Voice Classes

3-Pay Tuition Option: pay at enrollment, week 4 and week 7

Class Schedule :: How To Sign Up: New Students : Returning Students

Which vocal class is right for you?

Singing For People Who Can't Sing
Thursdays 7:30-8:30pm
Claire Plumb
You know who you are! But this class will prove you wrong, as you begin to gain control of your voice through simple exercises and ear training. By the end of eight weeks you'll see improvement and enjoy increased confidence.
Cost: $245 (or $85 3x)

Beginning Voice
Wednesdays 8:15-9:30pm
Janak Ramachandran
Learn how to use your instrument to carry a tune. For those with no previous experience, this class covers the essentials of singing: breathing, melody and rhythm. Topics include posture, warm-up ideas from main vocal schools of thought, key vowel sounds and easy exercises. You'll also learn about major and minor scales and intervals, and focus on rhythm and relaxation through group singing of simple songs, with guidelines for maintaining a healthy voice. It's never too late to start singing!
Cost: $300 (or $105 3x)

More Singing For People Who Can't Sing
Mondays 6-7:15pm
Claire Plumb
For those who have finished Can't Sing and want to keep learning and singing, this class will continue to teach simple songs and work on vocal technique to strengthen your voice and give you more confidence.
Cost: $300 (or $105 3x)

Voice II
Tuesdays 7:30-8:45pm @ Lennon
Janak Ramachandran
Develop your voice to sing harmony and expand your range. You'll touch on concepts from Beginning Voice such as basic warm-up with added ideas, and key vowel sounds with easier consonants. You'll also begin honing basic principles of song delivery and get an intro to thirds, fifths, harmony and tonal contrast. Mostly group singing with some trading lines to further song delivery skills with a focus on rhythm, melody, and relaxed breathing/posture.
Cost: $300 (or $105 3x)

Continuing Voice with Claire Plumb
Mondays 7:15-8:30pm
Claire Plumb
A continuing class for students who have already been working with Claire.
Cost: $300 (or $105 3x)

Voice III
Day/time TBA
Janak Ramachandran
Improve your tone and learn to project your voice with greater ease and freedom. You'll continue to refine concepts from previous classes, plus add interval training to your warm-ups, learn about bridges and projection, and add more challenging consonants to vowel and consonant exercises. You'll also explore style and the use of vowel affectations. Includes both group and individual singing. For graduates of Voice II.
Cost: TBA

Voice IV
Wednesdays 6-7:15pm
Janak Ramachandran
A continuing class for graduates of Voice III.
Cost: $300 (or $105 3x)

Singing for People Who Can Sing
Tuesdays 8:15-9:30pm
Claire Plumb
For those with some band, theater or choral singing experience but little or no previous vocal instruction. Sessions will cover the basics of proper vocal technique: breathing and support, warm-ups, developing your range, tone, placement, articulation, etc. There'll be lots of group vocal drills and some individual presentation of songs.
Cost: $300 (or $105 3x)

Pop Vocal Harmonies
Tuesdays 7-8:15pm
Claire Plumb
This class will teach 3- and 4-part arrangements to a variety of popular songs. You'll enjoy lots of singing time, plus tune up your ear and gain a better understanding of how to harmonize. No previous instruction in technique is required, but you must be able to sing in tune.
Cost: $300 (or $105 3x)

Vocal Technique with Raz Kennedy
Thursdays 6:30-7:30pm (10 weeks)
A member of Bobby McFerrin's Voicestra, Raz is best known for his coaching of many Bay Area bands including Adam Duritz and members of Counting Crows, Tim Armstrong of Rancid, Mark Eitzel, Noelle Hampton and Shana Morrison. Raz emphasizes vocal conditioning, stamina and maintenance.
Cost: $275 (or $95 3x; $50 non-refundable deposit)

Continuing Voice with Raz Kennedy
Thursdays 7:30-8:30pm (10 weeks)
For Raz's Posse - you know who you are!
Cost: $275 (or $95 3x; $50 non-refundable deposit)

R&B Vocal Performance Master Class with Raz Kennedy
Thursdays 8:30-10 pm (10 weeks)
This class is for accomplished singers who want in-depth coaching on technique, phrasing and expression. Class is limited to four students. You must submit a demo, admission is by consent of instructor.
Cost: $450 (or $155 3x; $50 non-refundable deposit)

Rock/Pop Vocal Performance
Thursdays 8:30-9:45pm
Janak Ramachandran
This class is designed for singers in our Band Workshops and for other vocalists in bands who want to work on their repertoire with an emphasis on both performance and technique. Working on our band room stage, there will be plenty of individualized attention, helping you to own your songs and get the most out of your voice.
Cost: $300 (or $105 3x)

Jazz Vocal Performance
Saturdays 1:30-3pm
11 weeks plus performance
Sharman Duran
In this all-singing class, intermediate to advanced vocalists will rehearse and perform a repertoire of jazz songs with expert piano accompaniment, leading up to a performance at the quarterly Blue Bear Showcases. Open to singers who are new to jazz as well as those who are familiar with the repertoire.
Class limit of 5
Cost: $390 (or $135 3x)

Guitar Party (singers welcome!)
Thursdays 8-9pm
Kent Brown
Here's your chance to learn, sing and play through songs in a relaxed and fun setting. If you can play basic chords and/or sing in tune, you're welcome to join the Guitar Party. (Compared with our other acoustic guitar classes, there is less detailed instruction on each individual song and more emphasis on just playing and enjoying music in a social setting.)
Cost: $185 (or $65 3x)

Your First Band
Tuesdays 8:45-10:15pm @ Lennon
11 weeks plus performance
Janak Ramachandran
This small ensemble class will learn and rehearse several rock and blues songs. You'll receive instruction in the culture of the band - etiquette, communication, how to count, beginnings and endings, how to listen. This is a great first step for those who have never played in a band before.
Cost: $300 (or $105 3x)

Music Theory, with a Little Help from The Beatles
Wednesdays 8-9pm
Brian Gire
In this class, you'll analyze various Beatles songs in order to develop an understanding of chords and chord progressions. You'll learn the language of music theory while gaining a deeper appreciation of some of pop music's greatest songs. For all instruments, including singers.
Cost: $245 (or $85 3x)

Band Workshops
Student bands organized by the school. Groups arrange and play songs by a variety of artists and groups, and at the end of the session perform live in a San Francisco club.
Workshop Schedule & More Info

Blue Bear @ Lennon Studios, 271 Dore St. (near Bryant b/t 9th and 10th) in SF