22 March 2018
My dear Colleague,
Apropos our recent discussion about whether or how younger singing teachers can get themselves in a mind set to publish rather than perish, I found this yesterday. I think it was basically a summary of what I learned in my doctorate (was in dissertation writing phase at this point). Fairly certain this is heavily cribbed from things teachers said to me:
- Question dogma
- Accept that sometimes dogma is correct.
- Read something every day.
- Read more than you write. (Definitely came from Dr. Helen Greenwald)
- Don't hate the lie.
- Find the lie that brings the student to the truth.
- Never start from scratch. (Also Dr. Greenwald)
- Others have already done much of your thinking for you.
- An absence of ideas comes from an absence of information. (Dr. Greenwald)
- Out of ideas? Read more. (Dr. Greenwald)
Sincerely,
Dr. Ian Howell
Voice Faculty
Vocal Pedagogy Director
The New England Conservatory of Music
Boston