Robin Rice
Associate Professor, Music (Voice)
207 Hughes Hall
1866 College Road
Columbus, Ohio 43210		 Phone: 614-292-4646
Fax: 614-292-1102
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My teaching experience has been:

  1. Private studio voice teaching on a one on one basis.
  2. Voice teaching in a master class environment.
  3. Class teaching in lecture form for the following classes:
  4. Workshop format as Opera Workshop Director.
I strongly believe in an open, relaxed atmosphere in the classroom that encourages discussion and creative thinking. I utilize my lessons and class lectures to stimulate the student's desire to learn more about a particular subject, composer, or musical style. I challenge them to motivate themselves and to research topics in which they have a particular interest. Moreover, I always keep in mind that the music is the most important reason for our study.

As a young singer I was always interested in the art ofteaching voice. I recall spending many hours listening to my peers' lessons and asking my teachers questions about their approaches and what they heard in their students' voices. The result was an introduction to an abundance of ideas and techniques that have helped me achieve a strong, healthy, and reliable technique to singing.

In the studio I am aware that I am in control of the pacing and mood of each lesson. An upbeat, supportive, and self-assured attitude is always effective. I also encourage students to ask questions, and that no question is too small or insignificant. In this way, I am able to earn their trust and establish an excellent and fast-paced working environment. I always present my ideas and criticism in a positive and hopeful way for the student to succeed; I never demean or try to intimidate any student.

As a technician, I believe in master teacher Barbara Doscher's observation that teaching singing is 75% negative knowledge, knowing what not to do, and the other 25% is open for application and personal taste. I recognize that I must deal with all aspects of singing: breath management, placement, resonance, posture, deportment, and artistry. I must make the decision based on the student's needs as to which ofthese aspects I must address from lesson to lesson. However, the primary goal is always beautiful, artistic singing. I prefer a strong Italian sound based on warmth, beauty, and ring. My primary influences would be: Barbara Doscher, Barbara Honn, Joyce Farwell and the writings of Doscher, Coffin, Richard Miller and Giovanni Battista Lamperti.

When working with a student, I make observations and am specific about short-term and long-term goals. I always seek agreement with the student on these goals so that they can be reached thoughtfully and quickly. This also helps the student to take a more active part and responsibility in reaching their goals. My technical work is always related to specific exercises that I give to the student. I am very specific about the purpose and application of each exercise so that the student understands the process and does not treat the exercise as a mundane use of time and energy. The purpose for each exercise is for economy of execution and not to point out their deficiencies.

My ultimate goal therefore is to teach my students to be their own best teacher. They must become independent of me and learn to rely upon themselves to listen discriminatingly to their own sound. In this way, my students develop their own personal sound and do not sound like every other singer in their fach. Lastly, I insist on and help guide the student to participate in auditions and competitions. This is the ultimate goal of all study at this level. They must pursue this aspect as only then will they realize the importance oftheir study and who they are as artists and singers. I know that this approach has been a favorable one based on the success my students have had both here at The Ohio State University and in the professional arena.