From: Isabelle Bracamonte
Subject: vocal advice needed - Zajick's technique?
To: vocalist
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

Hello, I have a question to post to the list. I am a
soprano trying to decide which graduate school to
attend.

One of my choices is the Manhattan School of
Music, where I have been assigned to study with a
professor of music there. From the research I have
done, Dolora Zajick (who still studies with this
professor, Mr. Ted Puffer) gives him all the credit
for having built her voice. I read three of her
interviews in Opera News (one from the 80s and the
others from a few years ago) and she talks about his
technique as the only one she has ever learned. This
would seem to be a good sign.

My current voice professor, in my undergraduate
university, does not want me to to go the Manhattan
School and study with this man. She says that his
technique is edgy and tight, and that Miss Zajick is
his only famous student after years of teaching (and
therefore, a fluke). She also says that he has
produced only technically-sound mezzos and baritones,
but no successful sopranos or tenors.

My other option is go live in New York, not in a
graduate program, and study with Beverly Johnson, into
whose private studio I have been accepted. I know
nothing about her but the name was recommended by my
current teacher. I understand that she taught Renee
Fleming, although she is never mentioned when Miss
Fleming speaks of technique.

This is quite a dilemma for me, as you can see. I
admire Miss Zajick vocally a great deal, but am not as
well-versed as some posters, perhaps, who may be able
to shed some light on this issue for me. You also can
perhaps understand why I choose to send this
anonymously (through a friend's email address who is
a subscriber to the list). I am sending this in the
hopes of finding some operatically-educated advice,
more objective than my current teacher and immediate
circle.

I thought this was an opportune time to bring up my
question, as the Cav/Pag broadcast will have Miss
Zajick's vocal sound in the ears of posters.

Thank you for any responses. While I am encouraged to
have been accepted by both of these teachers, I feel
that one cannot be too careful about the voice teacher
one accepts. I also do not have a huge voice like
Miss Zajick or Miss Fleming. My voice might best be
described as "tweety bird with shrillness" by
detractors, and as "young dramatic coloratura or
pointed lyric" by admirers.

Thanks again.
Miss X
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