A vocal coach is a music professional who teaches singers how to improve their singing and take care of their voices so they can perform for a long time. Professional musicians, who tend to work with a vocal coach for the rest of their lives, rely heavily on vocal coaching, but amateur singers and enthusiasts can also benefit from sessions. Vocal coaches can be professional singers or graduates of music schools. Some have also participated in voice training programs and may be members of professional organizations dedicated to upholding high standards in vocal instruction.
When someone meets with a vocal coach for the first time, the coach will usually ask them to sing to get a sense of their range and musical interests. The coach examines the singer’s form closely, looking for areas where the singer can improve and identifying areas where the singer needs to improve. This data is used to create a plan for working with the singer to expand his or her vocal range, improve the quality of his or her voice, and develop skills relevant to specific musical styles, such as opera singing.
Meetings with a vocal coach vary in frequency, and singers are also expected to practice at home using the coach’s homework. Vocal coaches not only teach people how to sing better, but they also teach them how to care for their voices. If a student develops a voice-related medical problem, such as laryngitis, the vocal coach can collaborate with a doctor to guide the singer through treatment and recovery, utilizing gentle exercises to rebuild the voice without risking further injury.
Singers who are getting ready for a specific performance often work closely with a vocal coach. The coach can assist the singer in choosing a repertoire and working with the singer during rehearsals to ensure that the voice remains strong, crisp, and clear. Vocal coaches can also help people prepare for singing auditions identifying singing opportunities for their students and assisting them in getting ready.
Many vocal coaches are self-employed, though choruses and other musical organizations may hire them to train their singers. Some coaches travel to their clients’ homes or studios, and others travel with singers as they perform. Pay varies depending on skill level and the types of singers with whom the coach works; a vocal coach who works with children, for example, will be paid less than a vocal coach who works with world-renowned musicians.