Dr.David Grogan

I have chosen Berton Coffin's "Overtones of Bel Canto" because it bridges that difficult gap between the science of singing and the art of singing.  The history of vocal pedagogy is full of vagueries and unsubstantiated claims that damage the reputation of the singing teacher.  This is due, in part, to the fact that the vocal mechanism is largely hidden, and therefore unobservable.  Teachers have often relied on descriptions of their own perception of internal feeling (proprioception) of singing, rather than base it on anatomical reality.   It has long been my goal, as an instructor of singers, to find ways to translate the anatomical and physiological elements of singing into easily understandable instructions and terms for the students.  Berton Coffin's book is an incredible resource, and helps point the way toward a vocal pedagogy that is not only artistic, but based in science.