Master Teacher » Voice Technique

Bonnie believes that good voice technique forms the foundation for good singing. She believes that even the most naturally talented singers need to have an understanding of how the voice works.

Bonnie writes about her own training and how it has influenced her singing and teaching:

"Two teachers have highly influenced my vocal technique: David Blair McClosky and Virginia Zeani. The methods of these two teachers give me the tools to work with voices at all levels of development, from the beginner to the finished and polished singer.

"As a result of his own vocal crisis in the 1940’s, McClosky developed a simple and direct technique based on muscular efficiency and ease. At the time, nearly all voice teachers were using indirect, imagery-based technique. The field of voice and the training of voice teachers are undergoing changes in our understanding of vocal physiology based on the knowledge we have gained since the introduction of the fiber-optic camera in the 1970’s and 80’s. I am happy to report that everything I have read and heard supports the work McClosky did in the 1940’s and 50’s. He was a visionary and only a half-century later are we coming to an understanding of his vision.

"What is the McClosky Technique? McClosky taught a system including abdominal breathing and six exercises for relaxation of the chewing and swallowing muscles of the face and throat, which tend to interfere with free voice production.

"Virginia Zeani has an unfailing ear and a wonderful sensibility to sound. She is a proponent of the Italian school and teaches a chiaroscuro (light-dark) sound.

"I teach an Italian-style forward placement with lip-rounding for the upper passaggio."