Focus Session - Jazz Singing Goes to Class: Inspiration from a Master Teacher

Today's aspiring jazz singers attend classes or workshops to learn and work out their craft. Classes can be found at independent workshops, colleges, universities, and summer camps. Using a community college jazz voice class as an example, the jazz voice class is discussed. Community is the the foundation of a jazz voice class' success. In this class, community building is approached through consistent and light-hearted banter. For the instructor, subject mastery includes instrumental performance expertise and technique, vocal technique, comprehensive musical knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and rehearsal techniques. Many strategies are used within the class. Some strategies were used to build community and rapport: humor, student modeling, chatting, and seating arrangement. Other strategies were used to convey musical skill: instructor chosen literature, instructor modeling, new conceptual information, kinesthetic learning, professional accompanist, student demonstration, and immersion.