What should I expect from a typical coaching session or private lesson?
A typical coaching/ lesson is a combination of the following:
- Welcome
- Warm Ups
- Conversation
- Song Selection
- Song Study & Application
- Practice Recap
- Goodbye

What kinds of things can I do to improve my vocal health?
Vocal health is a product of lifestyle choices and can be extremely complex.

Will smoking affect my singing career negatively?
Yes. Smoking damages your lungs and throat over the course of time, thus limiting their capacity to function properly.

I have a sore throat, what kinds of lozenges should I use?
Use any kind of zinc based throat lozenge instead. Coldeeze is an excellent brand.
http://www.coldeeze.com

DO NOT USE any kind of lozenge or cough drop with menthol as an ingredient. The Halls brand is a classic example of a lozenge that is primarily made out of menthol. Menthol is a derivitive of alcohol. Because the very nature of this product is chemically composed to dry you out - which is why many people use it to calm and suppress a sore throat, it will do the same to your vocal chords: dry them out. Your vocal chords need to remain moist in order for them to work properly and not develop cracks or sores because they have been dried out too excessively.

Why is alcohol consumption bad for a singing career?
The abuse of alcohol over time will strip the moisture away from your vocal chords causing them to dry out beyond a state natural for them. Overtly dry vocal chords, and improper singing or aggressive speech will cause cracks. Stressed and cracked vocal chords can develop Vocal Nodules which will prohibit a longevity of healthy singing, thus limiting a potential career.