Our Vision

At Sapphire Music Studio, we are dedicated to the success of our students. We strive to support and encourage the student in their exploration of the voice by creating a space where they feel comfortable investigating new and challenging techniques as well as imaginative means of expression. Singing is a personal (and often vulnerable) art, and we aim to help the student access a creative, meaningful, and communicative performance that is supported by steady technique.

Vision: Every Voice Matters

Sapphire Music Studio envisions a society in which each individual is given the tools to forge connection through musical expression, to bring their artistic ideas to life, and to discover their unique voice in the world, regardless of age or socioeconomic status.

Mission

The voice is arguably the most personal of all instruments. Sapphire Music Studio encourages confidence in expression by providing musical training for people seeking a  creative outlet. We believe that by emboldening students in their individual voices, we foster courageous, compassionate community, both in Missoula and in the whole world.

Values

Here at Sapphire Music Studio, we operate under a specific ethical standard to prioritize the safety of our students and work toward our vision.

Respect:

We believe that each person is precious and uniquely created. Because of this, every human being is worthy of our respect, regardless of race, worldview, or lifestyle. We strongly believe in showing the same thoughtfulness, courtesy, and kindness to others that we would want to receive ourselves.

Gratitude:

Being able to make music together is a gift. May we never take for granted our ability to craft sound in such an emotionally compelling way. While we do strive for technical excellence, we keep our sights firmly fixed on what makes music so special - the joy with which we sing it!

Accountability:

Teaching voice is a responsibility that we don’t take lightly. The methodology of our lessons includes a lot of feedback from the student, and it is important that we receive that feedback and adjust to avoid undue vocal damage. We aim for open communication between student and teacher, and hope to foster an environment in which a student is not afraid to speak up about what they are experiencing during lessons.

Artistic Approach

Singing is an ancient, diverse, and multifaceted practice. The voice can achieve nearly endless combinations of tone and technique. At Sapphire Music Studio, we equip singers to be versatile, so that they can tackle any style that catches their attention. We utilize the toolbox ideology, which, rather than labeling certain vocal techniques as good or bad*, seeks to contextualize them within their genres and use them appropriately. We don’t teach the superiority of certain singing styles over others - we give singers the tools to go out into the world as well-rounded, knowledgeable musicians.

*The basics of healthy singing technique transcend genre and style, and it is upon these foundational skills that other tools may be added. Some tools must be used sparingly to avoid vocal damage, and some tools are harmful even in small amounts; students will be informed of the downsides of these techniques and encouraged to prioritize vocal health.