Matthew Charles Thompson

VOCAL STUDIO


Vocal Technique

Repertoire Coaching

Audition Prep

 
  • Spoiled Rep?

  • Vocally lethargic?

  • Breath Anxiety?

Got Rep?

Got Rep?

Discount Packages available

Incentives for Referrals

Hello!

You’ve resolved to change up your vocal game. Or to be more judicious with your vocal routine. Your agent told you to “take a class.” You miss singing in a choir. Or maybe you are completely new to formal voice training. Welcome. Or rather, congratulations! You’re showing up and I’m here to help.

With 10+ years teaching broadway performers in NYC, I offer adaptive, affordable solution tailored to your individual vocal needs and goals, whatever they may be. My students range from HS seniors prepping for college auditions to recent conservatory graduates making first impressions in the city to established musicians and Broadway veterans. I’m particularly fond of "actors who can't/won't sing,” because they can and do.

As an active auditioner and performer, I understand first-hand the deep restraints on an artist’s time and wallet. Fittingly, I see the majority of my students a la carte, when they can afford a lesson (or when they can’t, but that 2nd callback needs work). I require no commitment beyond the lesson at hand, but I offer discounts for more frequent, focused study.

*NEW STUDENT INCENTIVE*

Additionally, I talk a lot during the first lesson - it’s important to establish common language around the basic tenets of vocal production. To allow for this, and to give us the opportunity to explore your voice, I offer a 2+ HOUR FIRST LESSON for new students for only $150.  


Current Rates - 2023

  • $100/hr. for individual vocal instruction and repertoire coaching.

  • $135/hr. for focused audition prep with accompanist.


What do you want to get out of your voice training? 


 

Say Hi. Ask a question. What can I help you with?

 
  • Over 250 Music Books

  • Over 850 Scores and Vocal Selections

  • Over 16,500+ Song Files

STUDIO PHILOSOPHY

Regardless of the reason(s) for your lesson, I mandate healthy vocal production above all – strengthening your vocal foundation whereupon your interpretation skills will be based.  Solid technique leads to confidence and endurance, and is – frankly – a harbinger for a long, stable vocal career.

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As your teacher, I will:

  • Convey information and example that may be of use to you, repeatedly, and in as many different ways as possible. As no two learning styles are the same, I am a big believer in reinventing observation, critique and instruction until the right phrase, image or exercise clicks. (Example: I wasn’t until my sophomore year of high school when my voice teacher suggested the image of an I-beam in my mouth, that I initially grasped the concept of lifting my soft pallet.) The more information you have, the better grasp you have of your task conceptually, the more confident your production becomes and ultimately a stronger performance is produced by the choices you make.

  • Encourage you, similarly, to approach the work from different angles, with risk and with the assumption and acceptance that you may well fail on any given attempt. Remaining in your comfort zone benefits no one; growth springs from the discomfort.

  • Provide insight and background for interpretive work, including clues buried by the composer and lyricist. (Example: In “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid, Ariel waffles between iii, IV and V chords for a full 31 measures before finally finding the Tonic (I) or "Home" chord, on the lyric “I want to be...” Why does it take her so long to find comfort in the song? It may seem obvious in retrospect or in full knowledge of the entire story, but it remains a specific moment where the composer has given you the performer tremendous assistance in how you can successfully interpret the song, and is thus worth acknowledging.)

  • Give only genuine, constructive instruction and guidance. I will not sugar coat my feedback or coddle your ego.

  • Make you swim your laps.

  • Explain the merits and objectives of the work I assign you. Vocalizing can be a bitch, but with knowledge comes a more conscious effort of focus and improvement.

  • Encourage you to improve that which you are in control of, and to release that which you are not.

  • Further, I cannot stress my personal vocal mantra enough: Enjoy The Work. Shake off any residual or lingering difficulty. Too much frustration with a particular exercise, phrase or lyric and the work itself becomes the obstacle, counter-productive. When the work becomes the obstacle your ability for improvement withers. This is not however to be confused with a healthy challenge – or contrary, a general blaze vocal day.

 

(*Accompaniment Disclaimer*)

Professional Accompaniment is not provided in General Lessons. As lessons focus on vocal production, technique and interpretation, song accompaniment is secondary. Your lesson will be accompanied, but more often than not in a minimalist fashion. This is intended to instill in the student the ability to drive the piece on their own and moreover to prepare the student for the unexpected in an audition setting. If you’re preparing for a specific audition, arrangements can be made for an accompanist to play your audition material as written (so you can acclimate yourself to what will presumably be played in the room) while we polish your performance pieces. This incurs additional cost, currently $35/hr.


 
 
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Matt Thompson - Instructor

Matthew Thompson graduated from The Boston Conservatory in 2008 with a Masters in Musical Theater, studying technique under Elizabeth Sheldon, with repertoire and interpretation under Maureen Brennan, Cathy Rand, Peter Mansfield, Patty Thom, Paul Daigneault, Fran Charnas and Neil Donohoe.  Matt studied Music Theory under composer Thomas Oboe Lee at Boston College.  He has won several vocal scholarships, including one to study voice with George Gordon abroad in Scotland.  During his time as a Fulbright Scholar, Matt was the Visiting Guest Artist with the University of Frankfurt Orchestra (Germany).  He has taught vocal intensives in Massachusetts, Vermont and Wisconsin, his home state, where he first studied with Carol Jegen.  In NYC Matt has studied with Jackie Presti, VP Boyle and Jen Waldman.

For 5 years Matt was the resident cantor at St. Anthony’s Shrine in Boston, MA.   

In 2014, Matt joined the New York Singing Teachers' Association (NYSTA).