|
"Ken,
I want to thank you for the fun I am having in learning how to sing
properly. The other day I was singing to my husband ( as I do sometimes)
and he was amazed at how strong my voice is becoming. He also commented
on the high notes I was reaching. His comment, "I have never
heard you hit those notes before - wow". Needless to say, I
was very pleased. I still have a very long way to go, but it is
fun. Thanks!"
Mary
Martens |
"When
I first came to Sing Studios, I remember thinking to myself, “Self,
I have no idea why we’re doing this,” to which I notably
replied, “Because the rest of the guys in the band think we
need it. Now stop pestering me!”
My
name’s Andy Lockley, and I’m the lead singer of Memphis
local band Blind Logic. The first time I seriously considered taking
vocal lessons was after a particularly grueling show, where I sang
my heart out and found my voice to be severely impaired after we
got off stage. Several of my band mates approached me at our next
practice and suggested that I take vocal lessons so that I would
no longer have that problem.
I
debated the issue with my wallet for several days, and, finally
saw an advertisement in the paper for Sing Studios, which I had
never heard of, and decided that it was as good a shot as any other
I was going to find.
I
called the number, and found their services to be exactly what I
was looking for; good, casual, yet professional, instruction.
I
met with the instructor, Ken Taylor, and immediately found in him
a kindred spirit with a passion for music. Ken is a great teacher;
always willing to listen to what the student has to say, and ready
to offer advice on whatever area they’re struggling with.
For
me, I was having trouble reaching higher notes that before had offered
me little difficulty. Ken taught me what I was doing wrong without
being condescending; he simply explained that there were easier
ways to get the same effect.
Ever
since I started going to Sing Studios, I’ve been getting reactions
from both my band mates and our fans. Both groups have approached
me and said that they’ve noticed and incredible improvement
in my sound. And I haven’t even gotten to the hard stuff yet!
Overall,
my experience at Sing has been nothing short of fantastic. I would
highly recommend them to any other singer I know. If you’re
out there looking for someone to teach you how to sing, this is
absolutely the best place to go. I even hear they do dance and stuff,
but don’t ask Ken to teach you that stuff. From what I hear,
he’s got two left feet."
Andy Lockley |
| Q:
What would you say you (or your child) enjoyed most about your voice
lessons at Sing Studios?
The lessons are professional but playful, which keeps the lesson
interesting. He's honest in his critique but not critical.
Q:
What was it like working with your teacher?
Ken is great. Professional, upbeat, passionate about his teaching,
great about being constructive with his critiques, He'll tell you
what he thinks about a certain song if it works or not. He's wants
what is best for his student.
Q:
For what reason did you decide to take singing lessons? Have you
been satisfied with the improvement you've seen?
My daughter had entered a talent show plus had an audition and wanted
help with the songs she'd be singing. We had been looking for about
a 6 months before stumbling on an ad in the Memphis Flyer. I called
him and found him to be very genuine and eager to meet with me and
my daughter. We met, she sang, he talked to her about her goals
and we've been with him ever since! We have been with Ken from his
very beginnings and we are completely satisfied with his teaching
abilities and his mentoring of my daughter. We think his studio
will be the best thing Memphis has seen for quite a while.
Q:
What did the lessons help you accomplish vocally? Have others notice?
She's still learning after one year with him, but vocally I think
she has accomplished what she wanted which is to be a more aware
singer, she has learned to support her voice more and has learned
to give more clarity and personality to her songs with all his interesting
techniques. The greatest accomplishment I think is the way he pushes
her to challenge her voice. I can say yes others have noticed the
difference in her singing even her choir director noticed she was
taking vocal lessons. When you listen to her videos from a year
ago to now…there's a very big difference!
Q:
Did you accomplish what you were looking to accomplish at Sing studios?
Was it worth it?
Yes, she did. It has been totally worth the time and effort, even
though my daughter may had grumbled through a few lessons, she still
loves coming to the studio…..lol
Q:
Did you have any or many hesitations signing up for lessons (please
be brutally honest and share as this will help others in their buying
process)? If so, what would you say to comfort others who might
not be able to get over that same feeling.
Well sure you have some hesitations any parent does. At first when
you see how young he looks, you think to yourself how could someone
this young know anything? Can he even sing himself?…lol. Then
when you talk with him and know what his background and how passionate
he is about his work you begin to get excited about taking lessons
from him. Oh, and yes he has a beautiful voice.
Q:
Is there anything extraordinary you'd like to share with others
about the service you received? If so, please share!
As I stated before, Ken is a great person and loves his work, he's
passionate about it. He's great with young people. It shows in his
lessons and in the way he interacts with his students. He's also
a very giving person which my daughter and I have been on the receiving
end many times and we deeply appreciate all that he has done for
us. We love ya Ken!
Q:
Anything else you'd like to add that others would want or need to
hear?
He may be young but he has the performance background, he's a great
singer, creative, he's studio savvy, respectful, I know his parents
are very proud of him and his accomplishment, he did his time at
UT (4 yr full scholarship) and he's eager to mold young people into
good or great singers. Most of all wants his students to have fun!
I wish him and his staff a very long and successful career. We can't
wait for next addition to your studio, the dance classes!
Lisa
Fraticelli
mother of Lindsey Valimaki (student since May 2006) |
"When
I first began voice lessons with Ken, I was so afraid to sing by myself
in front of ANYONE. The very first time Ken asked me to sing something
for him, I was so incredibly nervous that my voice trembled and squeaked.
I could have done so much better that first time, but my fear kept
me from doing my best- at first. In the beginning, I was so nervous
that I hesitated to go each week, only because of my lack of confidence.
Early on in my lessons, I remember Ken telling me that I had a really
good voice in there and I was holding back so much. It was even more
encouraging when he said how excited he was for me because he could
see my potential, even though at that time, I could not. As we got
to know each other better, I began to feel more comfortable singing
in front of him. My fear from the beginning completely subsided. Over
the past eight months, my confidence has grown a hundred fold because
of Ken’s constant encouragement. He has made singing even more
fun, and at times, he has even helped me see humor in the areas I
have needed to improve. I know he loves what he does, and that makes
him very good at what he does. His enthusiasm for music has “rubbed
off on me,” and when I come for my lesson at the end of a long,
hard week of working, I find my enthusiasm growing as well. I have
always LOVED to sing but now I can sing even better than before. It
was very helpful that he would always tell me some things I needed
to improve and work on for the next lesson and where I did improve
from the previous lessons, as well as toss in some “encouragement
gems” even when I felt I did a bad job during a particular lesson.
I now have much more confidence, strength, and consistency as well
as a more open, rounded sound. Thank you, Ken, for seeing my potential
and encouraging me to succeed."
Amy White |
| "I
LOVE Camp Sing!!!!!!!!! It is so much better than any of my other
camps or classes. I totally will be coming back to take classes
here. You are all so nice and made learning so fun fun fun. We got
to devote so much more time to work on our routines and songs than
a normal class can give. I'm so happy I came."
Abigail Barron
student
since July Summer Camp, age 10 |
"As
I walked through the doors of SING! Studios for a brief tour, I
suddenly felt at ease and comfortable with the atmosphere, I then
knew this is where i want to sing, I haven't regretted my decision
since.
My
first few lessons were VERY educational and I also found that Ken
Taylor is the BEST informative teacher I have EVER had! HE breaks
things down so you can understand them better and they are easier
toremember. Not only is he a good teacher, but he is fun and fun
to be around, expecialy for the younger students.
Since
I've been with Sing! Studios they have added a Dance Studio and
Sound-Proof Studios for group lessons. These are perfect if you
haven't had time to practice that week, take it from somebody who
has experienced that lack of time, there GREAT!!! Group lessons
also give you a chance to interact with other students.
Sing
Studios also offers various opportunities for live performances,
this is open to all varieties of music and different styles. Ken
even helps upcoming bands and can record you at anytime! So come
by and see for yourself, you'll see what im singing about!!!!!"
Madison Mergen
student
since October '07, age 12 |
|
|