LIVE ONLINE VOICE LESSONS AVAILABLE
Carolena Mátus Voice Studio
Specializing in vocal mechanics and artistry.
Encouraging your talent and musical
self-confidence to grow in a safe,
supportive environment.
" . . . even though a singer may have a profound understanding of musical style, an imaginative temperament that can serve as a vehicle for artistic expression and a vocal instrument of promise, these positive attributes cannot be perceived by the listener if the mechanics of technique are faulty. It is not enough for the singer to have something to say; the means for saying it with ease must be present. An understanding of physical function may make the difference between the emergence of a solid technique of singing and a lifelong struggle with the mechanics."
~Richard Miller from "The Structure of Singing"
"The object of art is expression. The essence of expression is imagination. The control of imagination is form. The medium for all three is technique."
~Herbert Witherspoon from "Singing: A Treatise for Teachers and Students"
"Last Tuesday I took an introductory vocal lesson with Carolena Matus, and I got a two-fer: she threw in an anatomy lesson as well!
"Carolena said that many vocalists strain because they’re not using the proper muscles for support, and that proper support is quite different than what many people are led to believe. She then set out to help me experience exactly where it originates in my body, so that I could feel it for myself. She stressed the importance of being “body-aware” - i.e., being tuned in to what’s going on internally while I sing. She also emphasized the importance of locking everything into muscle memory, a concept that is extremely familiar to professional musicians. As she put me through various singing exercises, she continually asked me what I was feeling in my throat, in my rib cage, in my abdomen, etc. She even sensitized me to what I’ll feel when I’m singing with poor technique, so I can self-correct on the fly. The message was clear: no matter whether I want to sing R & B, jazz, rock, opera, or whatever, it’s vital that I first lay the foundation for proper, healthy vocal production, one that will allow me to sing effortlessly, and with control.
"Carolena presented her ideas with great clarity. I didn’t have to work hard to understand her explanations or instructions. She was exceptionally organized, yet also very relaxed and down to earth. I’d recommend her without hesitation to anyone who’s looking to improve his or her singing!"
Randy Halberstadt
Pianist, Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra (SRJO)
Professor, Cornish College for the Arts (Retired)
Seattle, WA
Is Singing Your Passion?
Do you want to sing?
Love to sing?
NEED to sing?
Have you always wanted to sing? Are you a beginner who understands the importance of a strong foundation? Perhaps you have some singing experience, but now realize that you bypassed that all-important foundation (i.e., "vocal mechanics") and have either sustained vocal injury or find that you are simply unable to progress any further? Has the absence of vocal training undermined your musical self-confidence?
The question that remains is ... Do you have the drive and desire to succeed – and with expert guidance – work to make your voice the very best that it can become? If the answer is "Yes!" we can discuss where you are now and where you wish to be.
Would You Like to Learn?
If you have the drive and desire to learn the secrets of good singing technique – the things that will safeguard your vocal health, improve and strengthen your voice, enhance your artistry and give you musical self-confidence – let's discuss crafting the right program for your individual needs. Please click on this link to schedule a complimentary consultation.
A Question of Style
Occasionally I am asked what 'style' of music I teach, either because the person asking wishes to continue to sing in a particular style or because they are afraid I will attempt to impose my own style upon them. While I have performed in multiple genres, I deliberately do not teach any particular style; instead I specialize in vocal mechanics, i.e., healthy, proper singing technique.
Proper singing technique transcends all genres, so whatever style(s) a student prefers has no bearing on the correct mechanics of singing. A solid foundation of good vocal mechanics is the cornerstone, and the style you choose to sing is the capstone of artistic, healthy singing.
Allow me to use an art analogy ... Think of a great work of art by one of the masters – Monet or DaVinci, for example. When singing, the technique/mechanics are the well-primed canvas, and the style is the paint. The style of music you are interested in singing will have no bearing upon utilizing the proper vocal techniques, as you can paint abstract, impressionist, avant-garde, landscapes, portraits in oil, acrylic, watercolors – and any image you desire – upon a good canvas, as long as it is correctly primed.
While residing in Washington State, Carolena has worked with students in private sessions from the areas of Ocean Shores, Centralia, Shelton, the Hood Canal (Union), Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, DuPont, Steilacoom, JBLM, Lakewood, University Place, Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Federal Way, Poulsbo, Issaquah, Mukilteo, Kent, Lynnwood, Renton, and Seattle. Carolena also teaches online voice lessons across the U.S., and abroad, via Zoom and FaceTime, to students as far away as N. Carolina, Chicago, Arizona, the San Francisco Bay Area, Michigan, Texas, Maryland, Florida, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Portland, Hawaii, New York City, Seoul, South Korea, Ponte di Legno and Milan, Italy.
Click here to see what students have to say about their studies with Carolena.
Carolena Mátus is a collaborative partner with the
Virginia Mason Otolaryngology Voice Clinic
Carolena Mátus is also a professional member of the
National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS)