There is some confusion around the difference between a voice teacher and a voice coach. I call myself San Diego Vocal Coach and I am, in my humble opinion, both. This maybe not technically correct, but here is why I feel I am.
A voice teacher is first and foremost a technician. They should understand, in depth, singing technique. Voice teachers give an understanding of breath support and resonance by guiding students through vocal exercises and breathing exercises. They also help you put that technique into practice in your chosen repertoire. I have my Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance and I have a deep understanding of singing technique. I also am a professional, active singer and I am able to sing in and teach multiple genres.
The ‘definition’ of a vocal coach is a pianist, conductor, or music director who is an expert in a chosen type of repertoire, usually either musical theater or classical. They coach your selections from the standpoint of musicality, phrasing and interpretation. They are generally not singers and, while they often have some knowledge of vocal technique, it is not their job to teach you how to sing correctly. It’s their job to help you take your performance to the next level once you’ve worked the technique with your voice teacher.
Although my piano skills have little to be desired, I consider myself both a voice teacher and a vocal coach, because in this day and age, we do have the luxury of having access to tracks. I also have been a music director and a conductor. Therefore, I am able to work on musicality, phrasing and interpretation with my students while I teach technique. I also often hire accompanists for my student’s sessions. Don’t get me wrong, a fine pianist who is a vocal coach is invaluable. I often send my clients to these coaches for extra refinement and another opinion, but I chose San Diego Vocal Coach as my calling card years ago, feeling that in this age of ‘Googling’, that this title would best represent me.
