@Alex Stroud thanks! I'm at Stavocaldesign.com Stav Vocal Design

I do! I incorporate it in my teachings from the start. If students wish to take it a step further and work on an original cover version or even have some songwriting sessions with me, I always let them know it's possible. Here is my approach as a voice teacher: - When working on breath management, we mark breaths in a song. We explore different placements not only according to technique but also according to the meaning of the lyrics and not according to what the recording artist did. - When working on technique, sound is obviously influenced by everything we do. I point out different things and ask my students to listen and form an opinion. - I offer various ways of using the voice in most situations and ask my students to choose what they like best. - I point out what different sounds make us feel as an audience and how they influence the meaning of a certain part/ line of a song. - I point out how the music scenery (harmony/ tempo/ time signature/ groove/ melodic changes) influences the meaning of the song and how their voices are perceived. - I often encourage making mistakes in melody (unless it's for an MT audition or performance) and take them as opportunities to improvise or change it to their will. I repeat their "mistakes" and ask if that's what they meant to sing and if they like it. These things can be explored in different ways according to the level and maturity of the singers I work with, but they are always present in my lessons.