Molly Durand Music

There is no authority on the voice, especially your voice. I am however an authority on my own voice, and I have found a freedom that I wish to share.  My voice is endlessly growing and the process of discovery gets more and more interesting.  My voice IS my teacher, as yours can also be.  Through the last 30 years of my own journey with singing, and 15 years of teaching, I have discovered a way to sing with:  ease, connection, skill, and full self-expression.  This liberated way of singing is possible for anyone who is willing and diligent.  I have taught very basic lessons that have worked for my students, and has allowed them to sing with the same unshackled exuberance.  I’ve learned the most about my own voice and singing, from my students.  Many dedicated creative instructors are subject to the phrase “those who can’t, teach.”  Another societal chokehold on both creativity, and those who wish to nurture the craft of artists.  A slap in the face of those who are meant to give back through instruction.  For me in this studio, success is measured by how free one feels to fully express their voice and their innermost self.

I have decided to put up my voice studio online.  There will be 6 lessons and 1 master lesson.  Each week will have a video lecture/lesson dedicated to a specific component accompanied with an audio warm up mp3 pertaining to that particular week.  At the end of the course the student will also have a master lesson on video and audio, that they can use for the rest of their singing career.  I wrote out a short book as well to explain this practice and my philosophy.  Many of my students that I’ve taught in person have found their voice after these 6 lessons but then stop singing and come back for refreshers and I realized they need something to tangible to have as a go-to when they need a refresher on:  BREATH, PLACEMENT, VOWELS, EAR, PHRASING & PERFORMANCE.  I realized I need to capture my studio in a way that isn’t fleeting and would allow a student to have the lessons as long as they need and not forget what they learned.  So I know they will benefit from having them in video and audio and in written form.  I believe this will truly be the best way for a student who desires to sing, to have the tools they need to become the singer they want to be and ultimately become their own teacher and build a beautiful relationship with their own voice.

MD STUDIO FOCUS:

First is always breath.  But not the type of shallow breathing we do day to day.  A singer, no matter their status or experience, must deepen/open/expand their diaphragm daily.  

Second is to release body tension, or at least become aware of body.  The instrument is within the body so that connection is crucial. 

Third is to stretch the voice and throat and buzz/vibrate the face and ear/nose/throat.  Feeling & enjoying the sensations and building a relationship with the voice.  

Fourth is to discover the inside of the mouth, tongue and back of throat.  

Fifth is vowels... ee eh ah ou oo

Sixth is applying the relaxation and understanding of voice from warm up in to an actual song.  This is now also the performance aspect that Molly has a keen eye for expanding.  Through connection to the text and vowel modification the song can be transformed.  This takes guts and vulnerability.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Tremor Technique to deepen breath and release tension in body.  We hold unconsciously so Molly uses physical techniques to unlock these hidden blocks.  The action via physical gets to the conscience quicker than an intellectual approach.  

Vocal warm ups that enhance breath support, open throat, align placement and more fine tuning

Vowel warm up and lecture and then application to song

Ear Training for those in need

Performance and Creation.  MD Studios holds master classes for those interested or those ready for an audience.  Vocal Recording Technique is also offered for those wanting to become recording artists or those who want to start that process.  
 

******MD Voice Studio will be going online and not taking on 1/1 in person students as often as before so bookings for private are very limited if avail, at this time.  

PRICE & LOCATION

MD Studios is in Los Angeles, CA 

$100 per lesson.  Lessons last 45 minutes to an hour. 

$200 to travel to your location

Text or call 323-497-7978 to schedule a lesson.