Throughout my twenties, this Texas (born) gal lived and worked in Washington, D.C., working in marketing for a few years, then in dinner theater and Gilbert & Sullivan theater for with the now-defunct Washington Savoyards several years, then in youth ministry for the balance of the decade there, with my singing shifting into a focusRead more about Your Body Is like Concert Hall[…]

At A Higher Note LLC, we’re busy getting all students’ (and parents/guardians/payors, where applicable) information ]inputted into an online studio administration system called “Music Teacher‘s Helper” (MTH). I believe that this system will serve all involved with A Higher Note LLC studio in many ways, with many improvements! Whether you’re a new or existing studentRead more about Wonderful New Studio Administrative “Helper”!![…]

To hone your instrument – voice, guitar, piano, bass, or whatever instrument you’re in the process of mastering – you must practice. How Are You Currently Making Time for Instrument Practice? In the comments below, please share how you currently do your instrument practice. Start with what instrument(s) you practice. Then, please be specific aboutRead more about Share Your Practice Habits Here[…]

Every session, I ask students if they have any questions related to voice or performance. One long-time voice student, at the time she was around 13 y.o., explores and observes the world with creative, curious eyes, ears, and – of course – mind. Every week, she has great questions for me about voice or performingRead more about Stump Natalie: “Why Do Boys Have Lower Voices than Girls?”[…]

Do You Think You’re “Tone Deaf”? Many people come to me believing and claiming that they are tone deaf. On inquiry, however, it seems that tone deafness seems is actually more of a mystery to them. What they know is that they’re told by others that you’re “off pitch” you “can’t sing” you should be quietRead more about How to Know Whether You’re Tone Deaf – & What You Can Do About It[…]

Some of you read “Higher Notes” and/or have have opted in to my email communications simply because I asked you to and were willing to do that for 7 days. (Thank you! I’ll take what I can get, because I need the practice at disciplining myself to write helpful emails and other content for you.Read more about What Do You Want to Know?[…]

Thanks so much for clicking through!! It sincerely means the world to me that you’re willing to help me with an experiment for A Higher Note LLC – or at least to click through and find out more information! I hope you’ll find what I have to share (info below) as helpful as I created itRead more about Business Communication Experiment[…]

Do you still get confused when you’re staring at the lines and spaces on the music staff? Here’s a little tutorial to put any ignorance, doubt, and second-guessing to rest. And, okay, so I’m a nerd. I actually like teaching this to my students, because we get to be silly and it’s just fun! Here’sRead more about Lines and Spaces on the Grand Staff[…]

Are you pulling out whatever hair you have trying to understand and read key signatures? Here’s a brief tutorial to help you know how to identify them! They are key to music, after all… (bad pun hyuk, hyuk) NOTE: In this tutorial, I’m assuming you’ve learned to identify all of your lines and spaces onRead more about Key Signatures, Demystified[…]

1 Great Reason Why You Absolutely Should Take Those Lessons You’ve Been Wanting to Take Let’s talk for just a minute about why, if you’ve been thinking about it at all, you absolutely should pursue voice lessons. This applies to learning an instrument, too. I think some people talk themselves out of taking lessons theyRead more about It Had to Be *You*: 1 Great Reason Why You Should Take Those Lessons[…]