Teaching Philosophy

“In every physical action, unless it is purely mechanical, there is concealed some inner action, some feelings. This is how the two levels of life in a part are created, the inner and the outer. They are intertwined. A common purpose brings them together and reinforces the unbreakable bond.”
― Konstantin Stanislavski

My first fascination with teaching voice largely started while simultaneously studying in a Strasburg/Hagen-style acting class, a meditation class, and a studio with a former opera diva. It was then I heard an interview in which my favorite actor, Daniel Day-Lewis, spoke of beginning his work with finding a character’s voice, believing it to be the most authentic representation of a person’s true self. I interpret that as: If we are proverbial onions, wrapped layer-upon-layer of depth and humanity, rather than un-peeling our onion one layer at a time, our voice works as a metal straw (save the turtles) which cuts right through to our center and shares that which is most intimate, most true. After 10 years or deciding whether to pursue a graduate degree in acting or voice, when I began studying voice pedagogy with my mentor, Dr. Jeanne Goffi-Fynn, it was a relief to hear her say that many people say the eyes are the gateway to the soul, but she believes it is the voice. This, I then realized, is the crux of my teaching philosophy.

         Everyone has a true self with a unique voice. We have incredible leeway to explore and experiment while remaining authentically “us”. Considering but not obsessing over the technical jargon I researched in grad school and continue to read, I incorporate an exploratory set of exercises, cultivated for each singer, designed to free the voice to access that which is deepest inside of us, while connecting it- or “hooking it up”- to the defining connective energy of that which is infinite in all things.

         With so many terrific teachers in New York City, what sets me apart is a deep curiosity of the possibility within everyone’s individuality, and helping connect that to why we sing. If we get too caught up in how we sing, we’ll never reach our potential. My professional experience as an actor desperately searching for truth within fiction, a piano accompanist in love with the infinite possibilities of music, and teaching to help people find themselves, I’ve broadened my curiosities across many genres, from opera to pop, musical theatre to chamber and choral music, and I look forward to a life of working with passionate singers and singing actors.

-Jeff Ostermueller

What We’ll explore

-Vocal Freedom

-Vocal Efficiency

-Vocal Power With Ease

-Finding Your ‘Natural Voice’

-Adapting to different styles/genres

-Singing Smarter Not Harder

-Singing “On The Voice”

-Stretching Your Range

-Tuning Your Resonators

-Feeling Your Voice

-Musicality

-Acting Through Song

-Classical vs. Contemporary

-Belting & Mixing

-How Understanding Acoustics Will Save & Expand Your Voice

WHERE I TEACH

-CAP21/Molloy University

  • BFA MTs

-Teachers College, Columbia University

  • MFA Actors, Law School Students, Choral Singers, Teachers

-Broadway Kids Auditions NYC (BKA)

  • MD, Voice Teacher, Audition Coach to kids from all over the country including National Tours, Major Regional Productions, Broadway, TV, Film.

-The Convent of the Sacred Heart

  • After School Instructional Lessons

-Front-N-Center for Performing Arts

  • Incredible triple threats in central NJ

 

“I hadn’t sung for two years when I went to Jeff for help. I was completely disconnected from my voice and felt I had no control over it. Within minutes, I couldn’t believe the sounds that were flying out of my face! Jeff immediately locked into my voice type, and we began with warmups and exercises to follow suit. With his guidance, I dusted off the cobwebs and started gaining my technique and confidence back. What makes Jeff unique is not just his technical know-how and deep understanding of the voice…it’s his ability to make you feel immediately comfortable. He is incredibly supportive, relaxed, and fun. His knowledge combined with a genuine desire to help people learn and grow makes him an absolutely fantastic teacher.”