Teaching

download press kit

Watch videos:
* Teaching in Torino, Italy
* Lunch Break: Master Class in Bertinoro, Italy with students and Saba Band.

Vocal Coaching for Singers, Actors, Public Speakers

With Cynthia Gibb - star of "Fame", "The Karen Carpenter Story" and "Gypsy" - teaching@cynthiagibb.me

Ms. Gibb's  career as an actress began at age 15 in New York City.  In 1983, she joined the cast of "Fame" as a series regular. Every episode utilized her talents as an actor, singer and dancer. The music producer on the show introduced her to vocal coach, Dr. Joel Ewing, with whom she still studies today. During her three years on "Fame," Cynthia recorded songs for  the television series, performed live with the cast throughout the United States and was invited to sing for the royal Prince of Malaysia when in Singapore with the Special Olympics.

Throughout her 30-year career in film, television and theater, Ms Gibb has often portrayed real-life characters requiring her vocal skills. For CBS, Ms. Gibb played both Karen Carpenter and Gypsy Rose Lee. "The Karen Carpenter Story" aired in 1989 and still holds records at the network  for its high ratings. "Gypsy" was a movie made for the network in 1994 in which Ms. Gibb played the title role opposite Bette Midler  and won a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Her voice can be heard on the soundtrack, most notably in "Let Me Entertain You."

In addition to twenty-six years of private lessons, Ms. Gibb's vocal training also includes a dozen years in Dr. Ewing's Master Chorale. The members of this group are all advanced soloists who have had to learn how to blend their many voices to become a single voice. They have performed all styles of choral music, divided into as many as eight-part harmonies. This training requires advanced skills and tremendous discipline.

Ms. Gibb grew up in Westport Connecticut, a place where the arts are taught and celebrated. With a professional ballerina for a mother, Cynthia spent much of her time as a child at the dance studio, surrounded by music. After several years of piano lessons she began violin lessons, and by the time Cynthia reached high school she was invited to play with Connecticut's All-State Orchestra as well as sing in her school choir.

Cynthia Gibb's Vocal Philosophy:

Ms. Gibb began studying vocal pedagogy (the study of teaching voice) with Dr. Ewing in 1999 and still attends classes to date. Her studies include the writings of Herbert Caesari, David L. Jones, Giovanna Gattuso, Cathy Segal-Garcia and Dr. Ewing's doctoral papers. Additionally, Ms. Gibb has attended Barbara Cooke's Master Classes and is a fan of her coaching technique. Ms. Gibb has extensively studied the voice as an instrument, how to listen and diagnose vocal faults, and what specific exercises will heal injuries and address the needs of each individual singer.

In most art forms, when a student becomes advanced , he or she can teach that discipline. Singing is the exception to that rule. Most singers, even if proficient, do not know how or why his/her body can behave like an instrument. To teach singing, one must not only be able to sing, but must study the mechanism within the human body that creates music. Vocal faults that can be corrected are loss of falsetto, lack of chest voice, hoarseness, a break in the registers, vibrato that is too quick or too slow, nodes and intonation problems. Her training focuses on proper technique and balancing the muscles systems responsible for the singing voice to allow for a lifetime of singing, free from injures. It matters not whether the student wants to perform pop, rock, musical theater or opera, or if he just wants to create more resonance and ring in the speaking voice. Ms. Gibb's method of training is appropriate for everyone* who wants to enjoy a wide range of styles, pitch, volume, and musical interpretation.

Currently, Ms. Gibb is writing a book on singing with celebrated Italian singer, Giovanna Gattuso. Ms. Gibb and Ms. Gattuso completed their 6-city tour of Italy teaching master classes in July 2009 and are planning their next one for 2010. Dates will be posted as they are confirmed.

The goal in Ms. Gibb's studio is to create a properly functioning singing and speaking voice that will allow a performer to use his or her voice daily for the rest of their life. Once a solid technique is established, a performer is free to express himself artistically, confident that the voice can and will do everything asked of it. Just like any art form, one must make a commitment of many years to become advanced. However, one can experience very rapid growth and improvement weekly... come give it a try.

Contact the studio at the address above for rates and package discounts.

*A special note about teaching children: The muscle systems responsible for the singing voice are not fully developed until after puberty. My teaching method for young people is geared for an immature physical body, and takes special precautions to shield young singers from injuries, some of which can be permanent. When choosing a vocal coach for your child, be sure that the teacher has been trained specifically for children. Kids are delicate in every way, and their voices are especially so. Feel free to contact me to discuss the potential for injury and how I adjust my teaching method for children to keep them safe from harm.

Links:
http://www.hamishpitceathly.com/node/6
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Vennard
http://www.corneliusreid.com
http://www.belcantotoday.com/caesari.html