals and needs. That said, a first lesson generally consists of a brief introduction and opportunity to discuss any specific questions you may have. Afterwards, voice lessons are often divided into 2 parts: vocal exercises (training/warm ups) and songs (performance). Regardless of what you are working on, Richard will always be listening, evaluating and eager to help you find the best path for your voice and artistic expression. However, what happens outside of the lesson is even more important! The time you spend applying what you’ve learned, challenging yourself and singing often is essential to your growth.

Yes, please do! There are many benefits to recording your private voice lesson. Richard will provide a lot of information in each and every voice lesson, so not having to write everything down, being able to listen back to your vocal progress and practicing along with any new exercises is ideal.

Every lesson provides an opportunity to learn something new and progress towards your goals. That said, how often to take a lesson really depends on what your immediate goals are and the quality of practice you put in between private lessons. The good news is, you are never locked into any one schedule or length of time. Many students start with weekly lessons and then fall back to every other week after several months, or even just one lesson per month if taking an online Vocal Gym Course simultaneously. Richard recognizes that everyone’s goals, learning rate, budget, and availability is different and welcomes you to take as many lessons as you like.

Never! Singing lessons are available to anyone interested in improving their voice, no matter what their age, style or skill level might be. Finding the right teacher for you and your goals in mind is essential to reaching your goals. Richard has vast experience working with singers on stage, in the studio, and in the practice room.

Yes! With high-quality video platforms like Zoom, Richard provides real-time feedback, demonstrates exercises, and uses screen sharing for visual aids—making online lessons just as interactive and effective as in-person coaching. Plus it eliminates any additional traveling expenses.

All scheduled lessons must be cancelled with at least 24 hours advance notice, or the lesson is still to be paid in full. If there is at least 24 hours notice, lessons can be cancelled at no charge or rescheduled if already paid for. Refunds are not offered. Out of fairness and integrity to Richard and all the other students, please note that we can not make exceptions to this policy. To cancel or reschedule a lesson, you can contact Richard directly.

Richard’s studios are located in Rochester NY and Orlando FL. However, with the exception of artist tours and special events, only online lessons are available at this time.

No! The method Richard teaches will help you cultivate whatever style you are passionate about singing. This includes every genre imaginable, like Pop, Country, Musical Theatre, Classical R&B, Jazz, Folk, Grunge, Rock, Metal and the hundreds of sub-genres related to each of them. Throga and the 7 Dimensions of Singing is designed to develop a singer’s instrument through isometric exercises and coordination to reach your full potential. The greater your vocal skills become, the easier it will be to express yourself.

Expanding your vocal range is a gradual process. Vocal coaches often use gentle glissandos (sliding from your lowest to highest note on “ng” or “oo”) and simple scale exercises on specific formants to practice control between vocal registers. Consistent practice with the right exercises will help you sing higher and lower notes confidently and safely.

There’s a whole world of breathing exercises out there, all aimed at helping singers boost their diaphragmatic breathing and build stamina for longer phrases, even when they’re moving or dancing on stage. These exercises range from variations of the hiss exercises and cardio conditioning to laying down techniques for better awareness. Plus, there are advanced exercises specifically tailored to a singer’s voice, style, and any imbalances or tensions. This is a realm where Richard truly shines, as evidenced by his Guinness World Records.

Maintaining a healthy voice begins with a good sleep routine, proper hydration, and daily flexibility exercises to keep your vocal folds nimble and responsive. Coupled with targeted training and regular singing in good form, you can build vocal strength and endurance. Remember, you are your instrument. Your overall diet, environment, and the way you speak and use your voice all play significant roles in shaping your vocal health. Richard can help you find the perfect balance to optimize your personal voice, guiding you to harmonize all these elements effectively.

Absolutely! Whether you love pop, rock, jazz, or classical, Richard tailors exercises to your style—like pop belting drills, hard rock growls, or musical theater legato scales—so you can master the unique techniques and sounds of your favorite genre.

Yes—voice lessons can enhance your speaking skills. Richard uses projection exercises (tonal expression) and articulation drills (tongue twisters and consonant clarity work) to help you speak with confidence and clarity.

Building confidence requires courage, and that’s a journey Richard can guide you through. He employs various techniques to establish a balance between your emotional mindset and physical responses. This approach helps minimize voice disruptions by addressing the nervous system, triggers, and physical reactions through gradual exposure. You might start by singing for a friend, then progress to small online groups, and eventually, larger audiences. This step-by-step process helps you grow your confidence in a supportive, structured way.

Every audition is a unique journey, but common elements can be prepared for to boost your chances of success. Whether it’s a solo for a school choir, an online submission for a reality TV show, or your big Broadway break, the right preparation is key. Richard can help you choose songs that suit your voice, show how to slate correctly, and find ways to let your unique personality shine. Through exercises like “mock auditions” where you record and review your performance, you can ensure you’re well-prepared and memorable for every audition. Preparation is the cornerstone of success, and with the right guidance, you can maximize your potential.

Pitch issues are common, but they’re entirely manageable, especially with the right guidance. A multi-faceted approach can help you tackle them head-on. Call-and-response exercises with piano or vocal lines often help initially. But to further challenge your ear and intonation, Richard will create specialized exercises tailored to your current skill level and provide audio tracks for independent practice. Additionally, visual tools that allow you to see and interact with your pitch can be particularly effective in accelerating your progress.

Effective warm-ups start with enhancing the flexibility of the vocal folds and gradually increase in intensity based on the voice’s responsiveness and the singer’s skill level. It’s crucial for singers to understand their voice, enabling them to adapt their warm-up based on its response and adjust exercises to tackle any imbalances or problematic areas in their range. Common warm-ups include lip trills, gentle five-note scales, and glissandos (“sirens”) that explore the transitions between chest and head voice. Using the 7 Dimensions of Singing, singers can navigate their range with optimal behaviors, ensuring that each warm-up not only prepares the voice but also enhances singing skills.

Though obvious improvements can sometimes happen overnight, Richard doesn’t sell “band-aids” or promote cheap tricks to hit a high note within a set range of time. Quality singing, just like quality piano playing or quality dancing, takes time. Gimmicks not only create setbacks in vocal behaviors, they often result in fatigue and unnecessary strain and stress both physically and mentally. The best vocal coaches will teach their students a healthy form of singing and provide the tools needed to continue progressing on their own. This means each student will improve at different rates based on where they started, how hard they work, and what their goals are.

Everyone has unique dietary needs, and singers are no exception. Common sensitivities among singers include dairy, caffeine, sugars, alcohol, and spicy foods, as these can cause mucus build up, trigger acid reflux, or lead to feelings of lethargy. However, some singers report no impact at all, which could be due to the timing and quantity of consumption, as well as individual genetic disposition and how their digestive system responds before singing. It’s crucial to observe both your good and bad singing days, reflecting on your diet, sleep quality, and hydration levels to identify potential factors that may have affected your performance. Richard can assist you to navigate this process and optimize your diet for your best singing performance.

The passaggio, often referred to as the mix voice, involves coordinating sound between two different registers, typically the chest and head registers. Addressing this requires a variety of techniques, which Richard is adept at teaching. He uses a mix of patterns and formant combinations at different volumes within this overlapping range of notes, helping students develop a seamless transition, regardless of the song or musical style. Additionally, Richard employs fun and unconventional methods to alleviate the tension and fear often associated with the worry of voice breaking. His approach ensures students can achieve a smooth and effortless transition between registers.

Belting, a term used to describe a specific sound employed in various styles like pop, musical theater, and R&B, requires a particular technique. To achieve this sound, Richard guides students on how to adjust the vocal tract to emphasize specific frequency ranges while intentionally extending the chest voice beyond its inherent threshold within the passaggio, all with the right air support. Proper belting not only demands vocal strength but also the cultivation of tonal control within the instrument to minimize fatigue and strain.

Vocal fatigue often stems from overworking the vocal folds and related muscles, employing poor singing techniques, or neglecting vocal care, which includes adequate sleep, hydration, stress management, and overall health. Richard can assist in pinpointing the cause and offer techniques to mitigate the issue. Additionally, he can provide tips and routines to prevent its recurrence, ensuring your voice stays healthy and strong.

Expressive singing is about more than just the notes; it’s about connecting with the lyrics and using dynamics that align with your current vocal abilities, the song’s message, and the performance environment. To help singers achieve this, Richard employs a variety of techniques, including acting methods, dynamic contrast drills, and stage presence training. Additionally, he incorporates specific skill training for tone development, helping singers not only hit the right notes but deliver them with a rich, resonant tone. This comprehensive approach ensures that you can captivate your audience every time you sing.