Reviews of Vocal Coaching:
"I am in my mid-40s. For most of my life, every music teacher I came across, and even my family, considered me a monotone. I used to (half-) joke that my singing should be prohibited under the terms of the Geneva Convention. I hated the recorded sound of my own voice - not just singing but speaking. (Not a particularly helpful circumstance for someone who must constantly give presentations in one's professional capacity). And then I booked a consultation with Dianne - just to lay every shred of doubt to rest, once and for all. That initial consultation evolved into two years of a student-teacher relationship. At the end of those two years (job transfer out of state), I am still not quite ready to book the Carnegie Hall, but...But! - I can sing ! Not only can I sing, but I also understand my voice now: Its strength and limitations, its moods and temperaments, its needs and still unrealized capacities - and I have much, much more control over it. We have a cordial working relationship, my voice and I! In addition, my pitch discrimination has improved dramatically. I can recognize and remember melodies much better. My appreciation of vocal music, and music overall, has made quantum leaps.
I owe it to Dianne. Some of her most outstanding qualities as a teacher are patience, kindness, uncompromising exactitude, profound technical knowledge, encouraging attitude, willingness and ability to find and work from the student's comfort zone while constantly challenging and stretching its boundaries, and deep musical sensitivity. Singing is, in the end, beyond skill and technique, a great and simple joy . Dianne knows this joy and its secrets, and generously and skillfully shares them with her students. I cannot recommend her as a vocal teacher and coach highly enough. Thank you, Dianne!" Andrew A.
"Thank you so much for the time and effort you took with me for my voice lessons. I have grown so much as a vocalist because of your wisdom and guidance. You have taught me that there are so many other countless aspects that go into singing. I will always keep in touch and hopefully come back for lessons every once in while" . (student was moving to Orlando) Hannah V.
"I just have to tell you that my daughter was so excited when she got out of her lesson today she immediately put the CD of the lesson on because she wanted me to hear her songs. She has never done that before. The songs are just tremendous - the music, her voice, her singing! And she says she loves them! I am so happy to hear her singing these beautiful songs and to hear her say how much she likes them. They are so much better than the stuff that is popular today. Thank you so much for everything!" Donna K.
"Thank you for all that you have done for Katie. You have taught her so much and its paying off. There are only 2 girls younger than 16 in Build Me Up Buttercup: The Musical and Katie is one of them. It was made clear to the other 59 actors in the company by the director that Katie is in Buttercup because of her vocal talents and she takes direction well. This is a reflection on you. You help her to feel confident at auditions while helping her voice grow. Couldn't ask for a better teacher! " Beth D. (Katie is in the Stars of Tomorrow Program at the Cocoa Village Playhouse)
"I just found out that I have made the finals for the Tops in Blue (Air Force select singing group) ! Now we need to prepare selections from all genres of music. Thank you for helping me make my voice what it is. I wouldn't know my full potential without you! You're wonderful!" Lt. A.W.
"Thank you for all your help and patience." Rosemary B.
"My name is Cathy M. I completed my degree in performance/opera at the prestigious Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers. I studied with Dianne Thornburgh the last three years of high school. With her instruction I gained acceptance to the Vocal/Choral Institute at The Boston Conservatory the summer before my senior year, plus I earned superior ratings at county and state vocal performance assessments/vocal solo throughout my high school years. She followed my progress during my time at college, and continued to polish up my voice when I visited her during school breaks. In fact, I still take occasional lessons. I highly recommend her instruction."
"I was singing in a classic rock band but wanted to improve my vocal quality and further mature my voice. I have worked with Dianne for about 18 months so far, and she has helped me achieve what I was looking for. My tone, range, and pitch have all improved significantly, thanks to Dianne's coaching. I record almost all of our practice sessions and live gigs. When I listen to the older material, this difference in vocal quality is amazing. I continuously get a lot of great reviews from my bandmates and from the crowds. Dianne provides immediate, honest (but very nice) feedback to catch and correct errors before they become bad habits. She hears things that you won't. Additionally, Dianne provides a CD recording of each lesson. I use those CDs to reinforce the lesson throughout the week and to warmup prior to a practice or a gig. Dianne is a great teacher for all aspiring singers." Jeff G.
"The audition today was a great success. My daughter sounded great (I listened outside). The committee told her she chose two excellent songs to showcase her voice. She was accepted into the music program and we will find out in a couple of weeks whether or not she gets any scholarship money. Many thanks for all your hard work and dedication these past four years in helping her develop her voice." K. Holloway
"You're the best!" Susan D.
"Dianne Thornburgh is very knowledgeable about how the voice works and she has many different ways to help people develop their voices. She taught me like an adult, yet was fun for my young boys. She was flexible and covered a lot of material, and also gave me ideas to pass on to my boys. I just wish we had more time for lessons, but we moved out of the area." Lynn, Robbie and Tim
"I love coming to voice lessons. My voice is improving every week. Thank you very much!" (spontaneous, unsolicited comment after a recent lesson; she asked for a business card to give to her friend who "has been wondering who I have been taking lessons from".)
Bailey U., student at Cocoa Beach H.S., active in school drama program (update: she referred two friends, who are now taking lessons)
"I am glad to have you as my teacher. Your teaching style agrees with me. I am glad to have the CD because I am able to practice with it and I am learning from it with repeated use." Marianne D., after her second lesson
"I thank you for being a very thorough and superb teacher. Choosing you as a vocal coach was perfect for me as a good start in understanding how to use what I have been given. You are so excellent and knowledgeable. I enjoy our sessions!" Karin L.
"I was able to cantor for Easter Vigil without straining. Microphone close to me and soft voice. With the choir, I softly sang a quick high note. I was amazed at the increase in my range." Linda B.
"You are a very gifted, knowledgeable teacher." Andrew A.
"Best vocal teacher in Brevard I ever had! Not only was Ms. Thornburgh knowledgeable and talented, she also has awesome and healthy techniques, exercises and learning aids throughout each session. She goes above and beyond for her students, and gave me great advice for music theory and my asthma!" Faith P.
For online reviews, please visit Vocal Ease Productions at www.Google.com. How can I help you with your voice? Dianne Thornburgh