Dearest Singers,

We have entered a stage of great and audible grief as a society. This grief is old and storied. Now, we as a world are standing up and speaking out against racism.

As an independent voice teacher I believe it is important for me to ensure that my teaching space is safe for singers to enter. I work hard to make sure that students feel supported and encouraged in their musical journeys and that is not separate from my work to become an anti-racist. I want to make it clear that students from diverse backgrounds are safe in my teaching studio.

Black Lives Matter. In our work together we are often singing/playing music that comes from the African diaspora. (Check out this podcast as one resource for this.) Black Music Matters. I commit to honoring the stories and legacies bound in these songs and the struggle for freedom. To my BIPoC students, I see you and I am holding space for you to be safe.

Happy Pride Month! In my studio gender is fluid. I commit to respecting and honoring the stories and legacies of the LGBT struggle for freedom. The LGBT liberation movement in the US was begun by black, trans women like Marsha P. Johnson. (Read more here.) To my LGBT students, I see you and I am holding space for you to be safe.

Bigotry, racism and discrimination will never have a place in my studio.

There are many forms of oppression at play in our society. In this moment we have been granted a gift. We have an opportunity to recognize these structures and expose them. I believe that each one of us is given a voice to use. My role is to help you maintain a healthy voice so that it doesn’t break when you need it most. My job is to aid you in finding the strongest, most confident application of your voice in the way you feel called to use it.

Grief is a powerful force and not one to eschew. Rather, in this time I hope that music can provide solace. I am here to be of service to you in however you connect with using your beautiful, rightful voice. Let’s sing and breathe deeply together.

In love and solidarity,

Molly