Teaching Philosophy


As a voice teacher, one of my primary goals is to help each one of my students develop functional and efficient vocal habits.  I believe that once a functional technique is established, a singer will be able to communicate more effectively and more artfully.  Too often, we as voice teachers lose sight of the balance between the science and the art of singing.  A bias in either direction can negatively impact a singer’s artistic journey.
I call myself a vocologist.  This is a newly-minted term by the NCVS and PAVA that describes voice professionals who study the science and practice of voice habilitation.  Voice habilitation is important to me as a voice teacher, because it ensures that I am helping my singers to develop functional and long-lasting vocal habits as well as self-efficacy.  It is important to know your voice and to be able to sing effortlessly on your own!
I teach all styles and genres of singing.  We often think that there are drastic differences between opera, musical theatre, jazz, pop, folk, etc., however, in practice, a functional and efficient voice can accomplish so many feats!  Stylistic differences are important to recognize and can be produced without compromising vocal health.
Ultimately, no matter what level of singer you consider yourself, the most important endeavor a singer can seek to accomplish is to become a better communicator.  Through functional and efficient singing instruction, I hope to help all of my students to succeed in reaching that goal!
If you are interested in individual voice lessons or a voice workshop for your organization, feel free to reach out by contacting me at jdglasner@gmail.com or by visiting http://www.downtownvoicestudios.com.
An extended version (read: more academic) of my teaching philosophy can be found here.


Quotes from Students

“I feel heard and challenged in my lessons with Dr. Glasner. He is attentive and respectful. He deeply listens and cares about my experience as a singer. He is well‐researched and excited about the material he teaches. I feel like he is learning from me while I am learning from him, which is exciting and equalizing. My voice lessons are a collaborative experience.”
“There is no exaggeration in saying that he is helping to change my life and providing a platform to reach my goals and dreams that I’ve never been able to reach before. He is extremely knowledgeable with how the [voice] work[s], and he’s helping me unlock my greatest potential as a singer…”
“Josh is an enormously helpful teacher.  He is very willing to explain the science behind the voice which brings another level of understanding to the lessons.  I speak highly of him.  Josh’s instruction has made me a more confident singer and a healthier curator of my vocal instrument.  I am plain better than I used to be because of Josh…”
“Dr. Glasner is my fourth applied lessons professor in four years of collegiate  study, and I have grown more in this SEMESTER than the other 6 combined. Part of that is on me. I have been in the practice rooms and I have practiced very diligently, but Dr. Glasner makes it easy. I want to work for him, he pushes me to do better. He is very specific in lessons…He has never once said, “Just do it”, but instead gives me steps to perform the task at hand. I feel very, very comfortable with Dr. Glasner. He has made me feel at home in his studio and every time I walk in to my lesson, it’s usually the highlight of my week.”
“Dr. Glasner has helped me to make significant discoveries about my voice and how to use it. I think he is an incredible voice teacher and has a true care and passion for his students success.”
**Quotes take from anonymous student evaluations**