Stay calm, stay clear, and stay cool! Set boundaries with kindness, listen actively, and guide with patience. Remember, it's about progress, not perfection!

Singers with vocal problems come to us from all over the world. Some are anxious at first, and they may show this in various ways, but they know that it is our aim to remove obstacles to their vocal health and freedom, and, along with careful listening, explaining and answering questions, mainting a relaxed a reassuring atmosphere and a healthy sense of humor is important.

When dealing with a challenging vocal student, it's important to maintain a balance between professionalism and assertiveness. First, stay calm and composed, regardless of the student's behavior.

Manejar a un estudiante de canto desafiante requiere equilibrio entre firmeza y empatía. Es clave identificar si su actitud proviene de inseguridad, frustración o desmotivación, escuchándolo activamente y validando sus emociones sin justificar conductas inapropiadas. Mostrar interés genuino en su proceso ayuda a generar confianza y respeto mutuo. Es fundamental establecer expectativas claras y usar comunicación asertiva para corregir sin afectar su autoestima. Un tono calmado, retroalimentación constructiva y motivación pueden fomentar una actitud más receptiva. Adaptar la enseñanza también es clave. Elegir repertorios atractivos, aplicar técnicas dinámicas y dar autonomía permite mayor compromiso, mejorando su actitud y aprendizaje.

One thing I found helpful is to dig deep in the root cause of the behavior. Students are vocal and can be difficult if they do not feel heard or validated. So, I would listen carefully to the student and give them a chance to voice their opinions respectfully. I would also remind them of my boundaries while being calm. Finally, it is not personal. Students are still developing their behaviors, they need good role models to help them navigate how to deal with disappointments in a constructive way.

Not a big deal. Just be calm, assertive and always play in the rules of the institution and the law. Most important: each issue has its correct place to be discussed: 1 - problemas with infrastructure - department of infastructure. 2 - problems with tests - appropriate place and time to review the tests. 3 - problems with some professor's behavior - it must be discussed in a Board of Teachers with participation of student's representant. One big problem nowadays are the debate outside the right place and right time.

It really depends on the student and the root cause of their challenges. I’ve found meeting students where they are, both emotionally and skill-wise helps build trust and reduces resistance. Sometimes, just acknowledging their frustrations and guiding them toward a solution can make a huge difference. Taking a moment to listen and understand where a student is coming from can help de-escalate tension and create a more collaborative environment. From experience, some students respond better to structured guidance, while others thrive in a more flexible environment, so it's important to adjust your approach to suit their needs and engage with questions can help refocus their energy in a positive way.