30+ Years of Vocal Coaching Experience: Warm, Judgment-Free Lessons for Adult Singers at Any Level

Find out more about Karen

• When did you first develop a passion for music and your favorite instrument?

  I actually cannot remember a time that I wasn’t passionate about
  music and singing. As long as I can remember, music has been a huge part
  of my life. I first started singing on stage when I was 3 years old! I was in
  our family singing group. I remember just how heavy the mic felt in my
  hand and how shy I felt the first time singing in front of a crowd. Another
  pivotal moment for me was watching my dad. He was a choral conductor at
  a university. Our house was only about a mile away, and after school, I
  would get on my bike and ride to the school to see my dad run his choral
  rehearsals. I would sit in the front row and listen as he worked with each
  section. Tenors, Bass, Altos, and Sopranos, and then he would have them
  all sing together, and the harmony moved my heart so much that I often
  either wanted to cry or did:)

• Is there a particular type of music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?

  Boy, that’s tough. I listen to so many different styles of music
  depending on my mood, I just don’t know if there is one I could listen to
  without growing a bit bored of it… and then go to a completely different
  style!

• Explain to us the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student of music.

  Well, I think I may need to give two answers. The first is helping new
  students sluff off the effects of the voices of their past that have convinced
  them they aren’t good enough, that they can’t sing, and that they are
  terrible singers. This does such damage. A person might think they are “just
  teasing,” but it embeds itself into a person's heart and mind and can do
  major damage. It is not uncommon to spend the first few lessons helping
  people unwind from the hurt and have the courage to open up, be
  vulnerable, and begin to sing. It is so beautiful, and it is such a joy to be a
  part of it.
  Now, at a vocal level, it would be to show a student that their vocal range is
  much bigger than they think. Oftentimes, singers think they can only sing so
  high, so they don’t try to use their whole voice. It becomes truncated from
  what it could be. So, the process of opening up the range, growing the
  range, and then working to develop it to be a sound, is what the student is
  looking for. This can be difficult, and it’s not unusual for students to really
  resist moving into a more challenging part of their voice.

• What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master, and why?

  Well, I’m sure I am biased but, I would say the voice. The voice as your
  instrument is also your body.

• What are your keys to success?

  Listening…really hearing what my students want and need. Hearing their
  hearts regarding what they want to become and about the things that have
  shut them down in the past or led them to believe they couldn’t sing. Putting
  my students first.

• Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favorite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.

  Quincy Jones-Producer extraordinaire! Such great musicianship. Love his
  projects so much!Sara Bareilles-I love her strong vocals and her piano
  playing. It’s so simple, clean and clear…piano and vocals…Ahhh, Eric
  Whitacre. He creates and directs some of the most moving and beautiful
  choral music. Makes my heart just ache…but in the best way…my dad was a
  choral conductor and I just loved watching him conduct the choirs…brings
  back sweet memories.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to music or your days at music school.

  Don’t underestimate the power of singing as practice - Karen Potteiger
  It’s easy to think that you must do only scales and vocalizing in order to
  practice and strengthen your voice, but that just isn’t true. Every time you
  listen to and sing a song that is even just a touch out of your current
  abilities and you strive to be able to sing that song, (in a healthy manner of
  course;) you are working out your vocal muscles and skills in real time,
  making all of your hard work practical!

• What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  I take a very realistic and practical approach to voice lessons in that I
  understand that everyone has day to day life that they live and regular
  things that must be taken care of, work, kids, school, chores…and singing is
  in addition to these things. Therefore, I approach lessons and scheduling and
  practice with that in mind. Working to remove undue stress, pressure or guilt
  that can build when “real” life butts up against vocal instruction. I want
  lessons to be life giving and fulfilling.