Impromptu Jam Bands

Pothier SIblings wearing their band shirts

Community First Programming At Arabella’s Voice Studio, we don’t use a set “curriculum” as we find that a lot of our students come to us for lessons because they were looking for something a bit more personalized. Instead, all of our teachers are trained on vocal anatomy, pedagogy and frameworks that can be used to […]

Monthly Notes | June

All of the teachers standing outside the studio for a group picture.

Some things we are working on behind the scenes…We want to give a big congratulations to our dedicated instructor Quinn for graduating from Berklee College of Music! In addition to earning a degree in Independent Recording and Production, Quinn also ran the Berklee Metal Club during his final year of school. Quinn plans plans on continuing his work here at AVS, while also gaining experience in studio work, and recording his own, personal projects. Congratulations Quinn, we’re all rooting for you!

A Parent’s Reflection on their Child’s Musical Growth

Meet Virginia and Kaira! We reached out to Kaira’s mom, Virginia Lara to reflect on her teenage daughter’s musical journey. Her mom shares, in the midst of getting her driver’s permit, and trying to attain a summer job, Kaira also has undertaken working with AVS vocal coach, Lina, on her voice and songwriting. Virginia writes, Kaira learning music […]

Learning Functional Vocal Anatomy

Martin holding a model

While having a basic understanding of vocal anatomy can be helpful for grasping how your voice works, memorizing facts alone won’t make you a great singer. However, knowing key concepts—like the role of the respiratory muscles, vocal folds, and resonators—can be highly beneficial. This knowledge allows you to better understand the techniques you learn in voice lessons and gives you more control over your voice.

Why You Only Sound Like You: Harmonics, Timbre, and Formants

Songbird in a cage

What are Harmonics?

Harmonics occur when a sound-producing object, like a guitar string or your vocal cords, vibrates. It doesn’t just vibrate at one frequency; instead, it vibrates at multiple frequencies at the same time. The lowest frequency is called the fundamental frequency, while the higher frequencies that naturally occur alongside it are called harmonics or overtones.

Follow Your Nose: Nasal Resonance Defined

What is nasal resonance?

In fancy, science terms:

Nasal resonance is a technique where sound vibrations are reflected into the nasal cavity, occurring when the soft palate (velum) lowers and partially opens the velopharyngeal port.

A functional definition:

A resonant strategy that helps the voice ring and ping.

Vocalizing Theory: A Musical Guide

A watercolor singing line drawing

A lot of successful singers, even those leading bands or recording albums, sign up for lessons because they feel that a lack of understanding of music theory affects their confidence when performing. At Arabella’s Voice Studio, we’ve developed a “practice flow” centered on vocalizing theory that you can easily incorporate into your lessons or home practice routine.

How to Identify Your Voice Type

Student singing at the open mic.

Identifying your voice type is essential for unlocking your full singing potential and selecting the right repertoire. Whether you’re a budding vocalist or a seasoned performer, understanding your voice type helps you choose the right songs and develop your vocal abilities effectively. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you determine your voice type and what it means for your singing.

A Guide to Different Voice Types

When it comes to singing, each voice is unique, but voices are often categorized into specific types based on range, tone, and timbre. Knowing your voice type can help you select suitable songs, join the right vocal groups, and develop your singing technique. Let’s explore the different types of singers and the nuances within each category.

How to Find Your Voice

Falling scales around singer

The number one question we get asked as voice teachers is, “How can I find my voice?” Well, the good news is that it’s already found! Only you sound like you, and we believe that is one of the best reasons to share your voice with the world. That’s why, at Arabella’s Voice Studio, we don’t just help you “find” your voice—we celebrate the one that’s already within you.