Bountiful

Salt Lake:  2026 Evergreen Ave.  84109 (Milcreek area)

Day Murray Music  4914 South State, Murray  ($5.00 studio fee added each lessons)

In Your Home – Private  arrangements can be made.  (There is an extra $12 charge per lesson, which is eliminated if three or more students live in the same area)

The ages of our students span from young children to adults. We are comfortable preparing students for the collegiate and professional level, as well as those not quite as steadfast in their goals. Some students seek preparation for involvement in school acapella and choirs, while others pursue music for their personal enjoyment or to perform in independent groups or solo venues. Many of our students have gone on to pursue a variety of career options in the performing industry.

When a student begins, wherever their interest lies, we work to discover where they are on their musical journey, discuss some goals they would like to set for themselves and put a teaching and learning plan into motion.  Lessons include physical exercises that develop the support muscles, control of the larynx to control tone support, high voice techniques, blending of the voice registers to find the balanced “mix”, and stage presence. Our experience as singers and performers, allows us insights into the problems of singers.

Kathie Rampton McMillen grew up surrounded by the golden age of music in the 1950`s and 60`s. She was trained in Speech level Singing, and International Voice Association, and is currently a member of International Voice Teachers of Mix. She has studied vocal anatomy and physiology in order to help with damaged voices. She has been teaching private voice for 22 years. Several of her students have performed in New York, off Broadway, have sung in bands in Los Angeles, have won local “Idol” contests, have sung the National Anthem at jazz and Bee’s games, as well as securing leads in local musicals. Kathie has performed in and directed many musicals, and taught childrens’ singing and performing groups. She led “Harmony Kids” and sang in a quartet and performed in “Beautiful and Bold” for years. She has directed Annie, Hello Dolly, Your a Good Man Charlie Brown and many church and community productions. Her strength is loving what she does, and in helping her students improve the way they sing and the way they present themselves on front of others and in giving them confidence.

McKinley McMillen has been surrounded by singing, acting and dancing her whole life. She has been a dancer since her early years, and performed in musical theater productions in high school and community theater. She was the lead in Footloose, performed in Taming of the Shrew, The Good Doctor and Alice in Wonderland Jr. She is a sought after choreographer, so is well rounded in many aspect of performing. McKinley teaches at the Utah Children’s Theater and was the music and drama director at Legacy Preparatory Academy where she worked with elementary age children. She has studied with Speech Level Singing Masters and is a pre-cert member of International Voice Teachers of Mix.

Both teachers continue their singing education through yearly week long seminars and conferences, as well as their own private vocal instruction from world class international mentors.

 

Following vocalizes, which help us help the student work through their vocal impediments and strengthen the voice and correct improper technique,  the student will either choose a song or the teacher may choose one that they feel would best fit the student. The goal is to work on a song for 2-3 weeks, depending on the student. As teachers, we are more concerned that the student is learning the correct way to sing, not how many songs they memorize and perfect. However, once we feel a student has really mastered one style, we will push him/her to reach out of his comfort zone and try different  genres that challenge him.  We will also help the students prepare for auditions and choose wining repertoires.

SHOWCASE

Every 4-6 months we will have a “showcase” in which the students perform for their peers as well as their parents. We invite a guest singer (often a previous student who is currently doing shows) to perform to inspire  the students .  We also have opportunities for community service singing, master classes and Broadway Nights.

PRACTICE

Students are expected to practice at least 1.5 hours during the week so that they can work on the techniques they learned during the lesson. Recording of the lessons is strongly encouraged.