[Menvi-discuss] voice lessons

[Kelsey Nicolay]

Hello,
I recently joined my women's chorus I mentioned earlier on this 
list and was able to get the music transcribed without any 
difficulty, someone offered to scan and email it to me.  However, 
I have a couple questions regarding taking voice lessons with 
him.  One question I have is that in order to get the most of out 
lessons, I want to make sure that the teacher is willing to work 
with me in the way I learn best.  Therefore, do you think that I 
have the right to ask for a free trial lesson before I commit my 
money to lessons? If the teacher does not normally offer trial 
lessons, is there something I can do to get them to make an 
exception for me? Can I pull the disability card in this 
instance, normally I try not to do this, but in this situation I 
think it would help alleviate unnecessary anxiety.  Another 
question I have is dealing with issues related to physical 
contact.  It was different in college because even though I 
studied with a male voice teacher, he was a voice major that I 
knew already from one of my friends and from opera workshop.  
However, since this is a more formal situation and the teacher 
teaches in a studio, he doesn't teach in his home anymore, I 
think this is a more formal situation.  Therefore, what 
guidelines should I establish with him so that neither of us feel 
uncomfortable touching one another during lessons? Or should I 
try to find a female voice teacher so that there is no issue with 
a situation like this? I had a voice teacher in high school with 
whom I felt comfortable with.  She always knew when it was 
appropriate to use physical contact and when it was not 
necessary, but unfortunately she has no space in her studio right 
now.  Finally, since the lessons take place right at the store 
and I can hopefully purchase my voice music right there, do you 
think it is appropriate to ask the store employees to scan the 
music into a pdf for me and email it to me? To be honest, I have 
no idea how to do this, I usually ask my mom to do it for me.  I 
appreciate any feedback you can provide on these questions.
Thanks,
Kelsey Nicolay