private series
Private Voice Coaching
by Master Vocal Coach Irene de Raadt-Bellucci
Drs Irene de Raadt-Bellucci BBA BMA is a crossover classical/jazz/musical lyric soprano and she sang with numerous other vocalists and orchestras, amongst others Andrea Bocelli.
She has over two decades of experience as a voice teacher and voice-researcher.
Being born in the Netherlands, Irene has enjoyed education at both the Conservatory of Haarlem as the Conservatory of Amsterdam, where she studied Modern (Musical Theatre) Voice and Piano and Classical Voice. Genetically rooted in Italy, she took masterclasses at the Accademia di Belcanto in Italy.
Before that, she lived and worked in the USA and studied Voice with Joan Lader in New York.
With a previous educational background in Neuro-Psychology and a former swimmer, Irene is an expert on breathing techniques.
All artists that are expressive and eager to work deeply on vocal and breathing techniques are welcome, and since
Irene is a member of Mensa, other high IQ students and teachers will enjoy her fast thinking and clear teaching.
Science Based Teaching
Irene has a clear vision.
It is a vision is to provide top-tier voice education that is science-based.
Not a copy of other teachers, not even her own.
Irene always wondered why most conservatory and private vocal teachings aren't put into more concrete learning methods. And why university graduates are enabled to conduct research by which they obtain a Phd or a Master's degree, but not for conservatory students.
This might be because traditional voice education, as the ones she had herself, is mainly founded on tradition, "hear-say" and personal opinions. But Irene thinks this should change. All teachings in whatever study field, should be based on decent study, as for example those by Ear-Nose-and-Throat and Lung doctors, Physiotherapists et cetera, and backed by medical proof.
Singing should not be vague, teachers should explain visually and with clear steps.
Teaching should not exist of a lot of vague metaphors ("push my hand down when you go up", "place the tone in your forehead"), but should exist of clear instructions with a decent explanation on how to do it, accompanied with the background reasons as to why the student has to perform certain steps.
Irene wants to deliver that to her students, because it is an honest way of teaching. Also, singing is not magic, it should not be so secretive, and it does not need to be, because there are so many great resources, especially on vocal technique, like Lamperti. Ask your vocal coach if he or she knows some of the teachings of Lamperti and if not, you can fairly accurately tell if the teacher has any knowledge of breath support.
To make her teachings more clear and backed by science, Irene set out to conduct research for herself and she has been doing so since 2012.
In the belcanto era, there were many voice teachers, but two of them were the founders of breath support: Manuel García and Francesco Lamperti, that díd write their findings down. These findings and teachings were all medically sound Manuel García was not only a gifted voice teacher, but also invented the laringoscope, a medical tool used by voice doctors everywhere in the world. In those days, voice teachers clearly were also very familiar with the anatomical and medical background, if they could invent such a medical device!
Nowadays, some voice teachers create vocal technique methods, that some even call "complete", but that are not at all in accordance with how the breathing system works, as Irene wil explain. Substantial proof is given, provided by lung doctors and other experts.
But besides technique, the lessons also are inspiring and pleasant. With humour and enthusiasm, Irene will accompany any song on the grand piano so your vocal lesson is truly an hour of self-investment and development that is something you look forward to every week and will last a lifetime.
Irene teaches both in person in the Netherlands as abroad and online.
