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The Process

Dr. Stan Hill combines decades of teaching, conducting, and vocal research experience to provide personalized voice instruction for singers of all levels and voice types. His extensive background in vocal pedagogy and doctoral research in laryngeal physiology gives him a unique understanding of how the voice functions and develops.

 

A longtime member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), Stan has taught individual singers, voice classes, and vocal pedagogy at the university level. His experience as a conductor and artistic director of acclaimed choral organizations has given him a deep understanding of vocal technique, performance, and artistic expression.

 

Each student begins with an evaluation to assess vocal strengths, challenges, goals, and learning style. Based on this assessment, Dr. Hill develops a customized plan designed to improve vocal technique, build confidence, expand vocal potential, and promote healthy, efficient singing.​

Is this right for me?

What is VOX Diagnostics and what does it offer a singer?

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By carefully listening to sung phonation through a series of vocalizes and exercises, an aural evaluation of the sound the voice box is producing and then prescribing musical therapies, can often help alleviate problems in the sound.

 

What exactly does VOX Diagnostics listen for?

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Many types of dysphonia can be discerned by the sound that the vocal cords produce during singing. Glottal fry, efficient or inefficient vocal cord adduction, presbylaryngis (vocal fold atrophy), spasmodic dysphonia and other symptoms. It should be noted that the diagnosis is not medical and in cases where severe dysphonia is discovered, reference to an ENT would be indicated (Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor or Otorhinolaryngologist).

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What other vocal qualities can be discerned through a visit with VOX Diagnostics?

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The most common would be a deficiency in the use of core support of the breath while singing. Others, and in many cases the critical factor, is the placement of the tone using resonators including palatal, laryngeal and pharyngeal resonators. Hearing predominately through bone conduction can also lead to inefficient phonation.

 

What is the difference between what VOX Diagnostics offers and a regular voice teacher?

 

The typical voice studio, while excellent in the use of imagery and vocalizes to elicit degrees of performance readiness, is in many situations focused on repertoire acquisition, audition preparation, stage deportment, and other elements of performance whereas VOX Diagnostics is primarily focused on discerning vocal problems and addressing them.

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How would I know that I need the services of VOX Diagnostics?

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  • Vocal fatigue after a performance.

  • Gradually increasing inefficiency of resonation while singing.

  • Difficulty with breath support and phrase singing.

  • Problems with pitch flatting, or sharping.

  • Needing more facility on traversing the passaggio (moving from one register to another).

  • Hoarseness while talking for a long period of time.

  • Improper focus or lack of focus of resonators.

  • Inconsistent or incorrect use of vowels, consonants, diphthongs, sibilants, fricatives, plosives.

 

How many sessions would it take to alleviate the problem?

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Each individual is unique and each problem deserves specific attention for the idea solution. Some specific needs can be solved in a couple of sessions. Others just need a “tune-up” periodically to realign resonators and tone placement. Some find it useful to have weekly sessions for a period of time. The critical factor is whether the singer is realizing their particular need is being addressed and the solutions offered are addressing the problem.

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