VOCAL

Upcoming classes:
July 26-July 30th: “Singing, Songwriting & Performance Intensive for Young Adults.” Students, age 12 and up will work daily on vocal technique, song structure, melody and lyric writing, as well as have the opportunity to sing in front of a group. Daily take-home assignments will be given. Students will listen to, diagram and evaluate songs of contemporary and historical songwriters. $249

August 22nd - Blue Bear School of Music: "Sing Better In A Day!" The Singingbelt System Introductory Workshop. Monday, 6-8PM. Find out more information and register at www.Singingbelt.com $99
This workshop covers the four major components of singing technique: breath control, breath support, positioning of the jaw, mouth, palate and tongue and ear training with an introduction to the diaphragmatic breath support technique of the Singingbelt System. Students take home a Singingbelt, a 55min instructional DVD, and a 45min vocal warm-up CD to perfect their technique with daily practice.

August 29th - San Francisco, Union Sq.: “Singing, Songwriting and Performance for Young Adults.” Mondays 4-5:30pm. Each class will begin with a vocal technique intensive for forty-five minutes. (It is not mandatory, but recommended that students in this class have at least one private session before entering the class.) Students are introduced to the Singingbelt System in their vocal work. Participants are given writing assignments, as each work is completed. The class will examine song structure, lyric and melody composition and have several listening assignments. For students who wish to work on audition material only and not write, there will be alternative assignments to explore repertoire.  Students will share their work every other week. A 15% discount is given on all private sessions taken outside of class. Class performance in December.
12 Classes. 1 Performance. $699 READ MORE ABOUT THE CLASS STRUCTURE BELOW.*

August 29th - San Francisco, Union Sq.: Adults “The New & Used Songwriters Collective.”Monday evenings 5:45-7:15. Each workshop will begin with voice technique. Participants will be given songwriting assignments for song share with the class, including collaborations. Class performances. Mondays through December. READ MORE ABOUT THE CLASS STRUCTURE BELOW.*
12 Classes, 2 performances. $749 Monthly payment schedule available.

August 30th - San Carlos (mid-Peninsula): Adults “The New & Used Songwriters Collective.” Tuesday evenings 6:15-7:45. Each workshop will begin with voice technique. Participants will be given songwriting assignments for song share with the class, including collaborations. Class performances. Tuesdays through December. READ MORE ABOUT THE CLASS STRUCTURE BELOW.*
14 Classes, 1 performance, 2 open mics. $749 Monthly payment schedule available.

August 31st - San Carlos: “Singing, Songwriting and Performance for Young Adults.” Wednesdays 4-5:30pm. See class description above. 14 Classes. 1 performance. $749

August 31st - San Carlos: "Singing, Songwriting and Performance for Kids!" Wednesdays 3:00-3:50pm.
Students learn vocal technique, ear training and beginner harmony through the songs of Woody Guthrie, Big Bill Broonzey, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Elizabeth Cotton and others. Students will begin to diagram songs and examine the shape and structure of lyrics and melody. Students will write their own songs and finish class with a campfire song-share at Cowabunga on Laurel Street. 14 Classes, 1 performance. $399

September 10th - Bluebear School of Music. "Sing Better In A Day!" The Singingbelt System Introductory Workshop. Saturday, 3:30-5:30PM. Find out more information and register at www.Singingbelt.com$99 This workshop covers the four major components of singing technique: breath control, breath support, positioning of the jaw, mouth, palate and tongue and ear training with an introduction to the diaphragmatic breath support technique of the Singingbelt System. Students take home a Singingbelt, a 55min instructional DVD, and a 45min vocal warm-up CD to perfect their technique with daily practice. $99
*The "Singing, Songwriting and Performance Class" is in three parts:
Part 1) Learn diaphragmatic breath support, how to sing on pitch, have vocal stamina & health. Widen & strengthen your range. Technique and personal style come together.

Part 2) Improve song performance, mic and no mic technique. Songwriting addressed upon request. Techniques for new writers. Group feedback.

Part 3) Live performance.

Each voice and songwriting class begins with a 45min. singing lesson and vocal warm-up. Class members then perform (generally original songsl) and are given vocal & performance feedback, as well as songwriting suggestions (if requested). Skill and experience levels vary widely in class; the mix of beginner and advanced participants foster a supportive community. Beginners gain from the more experienced writers & performers. And students who have been working in the field for some time see things anew through the eyes & ears of those who are writing and performing for the first time.

Vocal warm-up exercises and explanations of singing techniques generally make-up half of class. Rigorous instruction is given. (If you are primarily interested in improving your vocal technique and ability, the class is viable option. Participants are not required to write, however, everyone is encouraged and inspired to compose.)

Writing assignments are given every three weeks (it is not required to follow the assignments). The class is booked in SF Bay area clubs for group performances. Advice and assistance available for continued solo booking, as well as recording CDs & EPs. (Optionally, the class will attend open mics & recommended shows together.) Students either work solo or collaborate for performance and writing. Classes are an economic and educational alternative to private singing lessons, and periodic one-on-one coaching enhances students' understanding of the voice and songwriting. The class works for those who have always wanted to write and perform, as well as for artists who have been writing and performing for years. Singer/songwriters find a community to grow and share their work.

 

A note from Ruth:

One of the most inspiring and enjoyable aspects of teaching is the opportunity to mentor  a vocalist and/or a writer through, to help guide them to reach their goals and meet their challenges. I care deeply about each student’s sense of progress and growth. I share in their excitement as they learn and produce great music. Students in private lessons, depending on their age, can expect to practice anywhere from fifteen-twenty minutes a day, five days/week (children), to thirty minutes/day (young adults, a little more if they are also writing and/or learning to accompany themselves on guitar or piano), to an hour plus/day for adult, serious students. It is important that music is a joy and not a demand on students. I try to avoid the feeling that practice is more homework, but instead a part of the day that is peaceful and fun. There are always weeks in which we don’t practice the way we aspire to, and my first goal with new students is to simply practice practicing, i.e. just finding a few minutes a day to carve out for music. As we move forward, I hope that the time naturally expands for students to be able to master technique and enjoy writing and listening to music. It’s not productive for students to feel hesitant or timid if they have missed their practice for a week. We can start from where we left off the week before. I will encourage them to dedicate time and energy into improving their abilities, refining their crafts and make the most of their training with a sense of humor, and fun balanced with concrete and attainable goals.

Materials:

Recording device. Students will find it helpful to record their lessons and review them as part of their practice. A digital voice recorder is a great tool for a vocalist and songwriter. It can also be used for recording lectures at school.

Binder. A binder should include loose leaf paper for notes during lessons and possible assignments. It should also include eventually, the lyrics and lead sheets of songs students are working on. This is a binder you will keep a long time; you may add songs to it for many years.

Singingbelt. A Singingbelt can be ordered online at http:www.Singingbelt.com or purchased at your first lesson. The Singingbelt package includes an instructional dvd and vocal warm-up CD. You will use the DVD and CD often in your first months of practice.

Other Materials:

Keyboard (A keyboard is very useful for ear training, and music theory. Not necessary for your first classes, but a great tool to acquire as soon as possible.)

Access to music (youtube, itunes, library)

Ruth Gerson has been THE BEST of the best vocal coaches in NYC. She gets exceptional results with singers on all levels. I have been amazed. I recommend her highly whether you’re a beginner or seasoned performer.
– Lisa Barbaris (Manager, Cyndi Lauper, Simply Red, Mooney Suzuki).

“Ruth creates a tremendously supportive environment for artists to develop and grow.  She really understands how to bring people together in a musical community and how to nurture both the individual and the group itself.  Because Ruth is a tremendously sensitive  and thoughtful teacher, she is able to guide her students towards finding their own authentic voices and performing styles.  She also has a great sense of humor and creates a fun, laid-back environment for everyone and still makes you work to your highest potential.  Ruth is the best!!!” –Lucas Rotman

“I've taken Ruth's class for the last two semesters.  It has been a major factor in my developing as a songwriter, singer and a performer. The class starts with vocal warm ups and exercises.  The warm ups are where I made the biggest gains in my singing. Ruth helped find me maintain my style, but without hurting my voice, as I was singing before.  She has a distinctive way of teaching singing mechanics - it works.

For the rest of the class, we take turns playing songs; some are works in progress, others are more complete.  Ruth comments on the song and/or performance.  I've learned a lot about song writing, not only when having my songs commented upon, but also listening to Ruth work with other members of the class.  She also has many ways to help students start writing songs.

The class shows are another important component. The venues are hip; the sound quality is good..  Most importantly, the audience, actually listens.

Ruth also arranged recording sessions for me.  I am putting out an EP, with which I am psyched, and it could not have been done without Ruth. She helps singers and writers improve and develop, but without changing what makes someone unique.” –Steve Sullivan, Runner