Private lessons are such a great tool for honing your craft.  

  • Would you like to feel more confident in your singing abilities? 
  • Would you like to overcome stage fright? 
  • Would you like to learn how to properly breath for singing? 
  • Would you like to grow your vocal range? 
  • What is your vocal range? 
  • Would you like to learn how to read music? 

These are all great reasons to start and continue taking private singing lessons at NTPA.

What age should you start? 

I usually recommend waiting until around middle school or right  before to start. Everyone starts to grow into their voice around this age range. Boys tend to have  a harder time navigating their voice change so having someone by your side can help that  change feel less scary. I started taking through my middle school choir when I was 12 and never  looked back! 

Things that are helpful for your teacher to know 

  • Any goals you may have for your sound. 
  • Upcoming auditions or performances to prepare for. 

How to get the most out of lessons 

  • Bring a recording device to record warmups or specific parts of the lesson so that you  can listen back and understand how to replicate it. 
  • Ask your teacher questions! We cannot read your mind! 
  • Bring a notebook so you can write down what to practice throughout the week and  bring a folder or a binder to keep any materials in. 
  • Practice any material you may have a little throughout the week. Ex. Warmups, audition  material, breathing exercises. 

What does perfect practice look like? 

  • Recording yourself is great for getting used to how you sound, especially since most of  our auditions happen through video. 
  • Practice the most challenging parts of your repertoire. If you keep singing through the  entire song, changes are you will continue to make the same mistakes. Practicing little  chunks until they are perfected help you efficiently get through those hurdles in your  performing. 
  • Practice in the mirror. Students cringe when I bring out the mirror, but it is so important  for several reasons. One of the reasons to use a mirror is to see your lips, teeth and 

tongue placement. You can also see how you’re breathing. A full body mirror is great to  see your body language. You can really gauge how to get into your full character, so you  don’t look uncomfortable on stage or in an audition.  

Finally, there are so many sweet benefits to working towards personal goals with your private  teacher. Breakthroughs and confidence building are some of my favorites. Walking away from  lessons knowing you are getting a little better each time is very rewarding for both the student  and teacher. Your instructors want you to thrive!

Sign Up for a Private Lesson Today!

Meet the Writer:

Adjunct Music Director – Lizzie Shelby

Lizzie graduated from Ouachita baptist university with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance where she performed in multiple operas. She then went on to do an opera program in Italy where she sang solos, duets, and group numbers with people from all over the world. She has worked as a private voice teacher at several schools around the metroplex and currently teaches private voice at Dowell middle school in McKinney and here at NTPA. She is very passionate about teaching voice and helping people find their confidence through singing.

Some past music directing credits include Legally Blonde and Into the woods with NTPA Frisco, Disaster! with NTPA Dallas and Sound of Music with NTPA Fairview. Some more recent credits are Mean Girls High School Edition and Les Mis School Edition.