Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- renowned /ri-NOUND/
- acknowledge /ak-NOL-ij/
- prior /PRAHY-er/
- insight /IN-sahyt/
- holistic /hoh-LIS-tik/
[adjective] – famous for something
The renowned artist was invited to showcase his work at the international gallery.
[verb] – to admit or accept the truth or existence of something
The teacher acknowledged the student’s effort to improve.
[adjective] – existing or happening before something else, or before a particular time
He had no prior experience with the software before joining the company.
[noun] – the ability to gain an accurate and deep understanding of someone or something
His insights into the economy helped shape government policies.
[adjective] – relating to or concerned with complete systems rather than individual parts
They adopted a holistic view of education, focusing on the development of the whole child.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Eric Vetro is a renowned vocal coach who has worked with a variety of famous singers and actors, including Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Angelina Jolie, and Timothée Chalamet. Vetro is known for helping these celebrities improve their singing techniques, preparing them for specific roles, and enhancing their vocal skills. For instance, he guided Grande to adopt a more operatic tone for her role in the musical “Wicked,” helped Jolie prepare to sing Maria Callas in the biopic “Maria,” and assisted Chalamet in mastering Bob Dylan’s voice for the film “A Complete Unknown.” In an interview with Reuters, Vetro discussed his work and shared his approach to singing in a new online course offered through BBC Maestro.
In his vocal sessions, Vetro emphasizes a personalized approach, carefully observing each client to understand their specific needs. Some clients focus on improving technique, while others need help preserving their voice. For actors like Jolie, Vetro acknowledges that the process of learning opera can be demanding, especially for someone with no prior singing experience. He worked with her over several months, starting with basic vocal exercises and gradually progressing to more complex techniques. Vetro also notes the importance of understanding what makes a singer unique, as capturing this quality is essential when portraying real-life musicians. His BBC Maestro course, which includes practical tips and insights from his experience with celebrities, aims to provide a holistic approach to singing, covering aspects such as diet, daily habits, and vocal health.
In his vocal sessions, Vetro emphasizes a personalized approach, carefully observing each client to understand their specific needs. Some clients focus on improving technique, while others need help preserving their voice. For actors like Jolie, Vetro acknowledges that the process of learning opera can be demanding, especially for someone with no prior singing experience. He worked with her over several months, starting with basic vocal exercises and gradually progressing to more complex techniques. Vetro also notes the importance of understanding what makes a singer unique, as capturing this quality is essential when portraying real-life musicians. His BBC Maestro course, which includes practical tips and insights from his experience with celebrities, aims to provide a holistic approach to singing, covering aspects such as diet, daily habits, and vocal health.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever taken singing lessons? If so, what was your experience like? If not, would you be interested in trying it in the future? Why or why not?
- Do you have any favorite singers or actors who are known for their singing skills? If yes, what do you admire most about their voice? If not, what qualities do you think make some singers or actors stand out to people?
- Do you agree that every singer has a unique quality that should be captured when portraying them in movies or musicals?
- How do you think a celebrity’s ability to portray a real-life musician through singing could affect the audience’s perception of the character or film?
- Do you think online courses like the one Eric Vetro offers can be as effective as in-person lessons? Why or why not?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- singer
- actor
- celebrity
- musical
- personalized approach