When working with young singers, it is important to build trust and a positive relationship with the parents. You want them to be excited about the their child's singing and trust you to help them. I wanted to share a few ways to build trust, and by extension, enthusiasm with parents.
Producing a great product is critical to develop trust. If you develop great sounding groups for the level the singers are at; if you have happy, excited children singing for you, the parents will generally become more trusting and enthusiastic. To produce a great product, one must know how to develop the voices in a healthy way, how to motivate and enthuse children, and how to help them enjoy the experience. In other words, competence and attitude is critical. This transfers to a good product.
Clear and concise communication is very important. Parents need to know you will be reliable in communication. If you have a concern about vocal technique in a child, communicate with the parents about it, present what you are trying to do to help fix it. You will gain respect, and often an ally in helping the child.
Be friendly. It is amazing what smiling and shaking a parents hand can do when you see them. Be genuinely interested in how they are doing, and it will help build relationship and trust.
Admit mistakes! If you make a mistake with a child, parent, or class, admit it, apologize for it, and fix the situation as best you can. Most people don't expect others to be perfect, so a bit of humility with mistakes goes a long way.
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