Soprano, Maribeth Crawford, has taught private voice lessons for over 15 years in Ohio and Kentucky. Dr. Crawford has held studios at the Northern Kentucky University preparatory department, Angel's House of Music, Beck Center of the Arts, College-Conservatory of Music, Central State University and Walsh University. She currently serves as Associate Professor of Music at Murray State University in Murray, KY.  Many of her students have graduated from notable programs, such as Baldwin Wallace University, University of Tennessee, and Florida State University. She has students that perform with local, regional, and national music organizations and festivals, such as the Muny, Accademia Vocale Lorenzo Malfatti, Cincinnati Voice Institute, Harrower Summer Opera Workshop, Berlin Opera Academy, and Druid City Opera. Her students have gone on to have careers as performers in Opera and Musical Theatre, as well as Music Education. In addition to her students that pursuit music as a vocation, she also enjoys teaching students that wish to have music as creative outlet at home, in community choirs and/or theatre groups.

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

In voice lessons, my job is to guide the student towards a functional vocal technique that will ensure longevity and vocal health. Each lesson is spent making sure that the student has a clear understanding of how the voice works, both in an intellectual and physical sense. As a teacher, I encourage independence. I ultimately want my students to be able to listen, feel, diagnose, and respond in a way that promotes a beautiful, free tone that is responsive to text. 

My approach begins with physical freedom and the exploration of un-postured, natural sounds found through efficient use of breath. In addition, I encourage a clear, well-formed vowel and agility of the articulators (freedom from the tongue, a sense of palatal height, and a released throat). I want my students to be able to adjust the vocal tract in order to sing and adapt to the many different vocal styles that are currently in demand. I do not limit my students to one "correct" way of producing sound, but rather work to help the student find a sound that is able to sustain a long and lasting singing life. 

I do not prescribe to a certain method of teaching, but allow the student to guide when making assessments. Each student brings their own unique gifts to singing and it is my goal to highlight those gifts through repertoire and technical adjustments. This is a collaborative approach and does not assume the teacher over the student, but rather the teacher guiding the student to realize full potential. I believe that first and foremost, student trust must be established. This is a complex and tedious process: balancing honesty with encouragement. My teaching is a whole, somatic approach: one that considers emotional temperaments, physical connection, and cognitive strengths. This is something that I have worked to cultivate over 15 years of voice teaching. 

I currently teach a full voice studio at Murray State University in Murray, KY. I also accept high school and adult voice students for in-person and virtual lessons. Please email me at maribeth.crawford@gmail.com or fill out the form below to schedule a lesson with me. My rates are as follows:

30 minute lessons (recommended for high school students) $25

60 minute lessons (recommended for seniors in high school through adults) $50

Student Testimonials