Mike Ruckles Voice Studio

Sending love and well wishes for a very happy 2021 to you and yours!

The next season of @zoeysplaylist is coming 1/5 and student @thealexnewell is ready!

Who’s ready for tonight?? Congrats to all of you students performing tonight in numbers from @ainttooproudmusical, @jerseyboysbroadway, @dianaonbroadway, @jaggedlittlepill, and @meangirlsbway! Especially excited for @daniewade and @adantecarter performing Stupid with Love!

A great conversation regarding voice training came up today in a lesson. A student was referring to a well-known performer and saying Well, someone like that d...oesn’t need voice lessons. I laughed because, in fact, the singer in question is a student of mine as well. But it really brought up the bigger conversation regarding the purpose(s) of voice lessons: A singer may be much sought-after and celebrated, they may be stunning to listen to, and generally doing A+ work... why would someone like that expend time/money on voice lessons? Firstly... LONGEVITY. Is the work they’re doing as efficient as it could be? Efficiency in airflow, resonance, and balancing sub- and supraglottal (above and below the folds) pressure has everything to do with how the voice will age and how long the folds will be happy to continue giving you what you want. Secondly, I find that there is an insidious misconception that an amazing and marketable sound must equal desirable technique. I’ve heard many many singers make thrilling sounds that were costing them big time at the level of the folds. And, sadly, there are illustrious voice teachers who are interested only in getting you to make the right sound, no matter the collateral damage. And we all know the story of someone who was apparently mind-blowing in the audition room but could not sustain that hyperfunction through the weekly 8-show grind. So the intelligent performer seeks out a second set of eyes and ears trained to detect overwork or imbalance. They do so even though everyone around them may call them a vocal god/dess and even though they may be inclined to believe the hype. They realize that a first-rate voice is worth protecting and investing in. See more

I want to see some fresh faces on my Zoom screen and give back a bit in December. So if you’d like a FREE hour voice consult/lesson in December here’s what to do... Each Sunday (12/6 through 12/27) starting at 12 pm EST, shoot me a FB message and if you’re the SEVENTH DM in my inbox after 12 EST that day, you’ve got yourself a free lesson the next day. Eligibility: You must be a professional singer/actor OR training at the collegiate level. (If you’ve worked with me before you are ineligible to participate in this but I love you anyway.) Feel free to share this post with friends! www.mikeruckles.com