Feel better after a long day of teaching by making your studio a lighter, brighter and better-designed space.
⏱ 2 Minute Read
As a singing teacher, you probably spend most of your time thinking about the best way to help your students thrive.
But to have the energy and focus to deliver inspiring lessons hour after hour, day after day, it’s essential to also consider your own needs.
This is especially true when it comes to setting up your singing studio.
You’ll spend more time in the space than anyone else, so it’s critical that the setup is optimal for you as well as the singers who attend lessons.
Here are three ways you can make your studio a happier and healthier place, as recommended by BAST’s Alexa Terry.
Piano
The location of your piano/keyboard can have a huge influence on your well-being.
If you constantly need to twist or crane your neck to see students while playing, you may develop aches, pains or even a more serious injury.
“In my old teaching space, my piano was against the back wall, meaning my back would be to the student,” Alexa says.
“This meant I had to turn and twist my neck to see them demonstrate and interact, contributing to what ended up being a deviated larynx.
“Now my piano, which is a very reliable 88-key electric Yamaha Clavinova, is positioned in the room where I can see straight ahead.”
Mirror
A full-length mirror can be a useful tool to help students observe their posture and body language when they perform.
However, it can also benefit you as a teacher.
“It may also be useful to consider the position of the mirror in the room so that you can observe the singer whilst they observe themselves,” Alexa says.
“Sometimes you’ll guide a singer to focus on their shoulders, but their eye line actually tells you they’re looking at their feet.”
In addition, a large mirror will also bounce light around the room, making it feel brighter, more spacious and generally more pleasant.
Lighting
It has been well-documented in scientific studies that lighting can influence our mood and cognitive function.
Stark, artificial lighting (the type that makes a room feel like a morgue or your local branch of McDonald’s) is associated with fatigue, anxiety and eye strain.
Alexa says: “Harsh or overly bright lighting can increase tension, trigger sensory discomfort, especially for neurodivergent students, and give you a glaring headache.”
On the contrary, warm lighting can help create a calm and nurturing setting.
“It’s about creating an environment that supports presence, focus and emotional expression,” Alexa says.
“We’re not just training a mechanism, but we’re navigating identity, vulnerability and performance. Sometimes the difference between a student holding back or leaning into creativity comes with the ambience created in the lighting of the room.”
If the lighting is below par in your studio, consider investing in a lamp or dimmable ceiling light.
For teachers who work in a rented room or temporary space, a portable clip-on light or rechargeable lamp can be a helpful solution.
Want to know more?
What other essentials does a successful singing studio need? Alexa shares her studio must-haves in this episode of the Singing Teachers Talk podcast.
