Meet Laura Valle of Valle Vocal Studios

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Valle.

Laura, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a vocal coach, singer-songwriter, producer and studio owner. Singing, writing, playing music and sharing my knowledge and experience with others is my passion.

I lived in many places and travelled around the world until I settled down in California, certainly one of the best places on earth! I have a fully equipped music studio in Westminster, CA where I coach singers from all ages and styles to master their vocal instrument.

My story started in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the city I grew up in. There I studied Theatre, music and classical voice. When I was nineteen I got my first big role in a successful Theatre Play that allowed me to perform 5 days a week and tour throughout Argentina. Back then I was fully immersed in the theatre world, yet singing was my favorite hobby until it became more and more central in my life.

In my twenties, I moved to Switzerland and decided to enroll in the Music Conservatory of Basel to study Jazz and obtain a degree in vocal jazz and music education. During my years in Europe I sang with a few bands, mostly Latin Jazz, Flamenco, Tango and South American Music. I was singing almost every weekend in jazz clubs, restaurants, private gigs while I was still in school, very often crossing the border to France or to Germany to meet with different bands for rehearsals and performances.

I met my husband in 2001, the same year I graduated from music college and a year later we were married and living in southern California. Back then I started to teach at a local store AB Music in Huntington Beach CA and worked as an independent teacher for other music schools. I was determined to learn how to run the business of a music studio. It took me quite a few years to get established and have a full schedule of lessons. Besides from providing the best service as a coach I had to learn how to market myself and provide an inviting place to offer lessons.

Living in the States made me reinvent myself as a musician as I became more in tune with the contemporary American music and began to write songs myself and start my own band to perform at local gigs. My connection with Argentina’s music continued as I started a collaboration to record my first album with musicians from Argentina in several trips to Buenos Aires during 2006 and 2007. Now I am finally finishing a second album of original songs in collaboration with musicians from Orange County such as Ron Kobayashi, Bill Hartel and many others.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The first years in the United States were the hardest. It was challenging to start a business in a new country where I had to learn traditions and build connections. At the same time, I was starting my new band, organizing gigs to perform locally and recording my first album.

Those years were rough and sometimes financially tight but exciting too. The music scene in LA opened my possibilities in an unlimited way and made me grow as a singer and musician.

Valle Vocal Studios – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The one- on- one lessons are the best environment to master the vocal instrument.

Singers train the vocal muscles to develop coordination, train their ears to hear the correct intervals, train their senses to become aware of their body’s sensations. A big level of awareness is required from both sides (mine and the student) in order to progress.

One of the most important technical elements my students learn is how to connect their range smoothly transitioning from chest to head voice, and be able to sing with freedom and a resonant tone.

I offer a complete vocal education as well as music theory, keyboard, ear training, improvisation and songwriting. My formal music education as well as my background as a singer, songwriter and producer give me the flexibility to customize the lessons for each student.

After evaluating the student’s goals, style and level, I build a program with exercises to work on problematic vocal areas and develop healthy vocal habits. I want my students to understand the purpose of each exercise and how to practice at home by themselves.

Lessons take place once or twice a week for 45 or 60 minutes. Half of the lesson consists on warm ups and technical exercises to develop range, breath control, pitch and flexibility. The rest of the lesson is dedicated to work on a song. The songs are usually the students’ choice but I might suggest songs to help develop style, technique or artistic persona.

I often record my students at the studio. The voice sounds different from inside of our bodies and it is important to hear it while we are not singing. It is part of the learning process.

Many of my students sing with Bands, choirs, perform at local theaters or simple love to sing for their own enjoyment. I am proud of helping my students audition and perform at local Musical Theatre organizations such as Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Hills or High School Arts Programs such as APA in Huntington Beach or OCHSA in Santa Ana.

The voice lessons for children emphasize proper technique and ear training. My goal is to instill passion for music while developing technique, self-esteem and creativity. We work on a variety of styles besides pop music so they can be comfortable auditioning for Plays, Recitals and talent Shows.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
For me success is being able to make a living on something I love to do and do it well!

Being a vocal coach allows me to impact lives of others in a positive way by helping them reach their music goals and inspire them to be better musicians. Teaching is very rewarding to me. I love to see my students grow, perform, win auditions and unravel their potential.

I am always looking forward to be more effective in communicating vocal technique and song interpretation. Each lesson should bring the student an insight into a better vocal delivery in terms of sound, pitch, rhythm, phrasing, dynamics, etc.

That is when I know that I succeeded in my mission.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ValleVocalStudios.com
• Phone: (714) 362 4598
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraValleVocalstudio/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/valle-vocal-studios-westminster-2

Image Credit:
Laura Valle recording
Student recording at the studio
Laura Valle with student after recital
Laura Valle coaching student

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