Hello and welcome to the Laurel James Studio Website
This website has been created to provide expanded access to potential students for viewing my teaching resume’ and performance bio. Links are provided for you to peruse whatever information you may be curious about, as well as contact information. This site also includes links to a few words from my own teacher, who I have worked with for years, and also a few blurbs from one of my students. As an additional bit of information, it may be important to report an important personal experience from a few years ago, when I attended a lecture/workshop on jazz vocal production. Having been trained in “bel canto,”or Italian technique, I unexpectedly came away from this workshop with a piece of valuable information, valuable for myself and in particular for my teaching. The workshop instructor was working with a student with formal classical training, and the teacher mentioned that her problem with most classical instruction was that it “trained the joy out of singing.” I have never forgotten that, and am thankful for those words of wisdom. Singing is all about joy — for both the singer and the listener. At least it should be! Through all the contests, competitions, auditions won or lost, the single “polished jewel” that remains is the simple joy of making sound, of giving voice to what lies within. I have loved helping and watching students move through their own personal journeys, being a witness and a partner in the mind- and soul-stretching process of discovering one’s own unique sound. My best to you, Laurel James
“Laurel James is the whole package. A singer needs a voice, a great body of skills, a balanced and useful repertoire, high energy to reach an audience, and a level of intelligence that can keep it all going at once. Laurel is all of these and more.”
JoAnn OttleyLaurel transcends what it means to be a vocal teacher! Laurel’s knowledge of the human voice sets her apart from other instructors. She is warm and creates a safe environment to learn and experiment in vocally, all while protecting the voice and keeping it healthy. Laurel takes the time to understand her students’ goals and will work tirelessly to help them reach them. She has prepared me for vocal competitions, auditions, and numerous performances and I trust her completely. I’ve had the opportunity to study with many wonderful professors and musicians who have offered top notch vocal education, however Laurel’s teaching style and vocals are unparalleled. If you are looking for a top of the line vocal teacher, you just found her!