REVIEWS | Postell Productions

HERE'S WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING!

My husband and I are eternally grateful to you for the 3 years of weekly sessions our daughter Victoria (age 14-16) spent with you. Her love for music, both classical and contemporary never found its outlet with other “lessons” or groups. Since you are a professional, you taught her so much about analyzing and critiquing music. She was able to share her own analyses and opinions with you in complicated ways we could not understand. She appreciated you as a soul mate as well as a teacher. Under your influence, she finally learned to share the lyrics and tunes she had been writing in private. From your instruction, she learned to polish her work and to modulate her singing voice. More than anything, the times she had lessons with you transformed her attitude towards a positive and hopeful view that sometimes lasted a few days. Now in her senior year of high school, she has found new strength in writing lyrics and poems and she has served as a camp counselor for DayJams in Baltimore. Love, – Maria Salvato – Baltimore, MD

"Diane is absolutely amazing with children, and particularly patient with the ones whom most of society struggle to understand. She is dynamic, passionate, and knows how healing vocal and musical expression can be for everyone. Get a lesson or book a gig soon!!” - Tracey LeBarron - Baltimore

"I just wanted to let you know how much Maya enjoys working with you. She is really enjoying the process and using of music and composing to express herself. I wish I had had a similar outlet with the guidance of someone like you in the past! Thanks for everything” - Sandra Nelson Winkler (actress) - Los Angeles

I’m so pleased that Rachael has taken to singing and is really embracing it. She was so expressive in her quiet way with her writing and drawing. Now she is turning up the volume gradually and in a way that connects her with people. She never liked to share her work. But singing is a direct connection. It’s a big step for her. I think she will write music one day. When the singing becomes easier and more natural she will turn to using it as an expression of her own thoughts. Thank you for giving that to her. I feel fortunate that we connected with you. - Stephanie G.

"I had a great experience in my lessons with Diane. I tour, travel, perform live, and record constantly and my voice is under constant and tremendous demands. As a seasoned performer and teacher, Diane truly understands the demands and stresses that a pro singer encounters and she taught me exercises and gave me great advice that I've applied time and time again. Thanks Diane!” - Melanie Taylor - Los Angeles (toured with Bette Midler, Aerosmith, John Mayer, Barry Manilow)

As a vocally battered student formerly subjected to the hands of a well-intended yet deleterious instructor, I came to Diane Postell struggling to climb a mountain of vocal confidence. Before even meeting Diane we traded e-mails in which she bestowed upon me her musical philosophy to the effect that any student can reach their vocal goals with the proper attitude, training, and, of course, practice. While ostensibly an optimistic view, on first meeting Diane it was evident that her ability as an instructor was directly congruent with this viewpoint. Diane has an innate talent to captivate the essence of her student’s vocal battles and transform weakness into strength.As a working bass player, Diane’s instruction not only has had a positive influence on my vocal skills, but her ability to instill confidence in her students has acted as a transference to improve my overall quality as a musician. As a result, I have walked into performances sharing the stage with the likes of Rusted Root, The North Mississippi Allstars, The Beautiful South, The Hackensaw Boys, Army of Me, Pepper’s Ghost, Tim Reynolds, The Secret Machines, G Love & Special Sauce, and Gomez with peacefulness about my aptitude as a vocalist. Overall, I’d characterize Diane Postell as every vocal student’s answer to climbing the mountain of vocal achievement. – Andrew Nelson – Washington, DC

"Diane is a superb voice teacher who helps you to understand the workings of your instrument and to realize its potential. As an artist, she helps you to understand each song and to develop your interpretation, leaving your mark on it. Her technique is applicable to all types of music, from blues to classical.” - Y. Benz - Los Angeles

Thank YOU for delivering such polished singers to our school. I barely have to rehearse them! – Jane McEneaney, Performing Arts Coordinator, Turning Point School – Los Angeles, CA

"Having sung for many years, mostly in choruses, I attended Diane Postell’s Vocal Workshop in order to get a new perspective on vocal technique. Diane followed the “bel canto” method and stressed the importance of protecting the voice through proper breathing and use of the chest, mixed, and head voices. I was reminded that I have both an alto and a soprano range, which I should not be afraid to connect as a soloist. We were given handouts that illustrate the anatomy of the voice, thus taking the mystique out of singing. The workshop gave each of us an opportunity to sing songs, both without and with a microphone. We were personally critiqued in a very supportive way and encouraged to develop our own voices by finding kinship with vocalists and adding their songs to our repertoire. I recommend this workshop to singers of all ages and all backgrounds. Thanks, Diane! " - Carol E. R. Collins, Ph.D., Baltimore, MD March 2014 (Find Your Voice Workshop)

I found Diane Postell’s “Find Your Voice” workshop held in Baltimore to be quite helpful and informative. We covered the basics of correctly breathing from the diaphragm and using that air to produce a good, strong, sound and not using your throat. It was interesting to learn that this technique can preserve your throat and allow you to be a good singer well into your later years.

Diane taught us about thinking about the reasons that we pick a song and the emotional connection that we have to the lyrics and why, and to use that when we are conveying the song to our audience. I would highly recommend her vocal workshops to anyone who is interested in improving their vocal technique and singing style. –Cherie Turlington – Baltimore, MD

"I've been meaning to email you to let you know that I loved your class. I wanted to drop you a line to let you know that I was impressed with how much I learned in just one hour of your vocal class. You are a great vocal coach.” M. Bension (Los Angeles) (Find Your Voice group vocal class)

"My daughter Audrey (8) LOVED her Skype lessons with Diane! She improved her breathing, vocal tone and confidence - along with having a blast during the lessons. At first I wondered if "Skype" would be as effective, but after one lesson I was sold. No commute, the music at her fingertips, and great connection Diane has sold me! Total highlight of my daughters week - and every penny worth the investment in her future.” - Eileen Wilder (author)

"Diane is a phenomenal vocal instructor! She uses her teaching skills, her classical training and her caring heart to bring out the very best in each of her students. And while she has high expectations, and works the kids hard, they absolutely love her! My daughter’s poise, creativity and respect for the arts has grown tremendously. since she started working with Diane. I am so glad we found her and couldn’t recommend her more strongly.”

J. Hoffman, attorney - Los Angeles (Skype, Studio and The Marlborough School Summer Program)

"I have been studying with Diane for almost six years now. I started out thinking I would take some lessons just to get enough confidence singing onstage. I have found that learning to sing properly is a lot of hard work, but rewarding work. Diane is one of the most gifted teachers I have ever worked with - she knows how to encourage and inspire her students, but at the same time expects you to put in your effort. I feel that that effort is well worth it - she is immensely knowledgeable about the art and technique of singing and I know that with her guidance my hard work will pay off. And it has - I am now regularly getting compliments about the quality and strength of my singing. This is because she teaches you how to sing PROPERLY - not the quick or easy way to fast results. Lastly, Diane I feel that working with Diane I have gotten more than just a voice teacher. She is a mentor - she has helped me to greatly sharpen my songwriting skills, my performance skills, and has given me invaluable advice on what it is to be a musician. I would recommend her hands down to anyone that is thinking about learning to sing.” - J. Roither - Washington DC (studio and Skype lessons)

"I cannot recommend Diane Postell more highly...if you are looking for a teacher who challenges, nurtures, diagnoses and who is generous of time and spirit, you need look no further. She has worked wonders with my daughter Julia. Julia has been training with Diane for 2 years now and I'm amazed at what she has learned. Her ability to hit the notes, catch the rhythms and perform in front of people has skyrocketed. In addition to learning to sing, Julia is exposed to a really upbeat and encouraging force in her life! " - Rachel Thau - Los Angeles (studio, Skype lessons)

I woke up one morning and realized I wanted to sing again! I looked online for a local teacher and Diane’s information came up. I had always loved singing when I was young, but I suffered from terrible stage fright. By the time I was in high school, I had mostly given up on singing because of this fear. Diane is wonderful at teaching the technical side of singing as well as working with the emotional side. She always can tell when I am nervous or too much in my head and is able to remind me to breathe! (a very important part of singing). Instead of making mistakes out of fear I slowly find myself making mistakes because I am laughing too hard. Diane has really helped me remember what it was about singing I loved and has led me away from the stage of fear. Thank you for your wonderful skill and insight! - Suzanne Campbell – Los Angeles, CA

I took a lyric writing class through a community college, never knowing where that would lead. Diane Postell not only taught us the essentials of songwriting today but also inspired us to just “do it.” We were encouraged to craft the words and music in our heads. A little over a year later, I have written the lyrics, music, and script for a complete musical (something I had only dreamed of doing). Thank you, Diane!!! – Carol R. Collins, Ph.D. – Baltimore, MD

"Thank you for the last 2 summers with Sarah at The Marlborough School Summer Program. You were wonderful to her and an exceptional teacher. Wishing you the best in your journey.”   - L. Stevens - Los Angeles

"I went to see Diane's performance at The Mint in Los Angeles. She is so comfortable on the stage and she can own the audience,so easily drawn into her world. Her lyrics really relate to what we feel. So awesome hearing her beautiful voice with acoustic guitar. I didn't want her performance to end. I wanna go to her performance more ."  - M. Noda - Los Angeles

I started lessons with Diane Postell six months ago. After less than a month I had several people inquiring what I had been doing to improve my control when singing! After two months I was able to have multiple gigs with my band over the weekend without losing any vocal power or quality. I have been steadily implementing her tools and improving my performance since day one. Diane was recommended to me by a phenomenal singer/friend of mine whom I recently sent a letter thanking her for the referral. So happy to have Diane Postell as a coach! - Starr Light – Los Angeles, CA

I have joined the Paul Green’s School of Rock in Baltimore as a Singer and Guitar Player. With Ms. Diane’s prior teaching I have been able to go farther as a guitar player especially during solos. I am currently getting ready for a tribute to The Who show at the 8×10 club (which I’m singing and playing guitar in), so at only 12 I’m getting ready for my first real gig! I would definitely recommend Diane Postell to a friend. – Nick V. – Baltimore, MD

Friends encouraged me to find a voice teacher so I could really start to sing seriously. In Los Angeles, I found Diane Postell, a vocal coach and an accomplished jazz singer in her own right. To her, the principles of good technique can be applied to all styles of singing, from jazz to classical. She taught me how to develop breath control, how to use the diaphragm below the ribcage to generate more power in my sound, and how to have the voice resonate from my chest. She also encouraged me to follow the music that was inspiring me, despite the fact that I knew no one else who was remotely interested in the 19th century art songs of Schubert. It was as if I had finally torn open a letter that had always been waiting on a table in front of me. – Yarrot Benz – Los Angeles, CA

I was skeptical about going to private voice lessons but teaming up with Ms. Postell was one of the best decisions that I could have made to progress in my music career. She taught me everything from expanding my range to approaching notes in the appropriate ways and strengthening my diaphragm to have more vocal control. She introduced me to the Motown genre and I realized that it was a perfect fit for me. She is willing to work around my schedule for lessons and she makes herself available for additional lessons when I have performances. She is honest and is genuinely committed to seeing me progress. I’ve been going to Ms. Postell for vocal lessons for a little over a year now and I am glad I made the decision because she is a great coach and a nice person. (Karron has recorded with Akon and has placed his music on the soundtrack of the movie, Love Section, and is a recording and performing singer/songwriter) – Karron Johnson – Baltimore, MD

"We loved the recital. You are Awesome. We will see you at Marlborough if not sooner. (Your daughter is too talented. The Mother/Daughter performance was a welcomed treat.) "   - C. Herring - Los Angeles (The Marlborough School Summer Program