,Jane is passionate about helping singers improve their singing. She loves to prepare them for whatever goals they might have, be it singing professionally, in a choir, performing in musicals, at the local open mike night, in a band, or for fun — those who just want to learn to sing.
Jane has been teaching private voice lessons for over 25 years, drawing on her rich background of singing various styles of music. In a voice lesson with Jane, students learn a healthy, consistent and reliable vocal technique, while expanding their range and developing their own musical identity and style. Additionally, she also offers short-term coaching and preparation for auditions, competitions, musical theater performances, and college entrance auditions.
Many of her students have performed in musicals, solo acts, and bands including John Mark McMillan, Cara Watson—2014 Hollywood Week and Top 48 Contestant on American Idol, Chris Sheridan of Simplified, Kristi Ormand of StellaRising, and Josiah Prince of Disciple. Musical theatre credits include students who have performed with Matthews Playhouse, Theatre Charlotte, Children’s Theater of Charlotte, Old Courthouse Theater, and the North Carolina Theater.
Jane has trained students at the high school performing arts schools Northwest School of the Arts (Charlotte, NC), and Central Academy of Technology and Arts (Union County, NC). Many of Jane’s students have gone on to further study and performance majoring in voice, music, musical theater, and theater.
Jane attended the University of Michigan as a Voice Performance Major and earned her Bachelor of Music, studying voice with Leonard Johnson. During her senior year, she took graduate level courses in Voice Pedagogy, German Lieder, Oratorio, and Interpretation of Song. Following graduation, she continued her vocal studies with the respected New York City opera soprano, Eva Likova, and later moved to New York City to continue her operatic training. After a time, she studied with the Metropolitan Opera soprano, Sherry Zannoth, and subsequently with her teacher, Maria Farnworth. Her vocal coaches in New York included Benton Hess, Julie Kuipers, and acting with Jay Lesenger.
Jane has performed with opera companies in New York City, as a participant in opera workshops at the Juillard School, and seminars at the Manhattan School of Music. During this time, Jane performed leading roles of Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus, Violetta in La Traviata, and Leonora in Il Trovatore.
She has performed as a soloist with symphony orchestras and choruses under the direction such conductors as Christof Perick, David Tang, Scott Jarrett and Peter McCoppin, as well as presenting a number of recitals and concerts. She has appeared as a soprano soloist in concert with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra in Rachmaninoff’s The Bells, Mozart’s Coronation Mass, and the opera Der Freischütz.
Jane is a member of both the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the New York Singing Teachers Association.
Adults and High School Ages
Adult singing lessons are customized for each individual’s singing style and needs, along with a healthy vocal approach and technique to help them accomplish their goals. Technical emphasis is on developing the whole voice for vocal fitness, so that it is strong and reliable. This is accomplished through specific vocal exercises that strengthen and tone the instrument and the muscles that support vocal production using the standard Vocal Fitness Training curriculum. These initial lessons cover basic tone production, vowel formation, and breathing, with a structured practicing plan to strengthen the concepts. I also provide a link to vocal exercises, and guidance in practicing.
First lessons generally are spent on learning the technique and how to practice properly to get the best results. Students will spend approximately 2-3 months (or 8-10 lessons) learning basic vocal technique. Please note: if a student has an audition or performance during this time, technique training can be replaced with coaching and preparation, with regular lessons resuming afterward.
After the basic technique is learned, another 3-4 weeks will be spent on developing an efficient approach for learning and practicing songs using deconstruction, deliberate practicing and performance practice designed to connect the singer to the text. Then, intermediate vocal technique will be offered to expand and strengthen the singer’s range and smooth the transitions through the registers, and song work will continue to develop audition books and building song repertoire.
Standard Voice Lessons
30 Minute Lesson Format – all lessons taught online
Most students begin with a 30-minute lesson, which covers all the basic training and technique instruction. Some students choose to increase to a longer format, depending on their needs.
45 or 60 Minute Lesson Format – all lessons taught online
In general, this length of these vocal lessons would be for either high school age students who are heavily involved in performing, those who might be looking at college auditions in the future, or for adults who are able to, or would like a longer singing lesson. Some adults and advanced students do choose to start with longer lessons, and all basic skills can be taught in these formats, too.
Jane is an absolutely wonderful teacher. She is passionate about music has years of experience and vast knowledge. She takes the time to help each student at their individual pace, never puts unrealistic expectations on them, nor rushes her teaching. Jane has such a vibrant personality, and her passion for music is contagious. She always wants the best for her students. I would most definitely recommend her as a teacher.
From my two years studying with Jane, my vocal technique, range, and love of singing have grown tremendously. In college, singing sometimes felt like a chore and became very frustrating because of the tension and absence of a strong, higher range. After working with Jane, I feel so confident in my ability to perform and singing has become fun again! I am able to sing notes I never thought I would be able to hit; they’re so easy now! Jane’s techniques do work and it is incredible how her approach improves and strengthens the voice.
Alex Grellner
Adolescents
Inspired by the research and principles set forth in John M. Cooksey’s book, Working with the Adolescent Voice, Jane helps teens work through their changing voices, teaching them a healthy vocal technique, while working through aural and vocal pitch adjustments. Jane was also privileged to attend a workshop with Dr. Cooksey to learn his approach first-hand.
Voice Lessons for Children
Jane has been teaching children for years, and loves the passion they have for singing. To that end, she first and foremost wants the best for them, and to help move them ahead with a good approach to singing that is natural and fun. She generally accepts children for formal voice lessons starting somewhere around the age of 12. In special circumstances she will offer vocal coaching for younger children. Learn more
Vocal Coaching
Vocal coaching differs from regular voice lessons in that the emphasis is on polishing songs. Most people who take vocal coaching sessions usually need help preparing for short-term projects, such as preparing for an audition, recording session, or performance. Technique can also be taught through the coaching sessions as we can approach the song through vocal exercise techniques.
I’m delighted to recommend Jane Edgren and her Vocal Fitness Training program! Even though I was performing regularly, I began to feel frustrated with my ability to sing consistently and did not feel “in control” of my gift. I knew I needed guidance from a professional! Fortunately, my son, who is a musician, had studied voice and his first and favorite voice teacher to recommend was Jane Edgren.
I found that her Vocal Fitness Training program is attuned to systematically and incrementally teach foundational principles and techniques, in a way I could grasp and put into practice immediately. I put the time in and practiced the way Ms. Edgren recommends in the program, including reading the assigned materials, viewing video technique training as indicated, and I attending all lessons. Sooner than I expected, I began to make progress, and heard and felt my voice responding.
I heartily recommend Jane Edgren and her wonderful program to you, whatever your age or stage in life. If you love to sing, don’t wait as long as I did to train with a professional who really cares about your success in sharing your vocal gift and talent. She radiates a beautiful enthusiasm of her trade, deeply recognizing its great value, while wonderfully sharing her love of the art of singing with her pupils.
Maria S.