“Fran Wittmann is
our Voice Teacher at UAlbany and has done a fabulous job with our
students. She has built a thriving program. Fran is a complete
professional and a voice teacher and vocal coach, with vast knowledge of the
voice and the repertory. She is able to diagnose what an individual
student’s needs are quickly and accurately. She is able to achieve great
results through a clear course of study and a firm academic hand, yet she is
gentle and nurturing at the same time. Her students – and her colleagues
– have great respect for her.”
~ David
Griggs-Janower
Director of Choral Music and Professor,
The University of Albany
Director, Albany Pro Musica
“I have a
Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from a fairly-prestigious
Liberal-Arts music college, and I've worked with several vocal
instructors in my 15+ years of singing. Of all the professionals with
whom I've worked, I feel most privileged to have had Fran as my vocal
instructor for more than half of my years of study. She has
an uncanny ability in communicating the physical sensations and the
methods of activating and coordinating the muscles necessary to achieve the
optimal method of vocal production. She is able to quickly and accurately
diagnose any tension or interference in the vocal mechanism that impedes peak
performance. Her coachings have elicited from me far more expression and
feeling than I've been able to achieve under other instructors; she always
knows I am capable of more that I think I am, and she has always been
persistent in seeing that potential realized in each performance. She has
always encouraged me to bring to each song my own unique personality and style.
Her confidence in my abilities, and her assurance that I'm ready to perform a
song (even when I don't feel like I am) is the greatest gift I could have prior
to a performance, and I missed it greatly when I worked with other instructors
when I was in college. Further, when she performs, she perfectly
exemplifies all of the techniques, depth of commitment to singing and
communication of feelings that she seeks to elicit in her students.
In my experience, she is the paragon of excellence in vocal instruction.”
~
Michael Sulzman (Former student)
"Voice
Lessons with Fran were a terrific confidence booster for Lauren and introduced
her to musical pieces she would otherwise not have learned. Fran's
approach is encouraging, supportive & challenging. To this day Lauren auditions using
music she learned here".
~
Stephanie Scheibly (Parent)
“Fran
has encouraged my daughters to achieve their full potential in all aspects of
their singing. She is a dedicated professional and doesn't accept
mediocrity from her students.”
~ Diane Allen
(Parent)
"In the four
years I worked under Fran Wittman's guidance, I learned more than I
had ever before, grew more than I thought was possible, and made a truly
wonderful connection with one of the most gifted singers I have ever had the
pleasure to work with. Fran helped me so much to begin to understand
my voice, and more importantly, myself. The lessons that I learned
with Fran I will carry with me for years to come."
~ Meaghan
Castle, Arcadia University (Former student)