Letter from Dorca

The voice technique I teach is based on the Bel Canto Technique, (Classical Technique based on the style of Opera from 19th Century). This wonderful technique will help you to improve your range, to project your voice without any electronic help, you will learn how to sing using your natural resonant cavities to produce a powerful sound, that means: you can sing for a long period of time with a full sound without forcing your muscles. I will teach you to sing in other languages, I will coach you in different styles of classical or pop music but the most important thing is: you will learn how to sing in a healthy way. Your voice will not be hurt, and you can sing any style you want: classical, jazz, pop, musical theatre, what ever you want applying this technique.

I cannot tell you how many lessons you will need to improve your voice or to notice dramatic results. What I can tell you is, you can improve your vocal abilities depending on your discipline and your practice. Most students can notice a real difference in their voice between 3 and 5 months of practice. You should remember that we are building a new voice together, a new and safer technique and that takes time. I don’t believe in a teacher who says “dramatic results in the first lesson”. I’m sure you will feel new sensations in your first lesson, and we are going to work together to train the muscles to get you use to those sensations of freedom and an easier way to sing.

I recommend to all my students to take at least one lesson a week. That way you can keep training and improving your skills uninterrupted. You can take more than one lesson a week if you want. I offer special rates for students, (High School and College Students). For people who want to take more than one lesson a week, for 2 or more members of the same family, I can take 1 to 3 students at the same time, if you want to bring 1 or 2 people with you that’s OK. Of course I would prefer to give you a lesson individually, I think is the best way for you to learn and I will be able to work directly with you and your own unique needs. I understand some people cannot pay for an individual lesson every week. You can save too if you pay for a full month in advance. Please check the rates in the next page.

I teach students of 12 years old to adult, beginners, intermediates, and advance . I do not teach children under 12 years old.


Rates

One Lesson a week

Adults

$40.00 .......................................................................................................................One Person One hour lesson

$60.00 ......................................................................................................................Two People One hour lesson

$75.00 ....................................................................................................................Three People One hour lesson

$25.00 ...................................................................................................................One Person half an hour lesson

Note: No Group lessons for half an hour


Students (High School and College)

$30.00 .....................................................................................................................One Student, One hour lesson

$50.00 ..................................................................................................................Two Students, One hour lesson

$60.00 .................................................................................................................Three Students, One hour lesson


$20.00 .................................................................................................................One Student half an hour lesson

Note: No Group lessons for half an hour


Two or more lessons a week


Adults:

$30.00 ........................................................................................................................Per Section, One hour each

Note: No rate available for group sessions, No half an hour section available


Students:

$20.00 .........................................................................................................................Per Section, One hour each

Note: No rates available for group sessions, No half an hour section available


Month in Advance


Adults:

$140.00 ....................................................................................................................One lesson a week, One hour

$240.00 ..........................................................................................................Two lessons a week, One hour each

Note: No rates available for group sessions, No half an hour section available


Students:

$100.00 ....................................................................................................................One lesson a week, One hour

$160.00 ..........................................................................................................Two lessons a week, One hour each

Note: No rates available for group sessions, No half an hour section available


Policies (please read carefully)

1. The Professor has to be responsible, respectful and to give to the student a complete 60 minute or 30 minute lesson. The student should be on time and ready to do the lesson. No cell phone calls or other electronic equipment should interrupt the student and teacher's concentration during the class. Students should turn off their cell phone and other electronic equipment during the lesson.

2. If the Student is late to his/her lesson, the student has to pay for the whole lesson but the professor will give him/her just the time left in his/her lesson.

3. The Student should call the professor to cancel a lesson at least 48 hours before the lesson. If the student doesn't call to cancel the lesson, the professor will understand that the student is not interested to continue the voice training. The professor will open the space for another student immediately. Of course emergencies can occur, please keep the professor informed and let her know you are still interested to continue your training

4. The professor will not tolerate obscene language and/or obscene conduct, no disrespectful or aggressive attitude from the students. She wants to work with her students in a mature and professional setting.

5. Some times the professor may touch parts of the student's body: head, cheers, jaw, throat, chest, back, shoulders, and belly, this is part of the training. Sometimes the student may be asked to touch the professor in the same parts of her body to compare the way she wants the student to work with their bodies and their voices. THIS WOULD NEVER INVOLVE ANY SEXUAL CONTACT OR ANY KIND OF SEXUAL ARRESTMENT. She will always ask the student permission to touch him/her and this is just for the voice lesson/training purpose. Some people dont like to let any person touch them, period. The student should tell the professor that he/she doesn't feel comfortable with that.

6. The professor has the right to stop training any student for any one of the following reasons:

    a. Students who are irresponbislbe and do not show any interest in his/her training
    b. Any student with an an aggressive or bad attitude, students without good manners, not being respectufl, or being polite during the lessons.
    c. Students who fail to show up and do not give prior notice to the teacher in advance.

7. Many students ask if they have to pay for the first lesson, the answer is: YES. It is the professor's time. After the first lesson you decide if you want to continue your voice training with Miss. Cobian. The first lesson you should pay in cash. The student will has time to think about if he/she wants to continue his/her voice training with miss Cobian. After the student has thought carefully and decided to continue his/her voice training he/she should call back Miss. Cobian to let her know you will train your voice with her. The student can also tell her right after the lesson if he/she wants to be her student or not.

8. For those who have already decided they want to train their voices With Miss. Cobian and want to pay the month in Advance:

    a. The student should pay for the whole month at his/her fist lesson each month
    b. If Miss Cobian can't give a lesson to one of her students for any reason she will give the student another schedule to make sure the student will not lose that lesson. If the student, fails to show up for any reason but the student gave to Miss Cobian the 48 hours notice, Miss. Cobian will schedule other section to give the student the his/her lesson. If the student doesn't give Miss Cobian a 48 hour notice Miss Cobian will not be obligated to schedule any other sections for the student.

9. Dress Code: Students should dress aappropriately and comfortabley.

    a. Women: No hot pants, extremely short tops, or extremely short skirts. Miss Cobian will not teach women who are barefoot.
    b. Men: No pants falling down. Miss. Cobián will not teach men with out shirt or barefoot

Note: If the student doesn't follow the dress code Miss. Cobian will ask him/her to leave and come back next week.

10. Visitors are welcome to come with the student and enjoy the class, but remember, this is serious training and the student and teacher need total concentration to work during the lesson. Visitors who show inappropriate conduct during the class will have to wait for the student outside.


Note: All students should practice and study the voice techniques and follow the guide Miss Cobián will give them at the first lesson. If you are not able to follow the study guide, then Miss Cobián is not the person you need to teach you.