“I can honestly say he is the best vocal teacher I have had. I have completely changed the way I sing so it is easier and I can do it for longer.”
Ellie here! I dig Dr Felix! He’s as kind as he is effective and he specializes in trans voice and trauma recovery for singers. The latter is really important because there are many abusive teachers out there and it’s unfortunately a very common thing that singers are still subjected to abuse in this way – or even well-meaning abuse by their family who might have informed them at a young age that “maybe singing isn’t your thing” or “you’re just not talented at singing”. Everyone is entitled to sing. These experiences are very disruptive and it’s important to address them if they are affecting the way you feel about your singing voice.
Dr Felix also serves as in a training capacity for our studio and other voice teachers due to the fact that he’s a world expert in what’s called “evidence-based vocal pedagogy” which means the science behind singing.
He holds both a Masters and a Doctorate in vocal pedagogy – both from Columbia – and is VP of the New York Singing Teachers Association. He’s a total voice nerd and author of many research papers in trans voice, hormonal effects on the voice, and vocal injuries (among other topics).
In addition to being a master teacher for us here at the studio,, he e also teaches at Carnegie Hall and founded and directs TRANScend, the US’s first Trans/GNC choral group, performing sacred works in religious spaces, festivals, and even nightclubs. They rehearse at Columbia University in a space the university donated to them.
In addition to the many papers, masterclasses, and presentations at National Association of the Teachers of Singing and elsewhere throughout the United States and Europe, he is also head of our Trans Voice program.
Dr F is kind but also an amazing vocal technician, and we say at the studio that he “treats the whole singer” because he’s great with fear and anxiety pertaining to someone’s voice not reflecting who they are as a person. There can be a lot of fear and anxiety around this issue and Dr F uses a variety of tools in many different modalities to help with this type of anxiety.
I actually took some sessions with Dr F which is how I came to know about his amazing approach and when I heard he’d just completed his doctorate and was looking for work, I knew I had to jump at the chance to invite him on board. If you’re a voice teacher and want to do some supplemental 1:1 pedagogical work with Dr F, hit us up and we’ll getcha in!
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