“Singing is the ultimate form of expression where the body, mind, and soul converge. It demands the athleticism to execute vocal acrobatics while conveying authentic emotion” 

- Billy Porter

Freedom in giving voice to our deepest emotions and innermost thoughts, by way of singing, requires the coming together of a person’s athletic discipline and artistic imagination. Because the voice is housed in the human body, it is the most unique instrument in existence - each voice is distinguishably “one-of-a-kind” that has been shaped by one’s lived experiences and genetic design. And every singer wants share their story with a voice that feels colorful, consistent, and easy to produce. My work as a voice teacher focuses on guiding singers towards their most efficient balance of phonation so that they feel confident expressing themselves in the way they’ve always imagined.

Every detail of the story that tells others “who you are” is communicated through your vocal function. The muscles involved in phonation have developed and “memorized” a coordination between the release of air and vocal fold contact. Life experiences ranging from having to fight for your voice to be heard at the family dinner table to dancing competitively since a young age have influenced the way you produce sound. The learning of “vocal technique” is the practice of altering said coordination so that our expression through song becomes fully realized in a free and released way. In my work as a voice teacher, I believe the most effective way of developing a singer’s vocal coordination is by utilizing evidence-based approaches rooted in the science of the voice.

We often think of the act of singing as being akin to a “mystical phenomenon” that is god-given in the form of talent. And while natural ability is a factor that varies from person-to-person, we all come equipped with a signature balance of how the biomechanics involved can be optimized for maximum expressivity. Through evidence-based approaches, we can alter the coordination of a singer’s vocal mechanism in a way that has been proven to be effective; making progress tangible and measurable. By repeatedly exposing the intricate muscles of phonation to new ways of coordination, they learn and memorize new behaviors that make phonation more efficient.

The process in working towards one's most efficient use of their voice requires a mental and physical discipline comparable to that of a professional athlete. Because the voice is housed within the human body, it’s efficiency is determined by our day-to-day physical and mental wellness. It is normal for the voice to fluctuate in response to the variances from one day to the next. However, we sometimes engage with behavioral tendencies that impact the ability for our voices to feel flexible and free. Together, we will strengthen our awareness of how these behavioral tendencies and lifestyle habits impact the consistency of our artistic expression and learn strategies to return us to our equilibrium.

I come to my work with curiosity and open mindedness and therefore prioritize learning new and different approaches so that the singers I work with are receiving comprehensive care that fits their individual needs. There is no single way to develop a voice - and I believe that singers shouldn’t feel as though they are working to execute something that can be labeled as “right” or “wrong”. Rather, I guide my singers towards producing sounds that feel connected to who they are and what they want to express. It is essential for singers to feel secure to explore all the various sounds their voices can proudce without fear or judgement of proximity to perfection.

Composing a teaching philosophy that captures my fundamental beliefs in the practice of voice building is something I wish could be simplified to a few words. Maybe one day, this will be more concise. However, if you are searching for a new voice teacher, you should have the opportunity to learn who you will be trusting your instrument with and investing your money in. And if you have made it this far in reading my philosophy, I would love for the chance to work with you. Please contact me here and we will begin exploring your voice together so that you feel more confident in expressing yourself as a vocal artist. I hope to hear from you soon.

—Mackenzie Bykowski
M.M, Adv. Cert.