Where to start with singing lessons

[Jane74656]

Any guidance would be much appreciated. D6 is interested in singing. I would like to help her. I am looking up classes/coaches. I have zero musical/singing knowledge, and just don't know where to start (group classes, even if they exist, private but then what kind of background should teacher come from etc). Even if I can be guided to a website which can help would be great.

Is she doing any organised singing at the moment? What area are you in?

I would look for a teacher with experience in young vocal development and vocal health.

At that age I’d look for a children’s choir or music group

Oh and although it gets variable reviews depending on who runs the local franchise look up Stagecoach. They start at age 4 and it’s a combination of acting, singing and dancing

Dd’s dance school offers singing lessons. So might be worth checking with local dance schools. Some children do go for just singing and/or drama. They don’t have to do dance too.

Check out local dance schools - many of them are more like theatre schools and do singing lessons too

Children's choirs can be good.

See if your local Council has a music service.

If going for private lessons, the teacher needs to be a trained singer - ideally classically trained, so that your DD learns the correct techniques and doesn't damage her voice. A decent teacher will be able to teach repertoire to interest their students so don't assume classically trained means Mozart and Verdi if that's not your DDs thing.

Our local council music system (runs ensembles, hires out instruments etc) has a list online of teachers in all musical disciplines including voice. You can filter by eg child age, instrument etc and look at their biogs, their qualifications and then get contact details.

But at that age getting involved in a children's choir ( in my area, run by the same bit of the council) is a brilliant way in. Ours is well taught, lots of fun and they get great gigs! DD started in yr5 and is still doing it in yr 8, now along with another choir and private lessons.

Do you know what type of singing she likes? Church choirs give brilliant training- lots will offer a trial to see if you like it- but it is a big commitment. Not a route we took.

my dd did a choir at primary school and then later one at a music hub. Also did a musical theatre club from 9 ish. Started with singing lessons at 11/12 -and now, at 13, sings with the national youth choir in the holidays and js working towards grade 7. I don’t think she would have needed formal lessons any younger- just the chance to sing for fun. If you mention the basic local area people will be able to help! Good luck.

At this age a good childrens choir run by and experienced teacher will give her loads of pleasure, she will learn to sing in harmony and a good teacher will be subtly teaching music theory without them realising it.
It disagree about the teacher being classically trained being essential - a properly qualified teacher who has had formal training will have studied vocal technique and music theory regardless of what genre they come from.
My DD was first taught by a general music graduate who used the pop and rock genre, but it was underpinned with good technique and music theory often singing in 7 part harmony. She then moved on to an individual teacher whose training is musical theatre.
DD is now in formal training she both a beautiful mesi soprano contemporary voice and a full soprano legit/classical voice.
At 6 the most important thing is that they enjoy it.