TEACHING APPROACH

What can you count on from Maggi Heilweil as a teacher?

• Knowledge.  Maggi began her musical education when she was seven (piano and violin) and has 43 years of vocal and related training. She has integrated a wealth of knowledge from some of the top teachers and coaches in American and Europe which she generously shares with her students. (See Resume and "Thanks to my teachers" for specifics on her training.)

• Creativity and intuition. This is a key ingredient in her teaching.  Maggi is fully present in the moment and never teaches in a rote fashion.   She responds to her students as individuals with their own particular personality, learning style and goals.

• Thorough and detailed training.  Maggi is very specific in her teaching. She works with students on all elements of vocal technique so they sing properly and maintain their vocal health for the long term. She understands how the mind and body work together to achieve good singing.  Her goal with each student is to help them become a versatile singer capable of singing lyrically as well as in a Broadway belt style of singing and to have an understanding of different styles of singing.

• Appropriate Repertoire. Maggi chooses songs that will helps students grow both vocally and as a performer.  The text has to be relevant to their experience.  She has a thorough knowledge of the Italian, German, French and English classical song repertoire and opera as well as the popular theater repertoire.

• A nurturing and inspiring personality.  Maggi is a warm, funny and caring person.  She wants students to leave each lesson feeling better than they did when they walked in.  She creates a supportive and nurturing learning environment so students can explore their talent and learn comfortably.  She is a good communicator; she asks her students a lot of questions to ensure their understanding and also invites questions from them. Maggi is patient with her students while challenging and inspiring them to keep moving to the next level, and the next…and the next. 

• Artistry.  Mere technical proficiency won’t engage an audience.  Maggi works with students on interpretation of the text, acting the text, singing musically and communicating the song through their own personality and experience. She guides them in learning fundamental music theory and knowledge that is useful in becoming a good musician.
  

What sets Maggi apart from many other voice teachers? 

• She has experience, both as a performer and learner, in the classical AND non classical realm.
  
  
• Advanced students have told her she is the most exacting teacher about proper vocal technique they have ever had.
  
  
• The importance of understanding the goals of vocal exercises is very important in knowing how to practice outside the lessons.   Learning how to practice effectively is emphasized in the lessons and is an important aspect in her voice instruction.
  
  
• Having studied with some 12 teachers, as well as coached with some of the finest vocal coaches around, Maggi is able to cull different approaches to producing excellent, musical singing.  
  
  
• Maggi draws upon many diverse disciplines in her approach to singing including ideas from The Alexander Technique philosophy, yoga postures, meditation, positive visualization and relaxation methods.
  
  
• Maggi is a great believer in “sharpening the sword” as Stephen Covey says, and is always in her own process of learning.
  

Who are Maggi's students?

• School age students
  Maggi teaches a lot of middle school and high school students.  The competition for being cast in the school musicals is sometimes fierce and these students are motivated and work hard. Her goal is to give them a solid foundation of good singing that they can take into their lives no matter what they do.  Some students never go beyond their high school voice study, but they have achieved a confidence and self esteem from taking lessons that is invaluable.
  

  Preparing students for college auditions is an important part of what she does in her studio. Finding the right repertoire and making sure they are thoroughly prepared is crucial. Excellent preparation is the best way to achieve confidence.   Many of her students have been accepted to highly competitive University vocal programs. 
  

• Professional Singers
  Maggi is proud that she has several professionals in her studio at the moment.  Her many years of teaching gives her a depth of knowledge to use in working with people advanced singers and musicians.
  
  
• Adult novices
  One of Maggi's favorite adult voice students was a retired postal worker a recluse in his 60’s. He joined the church choir, sang at nursing homes and became the soloist to sing the Star Spangled banner at the town parades and other events.  She believes singing added extra years to his life and that no one is too old to take voice lessons.
  
  
• Adult returnees
  Middle aged students who have sung professionally or were active singers in high school and college return to study voice with renewed motivation and joy.
  It is their way of returning to an important part of who they are that perhaps got lost or put aside with the passing of time, jobs, marriage, children etc.