Finding Your Voice: Local Studio Offers Voice Lessons and More

Stephen Childs, owner of Musically Speaking in Blackwood, used to be a really, really horrible singer. 

“My neighbors used to complain to my parents,” said Childs, who went through nine singing teachers until he became frustrated and began studying vocal science. 

“I wasn’t learning how to use my voice,” said Childs, who honed his singing voice and his teaching skills through self-study and practice. 

Now Childs works with aspiring singers of all ages in something called contemporary voice—a kind of voice training that helps singers sing like contemporary singers such as Christina Aguilera, Barry Manilow or Karen Carpenter. It is different than classical voice, which is the type of training opera singers learn and use. Contemporary voice is based on the speaking voice and is highly individualized—just like speaking voices are naturally. 

According to Childs, Musically Speaking is one of the only voice-training centers in the region that focuses exclusively on contemporary-voice training. And often, students arrive at the studio after months or even years of classical training. 

His goal is to make students into their own music teachers by providing lessons in breathing, voice control and even speech. Childs says that anyone can sing—anyone!

“People do not take music lessons because they are great. They take lessons because they want to be great,” said Childs, who has trained local bands and individual artists.  

One of the keys, says Childs, is breaking down the psychological barriers that prevent someone from trying. He said someone who is shy or nervous might back away from a high note because they are scared their voice will crack, but with training, they can find a way to use their voice.

Childs, who has trained more than 500 students to date, works with children as young as five and has a slew of clients in their 70s who have developed a trembly voice as a result of age. He also has worked with local pastors who need to not only improve their singing voices, but need voice training to improve their speaking voices. 

Students typically attend private sessions once per week and work on personalized exercises at home. Students record their singing and get to keep copies as a way to track their progress. 

Childs has also worked with clients with special needs, including a 17-year-old who was paralyzed after being hit by a drunk driver. Childs works with her to improve her muscle coordination and breathing through vocal and breathing exercises.

In addition to on-site classes, Childs and his business partner, Cody Smith, have developed online curriculum for students all over the world. The Virtual Voice program is one of a few of its kind. Later this year, Childs plans to release a book based on the Virtual Voice program.

Childs taught his first voice lessons at a Kung Fu studio in Glendora. He rented space from the owner for 10 years, before finding his own building and founding Musically Speaking. 

Childs began his study of vocal science in the heavy metal scene of the 1980s. It was before the Internet, so Childs utilized libraries at prestigious music schools like Juliard. He began to adapt the lessons to his own singing, learning how to use his voice to sing. 

“Back in the '80s, the higher you could sing, the better you were. As a result there were lots of amazing singers in bands like Whitesnake and Iron Maiden,” said Childs.

Childs’ wife, Dez Childs, will release her first CD, Heart Cry, in July 2012. The two met when Dez was a student at Musically Speaking. 

is open seven days a week. In addition to voice lessons, expert guitar, piano and drum teachers are also on staff. 

Every third Sunday (including this Sunday, Jan. 15), Musically Speaking hosts Open Mic Night, beginning at 6 p.m. and featuring student performances. The studio also includes production and recording space for bands or solo artists who wish to record their own music. Childs also works with artists on music composition, lyrics and overall production.

Prices for private lessons begin at $25 for 30 minutes.