Why Taking (Video) Voice Lessons from Christina Aguilera is a Bad Idea

Why Taking (Video) Voice Lessons from Christina Aguilera is a Bad Idea Suzy S. Can you learn to sing through videos, like the ones advertised with Christina Aguilera? Read on for voice teacher  Elaina R.s thoughts   Have you seen the online ads offering  a voice lesson course taught by Christina Aguilera?  Promos for the course have inundated many Facebook feeds, and since I know many professional singers and voice teachers, I’ve been able to watch them react to the ads. Most voice teachers have been amused, terrified, or both by the prospect of people learning how to sing from Ms. Aguilera. Why are the degree-holding vocalists of the world not on board with Christina Aguilera teaching voice? She is, after all, a six-time Grammy Award winner with an estimated net worth of $130 million. Are we just jealous? The short answer is no! We are truly concerned for voice students who turn to Christina Aguilera for advice, and here’s why. Talent Does Not a Teacher Make You are likely an expert chewer. You chew food many times a day, and you have done so for your entire life. One could argue that you are a talented chewer, even. But what if someone who didn’t know how to chew asked you to teach them to chew? You would likely have to think long and hard about your process. In the end, the best answer many people would be able to come up with is, “You just do it.” Christina Aguilera is a gifted singer. She has a good voice and natural musicality, and her performances often reflect that. However, her innate ability to sing and the fact that she was born with a good singing voice do not mean she knows how to teach singing. As any teacher will tell you, teaching is in and of itself a skill, and it isn’t one that Christina, with her flourishing artistic and television career on top of parental duties, has had any time to curate. Modern Pop Technique In addition, Christina Aguilera is a pop singer who specializes in belting (high chest voice). Belting is an extremely taxing form of singing that, when done wrong, can produce disastrous results. Not only does bad belting sound horrible, but it can rapidly destroy your voice. The vast majority of voice teachers are university trained, which almost always means they have a foundation in classical vocal technique. While classical singing sounds very different than belting, the same rules (breath support, throat relaxation, resonance) apply. Learning proper vocal technique through classical pieces   or at least less taxing pop pieces   greatly reduces the chance of vocal injury. If learning to sing with low-impact music is like light strength training, trying to skip to belting is like immediately attempting a 300-pound deadlift. It’s just plain unhealthy. Knowledge is Power Frankly, the most famous pop singers in the world today usually have no idea what they are doing. Christina Aguilera was blessed with a fair amount of natural ability, but as many of her performances exhibit, she falls prey to many of the same issues that beginning voice students have. She often suffers from jaw, neck, and tongue tension, resulting in a pressed, flat, raspy sound (and sometimes cracking). Even pop singers who do not have these issues are just vastly talented people who can’t teach anyone how they do what they do. Professional voice teachers, on the other hand, are a different breed. We may be talented, but we also dedicated ourselves to learning how singing works. We have studied anatomy and vocal technique in an academic setting and can describe exactly why specific faults, such as cracking and straining, occur. A good voice teacher is not just a good singer; she knows the specific details of what she is doing to sing well, and she can describe those details to her students. That’s something that even the most talented singer in the world can’t do. Can I Learn to Sing With Other Online Videos? Too busy for lessons, and want to just  teach yourself to sing  using YouTube videos or other programs? Heres the thing absolutely nothing can substitute the help that a private teacher can provide you. While you can learn to  sing songs and basic music theory with online resources, if you want to sing well, working with a vocal teacher is extremely important. Your teacher will be able to notice and correct bad habits that can lead to injuries or those that may be affecting your sound. Plus, the motivation and inspiration you can get from this type of guidance can make a huge difference! Ready to find a teacher? Browse our teacher profiles here. Want to ease into learning? Check out our free,  online group singing classes! Post Author:  Elaina R. Elaina R. teaches opera voice and singing in Ypsilanti, MI, as well as through online lessons. She received her Master of Music from  the University of Michigan, and she has a B.M. from the University of Southern California. Learn more about Elaina here! Photo by D.S.B Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher

How Online Learning Helps Students

How Online Learning Helps Students Todays students are more tied to technology than ever beforeonline learning takes place at home, on the bus, and even within the classroom. Students have information at their fingertips no matter where they go. Although potentially frustrating at the dinner table, this may actually make them better students. Online learning helps students by providing more opportunities for education, whether via apps, podcasts, or websites. In fact, virtual learning exists in many forms, each serving a particular purpose. But what, other than ease of availability, can virtual learning do for you? Heres how online learning helps students: Online learning advantage #1: Online tutoring Online tutoringcan be a great option for learning; online tutoring sessions can involve the same rigor that a traditional tutoring session might provide. Youll likely have a greater variety of tutors and schedules to choose from, making it a perfect tutoring option. Youre guaranteed to find an expert tutor for your subject area, and theyll likely take a very personalized approach to your education. Its also easy to find tutoring year-round. [Related: 4 Ways an Online Tutor Can Help You Succeed This School Year] Online learning advantage #2: Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) MOOCs are online courses, often free to students, which allow for unlimited learning on the Internet. They cover a breadth of subject matter, and are a great option for students who need to supplement classroom learning or who wish to learn over breaks in their education (like the winter and summer holiday). MOOCs are also a great option for students who learn well from lectures, since much of the content is presented in lecture form. (However, as popularity has increased, MOOCs have diversified their presentation.) In some cases, students are eligible to earn a verified certificate. Online learning advantage #3: Mobile apps For learning on the go, educational apps that can be downloaded onto your tablet or smartphone are great resources. There are many online educational opportunities geared toward basic knowledge, such as: educational games subject-specific mobile apps trivia programs Alternately, there are also apps that help more generally with the educational processscheduling, staying organized, etc. Most people have a cell phone with them at all times, so educational apps present a great opportunity for students to fill those in-between times with supplementary education. Online learning advantage #4: Digital textbooks Some students prefer to learn via textbook. Textbooks, however, are incredibly expensive to purchase and can be hard to find at the library. Luckily, there are digital textbooks that students can use during their academic careers. While the books may not always be free, theyre great for supplementing lectures, seminars, or group work. Theyre portable, and they sometimes include multimedia content too. [Related: 3 Efficient Ways to Study on the Go] Online learning advantage #5: Podcasts Podcasts are a fantastic way to move student learning outside the classroom, thanks to their ease of use and variety. Theres a podcast for everything, so identify the area where you want to improve your knowledge, and then do a quick search. Not all podcasts are created equal, but by performing a little research, youre sure to find one that fits your needs. You can find discussions, lectures, and much moreeducational podcasts come in a variety of forms. The bottom line of online learning Students learn in a variety of ways, and by utilizing online learning solutions, theyre able to access the best and most individualized educational experience possible. While not every student will need each of these tools, using one or two may make a difference in your academic career. Digital learning will only continue to progress, and it may be helpful for students and those who support them to recognize the value now. Best of all, most tools are free and are waiting for you to take advantage! Any topics you want to know more about? Let us know! The Varsity Tutors Blog editors love hearing your feedback and opinions. Feel free to email us at blog@varsitytutors.com.

New Book Alert Check Out Mindfulness in Action - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / New Book Alert Check Out Mindfulness in Action - Introvert Whisperer New Book Alert: Check Out Mindfulness in Action New Book Alert: Check Out Mindfulness in Action In her new bestseller, Mindfulness in Action: A Hands-On Guide to Creating Peace Amidst the Chaos, author Sharon Sayler shares: Mindfulness involves active awareness throughout the day. We get to choose with each moment to be a new, more powerful being, ready to do greater things in the world. To find out how you too can create peace amidst chaos, check out all the free resources Sharon offers at  www.MindfulnessInActionBook.com. Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.   I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.   In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression.   Get your copy now: CLICK HERE Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleash your professional potential.

Are You Missing This Key to Musical Motivation

Are You Missing This Key to Musical Motivation Megan L. The mystery of student motivation has had parents, teachers, and students scratching their heads for centuries. Why is one student driven to practice, perform, and perfect playing an instrument while another student in the same situation loses interest? When I started guitar lessons at 12-years-old, I was probably one of the most motivated kids my teacher had ever seen! I practiced for hours, and once my mom actually took my guitar away for a week as a punishment. What was the secret behind my drive to keep learning guitar? I had great music role models! I covered my bedroom with pictures of the Beatles, and my dad, a musician himself, frequently invited people over to the house to jam. I had no shortage of musicians to inspire me. My desire to emulate my musical heroes helped me to persevere through tough passages and climb sharp learning curves. What can you do to pinpoint musical role models for yourself or your child? Here are a few places to look to get started: Whats On Your iPod? Start your search for inspiration with your most played tracks. If youve never taken the time to learn more about the people behind the music, try looking up your favorite artist or composer online. Youll quickly find biographies, reviews, interviews, and more. Geek out and learn as much as you can about the singer or the song that you cant get out of your head. As you learn more about the human side of your favorite artist, you may start to see that you have more in common with them than you thought. Identifying more with great musicians will help you believe you can be great too! Check Out Your Community Is there somebody in your community who plays music? It can be a friend, a parent, a neighbor, or local musician. Ask them how they got started playing music, and find out what inspires them. Make a point of befriending musicians and other music students. Being around other people who care about music will help you feel connected to what inspires you, plus these people can push you to keep going even when you feel like giving up. Turn to Your Teacher As you progress in your musical journey, the right teacher can be an excellent role model and a master motivator! Share your dreams with your teacher and let him or her know what inspires you. Your teacher will be there to cheer you on when you succeed and help you do better next time when you make a mistake. When youre having trouble with something, ask your teacher about a time when they struggled and how they got over the hurdle. Beyond just teaching you notes and scales, the right teacher will also share their experience and knowledge to keep you focused on reaching your musical goals. Our musical role models show us how to overcome our challenges and realize our full potential. We can learn how to be better musicians and human beings by learning from their stories and examples. Who are some of your music role models? Let us know in the comments! Megan L. TakeLessons Staff Member and Blogger You might also like Don’t Quit Now! Keep Your Kid Motivated for Music Lessons 3 Must-Try Summer Music Activities for Kids The Importance of Perseverance, As Told by Hilarious GIFs Photo by AVelenovsky

English Idioms connected with Weather with meanings and examples

English Idioms connected with Weather with meanings and examples Weather is a major topic in English conversation. In Britain weather changes hourly so it comes as no surprise that native speakers talk about the weather all the time. It is one of the best topics for small talk in English. But today were going to look at some common English idioms connected with weather.One of the most common English idioms you hear is TO BE ON CLOUD NINE. If you don’t know it by now it  means to be really excited and happy about something that has happened recently. The following  are other English idioms with a weather theme that might not be so well known.Scroll down to watch English video lesson on Under the Weather Idiom meaning. 6 English Idioms connected with Weather Like all English expressions and idioms they have both a literal and metaphorical meaning.CALM BEFORE THE STORM    Have you ever noticed how the sky is calm and peaceful before a sudden  storm arises? That is the literal meaning. However, we use this often to refer to a situation in our  personal life or work life when we expect something to change negatively.ex. Mary was  talking to her friend Sue about work. She told her it was a funnyweek. There was very little  to do. The phones were not ringing and she was able to leave work on time every evening. However, her friend warned that this was the calm before the storm. The boss had just told her that a big  order had come in and everyone would be working late for the next month.AS RIGHT AS RAIN   Rain is never usually pleasant, unless you are a farmer and you need it for your  crops. However, we use this expression to describe when we are feeling good. You may have  recovered from an illness recently.ex. I was off workfor a few days. My  boss asked me how I was when I returned to the office. I am as right as rain. I feel good.UNDER THE WEATHER   This is a direct opposite of the previous idiom as right as rain. When we are  not feeling so good and may not know exactly what is wrong we say we are under the weather or a  little under the weather today.ex. John woke up early and did not feel 100%. He could not put his finger on the reasonbut he knew he was not feeling his best. When his wife asked him how he was he replied: I am not sure but I feel a little under the weather today. Under the Weather Idiom Meaning - English Video Lesson A FAIR WEATHER FRIEND When the weather is fair it is usually good and everything is ok. A fair day usually means a fine or good day. A fair weather friend is a friend who is there during the good days and happy to be around you but does not offer help or support when perhaps the situation is bad and you could do with some support.ex. Neil was a nice guy. Everyone liked him. Always  laughing and in a good mood. However, when his friend George had some problems Neil did not offer him any help and never returned his calls or emails. George was not very  pleased. He was hoping that Neil would help him but instead he turned out to be just a fair weather  friend.EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING When you look at the dark clouds it usually means it is raining or it is  about to rain. After a while you might notice a light colour. This usually indicates that the storm will  pass and the sun will shine again soon. So when everything looks dark and bleak  remember that the something better may happen soon.ex. Michael lost his job. His boss  told him he was sorry but there was just not enough work for everyone. However, he gave Michael a  small payment as compensation and a very good reference. Michael was really delighted. He now  had money to do the training course he had been hoping to do for a few years. This would help him  to upskilland change his career. Every cloud does have a silver lining!IT NEVER RAINS BUT IT POURS When it rains very heavily we usually say it is pouring or pouring from the heavens. This indicates more than just a light shower. Well, when we say it never rains but it pours we are usually referring to problems or difficulties. When one problem arises it usually is followed quickly by another one and so on. So each problem brings on another issue.ex. Jane received a letter from the tax office advising her that her tax was due the next day. No sooner  had she opened the letter when she noticed a leak in her kitchen. The sink was leaking. That woul d  cost a few pounds to fix and finally as if it could not get any worse the car would not start and she  had to call the garage. Ah, it never rains but it pours!! English Weather Idioms Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do with it: Learn New English Vocabulary Words and Phrases: funny   strangeto be off work   to be on sick leaveto put finger on reason    to discover exactly what is happening (especially when something is wrong)bleak   not so niceto upskill   to improve your skills, to get an additional qualification

Heart Volunteer - Lisa Phillips - Heart Math Tutoring

Heart Volunteer - Lisa Phillips - Heart Math Tutoring Heart Volunteer Lisa Phillips Heart Volunteer Lisa Phillips March 29, 2019 “I Am Not a Math Person” Why Heart Tutoring? Lisa Phillips has volunteered as a tutor with Heart Math Tutoring for five years since the 2014/15 school year. Referred to Heart Tutoring by the Executive Director of Augustine Literacy Project, Lisa is not new to volunteering. She was drawn to Heart Tutoring’s mission and the impact it makes in the community. Additionally, as a strong supporter of STEM education for girls, saw Heart Tutoring as an opportunity to mentor students who may be interested in STEM fields. As an electrical engineer by trade, she has come across many people who experience math anxiety and has often heard the common phrase, “I am not a math person.” Lisa believes that you “don’t need to have anxiety about math if taught correctly.” Why have you stayed? Why has Lisa been committed to tutoring students (in a one-on-one capacity) for one hour each week for the past five years? She finds the support offered to volunteers via an onsite program coordinator to be “remarkable”. The scripted curriculum notebooks that teach foundational math skills â€" counting, adding, subtracting and multiplying â€" “Teach you how to teach math.” And, if you get stuck or have a question, the onsite program coordinator is always there to help. Lisa also appreciates the fact that the curriculum is reviewed each summer and changes are made based on math education [updates] and feedback from volunteers. Ultimately, Lisa says that tutoringis “more about personal relationships and being able to figure out what’s going on with the child. Most memorable tutoring moment? “Adding and subtracting aren’t opposites. They’re related. They’re like brother and sister,” said a 4th-gradestudent that Lisa was tutoring. AHA â€" she got it! These are the tutoring moments that bring Lisa joy. When something clicks for her students, she knows her time spent with students has been valuable. Lisa even started believing what she was always taught and then taught her own children “Every little bit helps.” You don’t have to hold a big title or operate in the forefront to make a difference. Having lived in Charlotte for 24 years, volunteering with Heart Math Tutoring has allowed Lisa to step outside of her “bubble” and come face-to-face with the challenges the Charlotte community faces. No longer just reading about those challenges in the paper, she has made a commitment to BE the change she wants to see in the Charlotte community â€" by tutoring and mentoring one child at a time. Pi Day As a certified “math nerd” (her words, not ours), Lisa has celebrated Pi Day with her family for the last several years by making…PIES! She and her adult children bake away and share their masterpieces by text or via Instagram. Her daughter even recently purchased her a Pi plate. This year’s masterpiece â€" chocolate pecan pie. ENJOY! Thank you, Lisa, for being a committed volunteer with Heart Math Tutoring for the past five years! We appreciate you!!! ????

5 tips for stress management while applying to college

5 tips for stress management while applying to college 5 tips  from an Irvine college admissions consultant for stress management while applying to college Its very stressful applying to college in the first place but, when added to all of the other responsibilities a high school senior has, it can become overwhelming. Stress management is one of the most important tools young students can use to thrive through this challenging yet important time in their academic careers. Whether students are working on time management or a specific strategy to get into their dream college, there are several things both students and parents can do to make life easier our private Irvine college admissions consultants have a 97% success rate. 1. Get on the same page One really important thing for students and parents to do is to sit down and get on the same page in regards to the college application process. In many instances, students and parents have different ideas of when things should get done, how many schools they should apply to, or other important details regarding admissions. If possible, students and parents should sit down before they even start the process but, at this point in the year, its good just to have a chat about what still needs to be completed and within what timeframe. 2.   Prioritize applications by due dates At this point in the process, its also important for students to prioritize their applications by the due date. Most schools have a due date of December 1, but some will allow students to apply as late as January or even offer a rolling deadline. Parents can also help students stay on track by setting aside some time for them at the weekend where they can concentrate 100% on the college admissions process (READ: 4 Differences Between High School and College English Courses). 3.   Set aside a particular time during the week just for college applications Once a student sits down for their specified application time, its important that they start out by getting organized. Is there anything thats due within the next week? Anything they need to send to their college counselor? Any important revisions they need to make? After a student is completely organized, they can start working on their personal statements as well as their supplemental essays for each university. If students are using the Common Application, they will be able to write one main essay but may need to answer several supplemental questions that describe who they are as a student and person. Providing a separate time for these tasks allows students to focus totally on their applications and deal with other homework assignments later on. 4. Work with a college counselor Its imperative that students work with a college counselor at some point during the application process. Whether they work with the counselor at their school or with an independent consultant, these professionals have important up-to-date information that students may find difficult to locate and process on their own. Counselors can help students choose different types of colleges to apply to, help them fill out their various forms, and give them essential feedback on their personal statement. 5.   Have a backup plan (or two) Its also a good idea for students to have a backup plan. If a student has their heart set on just one particular university, parents can provide helpful suggestions for similar universities they can apply to â€" just in case. For the most part, students choose one or two dream schools that make up their primary plan, but they should have target schools, safety schools, and other options in the works so that they have the best chance of going to a great university after graduation, even if it wasn’t their first choice.

XSEED Education

XSEED Education XSEED Education XSEED Education is globally transforming K-8 education from rote to learning, from telling to teaching. Its 5-step method builds thinking skills and problem-solving confidence in children. XSEED serves over 1 million children in 8 countries. KEY OFFERINGS: The XSEED School Learning Program replaces rote-chalk-and-talk with a well researched five step process to teach every concept effectively using clear curricular aims, hands-on activities, reflective analysis, application and assessment. Visible benefits of XSEED are curiosity, confidence, ability to reflect, and higher order thinking skills in children. The XSEED classroom toolkit includes over 10,000 step-by-step teaching plans, application-oriented student learning materials, and skill-focused assessment to provide individualized feedback. Year-round coaching and training situated in the classroom equips teachers with the know-how necessary to continuously improve classroom practice. XSEED is now harnessing the power of technology to personalize learning for every child, with digital school- and home-based learning interventions under development. XSEED has been featured among the top educational innovations in the world in Learning Re-Imagined (published by the WIS E Summit) and featured as a case-study by MITs Legatum Center. View our Brochure