Should I Go To Arcadia University

Should I Go To Arcadia University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Kaitlin received her Bachelors degree in History and Secondary Education from Arcadia University. She is currently a tutor in Philadelphia, specializing in AP U.S. Government Politicstutoring, Grammar and Mechanicstutoring, Mathtutoring, and several other subjects. See what she had to say about her experience at Arcadia University: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or rural is the campus? Did you feel safe on campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Kaitlin: Arcadia Universitys campus is located in Glenside, Pennsylvania. Glenside is considered part of the Philadelphia metropolitan area, but it is definitely in the suburbs. As a result, you get the best of both worlds. With two bus routes taking you throughout the area, and the Glenside train station just a 10-minute walk away, Arcadia University is incredibly accessible. It is a small campus in about 20 minutes, you can make a loop around the entire university. It is also a secure campus. Our Public Safety office partners with the local township to ensure that students feel safe and taken care of. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Kaitlin: One of the things that I loved most about Arcadia University was its class sizes. The largest class that I ever had was about 25 students with this in mind, professors always knew me and my classmates. It was very rare to find teaching assistants at Arcadia University. In fact, if professors hire teaching assistants, they are not allowed to teach classes. Because of the small, intimate class size, I was able to build strong connections with my professors, some of whom still mentor me today. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Kaitlin: The majority of students at Arcadia University live on campus. The university guarantees housing for all four years of your undergraduate academic career. Housing options include living in a traditional dorm; in suite-style rooms, with separate bedrooms and a shared living area/bathroom; in apartment-style housing; and, my personal favorite, in the Castle. Grey Towers Castle is the cornerstone of Arcadia University it was built in the 1800s, and Arcadia University has since transformed it into offices and first-year housing. I was fortunate enough to live in the Castle during my first year of college, and I absolutely loved it! I was in a huge room with my own bathroom and five roommates. My second year, I was a Resident Assistant in the traditional dorms, where I found students to be more social. They often formed greater bonds with their hallmates. All of the university housing is on or near campus, with the furthest option (apartment-style) only a five- to 10-minute walk away. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Kaitlin: The most popular majors on campus include Elementary Education, Biology, and Psychology. We have an awesome Physical Therapy graduate school program, so a lot of our incoming undergraduates choose Biology or Psychology as their undergraduate major. I studied History and Secondary Education I knew that I wanted to be a teacher from a young age. One of the best parts about Arcadia Universitys School of Education is that, if you complete all of the requirements, you can graduate with not only a degree, but also a license to teach in Pennsylvania. Throughout my program, I found mentors who were able to work with me and help me fine tune my long-term goals, including teaching in an urban school district. Throughout my undergraduate career, particularly during student teaching, I was incredibly supported by the School of Education, especially by my student teaching supervisor. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Kaitlin: Greek life is not present at Arcadia University. But the amount of clubs, intramural sports, and activities provided by Arcadia University make meeting people and creating friendships easy to do. While its sometimes silly stuff for example, a really popular activity on campus is Midnight Bingo theres always something to do and somewhere to meet new people. I met one of my best friends at an Arcadia University event. We ended up leading the same club together, and we have been inseparable ever since. VT: How helpful is the Career Centerand other student support services?Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Kaitlin: The Office of Career Education is phenomenal. They have workshops, job fairs, and other services for students from the very beginning of their college careers. I started receiving help for my resume in the first semester of my first year with their help, and after continuing with their programs, I was able to fine-tune my resume and receive a job offer after attending a job fair hosted by the Office of Career Education. They have more than 30 companies come each year, from pharmaceuticals, to school districts, to NGOs, and more. In addition, the Office of Career Education is also available for alumni. VT: How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Kaitlin: Because Arcadia University is so small (my graduating class only had 420 students in it), there is very rarely over-crowding. While the library gets very busy during finals as most college libraries do the rest of campus is pretty spacious and easily available. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in between?To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Kaitlin: Glenside is a small town just outside of the city. There youll find local pizza shops, grocery stores, and a few parks but the most entertainment that youll find will be in the city. The train station is just a 10-minute walk from campus. Students usually find a healthy balance between going into the city and staying in Glenside. There have been more up-and-coming events, such as arts festivals and farmers markets, that make this easier. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Kaitlin: As I said before, I loved the small class sizes. The total size of Arcadia University is around 2,500 undergraduate students, so it is very small in comparison to some of the bigger state schools in the city. I chose Arcadia University for this small size, and I enjoyed being able to know pretty much everyone in my graduating class. VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Kaitlin: One of my best classes at Arcadia University was my Spring Preview class. Every spring, Arcadia University gives first-year students the opportunity to learn about a place and travel there for Spring Break. The class that I took was all about religion in Granada, Spain. I learned about Granada from January to March, and then at the end of March, I traveled with my class of 17 students to Spain. While there, we got to see all of the sites that we had spent the entire semester learning about. It was incredible! The people that I traveled with that first year are some of my best friends today. Check out Kaitlins tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Piano Lessons Near Me The Best Options for Music Tuition in Birmingham

Piano Lessons Near Me The Best Options for Music Tuition in Birmingham Get a Piano Teacher; Become a Music Genius. ChaptersFind a Piano Class at the Birmingham Music SchoolOr Join Piano Lessons Locally at the Solihull Music SchoolTry Piano Tuition at the Selly Oak Music SchoolPiano Teaching at the Ladywood Community School of MusicKids, Try the North Birmingham Suzuki SchoolGet Yourself a Private Piano Teacher with SuperprofLearn with a Master with Maestro’s Piano LessonsTake a Piano Course at MAC BirminghamBecome a Professional Musician with the Royal Birmingham ConservatoireConclusionBirmingham is, debatably, the UK’s second city and, as such, it boasts a huge range of opportunities for music education. And if you want to play the piano â€" the UK’s favourite musical instrument â€" you won’t struggle to find the instruction that you are after.People play the piano for a whole range of different reasons. This might be to play along with their mates in a jazz band, to perform on stage in front of global audiences, to sing along with their own accompaniment, to develop their music theory, to practise their ear training, or to learn composition â€" or they might just be learning because their parents have told them to. (The last motivation is probably the only one that isn’t so legitimate!)However, regardless of what you want to get out of the instrument, there are teachers available to give you the music lessons that you need to achieve these goals. So, whether you are beginner who has never before played a chord, an intermediate player hoping to build their repertoire or develop their overall musicianship, or already a genius performer who just needs a bit of guidance on how to conquer the music world, Birmingham offers what you need.Here, we have put together a broad list of fantastic options for learning piano in the city â€" from private lessons to group classes, for the new student or for those ready to become a professional musician. We hope it’s helpful! LouisPiano Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlisonPiano Teacher £32/h1st lesson f ree!Discover all our tutors BarbaraPiano Teacher £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Chi yuenPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomPiano Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErenPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtiePiano Teacher £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsFind a Piano Class at the Birmingham Music SchoolThe Birmingham Music School is located in the city’s Jewellery Quarter, where it has been offering lessons in singing, the guitar and the bass, the drum kit, and the piano for over ten years. It boasts nearly three hundred students and claims to have helped over fifteen hundred past students pass their musical exams. It’s a pretty good record and, with their music instruction, you may well find yourself passing those exams too.Keyboard and piano lessons are taught in groups of up to eight students, and each lesson lasts for an hour. They have specific classes for students over the age of six, and another for those over nine. There is, however, no age limit for the students.The students will be encouraged to take music exams. However, this is not compulsory. Rather, the School’s professional teachers are happy to teach any musical style â€" from jazz and classical to folk, rock, and reggae.The keyboard can be a good option to have in your home - as it tends to be a little smaller than the piano.Or Join Piano Lessons Locally at the Solihull Music SchoolLike the Birmingham Music School, the Solihull Music School is an accredited Yamaha Music Point, meaning that the equipment they use and the teaching they provide is endorsed by this manufacturer of world-class instruments. This school claims to be the largest independent music school in the area â€" and the teaching studios are well-equipped, comfortable, and generally enjoyable places to be.Beyond lessons for the ve ry young (or ‘mini-maestros’, as they say) and lessons in the ukulele and the most popular musical instruments, the School offers lessons in the piano. For the younger students, the ‘Play for Keeps’ course takes learners from beginner right up to Grade 8 and it teaches both keyboard and piano styles â€" as well as the ability to learn songwriting, reading music, and improvising.Lessons are available for adults too.Try Piano Tuition at the Selly Oak Music SchoolFor those who live in a different part of the city, the Selly Oak Music School might be more convenient. This is a school for violin and viola, music theory, and piano, run by the super-qualified music educator Heng-Ching Fang. She has written â€" among her other achievements â€" a fairly formidable book about the history of twentieth-century string playing.The Selly Oak school provides dedicated training in aural skills too â€" ideal for those taking the ABRSM exams â€" and works with children from the age of three (w ith the encouraged supervision of parents). Otherwise, all teachers are academically excellent and well-qualified, and the school’s record of student achievement is very impressive.By learning the piano, you can both solo, play the songs you love, and accompany other instruments.Piano Teaching at the Ladywood Community School of MusicThe Ladywood Community School of Music is a bit of a different kind of music school â€" focusing its attention on jazz, blues, and music from Latin America. They offer classes on saxophone, guitar, violin, and piano â€" and they are a local practitioner of that wonderful initiative, band workshops. These get you working, learning, and playing together.Hour sessions, which all take place at 18:30 on a Thursday, are £3.50 and for concessions it’s even less: £2.50. It goes without saying that you aren’t going to find a cheaper music lesson anywhere in the city. All tutors are associated with Andy Hamilton, a jazz saxophonist and the school’s patr on. The emphasis is on performance, and students are encouraged to play with Hamilton’s own jazz band. LouisPiano Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AlisonPiano Teacher £32/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors BarbaraPiano Teacher £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Chi yuenPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomPiano Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErenPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ValtiePiano Teacher £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors DanielPiano Teacher 5.00 (5) £37/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsKids, Try the North Birmingham Suzuki SchoolThe North Birmingham Suzuki School runs music education following the Suzuki method, a music pedagogy, formulated by Shinichi Suzuki, that stresses the innate ability of children to learn with the help of a supportive and encouraging environment. He was a violinist, and so the emphasis of the method has always been on the violin. However, Birmingham’s school now teaches piano too.The method is based on an analogy to learning language â€" in which listening, repetition, and starting early in life are all crucial educational factors. As such, the Suzuki School focuses on music education for young children. It requires parents to attend the lessons too and its innovative method encourages creativity and self-expression rather than technical exercises.Get Yourself a Private Piano Teacher with SuperprofIf you would prefer piano lessons with a private tutor, Superprof provides the best opportunity to find tuition in Birmingham. In the city, the site â€" a platform connecting students to professional and experienced tutors â€" hosts twenty-three piano tutors, charging an average of £27 an hour. The piano tutors are mostly music degree students or alumni, and are flexible and knowledgeable about their subject.So, if you’d rather not have to leave the house to learn your ins trument, your tutor can come to your own home. Or, if you would prefer, you can take piano lessons online, with hundreds of tutors available for video tuition.And once you’ve nailed the piano, move on to something else. The platform offers tuition in over a thousand subjects across the planet.Learn with a Master with Maestro’s Piano LessonsMaestro’s Piano Lessons is run by Babak Kazemi, a graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and now a professional pianist and conductor. He’s been teaching piano for over a decade and he is incredibly experienced in teaching students of all ages. Whilst he prefers to come to your own house, it’s possible to take lessons in his home studio too.He offers teaching to kids â€" suggesting lessons of half an hour to children from the age of five â€" and to adults too. He’s also pretty hot on music theory, so, if you need to sit an exam, he could be someone helpful to ask!Take a Piano Course at MAC BirminghamThe Midlands Art Centre is a n arts complex that has been working to bring art, music, dance, and drama to the lives of people since 1962. It offers classes in everything from jewellery-making to sculpture and film-making, and it is now located in Cannon Hill Park, a couple of miles south of the centre.Piano lessons are available from the age of four and you will be required to buy twelve weekly lessons before you begin. The lessons are one-to-one, and people of any level of experience and competence are welcome. Regardless, you’ll learn everything from finger exercises to sight reading.This is a great option at a very prestigious institution.A good music teacher will have you playing concertos on the piano.Become a Professional Musician with the Royal Birmingham ConservatoireYou may have reached the point in your piano-playing career at which you want to take your skills to the next level, or at which you want to become a professional musician. Conservatoires up and down the country are designed for people l ike you â€" and they offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in music.The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is the city’s own higher education music institution, and it has produced a lot of brilliant musicians, from teachers to performers to session players. Pianists are welcome to study a degree in Keyboard â€" which includes the piano, the organ, or the harpsichord â€" and will receive, after three years, a degree (BMus) in Music. Postgraduate courses are also available in composition, jazz, and music technology â€" as well as research opportunities in the history and theory of music.You can also find piano lessons Derby.ConclusionIf you are not from Birmingham but want to learn the piano, check out our guides to piano lessons in Leeds, piano tuition in London, Glasgow’s piano teachers, and Manchester’s opportunities for learning the piano. There’s also a guide to the UK’s best piano opportunities too!Piano tutor EdinburghPiano tutor BelfastPiano tutor Cardiff

Circumference of a Circle - Math Online Tutoring

Circumference of a Circle - Math Online Tutoring Circumference of a circle is effective in determining the fencing details of the circle. It helps in determingcomplete details of the periphery of owners land. From this area of plot can be easily calculated. Area canbe calculated if circumference is known. From the circumference value first we need to calculate the radiusand then with radius we can calculate area. The unit of the circumference is generally m or cm. Circumference of circle = 2 x pie x r This can be understood by the detailed examples, which are given below:- Example 1:- Find the Circumference of circle when diameter is 420 cm. Solution:- Given the diameter of circle, d is 420 cm. We know that the radius of circle is (radius is always half of the diameter), r = 420/2 420/2 = 210 cm. Now circumference of circle = 2 x pie x r Therefore Circumference of circle, C = 2 x 22/7 x 210 So C = 1320 cm. Hence the circumference of circle = 1320 cm. Example 2:- Find the Circumference of circle when diameter is 700 cm. Solution:- Given the diameter of circle, d is 700 cm. So the radius of circle is, r = d/2 = 700/2 = 350 cm. Now circumference of circle = 2 x pie x r Therefore Circumference of circle, C = 2 x 22/7 x 350 So C = 2200 cm. Hence the circumference of circle = 2200 cm.

How to Evaluate Your Academic Performance

How to Evaluate Your Academic Performance With May and June comes the conclusion of the academic school year. The average student returns or sells his or her textbooks, throws his or her backpack into a closet, and pushes all thoughts of academia to the back of his or her mind until August or September. However, the conclusion of the school year is also the perfect time to pause and evaluate your academic performance. How? With thorough self-reflection, of course! It may seem like the last thing youd want to do as summer begins, but taking just a little bit of time to revisityour past school year now can greatly enhance your future academic performance. You may also want to consider these tips to help you stay current any in class this summer. Why should you evaluateyour school year? Self-reflection is a crucial skill that not enough students exercise. If you are one of those students who has not yet put forth the effort to do this, do not fretit is never too late to begin! Self-reflection refers to a process in which you seriously consider your actions and motives, as well as the outcomes that result. Like any art, you can hone your self-reflective abilities with practice, but you can also begin at any time. The question you may now be pondering, of course, is, Why should I? The answer to your question is surprisingly simple: self-reflection allows you to improve. It teaches you to recognize your weaknesses, yes, but it also enables you to determine the source of said weaknesses and to construct solutions. In an increasingly competitive academic and professional world, self-reflection can serve as a true advantage. What questions should you ask yourself? Begin with broad questionsWhat course(s) was I strongest in? What course(s) was I weakest in? Was this semester or year typical for me? Then, seek connections: Did I take on too many responsibilities, academically or otherwise? Was my performance better or poorer than in past years? Delve deeperWhat did I do to earn high marks in these courses? What study habits did I rely on? Did I abandon them in classes where I received low grades? Will I need to take a course like this again? Am I satisfied with my results? Any and all questions are valid, so feel free to expand upon this list and to experiment. If you are struggling with your studies, here is some great information on how to identify your study stylewhich may help you in the future. What should you do with the information you gather? Once you complete the self-reflection process, you may feel overwhelmed. This is completely natural. If you took notes during the active, questioningphase, closely review them. Highlight observations that seem especially salient. If you did not take notes, jot down several now. Once you have done so, step away for 24 to 48 hours. This will allow you to decide upon a plan of action with a fresh mind. When you return to your observations, examine them for similarities across classes. Did a specific habit, such as reading your textbook in the morning orworking with tutors, contribute to your success in biology and English literature? Did a particular practice harm your performance in geometry and history? What can and will you do differently next semester or next year? What will you not change? If you are initially uncertain about how to address the issues that self-reflection raises, what resources can you turn to for further guidance? Build a short list of items to continue or implement in your future courses, and then store it in a safe location. You will need it when the academic year begins anewas well as when it is time to evaluate your academic performance again!

Singing for Kids What You Need to Know About Voice Breaks

Singing for Kids What You Need to Know About Voice Breaks Suzy S. Do both boys and girls experience voice breaks and cracks as they learn to sing? Find out in this guest post by Ocala, CA teacher Angie Q. One common question I get asked by my students is: Do both girls and boy students go through a vocal change? The answer is yes. I have been teaching voice lessons to both boys and girls (of all ages) for more than 15 years. Heres how it breaks down: Boys Boy voices start to change during the first stages of puberty and can progress very slowly or quickly. You will most often notice your voice changing when speaking first before it challenges your singing. Your speaking voice will start to sound hoarse, and your singing voice will not be far behind. In some cases, youll notice voice breaks or cracks, which is a good sign your voice is starting to change. If the progress is slow, your singing challenge will be harder. If the progress is quick, your singing challenge will be easier. There are normally stages of voice change for boys if the progress is slow. Stage One is around 12 to 14, Stage Two is around 14 to 16, and then your voice could settle somewhat. Stage Three can happen as late as 21-23 unless your voice settles at Stage Two for your final change. What Can You Do? The best advice is to continue private vocal study all the way through your voice change. Songs will be limited and need to be transposed with your progress, but it can be disastrous for you if you stop private vocal study during your voice change. Your ear is greatly affected by the change and boys who stop private vocal study are more likely to stop singing due to this challenge, where boys who continue studying develop their ear to the new octaves and learn how to place the tone. You can study with either men or women teachers before your voice changes, but it is more beneficial for you to have a man teacher during and after the changes so he can sing in your octaves and show examples with his voice. Girls Girl voices also start to change during the first stages of puberty and almost always progress slower than boy voices. You may not notice your voice changing in your speaking voice like young boys, but if you are a singer you will always notice this challenge. There are not really stages of change with your speaking or singing voice, but your challenge as a singer will normally last until the age of 16 or 17. What Can You Do? The best advice is to continue private vocal study all the way through your voice change. It can be disastrous if you do not continue vocal study during your change. Keep in mind that you cannot belt as high as your singing voice starts to go through the change. It is beneficial for young girls (ages 8 to 12) to have a private teacher already teaching you how to use your chest voice, middle/bridge voice, and head voice instead of always just belting when youre young. Your head voice will be airy and unsupported at first, and that’s OK. Learning the proper tone placement and breath support can make all the difference. Additional Tips Nine times out of 10 you are going to feel your voice break before it actually cracks, and this is what causes you to close up or throw the tone backwards. Try your best to keep the throat open with a good balance of air when you feel this crack coming on and keep pushing the tone forward. Let it go ahead and crack during rehearsals for warm-ups and those challenging songs. The more you feel these voice breaks coming on, the more you can control them and place the tone where it needs to go.  Octave slides are great for this and take you all the way through each register of your voice as you get higher. In summary, both boys’ and girls’ voices go through changes and challenges, but it is only noticeable for boy speaking voices. Most girls only notice it if they are singers. Just keep singing and keep up your private vocal study as your voices are changing. Don’t stop! Angie Q. teaches singing, piano, music theory, and more in Ocala, CA. She received her  Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance and a Minor in Musical Theatre from the  University of Southern Mississippi. Learn more about Angie here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by  PSNH

Learn to Sing with Daily Vocal Exercises

Learn to Sing with Daily Vocal Exercises Daily Vocal Training Exercises to Improve your Singing Voice Chapters How Can Having Singing Lessons Help You Improve Your Vocal Technique? The Art of Singing: A Physical Activity Which Requires That You Look After Your Body Vocal Warmups: Key to Ensuring that You Sing Well Attack: Where the Singer Can Make a Difference Listen to Yourself in order to Get Better Do You Need to Relax Your Vocal Cords? Choose the Right Pieces to Work OnWho doesn’t want to be famous? Do you dream of being a famous singer or a Hollywood musical star?In the age of television and social media, it seems that almost anyone can become a star if they’ve got the talent and a beautiful singing voice.  Thanks to the internet, there are plenty of YouTubers who came from nothing and, with a bit of luck, became global superstars.  Think about how many of today’s pop singers make use of social media and YouTube.With TV shows like Britain’s Got Talent, The X Factor, and The Voice, there are so many famous singers now who were launched into the limelight following a nervy televised audition. However, there’s nothing more damaging than dreaming that you can become a famous singer by just wishing it and clicking your fingers.On the contrary, as the saying goes: God helps those who help themselves.  If you have clear goals, you’ll know exactly what you have to do to achieve each of these goals.While singing can be hugely enjoyable, it also requires that you put in a lot of work. However, how can you do this work on a daily basis? TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Miria mSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors How Can Having Singing Lessons Help You Improve Your Vocal Technique?In most sporting and artistic activities, there’s no big secret to success. In fact, there’s just self-sacrifice, hard work, and perseverance. The same can be said for learning how to sing.  There’s a time and place for everything and there’s a time for excelling and there’s a time for learning and practising.Luciano Pavarotti, who was largely self taught, is a huge exception to this rule owing to his exceptional character and outstanding talent.Did you know you can even teach children to sing before they're born? (Source: pixabay.com)Furthermore, there’s nothing to say that somebody being taught couldn’t achieve the same abilities or, more importantly for some, the same levels of fame.For mere mortals, singing well requires that they work largely on their vocal technique, improving their vocal range, and hitting the high notes. They should also spend a lot of time doing exercises.This is where a vocal coach can be really helpful in making you aware of your range and showing you the progress that you’re making.  If you don’t happen to live beside a music school, you can always work on your voice and vocal technique thanks to a private singing tutor who’ll come to your house to teach you.If you want to become a professional singer either in classical or contemporary music, there are also a number of other skills you’ll need to work on: public speaking, stage presence, self-confidence, acting, etc.  A private singing tutor can also put together a made-to-measure training programme for you!Improve your vocal skills with singing lessons online. The Art of Singing: A Physical Activity Which Requires That You Look After Your BodySinging requires that you be in excellent shape.  You might think that being healthy isn’t tantamount to being a good singer with examples like Maria Callas, Amy Winehouse, and a plethora of rockers.If you want to have a truly beautiful voice, you’ll need to pay attention to what you eat and drink. You’ll need to drink a lot of water and avoid dairy products whose acidity can cause problems for your throat.Additionally, you need to be in good physical shape in order to maintain your posture and keep your back straight when you sing. There are singing exercises that will help you alleviate tension in the larynx and vocal warm ups to ensure you don't damage your throat. By paying attention to these details, you’ll soon see that it can make your life as a singer much easier. Vocal Warmups: Key to Ensuring that You Sing WellOverworking yourself on a daily basis is a quick way to lose your voice and end up having to make an appointment with a doctor or speech pathologist.  This often happens to those who are trying to do too much in too little time and instead results in them doing even less than they were trying to do.  You can’t force yourself to sing . It’s singing, not shouting, after all!The first thing you can do to avoid compromising your voice is to warm up. Singing teachers highly recommend vocal warm up exercises for their students and while every singing teacher has their own favourites, they're an integral part of learning to sing.You can have a bit of fun with this, too. There are a few easy ways that everyone can do:Warm up your head: nod and shake your head as well as circular movements as you would do before sport.Imitate chewing: Force yourself to yawn in an outrageous way. Blow as if you were trying to cool down food.Breathe in and out deeply while crossing your arms over your chest.Work on warming up your mouth and vocal chords by making the “choo-choo” noises of a train. Start off quietly before increasing the volume.Start with a deep manly voice before attempting a softer feminine voice. You can then complement these exercises with your scales.There you go! You should be ready to start practising a few vo cal pieces. Breathing Can Make All the DifferenceIf you want to sing in key and get the most out of your vocal timbre, you have to correctly control your breathing.Whether you’re bass, baritone, tenor, alto, mezzo-soprano, or soprano, breath control is hugely important for your singing and vocal health. Your breath is more important that you'd first think. After all, the act of breathing is essential when it comes to singing. If you don’t breathe, you don’t make a sound.Whether you’re singing Verdi or a contemporary jazz piece, your voice teacher will recommend that you work on diaphragmatic breathing since the natural way we breathe doesn’t cut it when it’s time to sing. They'll also probably give you some breathing exercises and singing tips for when they're not there.This allows you to keep a reserve of air which, with the right posture, will help you to sing better without harming your voice. The more you're controlling your breathing, the less you'll be straining yo ur voice when you exhale.Vocal coaching can also help you find your vocal range. (Source: www.splitshire.com)Working on your abdominal muscles is at least a minimum requirement.  You need to breathe using your diaphragm in order to maintain pressure.  Usually, like when you do when you’re running, you breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.In any case, it’s not necessary to inflate your lungs in an exaggerated manner.  If you keep the importance of your abdominal muscles in mind, you’ll be able to maintain a relaxed posture when you sing.  There are several exercises that can help you achieve this during your voice lessons. TraceySinging Teacher 4.92 (13) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PortiaSinging Teacher 4.91 (11) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors NicolaSinging Teacher 5.00 (11) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JazzSinging Teacher 5.00 (6) £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PerrineSinging Teacher 5.00 (3) £50/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TiemSinging Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TomSinging Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MiriamSinging Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Attack: Where the Singer Can Make a DifferenceThis is a technique that is closely related to having a good harmonic breathing. Regardless of your voice type, a good attack can make the difference between your everyday singer and the world’s very best.  This can help you to sing in key and hit every note right from the very first in the piece.A good volume and expressiveness from the moment you sing the first note would be an impressive feat, wouldn’t it?Whether in group lessons, music school, or in a private singing tutorial, you’ll need some advice to make sure you don’t hit any false notes. Good articulation and confidence are also essential and they’ll help you move your audience. Listen to Yourself in order to Get BetterOne of the consequences of the of the internet becoming commonplace is that you can also get digital singing lessons.Almost everyone can use the internet to get music lessons from a basic introduction to music theory to lessons on how to play the acoustic guitar, for example.  You can find private tutors that give private singing tutorials over Skype or you can hire a private tutor who can come to your house and help you to record your music in your home studio.Recording your voice is arguably one of the best ways to train. While arguably not one of the most efficient (as it takes twice the time). Do You Need to Relax Your Vocal Cords?We’ve already said that forcing yourself when you sing is a bad habit that should be avoided at all costs.  So how you can expect to do any serious work on your voice if you never exert yourself?There are a few principles that you’ll need to respect: it takes around 6 hours for your vocal cords to fully recover after an intensive session of s inging.  If you end up making yourself hoarse, you’ll need to rest for at least 3 days.Romantic songs are timeless. (Source: skitterphoto.com)There’s a special case in which your voice will require special attention, puberty.  In order to improve your singing during puberty, you’ll have to take your time and only work on your voice every other day at the most.You can also sing the odd aria when you’re in the shower since regular practice is key to becoming a better singer. After all, practice makes perfect. Choose the Right Pieces to Work OnHow can you learn to sing in key without traditional music theory education or getting help from a teacher or tutor?Musically speaking, it can be really difficult to choose the right songs to sing and practice with. We’re often unaware of our own abilities, choose songs that are too difficult to sing, and subsequently end up demoralising ourselves when we try to sing them and inevitably struggle with them or make very little progress.A private tutor is in the best position to help you. After all, they can put together their knowledge of music and their understanding of your voice in order to help you learn new pieces and work on your voice and techniques including your range, vibrato, etc.Start singing lessons today! Check all our tutors and singing lessons Manchester, in London, Brighton and more.In this case, two heads are better than one if you want to become a famous singer!

ACT Prep

Huntington Learning Center Offers Advice for Effective SAT/ACT Prep Its that time of year when many college-bound students are taking or re-taking the SAT and ACT. Co-Founder Eileen Huntingtonof Huntington Learning Center says that the best way for students to prepare for college entrance exams is through plenty of practice. It is true that keeping up with school work inherently helps students acquire the knowledge that they need to perform on college entrance exams, but there is no substitute for regular, thorough studying of the types of questions they will see on these tests, says Huntington. Shesuggests that parents think about the following as they and their teens develop a summer study schedule that will yield positive results: Learn the ins and outs of each exam. Teens should get to know the format and details of the exam they decide to take. Its essential to understand what is expected on the test, the time limit for each section, the number of questions, and other basic information. This can help steer teens toward one exam over the other. Some of the major distinctions that could also impact a test-takers decision between the exams: The ACT has a Science Test that tests critical thinking skills (while the SAT does not). The SAT has one more reading passage than the ACT. The SAT has some math questions that must be answered without the use of a calculator (the ACT allows the use of a calculator for all math questions). Take a diagnostic evaluation. A teens very first step to devising an effective SAT/ACT prep plan should be taking an initial test to determine his or her strengths and weaknesses. Study sessions will be far more effective when teens know exactly what to study and where they need to improve. A full-length diagnostic test gives a baseline so that teens can identify areas to focus on (and measure their progress). Create a schedule. Teens will be more effective in their study approach if they create a schedule with milestones. The schedule should dedicate the appropriate amount of time to each subject and specific section of the exam, targeting weaker areas and considering teens strengths. Certainly, a teens specific test score goals (possibly driven by his or her target college or university) and the gap between the diagnostic test score and goal test score will impact the amount of study time needed. Cover all the elements. Yes, the SAT and ACT require subject-matter knowledgethis should be the foremost area of focus in a teens study plan. However, the best study plan should cover several other areas as well: Practice exams Teens should take at least two full-length, timed practice tests that simulate the actual test environment. Speed work There are a lot of questions on the SAT and ACT to answer in a short timeframe. Its important to work on improving ones speed without sacrificing accuracy. Stress management Theres no getting around the fact that the SAT and ACT can cause teens anxiety because of the impact that the exams can have on their future. Its important that teens learn how to manage any stress and are able to employ relaxation techniques as needed. Plan ahead for a retake. Many teens take the SAT or ACT a few times to attain their best score. Summer before junior year is a good time to prepare for the SAT or ACT. In doing so, keep in mind that many colleges have application deadlines as early as January 1. The SAT is offered seven times per year and includes a summer test in August, and ACT is offered six times per year, with the first test of the school year occurring in September. Its wise to put the best foot forward by adhering to a study plan and schedule because planning ahead for specific test dates is key. Huntingtoninvites parents and teens who are unsure where to begin to call Huntington Learning Center at 1-800-CAN-LEARN. We understand that few parents and teens know the best way to study for the SAT or ACT, or how close together those study sessions should beand those sorts of details, Huntington says. Were adept at assessing students abilities, developing targeted programs to help them achieve their goals, and helping students do well on these tests. Learn more about Huntingtons premier, 32-hour and 14-hour SAT and ACT prep programs and the Huntington test prep approach at www.huntingtonhelps.com. About Huntington Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader.Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntingtons mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. 2017 Huntington Mark, LLC. Huntington Learning Center, the three-leaf logo, and 1 800 CAN LEARN are registered trademarks of Huntington Mark, LLC. Each franchised Huntington Learning Center is operated under a franchise agreement with Huntington Learning Centers, Inc.

Top tips for starting university

Top tips for starting university Settling into university can be challenging. The ultimate worry of making sure you find friends is always at the back of your mind, let alone the worry about how you’re actually going to get on with your course. Flyer after flyer is being pushed in your face trying to get you to join societies and you are experiencing an information overload. People are telling you that freshers is just easy and fun but you’re finding it pretty intense, and rightly so. Here are some top tips to help you get through those first few weeks of term: Try not to worry. Remember that everyone is in the same boat so they will want to make friends quickly.  At university, you have the opportunity to meet lots of new people, in your hall, your course or through any clubs you join so it is highly likely that you will meet your kind of people very quickly. Finding your way around. Universities can be huge spaces and they can be very hard to find your way around, especially if your university is spread around a town or city rather than on a campus. Universities will provide maps so make sure you get your hands on one of those and look out for signs and student reps to point you in the right direction. There should be plenty of people around to help you in your first few weeks so don’t be afraid to ask. Join clubs/societies. Universities have an endless list of societies so go to a freshers’ fair and find out about them. Even if the ‘flyer after flyer in your face’ is driving you crazy, try and be patient and talk to students and you will find something or maybe many things that will appeal to you. Then sign up to as many as you like and narrow it down later. You can’t do it all but being a part of some clubs, whether they are something you are familiar with or something that is new to you is great experience and helps you balance your studies as well as make new friends Contact hours. So it might seem strange that you only have between six to nine contact hours a week (or maybe less), whereas others have about twenty five. But everything should balance out. If you have less contact hours then you will have more reading and assignments to complete whereas those with more contact hours will have less. Either way no subject should feel undermined by the amount of contact hours they have. The classic arts vs science rivalry will probably occur but it is important to remember that this is just ‘student banter’. You chose your subject for a reason and that is all that matters; don’t let anyone put you down about it Organising your time. If you have less contact hours then it can sometimes be hard to organise your time as all of a sudden your day seems to disappear having only had one lecture and one seminar. So… note down your timetable and try to do bits of reading/preparation in between commitments either at the library or a study room so you don’t have to spend your whole evening doing this Lectures and seminars. Find out what your department’s policy is on these. Of course it is best to attend everything â€" get your money’s worth from your degree. But you especially don’t want to be caught out by missing something that is compulsory as this will be recorded and could lead to consequences. If you have a genuine reason for missing academic commitments then contact your department tutor beforehand so you can be excused Note taking from lectures and seminars. Try not to write everything down as then you won’t really take in what you’re listening to but instead try to make notes that are in short form which you can understand. If you are provided with a hand-out beforehand then take this with you so you can underline important points and write extra detail when needed Going out. Freshers’ week has loads of opportunities to go out and you will be spoilt for choice on what to do. Have fun and enjoy it but don’t worry if you fancy a night off. You might still have commitments in the day and so try not to completely exhaust yourself or miss your lectures/seminars. Introductions are important to attend as you will be given information which will help you for the rest of term. Of course, you should enjoy your nights out and have fun, even after freshers’ week has finished, but just remember to manage your time effectively Remember you’re on a budget now. Be sensible with your money but don’t panic if you spend a lot of money in the first few weeks. There will probably be a lot of activities put on to begin with which cost, as well as paying for membership to clubs. So the first couple of weeks tend to be more expensive, just remember to budget from then on. If you’re a bright spark, in need of some extra money, why not try tutoring? We know this great socially responsible website called Tutorfair. Don’t worry if Freshers’ week isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. There is a lot of build up about freshers’ week but although it can be good fun, it can also be very tiring and you might experience some normal teething problems when starting uni. For some, you might be living away from home for the first time as well as starting a new course so don’t worry if you don’t find freshers’ week as amazing as people say. University is a fantastic experience and you will agree but perhaps not straight away. Ask for help if you need it. Although you are no longer at school, it is still absolutely fine to ask for help whether this is on academic or pastoral matters. It is fine to contact your tutors if you are unsure of something or equally if you think something personal is affecting your work. Most tutors have office hours when they can see students so use them or email them. There will also be pastoral services available run by staff as well as other students so use them! That is what they are there for and nobody will judge. So starting university may be a bit of a whirlwind but you will have fun. Just remember… ‘Don’t let your degree get in the way of your education’. Whether you're  studying History, Maths or English, some university topics can be more challenging than others.  Tutorfair  can help you find the right tutor to give you the extra support you need to ace those exams.