Photographed Above: Somatic Voicework™ Teachers, Andrea Luyites & Katharine Randolph
Hi Katharine, thanks so much for taking the time to meet with us today. You are a very busy voice teacher in Houston; can you tell us about your studio?
My studio is predominantly made up of high school students who perform in musical theatre. I have a handful of students who are more into pop and rock, and recently I have had an influx of young ones! (9 and 10 year olds). Most of my students dance, act, and play instruments so we have found ways to encourage and highlight all that they do.
As a seasoned performer, having trained and worked in both Musical Theatre and Classical settings, what do you think the important differences are between successes in the Operatic world vs. the Musical Theatre world, vocally speaking?
The difference is the idea of “fach” and beautiful singing versus “type” and being a great actor that can sing. First of all, the best singer doesn’t necessarily get the job in the musical theatre world. They want to believe you. So, if Joe is a good singer/great actor and Phil is a fabulous singer but an okay actor, Joe will get the job.
You are very successful at providing your students with countless performance opportunities; do you mind sharing your successes? How do these performance opportunities help your students and studio grow artistically?
Photographed Below: Dr. Ingo Titze & Katharine Randolph
I felt like there was a need for more performances and a variety – not just musical theatre. Some students didn’t get the lead in the musical or were drawn to pop and rock music. What I also realized was happening was that the world of musical theatre was heading into a place of pop and rock. People were being asked to sing pop and rock at auditions. Many of my kids play instruments and accompany themselves. I decided to set up multiple performances – coffee shop gigs, retirement homes, Texas Children’s Hospital, etc. It was a win-win! These students get to give back to the community and grow as vocalists and musicians.
There is always a next goal or another project on the horizon so no one can get complacent. If they are not in a show, there is another performance around the corner. Even if we don’t have one on the calendar, we know that we will need another “oldie” or another song for a coffee shop, Disney or a fun pop song for Texas Children’s, etc.
The beauty of this for me as a teacher is I know these students are growing in a way they would not have without these extras. They are getting tons of different kinds of performance experience and learning about different eras and styles. THEY are filling their books with pop and rock from all eras, and when they need a pop/rock song for an audition, they have one in their book. I have found this to be the best thing I could have done for my students, and of course, the parents love it.
Photographed Below: Somatic Voicework Teachers, Andrea Luyites & Katharine Randolph
When did you first meet Jeanie LoVetri? What has Somatic Voicework™ done for you as both a teacher and a singer?
I met Jeanie about 5 or 6 years ago. Jeanie’s work filled in some holes and made everything more organized in my head. I became more efficient with my teaching. Her work confirmed the instincts I had about teaching musical theatre and pop/rock repertoire. There was definitely a hole in my pedagogy study when it came to the styles that the classical world considered “bad” or “step-children”.
As for my own singing, I recently ran into some trouble with my voice after I had a virus. Even several weeks after being well, my voice was not acting like my voice. Because of Jeanie’s expertise, her own vocal fold paresis and understanding of how to work with injured voices, I knew who to turn to. With Jeanie’s help, I’m starting to believe there is light at the end of the tunnel.
You will be hosting Jeanie in Houston in late March-early April for a Teacher Training Day & Teacher Support Weekend, what can participants expect from these days and how do they sign up?
Yes! I’m so excited that Jeanie is coming to Texas from March 30th to April 3rd! We start with a workshop on Friday, March 30th that is a free introduction to Somatic Voicework™ (open to anyone interested in learning about Somatic Voicework™), followed by teacher training and support days on Saturday, March 31st (10:-00 AM to 5:00PM) and Sunday, April 1st (1:30 PM to 5:30 PM). Private lessons will be available on Monday, April 2nd starting in the morning and ending in the late afternoon (with a possibility of lessons being offered on Tuesday. Please email me and let me know if you plan on attending, and which days/events so I can get and accurate head count for the whole weekend. (Further details on registration at the bottom of this newsletter).
Please check out more from Katharine Randolph:
Facebook Page: The Voice Studio of Katharine Randolph
Instagram: voicestudiokatharinerandolph