The Wieand Vocal Studio offers one-on-one
weekly private singing lessons.
How much do lessons cost?
$35 per half hour lesson
Where are lessons held?
Mrs. Wieand's Home
Mrs. Thompson's Home
Mrs. Thompson's Home9 Robby Lane 2201 Brockton Road
2201 Brockton RoadStrasburg, PA 17579Lancaster, PA 17601
Lancaster, PA 17601When are lessons held?
Monday-Saturday
What are lessons like?
We offer professional singing lessons in a caring, comfortable environment. So
if you are new to singing, we will look after you! We are dedicated to making you
feel comfortable. The aim is to bring out your voice like you couldn't imagine
while singing songs that you enjoy.
What will I cover in lessons?
Like most things, singing is a building block process. We will start with the basic techniques of singing and move onto the more advanced ones as you are ready. We will cover about 10 - 15 minutes of technique and warm-ups at the beginning of the lesson. Some of these include breathing and breath control, techniques to extend your range, make it stronger and pleasing to the listener. The remainder of the lesson is devoted to singing songs and applying your new found skills to them. You may also bring in your own music such as CDs.
THE WIEAND VOCAL STUDIO POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Payment
The cost is $35 per half hour. Full payment is due at the first lesson of each month for that months lessons in order to reserve your lesson time. Any payments received past the10th of the month will be charged a $5.00 late fee.
Cancellation Policy
We provide each student with a schedule and contact sheet for the studio. If a student needs to miss a lesson due to a conflict, it is up to that student to arrange to swap lessons with another student for that week. With the limited number of openings payment is due regardless in order to reserve your lesson time. The only other make-up time that will be arranged is if a student misses due to illness. In this case, it is up to the student to call the teacher if a make-up lesson is desired. Cancellations by teacher which can not be re-scheduled will be credited. If a perminant conflict arises, the student must give a month's notice before terminating lessons.
Vocal Recital
All students who have reached a good performance standard will be invited to participate in a recital. Recitals are a way to showcase the vocal developments each student has made in addition to learning from the performing experience.
Musical Expectations
In all cases, it is the exercises and vocalizes which play such an important part in building the voice and developing good vocal technique. This technique is transferred to songs. Some students prefer to work with these exercises in private. If your son or daughter feels this way, it is much better that he or she be left alone in the room while practicing. Several short periods of practice a day are recommended in the beginning weeks of study rather than one long period. Each student is required to bring a quality recording device to each lesson for use in daily practice sessions. I expect the student to listen to this recording at least once between lessons. This will also enable the student to practice before the next lesson in a room without an available piano or keyboard. Continual practice is necessary for full benefit of lessons. Students with disciplined and organized regular practice sessions make the most progress. Occasionally, circumstances will arise where a student will not be able to practice as much as usual, and in this case the lesson will be a supervised practice session, not a missed lesson.
Benefits of Vocal Study
Not all students who take voice lessons will develop into fine solo singers. However, many of them will find that as a result of this training they will be able to exhibit much more musical self-confidence. Many former students have found that this background has made them influential members in youth choirs, church choirs, community chamber ensembles, college vocal groups or musical theater organizations. In all cases, former students have gained a much deeper appreciation for all types of vocal music and music in general. They have also developed a much better speaking presence and self-confidence in front of large audiences.
Visitors
Parents are welcome to observe a lesson anytime they wish with the student’s permission. However, you must understand that with some students this will be an unnatural situation and they will not be as relaxed and responsive as they usually are. You may feel free to call me to discuss the vocal progress of your son or daughter at any time.
Music Purchases
From past experience,we have found that many parents inquire about extra costs involved in the purchase of music. Because of the rapidly increasing cost of music, we try to use books whenever possible, as opposed to single song sheets. Three pieces of sheet music often equal the cost of an entire book. Until we are sure of the vocal range of a new student, we may use individual songs or books of my own which we would lend out. An estimate of music cost for the first year of lessons would range from $35 to $75 depending upon the progress, age and ambition of the student.
Music Borrowing
Any music books, CDs or DVDs that are lent to a student must be returned in the same condition as when they were given. Any damage to the materials will result in a fee in order to replace them.
Lancaster Spring 2007 vocal recital~Not all students are present in photo
Lancaster Winter 2008 vocal recital~Not all students are present in photo
Spring 2008 vocal recital~Not all students are present in photo
Winter 2009 vocal recital~Not all students are present in photo
Spring 2010 vocal recital~Not all students are present in photo
"We are so pleased with Katie’s vocal development. Her growth has exceeded our expectations; not simply as a vocalist, but more holistically as a performer. We are quite impressed with your specific, well-organized plan. You nail every detail, right down to audition song choices. We are equally delighted with your encouraging, energetic attitude. Katie feels such a positive connection to you. What a gift! Thank you for sharing it with us." ~Chuck & Dianne White
Studio Testimonies
"I knew that Mrs. Wieand the perfect vocal coach for me the moment I walked off the stage after performing in my first recital with her as my teacher. I went and sat with my parents and the first thing my mom said to me was, "Wow, Lauren, you've improved so much! And it has only been a few months!" I have been taking lessons with Mrs. Wieand for a little over 4 years now. I love how she focuses her lessons on the genres that I want to sing and she uses her experiences to push me and get me involved in singing for different events. I have competed in and won several vocal competitions through school and throughout the county. She also helped me prepare a version of the National Anthem that I sang at a Lancaster Barnstormers game, as well as school football games and basketball games. Mrs. Wieand has truly helped me grow as a performer and has introduced me to so many challenging and entertaining songs that strengthen my vocal talent. I thank you so much, Mrs. Wieand, for helping me stay focused on music and introducing me to all of the opportunities you have helped me achieve!"~ Lauren Tracy
"We are so excited and encouraged about the improvement and quality of instruction our daughter Lauren is receiving. You have such a wonderful way with young children that allow them to build their vocal skills as well as self confidence and professionalism. We truly appreciate your wisdom and insights to the audition process and continuing to guide Lauren to her big dream! Your dedication to your students truly shines when seeing them perform in their vocal recitals, choral groups, and theater. Thank you for being a mentor, friend, and teacher to Lauren." ~ Melissa and Brian Bliss
"I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for me… you’ve helped me to achieve so much more than I ever thought possible. Since I joined the studio two years ago, I have been amazed by just how much you have helped me to improve. Through your attentiveness to detail, as well as your heavy emphasis on technique, my range has greatly increased and has become much stronger, my breath control and support have both been enhanced, and I have become more confident as a performer. And you accomplished the impossible: I think I may be able to sight read now! You are always so cheerful and encouraging, which makes every lesson fun, no matter how challenging a piece of music may be. You have been such a blessing, and I couldn’t have achieved any of the success that I have these past two years without you. Thank you!" ~Chloe Ireland
"Little did we know when Chloe began her vocal lessons what a tremendous impact you would have in her life. You have given Chloe such precious gifts: Your encouragement has given her the gift of courage to try new auditions, new roles, and new horizons. Your consistency has given her the gift of a strong work ethic, not just in her music, but in all of her endeavors. Your faith in her has given her the gift of belief and confidence in herself to strive to achieve her best. Most importantly, your care and friendship has given her the gift of self-esteem to feel comfortable in her own skin. We cannot thank you enough for all you have done for Chloe: You have given her a strong foundation for success!" ~Janene Ireland
Spring 2011 vocal recital~Not all students are present in photo
Katie Thompson (Vocal Instructor) received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and Bachelor of Music in Music Education at the Esther Boyer College of Music at Temple University. She has performed internationally as a soprano soloist with ensembles in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Puerto Rico.
Mrs. Thompson's passion for music and teaching led her to pair with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Through a non-profit organization, Music=Learning, She worked to bring the gift of music education – specifically singing – to youth in areas of the city that had no access to musical training.
Mrs. Thompson moved to Lancaster with her husband and two children, Gabriel (born 10/18/06) and Lillian (born 03/27/09) in 2010. She performs regularly as a soloist at weddings, funerals and special occasions. She is active in worship ministry and is blessed to share musical gifts at her home church, as well as local churches throughout the county.
Katie Wieand (Vocal Instructor/Owner) received her Master of Music in opera performance from The Boston Conservatory. She has performed several roles with the Boston Lyric Opera and has toured internationally performing operatic roles in Austria and Italy. The studio was founded in 2004 but Katie has been teaching privately since 1996.
She is an active performer of Broadway and Contemporary Christian repertoire Mrs. Wieand has also recorded as a studio vocalist for Gaylord Entertainment in Nashville, TN and continues to do voice-over work here in PA. She is also a member of the voice faculty for Lancaster Bible College. Mrs. Wieand resides in Strasburg with her husband and two children, Audrey (born 07/09/07) and Eileen (born 12/31/10.
INSTRUCTORS
