This is the website of Ronni Lederman, a voice teacher in Rockland County, New York. This studio also welcomes students from nearby Bergen County, NJ.

Ms. Lederman works with both the singing and the speaking voice. The goal is healthy and free vocalism. The articles in this site are here to provide information about vocal technique that emphasizes breath support and relaxation of constrictor muscles for vocal ease, power, and beauty.

Who Benefits From Voice Lessons?

• Anyone who is looking to improve the tonal quality and strength of their singing or speaking voice while reducing vocal tension and voice fatique.


• Singers of any level, age or style who seek to improve breath support, diction, range, tone quality, and ease of singing. I specialize in helping people who feel that they "can't" sing, including those who claim to be "tone deaf". In reality this is hardly ever the case, and most people can learn how to sing or improve their speaking voice. I work with children age 8 and up, teenagers, adults, aspiring singers and professionals.

What I Teach

• Customized vocal exersizes
• Breath Control
• Tongue, jaw and throat relaxation
• Open throat - low larynx, for improved resonance
• Diction, agility and articulation
• Vocal dynamics and control
• Posture and Alignment
• Development of registers and a blending of the "head" and "chest" voice.
• Song/Dramatic interpretation, expression and musicality
• Believing in yourself!

Vocal Tips!

Beware of teachers and Choral Directors who tell you to place two fingers in your mouth while singing. Believe me, I know they mean well, but this actually can make you sing worse due to increased jaw tension. The problem is, there are two ways a person can drop their jaw. One is great for your voice and the other is harmful.

Try this simple exercise:
Place your palms on your cheeks with your fingers by your ears and open your mouth wide in a downward direction. Did it feel uncomfortable? Did you feel the joint by your ears move out into your hands a little? This is your Temporo-Mandibular- Joint (TMJ). When it dislodges itself this causes jaw discomfort and tension. Now, instead, let your jaw hang without any pushing. Let it be floppy and hang in a downwards and back direction (towards your neck a little). If you did this correctly there would be no feeling of tension and no dislocation of the TMJ. As you might have guessed, this is the correct open jaw for singing. A good exercise to try after you open your mouth in this relaxed way is to sing the word "wah" in a downward scale, or just on one note as you gently move your mouth as if to chew. It should feel easy and you should sense an increased vibrancy in your voice. In good singing the goal is not to have your jaw open as big as possible, but rather, to have a flexible and free jaw- a jaw that is relaxed and free of tension.

If you feel any chronic or unusual jaw discomfort, please do not do these exercises, but consult with your voice or other professional.

For previous vocal tips click here: More Vocal Techniques and Tips. This site is updated often so come back soon for more vocal tips!

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Did you know that there is no regulation or licensing of voice teachers in the US? This means that anyone can claim to be a voice teacher or a vocal coach regardless of whether they have received training or not. You must be careful when selecting a voice teacher! All voice teachers or vocal coaches are NOT created equal! Unfortunately, it is difficult for the inexperienced vocal student to know what to look for when looking for a competent teacher for singing lessons. To help you in this process I have devised a "Voice Teacher" checklist for the potential voice student, Click here to find out more!