“Unlike many vocal coaches, Ruth Gerson is a very active singer, and a truly great one.  But what makes her a rare treasure is her innate and honed ability to teach.  Ruth doesn’t just give you exercises; she lovingly examines everything you do as a singer and seizes every creative opportunity to help you to sing like you never sang before.  She’s the best!” –Marc Berley, www.MarcBerley.com

Locations in San Carlos & San Francisco

One of the most sought after vocal coaches in NYC, Ruth Gerson moved to the Bay Area in 2009 and founded San Francisco Vocal Coaching which provides private singing lessons and group workshops in Union Square, San Francisco and mid-peninsula in San Carlos.

Gerson is the creator of the Singingbelt, and Singingbelt System (www.Singingbelt.com). Her vocal approach emphasizes diaphragmatic breath support and proper breath placement - singing begins and ends with the breath! She also trains singers in the relaxation of the throat, jaw and tongue, which are key components of vocal cord health and stamina. Along with the mechanics of singing, Gerson focusses on extensive ear training to refine pitch. "Everything about singing can feel mysterious and invisible, because we're working with air. My approach is to demystify the voice in my singing lessons, to make it all tangible and clear. It's why the Singingbelt System works."

Gerson goes beyond other coaches to assist songwriters with their songs, produce their vocal tracks in the studio and introduce new songwriters to techniques for writing. She taught "Singing, Songwriting and Performance" at Princeton University as a Forbes College Fellow and is the founder of NYC's "New & Used Songwriters' Collective." Though a classically trained vocalist, Gerson became a singer/songwriter in her early twenties, with many highly critically acclaimed albums (www.RuthGerson.com). She has appeared on "Late Night w/Conan O'Brien," HBO, Showtime, PBS and Lifetime television and will be performing on the Late, Late Show w/Craig Ferguson this September.

With a background in drama from the British American Drama Academy and the High School of Performing Arts, Gerson utilizes much of her theater experience to help singers with stage presence, stage fright, and a methodology to keep material fresh and exciting to perform.

Private students usually begin with 45-60 minute sessions ($100/45min, $135/hr), though many take longer sessions, if they are also working on songwriting, guitar and/or piano with the voice. It is encouraged for students to record their sessions for take-home practice. Private lessons are tailored to students needs. Gerson teaches techniques during voice lessons for belting, and has vocal exercises for artists who are "screamers" and don't want to lose their voice. She helps students in musical theater prepare for vocal auditions, and helps singer/songwriters find their own voice and style. "When I teach technique, I teach technique, what soaks in for performance, soaks in - the rest is expression. I compare it to dance.  A dancer will perfect his/her plie and arabesque, but when it comes to the performance, no one is looking for a perfect plie and arabesque. They are taken by expression. Technique and expression are of equal importance to the professional singer. You have to perfect your technique to the point you can forget it when you play. All bets are off when you play. Every note is a good note."

"Ruth's thoughtful, artistic coaching has helped me grow into a stronger singer, more confident performer & more poetic songwriter. Her guidance has heightened my musical inspiration!" –Sherri Tennant