Christopher Jones

3 Years Teaching on Lessonface
Beatboxing, Classical Voice, Family Activity, Freestyle Rap, Jazz Voice, Musical Theatre, Opera, Poetry, R&B Voice, Singing, Storytelling, Voice, Voice Diction, Writing

About

🎵 Welcome to my profile! 🎵

Hello there! I'm Christopher, a passionate and experienced music educator/performer excited to share my love for music with students of all ages and skill levels. With over 20 years of teaching experience, I've had the pleasure of helping countless students discover their musical talents and achieve their goals.

I hold a Masters and a Bachelors in Music Education and Performance along with an Associates in Child Development/Sociology, and I'm well-versed in a variety of musical genres, including Gospel, Jazz, Opera, Soul... I offer comprehensive instruction in a supportive and nurturing environment where you can thrive and reach your full potential.

In addition to private lessons, I also offer group classes, workshops, and performance opportunities to enhance your musical experience and foster a sense of community among students. Whether you're interested in classical repertoire, pop songs, jazz improvisation, or anything in between, I'm here to help you achieve your musical dreams!

I look forward to embarking on this musical journey together and helping you unleash your inner musician. Let's make some beautiful music!

Teaching Style

My teaching style is dynamic, interactive, and student-centered. I prioritize creating a supportive and engaging learning environment where students feel motivated to actively participate and explore their musical interests. I incorporate a variety of teaching methods and techniques, such as hands-on activities, demonstrations, guided practice, and constructive feedback, to cater to different learning styles and abilities. Additionally, I foster a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere where students feel empowered to express themselves creatively and develop their musical skills at their own pace. My approach is flexible and adaptable, allowing me to tailor my lessons to meet the specific needs and goals of each student while nurturing their passion for music and fostering a lifelong love for learning.

 

 

 

 

 

Curriculum

Some effective teaching methods I include when teaching voice lessons:

  1. Vocal Warm-ups: Starting each lesson with vocal warm-up exercises to prepare the student's voice for singing and improve vocal technique.
  2. Repertoire Selection: Helping students choose appropriate songs to work on based on their vocal range, musical preferences, and skill level.
  3. Breath Control Exercises: Teaching exercises to improve breath control, support, and stamina while singing.
  4. Vocal Exercises: Providing exercises to develop vocal agility, range, tone quality, resonance, and vocal flexibility.
  5. Interpretation and Expression: Guiding students in interpreting and expressing the emotions and meaning of the songs they sing.
  6. Performance Techniques: Coaching students on stage presence, posture, microphone technique, and overcoming performance anxiety.

As for student texts, some recommended resources for voice lessons include:

  1. "The Singer's Musical Theatre Anthology" by Hal Leonard Corp.: This series provides a wide selection of songs from musical theater repertoire categorized by voice type.
  2. "26 Italian Songs and Arias" edited by John Glenn Paton: A collection of classical vocal repertoire commonly used for vocal training, including Italian art songs and arias.
  3. "The Contemporary Singer" by Anne Peckham: A comprehensive guide to contemporary singing techniques, including exercises, warm-ups, and performance tips.
  4. "The Real Vocal Book" by Hal Leonard Corp.: A collection of jazz standards and popular songs with lead sheets for singers, suitable for jazz and contemporary vocalists.
  5. "Voice Lessons To Go" by Ariella Vaccarino: A series of instructional CDs or downloads offering vocal exercises and warm-ups for singers of various levels.

These resources complement my teaching methods and provide students with diverse material to explore and develop their vocal skills.

Credentials & Affiliations

  1. Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Langston University
  2. Master's Degree in Music Performance from University of Central Oklahoma
  3. Associate Degree in Child Development/Sociology from Redlands Community College
  4. TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certification
  5. Over 20 years of experience teaching music and English, both online and in-person
  6. The Really Great Teacher Company - online English teacher
  7. Membership - Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, MENC, NAfME