World-renowned soprano Christine Brewer adds her recommendation...
I have known Dick Boyd for over 30 years. I first heard about him from Professor Glenn Freiner at McKendree University who was the head of the music department there. Dick had studied with Professor Freiner several years before I came to McKendree, and he was a legend. He was the student whom Professor Freiner often held up to us as the example of a fine student and singer. Dick and I were both charter members of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and he is still one of the few paid section leaders in that chorus. Dick and I also studied with Stephen Smith, author of the book The Naked Voice. Stephen Smith has taught voice at the St. Louis Conservatory, Houston Grand Opera, Juilliard and now at Northwestern. He is one of the foremost vocal teachers in the United States. His techniques are well respected and his students are singing professionally all around the world.
Dick has incorporated these techniques in his vocal teaching and has had much success with his students. I have heard several of Dick's students and they are exemplary singers. What I most notice in his students is that none of them are pushing their voices and they are singing repertoire that is appropriate for their age and development. Quite often as I travel around the country and do master classes with university students, I hear voices which are damaged from too much over-singing and pushing and singing music that is too advanced for their abilities. I have never heard this from any of Dick's students. His technique of teaching is so similar to that of Professor Freiner's and Stephen Smith's as he helps his students find their authentic voices. He lets them develop their voices in a safe and thoughtful way. I have often recommended Dick to people who have asked me about good voice teachers in the St. Louis Metro East area.
Christine Brewer
Go to Christine Brewer's website.
Dick has incorporated these techniques in his vocal teaching and has had much success with his students. I have heard several of Dick's students and they are exemplary singers. What I most notice in his students is that none of them are pushing their voices and they are singing repertoire that is appropriate for their age and development. Quite often as I travel around the country and do master classes with university students, I hear voices which are damaged from too much over-singing and pushing and singing music that is too advanced for their abilities. I have never heard this from any of Dick's students. His technique of teaching is so similar to that of Professor Freiner's and Stephen Smith's as he helps his students find their authentic voices. He lets them develop their voices in a safe and thoughtful way. I have often recommended Dick to people who have asked me about good voice teachers in the St. Louis Metro East area.
Christine Brewer
Go to Christine Brewer's website.