ABOUT ME
I'm Val Bastien, your vocal coach, singing is my passion! I help singers achieve vocal freedom by removing tension from their voice so that they can maximize their range and power, stop straining and unleash their creative talent to fully express themselves in music. With almost twenty years of teaching experience, I draw upon many singing techniques to address individual areas of need. From Bel Canto to modern contemporary rock and pop styles, developing a beautiful, vibrant, powerful, rich and balanced tone is my primary focus. My intuitive singing approach and healthy vocal strategies will contribute to your artistic growth and give you the skills to perform at the highest levels, whether it is at your local open mic, on the road or in the studio. It is with this in mind that I created Voice Yourself Singing, one of the most sought after vocal programs with clients of varying backgrounds and music styles. I work with singers who are serious about singing and want to perform at their best, including beginners, semi-professional singers and touring artists.
Val Bastien, OCT
Teacher & Vocal Coach
20+ years of teaching experience
Formerly trained as a classical singer, I obtained my Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts (majoring in Music Performance) from Concordia University in 1998. In that last year of schooling, I underwent tonsil and adenoids removal surgery. Because the loss of tissue affected the way I perceived my voice, I struggled to sing following the surgery. However, I was able to overcome my trauma by relearning how to use my voice correctly. Little did I know that this ordeal would create the blue print for my singing method. Thanks to this experience, I have an unmatched ability to identify singing issues and rehabilitate the voice accordingly.
I graduated from University of Ottawa in 2003 with a second BA in Education to become a school teacher. My classroom teaching experience (2003 to date) has given me the tools to clearly and effectively deliver content. I can adapt to any learning style to give my clients exactly what they need to excel.
While leading a dual career in education and as a vocal coach, I realized that many teachers in my community suffered from vocal fatigue. I was inspired to combine my passion for singing and education by writing “Voice Yourself In The Classroom” a book that is directly intended to meet the vocal demands of teachers. It specializes in finding one’s natural dynamic speaking voice: a voice that will project easily, feel good, sound great and of course, last.
Although nowadays I have found my niche in education, I still enjoy singing with my guitar and writing my own music. I am currently working on some fun dance-pop material that I hope to release in the near future. Stay tuned!