“Singing is a miracle...the most complex coordinative act that a human being is ever called upon to perform.” - Dan Marek

About Me

C. Houston Hill has Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Vocal Performance from The University of Texas at Austin. He also holds a lifetime K-12 Texas Teaching Certification for Music and Choral Direction. He has sung professionally on stage, radio, and television throughout the United States and has performed over thirty roles in opera, musical theater, and oratorio. Houston recently performed as Zacharias in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints production of the Savior of the Worldat the Salt Lake City Conference Center Theater.   

His teaching experience spans over fifty years and includes choral direction in the Texas public schools and voice instructor at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. While in Utah, Houston was a member and soloist with the world renown Mormon Tabernacle Choir, now referred to as The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. He was also the male vocal coach during his time with the choir. At BYU, he was privileged to work with Jan Sullivan, the author of the book, The Phenomena of the Belt/Pop Voice. Because of this association and teaching experience, he has expertise in the teaching of all the contemporary styles of singing, including classical, musical theater, pop/belt, jazz, and country. Houston has also studied the science and physiology of singing and was associated with Dr. Keith Finlayson of the Salt Lake Ear, Nose, and Throat Medical Clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah where he gained invaluable experience in therapeutic treatment of singers with vocal injury and pathological disorders. 

His teaching emphasizes stylistic accuracy and proper physiological functioning in opera and all contemporary styles of singing. His high school students have performed leading roles musical theatre productions, and received the highest ratings at statewide solo and choral competitions.

Houston is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS).

My Approach to Teaching

The first and most important priority in singing is to develop a breath management system in every singer that produces consistent breath flow and breath support. Breath flow is what allows the voice to function freely and unconstrained. The same physics that allows airplanes to take flight and land is the same physics that produces the vibrations in the vocal folds that create sound (Bernoulli’s Principle). Breath support activated by the engagement of specific muscles within the mid-section of the body  provides the necessary breath pressure to strengthen the vocal sound without increasing unhealthy tension within the vocal muscles of the larynx. Singers are given breath flow, breath support, and vocal exercises that will help them develop these extremely important requirements for beautiful and healthy singing. Appropriate songs are also assigned that will make voice lessons fun and exciting!  

Voice Lesson Tuition

A free introductory lesson is offered for new students. Students accepted into my studio will be charged a flat fee tuition that is detailed below. Payment for music and other assigned teaching materials will be the student's responsibility.  

Note: I primarily teach 8-12 grade students, college students and adults. Exceptions are made for younger students who are actively singing in civic or professional stage productions and need instruction in proper and safe singing techniques in order to avoid vocal injury.

Voice Lesson Tuition: My tuition rate is $40 per 45 minute lesson. Lesson tuition is paid in a monthly flat fee regardless of the actual number of  lesson in each month. The flat fee is the average of the number of lessons in the annual school year, times the lesson tuition amount, and divided by the number of months in the school year.  Tuition fees are based upon the premise that if a student wishes a teacher to commit a time slot to them each week, the student must commit to paying for it each week. It also considers not only the lesson time spent with each student, but also the lesson preparation time, the time spent analyzing and purchasing repertoire that is appropriate for the skill level and voice type of each student, the cost of studio supplies, and membership in professional teaching organizations for continued teacher education.

Late Fee: Payments made after the 10th of the month are considered late and will be charged a late fee of $15 on the next month's invoice.

Voice Studio Policy

Music Purchases: All students will be expected to purchase music as assigned. Once music is assigned and rehearsed, the student is encouraged to have lyrics and music memorized within two to three weeks, depending on the difficulty of the music. Focusing on vocal technique is difficult when students are struggling with the words and music. Coming to a lesson unprepared is not acceptable. The instructor reserves the right to cancel a lesson should a student come unprepared. In such a case, the lesson fee is forfeited by the student.

Absences: To qualify for a make-up lesson, please notify me by text or email at least 24-hours in advance or as soon as you are aware of a conflict that will cause an absence. At the teacher's discretion, a makeup lesson may be provided in cases of illness, family emergencies, school event conflicts, and family vacations. If more than two excused absences accumulate, lesson fee discounts are issued in a following month.   

Testimonials (click to view)

Student Recordings(click to view)