We often get calls and emails from parents inquiring about singing lessons for kids: How old does my child need to be to start singing lessons? What is involved in kids’ singing lessons? How do I know if singing lessons are right for my child?
The first question, how old does my child need to be start singing lessons, really depends on the child. The youngest child in our singing program was 6 years old, and he was one of our most dedicated students we’ve ever had! The answer to this question depends on the child’s ability to pay attention and be engaged with the lesson materials for at least 50 minutes (all of our lessons are 50 minutes long – almost twice as long all other studios!). Our lesson plans include warmups, strength training exercises for the vocal apparatus, some specific content related to improving singing (for example, what is resonance), performance tips, and of course, singing songs. We purposefully vary our teaching content into short engaging chunks to keep our students’ attention. If a child can pay attention and participate in these activities, the child is old enough to take singing lessons.
To know if singing lessons are right for your child, answer these questions:
- Does my child love to sing? Do they sing without being prompted?
- What are the goals for singing lessons for your child? This can range from wanting to prepare for solo performances to improving self-esteem and social interactions.
- Will the child be able to practice 10-15 minutes 3-4 days per week on vocal exercises? This is not singing songs, but completing an assigned vocal workout or practice routine. Can this be done without “fighting” with the child to practice? When practice time becomes a source of conflict, practice needs to be approached differently, and we often help parents with that. We understand that singing lessons really is a family affair!
- Who is the teacher? How does the teacher approach vocal training for kids? What is their educational background and teaching experience? Is the teacher certified in vocal instruction? While a teacher who has had an illustrious career as a performer may be a good teacher, such experience does not guarantee singing teacher quality.
At Peak Music Studios, we offer a free vocal consultation for children and serve families from Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Cohoes, Latham, Niskayuna, Clifton Park, Watervliet, and surrounding communities. Provide us with some basic information on our web form, and we will get back to you to set up a time for you to bring your child to our state-of-the art studio to meet us and participate in a free vocal consultation. During the consultation, we assess how well your child does on a series of voice metrics that allows us to make informed recommendations for your child’s course of voice study. This also gives you a chance to meet us and see if our studio is a good match for your child’s voice lessons.
So, if you think you child is ready for singing lessons for kids, schedule a free voice consultation today!
