From: Dean FH Macy
Organization: New England Talent, Ltd. - Epilogue Records
To: Vocalist <vocalist>
Subject: Re: how old
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Jeremiah Shaw wrote:

> I think if a child started taking voice too early they would not be able to grasp the conceptual
> nature of vocal technique, resulting in misinterpretation of what the instructor may be teaching
> and as a result, improper singing.
>
Never, never underestimate a child. For example, all the Asian children who begin their training at
age 3 and 4. The problem with most adults is that they fail to realize how adept children are at
grasping technical concepts, much more so than adults.

> Plus, I think if a younger child were bombarded with
> technique at an early age they would be so clouded that they would forget the joy of what it
> feels like to "just sing."
>
So don't bombard them. Most of us who teach young children effectively bring technique in the back
door. We make it fun and challenging. There's not a single child I have worked with who did not
like being faced with a challenge. And the true joy of teaching correct principles to children is
that they learn and apply them immediately and unlike older students, they never forget.

> Along the same lines, are there any instructors out there that have had very young students or
> any listers that began study at a very young age?
>
I have had many who began at 5 and 6 who are famous now. Barbra Streisand began at age 5 learning
technique at 7-9. Other famous singers who began as very young children are:
Bejun Mehta as a boy soprano (6)
Beverly Sills (9)
Michael Jackson (6)
Dianna Ross
Shirley Temple (4)
Judy Garland (4)
Marie Osmond (5)
Donny Osmond (5)
Mary Martin (7)
Jane Powell (4)
Enrico Caruso as a boy soprano (6)
Mario Lanza as a boy soprano (6)
the three tenors as boy sopranos (6&7)
Bjorling as a boy soprano (6)
Julie Andrews began technique at (7)
Petula Clark began technique at (6)
(Little) Stevie Wonder
Peter Schreier
Max Emanuel Cencic
And, of course, me (the Met lyric tenor) who began singing professionally at age 5 on Broadway.

I'm sure there are thousands more.

--
Dean FH Macy, Lit.D./Mus.D.
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"Specializing in Management of exceptionally talented youth in Music"
EPI Records - NetWork Films
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"Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go instead where there is no path
And leave a trail."