Lauren McQuistin's Profile

Background:

Since I started my formal training as a pianist I have been equally enthusiastic as a performer and an educator. I am a Yale School of Music graduate, specialising in voice, with a freelance singing career (lyric soprano) and a growing, vibrant vocal studio. Throughout my undergraduate studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, in my native Glasgow, I supported myself teaching piano and voice to members of the community, from ages 8-55. I studied vocal pedagogy closely at Indiana University, and continued to grow my studio as I moved to Connecticut to study at Yale, where I joined Yale College faculty to prepare undergraduate students for their singing juries and exams. Having two master’s degrees in addition to my bachelors, I am very familiar with the pursuit of higher education, and how critical the arts is to that. Alongside this, I am of the genuine belief that music and singing are of critical importance to the developing child and humanity at large. I love teaching all the way from the basic principles of breath, projection, posture, phonation - to advanced aspects of performance and theatre. Teaching can be such a unique opportunity to not only grow skills and mastery, it can also enhance a pupil's enjoyment of life, self confidence, and all aspects of their development as a child, young adult, or mature student. Seeing the aspects of music enrich other parts of a person's life is my joy. I am constantly inspired by the bravery of mature students trying something outside of their comfort zone, and young students starting a journey with the most profound of art forms. With a new student I will meet them where they are, then establish what their goals are. We can look through long terms goals, general goals, or specific repertoire goals. For beginner students we will strip it right down, get to know the process of correct breath and posture, and how we turn that into an instrument! With more advanced students, I will find your strengths, and maximise on what needs to be worked on. I always strive to maximise on a student's language skills, and taking a unique and individual approach to the character of the student themselves.