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Extreme Summer Growth: Voice

Summer is the ideal time for vocal training!
Most beginning singers know that when you sing, you are moving a lot of air in the throat.  A water bottle is an essential during MOST of the summer months, and especially at choir, small ensemble and other singing rehearsals.  Singers are always encouraged to have a water bottle close by, and to protect the vocal chords with lubrication.
During the summer months, most geographical areas increase in not only temperature, but also in humidity. When the air around you is more humid, it creates a sort of incubator for the voice.
Another wonderful benefit to summer months is the increase in the function of the immune system, many doctors believe, due to the extra time spent outdoors.  Vitamin D is absorbed into the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight, which in turn boosts the functioning of the immune system. We also eat more fresh produce, as it is more available, further enhancing our optimum health.  The absence of the 'cold and flu' season enables the singer to increase the longevity of the periods where they are in good health and good vocal strength begins to build.
Summer is also the time in which many people vacation, barbecue, and relax in the hammock.  Tension that sometimes comes in during the winter months, not just due to shivering from cold, but sometimes from a more intense schedule, is gone for several weeks.  Tension is one of the leading causes of vocal injury or strain.  When a body is generally more relaxed, the neck and chest areas naturally release tension as well.  This is an important way to begin building proper vocal technique - loose and tension free.
There are frequently more singing opportunities during the summer months as well.  Summer holidays such as Memorial Day and Independence day typically have community observance and celebration where music is a big part.  Singers may lead in a community sing-a-long, or be invited to perform.  Many times there are vocal competitions in a community fair as well. County and state fairs have community tents and stages where local musicians are encouraged to showcase. Many coffee shops and restaurants will have patio performers and live music to attract more customers.  Some musicians enjoy busking during peak sidewalk or festival hours.
Getting a jump on the fall and winter performance opportunities is also a worthwhile endeavor, especially when summer conditions are so ideal for vocal growth.
If you are an aspiring vocalist, make good use of these optimal conditions and get your 'pipes' in shape with your vocal coach!

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Jill's Bio

Jill is a voice and piano teacher with a performance degree from Cornerstone University. She has been teaching since she was in high school in many different capacities, and has worked with many different students. She currently teaches for three schools in a private capacity, and leads worship in a rotation for a bilingual congregation. Jill lived in Music City USA for over 17 years and knows a bit how the industry works! While there she taught, played, recorded, and performed in several different bands, choirs, plays, and a longtime duo. The call of family was strong, and she returned to west Michigan with her growing family in 2012. She has now returned to her roots, and is enjoying the “full-circle” of being home, where her love of music began. Jill appreciates the practical and the passion that go into making music. She strives to capture what will motivate the student to intrinsically desire to hone their craft. “If it's not fun and you don't enjoy it, you won&#