Want to become a better singing teacher and grow your vocal coaching business? Here are four books to curl up with on your summer break.
Why the F*ck Can’t I Change? Insights from a Neuroscientist to Show That You Can
One of the many interesting things about the book’s author Dr Gabija Toleikyte is that she’s a neuroscientist and a qualified business coach, so her advice is grounded in science but also backed up by real-world experience.
In Why the F*ck Can’t I Change? (a question that we’ve asked ourselves many times), Dr Toleikyte explains how habits are formed and gives a step-by-step guide to creating new ones.
She also shares tips about how to boost motivation and productivity and gives a few home truths about multi-tasking. (Apparently, multi-tasking isn’t really a thing – you’re just jumping from one task to another at top speed and probably not doing any of them that well.)
This book is useful if there are things about yourself that you’ve vowed many a time to change (but have never quite succeeded) or if you’re looking for greater insight to help students unpick negative habits.
Voice Teacher Influencer: Grow Your Studio, Increase Your Authority and Make More Money
If you’re a singing teacher who cringes at the idea of self-promotion and shudders at the thought of presenting yourself as a ‘singing expert’, then this book is for you.
John Henny is a leading LA vocal coach, writer, podcaster and teacher of teachers. In his book, he shares his tried and tested marketing techniques and encourages singing teachers to have more confidence when it comes to putting themselves out there.
There’s nothing wrong, he says, with talking about the value that you can bring to potential clients.
If you’ve put off revamping your website for ages or want to find ways to increase your earnings (go on, say it out loud, you’d like to make more money), then Voice Teacher Influencer is a great place to start.
It won’t give you all the answers, but it will give you the push you need to get moving in the right direction.
Want to know more? Read the full review here.
Making Your Voice Heard
Connson Chou Locke is a leadership expert from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Her book, Making Your Voice Heard, is based on a successful masterclass series she ran for the Guardian newspaper. It looks at how to make a strong first impression and how to be seen as a leader – useful tools if you run group singing lessons or choirs and experience imposter syndrome.
Locke’s insights about what your body language is really saying to other people will help you ‘own your space’ and express yourself authentically and with authority.
The Coaching Manual
If you’re feeling a little ground down after 18 months of teaching during a pandemic, then The Coaching Manual might just be the thing to give you a little uplift.
In this book coach extraordinaire Julie Starr explains how to use coaching techniques to enhance a student’s self-awareness and success. The idea is that rather than tell a student what to do, you help them figure it out for themselves.
While The Coaching Manual isn’t specifically for vocal coaches – it’s for coaches who work in all walks of life – the book is relevant for singing teachers.
Expect lots of useful tips to help you in your work as a singing teacher. You’ll come away with strategies to help your students nail their goals. For a full review, click here.
