Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech

05/21/2007 Posted by gop

I too wish to "sing the praises" of Sheila Dugan. I have been studying with her for the past four months. In that short amount of time, Sheila has done more to fix the problems with my voice than any other teacher I've encountered. I am a classical singer and have studied opera and art song since college in 1996. Since finishing my undergraduate program, I notice that my singing was not as strong as it had been in school. I had difficulty with range issues and also breath management. I quickly lost confidence in myself as a classical singer. Since working with Sheila, I have gained back a lot of my confidence as a singer and feel that I am well on my way to full improvement. Using scientific descriptions of how the voice works, along with visual aids, Sheila is able to instruct her students to find the trouble spots and truly correct them. Some of my vocal problems were made known to me by other teachers. But Sheila is the first teacher who has had any success in helping me begin to rid these problems from my technique. In short, Sheila Dugan is a marvelous teacher and musician. I think that if there were a stone that HAD a voice, Sheila could teaching it to sing....beautifully!

Pros: one-on-one instruction, thorough music library, grand-piano accomp.

Cons: Sheila is an excellent teacher, and one should expect to pay accordingly for such excellence.

03/14/2007 Posted by thebiebs

As a former MUNY kid and MUNY teen who has gone on to perform professionally throughout the country and attend one of the three major training programs for musical theater (CCM), I assure you that the ONLY person in St. Louis offering the proper vocal training for the MUSICAL THEATER performer is Sheila Dugan. She trains the vocal instrument to be both healthy and vibrant, while incorporating savvy techniques and her own contemporary sensibility. She offers the musical theater singer versatility and longevity. I would not be the performer I am today without her.

02/16/2007 Posted by liv4love

In only a few months, Sheila has helped me do a complete 180 with my singing. I came to her in my senior year needing help for my college auditions. Immediately, she taught me the facts about my instrument, and how to methodically improve what I was doing, using this knowledge. It amazes me I've come so far in so short an mount of time, and it's all thanks to Sheila. Beside giving me the tools I needed for successful college auditions, Sheila has helped me to love singing again. She saved my voice.

07/08/2006 Posted by jmgrandy

I cannot recount for you the number of times I've heard someone raving how wonderful his or her voice teacher is, and then thought to myself, "but you already had a beautiful voice and great technique to begin with." What separates Sheila Dugan from other teachers is that Sheila is a voice builder. When I first met Sheila, she broke down the voice and showed me - with visual aids, diagrams, and demonstrations - literally how the voice works. Sheila has one of the most creative and innovative minds I've ever encountered. With every lesson comes a new exercise that relates to what I was struggling with in my last lesson - which she, of course, remembers somehow. Her exercises are uniquely her own so that I, as a student, cannot hold any preconceived ideas about what I'm singing. Most importantly, though, Sheila has the innate ability to relate to her students. Because I've danced all my life, Sheila uses dance terminology in my voice lessons to parallel the concepts she's teaching me. My voice has grown leaps and bounds since studying with Sheila, and I credit her with my college acceptance as a musical theatre major at Syracuse University. I have gained knowledge of my voice and how to use it; but most of all, I have met one of the few shining angels that we get to meet in our lives. I call her randomly just to say, "Hi," because I miss her hugs and loving nature. Without Sheila, I would not have the confidence or skills to pursue my career dreams and ambitions.

05/08/2006 Posted by gflem00

Sheila Dugan has been teaching me for a little over a year now. I am a singer/songwriter who performs at local bars and clubs. Sheila has shown me the error of my ways. Through her techniques and visual imagery she has been molding me into not only a better singer audibly but she has improved the health and longevity of my voice as well. I highly recommend Sheila Dugan. -Gary Fleming

04/20/2006 Posted by ibiza69821

I have had the honor and privilege of working with Sheila Dugan for the past five years. I am constantly impressed with her perfect ear and amazing knowledge of the voice. I have studied with two other teachers, and Sheila Dugan is undoubtedly the best. She has an unbelievable way of bringing out the best in my voice. Everyone in the St. Louis theater community knows if you want a tough but honest, wonderful, knowledgeable, caring, voice teacher, you go to Sheila Dugan. She has successfully prepared me for auditions for The Muny, Stages St. Louis, and Broadway. Sheila is not a teacher that just plays notes and scales, she also coaches the artistic expression that brings each song to life. This is what makes her such a special voice teacher. We are all blessed to have her incredible talents in the St. Louis community.

01/03/2006 Posted by bbr

All I can say is WOW!! My daughter has been taking voice lessons from Sheila Dugan for only 6 months. I am amazed at my daughter's professional and personal growth with Sheila's influence in such a short period of time. The tonal quality and vocal range of my daughter has improved tremendously. It is an honor to work with a professional instructor like Sheila Dugan.

11/15/2005 Posted by mfailoni

I have been a student of Sheila Dugan for almost 6 years now and she as been so much a part of where and who I am today. She knew exactly what to say to me or what image to use that would help me to become a better singer. If it weren't for her then I wouldn't be where I am today pursuing a career in Musical Theatre. Her knowledge amd talents are truly amazing. She is a kind a caring woman who can really be specific to the needs of each individual. She has become a great freind and I will hope to study with her for the rest of my life. I am truly blessed to have found someone as great as Sheila.

10/23/2005 Posted by tlsiesener

Sheila Dugan is incredible! In 10 years of studying under Sheila, I have never come across another teacher who has made such an impact in my life or in my voice. Not only does she have an outstanding ear and impressive knowledge of the voice as an instrument, she knows how to teach! Sheila is specific, patient, honest, and persistent. She helps each singer to find their unique voice and helps us to use that voice in the most healthy, powerful way. Sheila has helped me to fulfill my dream. With Sheila's guidance and expertise, I was able to attend a top notch B.F.A program at University of Michigan and now perform professionally. I feel so lucky to have found Sheila and have her in my life as a mentor and friend.

09/23/2005 Posted by shannon_mcshane

Having worked with Sheila for over 10 years, I can honestly say that this is a woman who is a master in the industry. No other teacher has a better ear, a better set of skills or the patience to teach like Ms. Dugan. She will describe the way you use your instrument with precision and strive to make your voice the best it can be, while maintaining your own unique sound. You would be lucky to have the opportunity to work with her.