"My focus is to give good technique across stylistic genres, even to the more aggressive forms of r&b and gospel where people tend to burn their cords out because they only use the lower half of their register. But I want my students to have longevity and to use their entire vocal range. So I teach a specific concept of mixing 'head voice' with belting that I had to learn to do myself in order to sing these styles and not burn myself out. I tell them that learning to belt in a mix of your head and your chest is not an easy process; it takes discipline and practice and a lot of effort to make this cross happen-and make it sound stylistically appropriate, because that's important, too."

"I challenge students to think for themselves and be accountable for their own learning. It's very personal. Even in a class of 15 or so, I want students to know that I'm really talking to them, that they're not just a number in the room. I've been in seminars as a student, and I used to feel so detached from the instructor. I never forgot what it felt like to sit in that chair."

"A good singer has beautiful tone quality, a good sense of pitch, rhythm, phrasing, and stylistic interpretation. A good singer also has a clear understanding of how to deliver the meaning of the song and an emotional connection to the music. Singers must be sensitive to what is going on around them harmonically, rhythmically, and melodically. Things aren't just going to happen by osmosis. And of course, they must have tenacity, the willingness to work to become better."