Music Lesson FAQs

McIntire Studios offers lessons in voice, piano, sight-singing, ear-training, and music theory. Voice, piano, aural skills, sight-singing and music theory are available from Michelle McIntire. An interview is required for all lessons and entrance into the studio.

We offer monthly studio classes for voice and piano students, and at least two full recitals per year. During studio class, singers sing/play for each other, get to know one another, and learn how to critique and be critiqued. We also supplement our musical growth through games and special presentations. Studio Class is an unparalleled opportunity for musical growth, one usually available only to music majors at University. It also provides you with another venue for honest feedback about your voice. Try to attend as many Studio Classes as possible. Please make it your goal to come to all of them. Selections will be either memorized 'complete' or designated 'work in progress'.

Studio Recitals are required for all students in school. Adults are STRONGLY encouraged to do the recitals as well.

McIntire Studios participates in NATS competitions, MTNA festivals, and has the expectation that eligible students (high school students enrolled in MSHSAA schools) in district choir auditions and solo and ensemble festival through their participating member schools. Also, as a member of ACDA, McIntire Studios offers the opportunity for singers to audition for district, regional, and national honor choirs.

Lesson times vary. Typically lessons are once weekly for 30 - 60 minutes.

Lessons are an on-going process, very similar to weight training. When you get into the kind of shape you want, lessons may become less frequent, but will never stop all together. As in weight training, once you're in shape, you have to work to stay there! They are also similar to studying a language. Music is a language. As with any language, it takes years to become truly fluent. Then remember, if you don't use it... you can lose it!

Music is one of the very best ways to challenge your G&T student. Since we offer instruction tailored to the individual student, our programs are well suited to help your child realize his or her fullest potential.

Many G &T students become quickly bored with traditional music lessons (once per week for an hour) because they learn quickly and therefore hate unnecessary repetition. However, on a physical level (finger facility) repetition is as important as ever. Younger students, especially (Grades 1 - 3) lack the discipline to 'make' themselves continue to practice a song they've learned, even if they understand the need for it. Therefore, I've discovered that G&T children in this age range require shorter lessons that meet more frequently than once a week. This eliminates the endless repetition that gifted students often do not tolerate well. Many gifted students come to lessons 2-3 times a week for twenty - thirty minute lessons. Once the student has developed the self-discipline to match their ability, lessons can meet further and further apart - usually after only one or two semesters of study.

This varies depending on the student. In general, you should practice every day for as long as your lesson is. This may be broken up into much shorter segments - someone who needs 45 minutes of practice per day may play for 5 minutes before school, 20 minutes when they get home, 5 minutes before dinner, 10 minutes when the commercials are on, and 5 minutes just before bedtime. It adds up very quickly! There is no need to 'chain' yourself down. That said, quality time is more useful that repetition for the sake of repetition.

Practice can be a constant battle, which is no fun for anyone. I encourage open dialogue between student and parent: that the student understand that the parent is trying to help, and that the parent remember that actually STARTING practice each day is often the most difficult part. Make a pact to be gentle with each other from the outset.

Voice students require a safe place at home where they are free to make loud and/or unlovely sounds with disturbing anyone and where they don’t fear being teased or mocked. It can be surprising how powerful (and unfounded!) that fear can be. Please do NOT take it to heart if your child is unwilling to sing where you can hear them, especially at first.

Voice students also require a mirror to practice in, much like a dancer, to check form. Fortunately they don’t need a huge wall sized mirror! The inexpensive dorm door mirrors are just fine.

For piano students, I encourage the use of a stopwatch rather than a timer for practice timings. Even as an adult, it is much more satisfying to see how long I have actually practiced than to count the minutes until I can be done.

Another practice tip is to take frequent breaks, always remembering to re-start the stopwatch. I find that a specific goal (such as fixing the fingering in a two measure passage, or sing the letter names on two or three songs) is much more efficient than just slogging through the songs in the book. Another practice tip: the "never pass the piano" rule. Never pass the piano without sitting down and playing something. The time adds up surprisingly fast! :)

If practice is good at the beginning of the week but suffers after day 3 or 4, you may need to enter our G&T program, as outlined in #4 above. If you are interested in this service, speak with Michelle McIntire about enrolling your child in this program.

Lessons are in Penfield, NY - outside of Rochester, NY or virtually over Zoom. Contact us for directions when you set up your initial interview/audition.

We do not travel to teach lessons.

There is no audition for entrance in McIntire Studios. There is, however, a required entrance interview. When you come for your interview, we will talk first, get to know each other a bit, and then I will have you sing. First, I will tell you about my background, the studio expectations, and tuition and scheduling. Then we will talk about you: your goals, hopes, dreams. After that, I will run you through a vocal diagnostic that will reveal your range, your tessitura, your breath control and posture, diction/vowel formation, dynamic control, registration issues (if any), and tonal memory. You will need to prepare a song to present: be sure to select a song that you enjoy singing or think you do well. If you've never sung or played before, don't sweat - I'll help you. If you have a musical resume or a demo, bring it. The interview is fun and shouldn't be stressful. If you don't have a song to sing, we will sing something simple together.

An interview provides you with an opportunity to meet with your potential teacher before you begin lessons. This is important - you need to feel safe with your teacher. The interview allows the teacher to evaluate your strengths and challenge areas, and to assess your "attitude for success". During the diagnostic session, I always see how well the student responds to direction, which in my book is more important than the beauty of the basic instrument. In my studio, a student's attitude is much more important than ability in terms of passing the audition.

I no longer personally offer Kindermusik lessons, preferring to focus on private voice and piano lessons at this time. However, I am a huge advocate of this program and in most cases recommend it over private lessons for the child through age 7.

Lesson books, notebook, materials, water bottle (singers), phone or some technology to record your lesson, pencil, other items as requested by your teacher.

You will be responsible for your own music, notebooks, etc. All students need a 3 ring clear-view binder and either a metronome or an app on their phone.

• Piano students need a full keyboard or a piano.

• Voice students need access to some way to get a pitch and a camera. Voice students must have a way to record their lessons.