Category: Ofelia’s Notes

The purpose of OVS is to provide equipment, resources, knowledge and practical experience in an educational, productive and comfortable environment.

OVS aims to provide a supportive and encouraging environment to assist people in their musical pursuits.

At OVS, you will be encouraged to be creative and uninhibited; you will be encouraged to explore your potential and grow in confidence; you will be encouraged to pursue what you are passionate about in life with enthusiasm and determination.

You can bring a song idea that you recorded on your mobile phone or scribbled onto a scrap piece of paper to OVS and experience it being turned into a fully produced and recorded song.

You can simply attend OVS to record yourself singing or playing an instrument and experience a project studio recording session.

The OVS teaching method is based on a mix of formal education and industry experience. The education you will receive at OVS is based on common sense – what works, what doesn’t work; what to do, what not to do – and the teaching style is based on what is relevant to the individual student needs.

Ofelia worked full-time as a vocal coach for Music Schools, Singing Studio’s, Performing Arts Academies, Talent Agencies and Colleges for 7 years.  After noticing a lack of equipment and resources that were provided to students attending such practices, Ofelia decided to design her own home studio in 2006 to be equipped and furnished with all the necessary tools which she believed beneficial to anyone attending music lessons.

Ofelia now only teaches exclusively from OVS where she is able to provide comprehensive tuition based on the students needs, vocal level and age at an efficient and effective standard.

Ofelia has taught children at the age of 4 to adults at the age of 77 and children and adults with learning disabilities and physical handicaps.  They all had two things in common – they loved to sing and wanted to sing better.

My first note to vocal students and to those of you considering undertaking vocal instruction is that developing into a better singer is a lot more in depth than just singing songs.  It is the same concept as how you would go about learning to acquire any skill from learning to play a sport, drive a car, dance, play the piano etc.  Learning how to do something well involves regular practise and repetition, understanding and application.  Learning how to maintain good health is the foundation for anyone to thrive and is covered and encouraged at OVS.

It is a common misconception that I have come across many a time where after a student attends their first lesson they are surprised at how much is involved in acquiring good vocal technique.  Yes, there is a particular technique that a good singer is using while they are singing beautifully with seemingly little effort… it is similar to watching a swan gliding along the river ever so ethereally, until you put your head under the water and see their feet paddling.

In undertaking the instruction of a vocal coach, you are saying that you are willing to develop your skills as a singer.  If you are prepared to do this, then there is a need to be patient to learn and develop the techniques of skilled singing so that those techniques can permeate into how you sing a song.  I know a lot of people just want to sing and think that by singing in front of a vocal coach they will miraculously get better.  My job is to give knowledge and to explore your voice with you so that you can experience a greater sense of fulfillment when singing.  If you do not apply the proper techniques by regularly practising them, then your singing abilities will improve at a very slow pace.

Even if you are fortunate to possess a natural ability to sing, those skills will be limited without proper instruction.  Vocal techniques have evolved over the centuries and exist for a reason.  There really is no point in someone employing the instruction from a vocal coach if they are not prepared to devote the time in understanding the concepts behind using their voice in a skilled fashion outside of their lesson.  There is no such thing as an overnight success story… there are many years of work that precede achieving such glory.

I get great satisfaction out of seeing a student’s vocal skill improve and seeing them work towards a goal and achieve it.  My method of teaching is not based on one school of training… it is based on many including my own experiences as a vocalist and maturing human being.  As we age, our voice changes; everytime I perform, I learn something new… all this wisdom, experience and knowledge I endeavour to impart onto my students.

As a vocal coach, I am prepared to teach those who want to be taught.  I am not prepared to spend the time and effort on students who do not take their lessons seriously, are disrespectful, lazy or are here because their parents want them to be.  I will spend my time and efforts only on students who want to learn, improve and grow at OVS.  I provide the facilities, resources and opportunities to all OVS students so that can get the most out of their lessons.

I respect all who attend OVS and ask for the same in return.  Any student who does not fit in with the standards of OVS will not be tolerated.  If OVS decides to terminate the enrolment of a student, all remaining lessons on the term account will be refunded.

So, in conclusion, my job is to teach you good vocal technique in a supportive and enjoyable environment.  Your job is then to put these techniques into practise.