Join Our Team of Instructors!
Making a difference is immensely rewarding and there is a great need for classes throughout the U.S. and Canada. Every SongShine instructor is certified through 30 hours of exciting, high energy training. Screened before the certification process begins, instructors should possess a background in music, speech, drama, or arts in healthcare, with the ability to read music, sing, or act. They must also have a passion for working with neurologically-challenged people. After training, instructors will open and team-teach their own SongShine class. Join us, and learn how to use your creativity to help people shine!
Instructor Training is team-taught by Dr. Ruthanna Metzgar and Mr. Peter Harris. Please contact us to bring the training to your location!
Dr. Ruthanna Metzgar
A consummate pro, she is an author, speaker, teacher, professional singer and conductor, and conference presenter. Dr. Metzgar also collaborated for a decade with speech pathologists and otolaryngologIsts, developing strategies tor voice rehabilitation for those with voice disorders. she holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music (Voice) from the University of Michigan, and a Doctorate in Music (Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice) with Distinguished Honors from the University of Washington. She is the founder of the SongShine program.
Mr. Peter Harris
He is SongShine‘s Program Director and Instructor of SongShine Palm Desert / Coachella Valley. In his capable hands, participants’ abilities to speak, act, and tap into their imaginations take flight. Mr. Harris was trained in the Drama Division of The Julliard School as well as at Broadway’s famed Circle in the Square Theater School. Part of the Original Tour of Les Misérables, he spent 20 years as a professional actor. He is the co-trainer with Dr. Metzgar and co-author of the instructor training manual: Brain, Breath, and Emotion – The Resurrection of the Voice.
Where Are SongShine Classes?
Previous Instructor Trainings
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Would I be instructing only people with Parkinson’s?
A: SongShine is for anyone with voice issues caused by neurological disorders or aging. An integrated classroom yields the best results for all students.
Q: What skills are required to teach SongShine?
A: A background in either music, speech, drama, or arts
in healthcare (vocation or avocation). You should be
able to read music and enjoy singing, acting, teaching,
and working with neuro-challenged voices.
Q: Are piano or keyboard skills required?
A: A person on your team who reads music and has good keyboard/piano skills is required.
Q: Are participants taught individually or in groups?
A: SongShine is designed to be taught in groups. Creating a sense of community, interaction, and socialization is vital.
Q: What does certification require?
A: In-person certification classes consist of 30-plus hours of instruction, usually spread over a few days. Classes are lively and enjoyable and prepare trainees
to develop creative approaches to voice strengthening.
Q: I already have a degree in music, drama, or speech pathology. Why do I need training?
A: SongShine integrates music, speech, respiratory and physical awareness techniques, imagination, and drama. Certification classes prepare SongShine instructors to successfully integrate multiple disciplines.
Q: Is SongShine individually or team taught?
A: SongShine thrives under a team approach because different instructors have different skill sets (singing versus speech and drama). However, each SongShine Chapter is required have at least one Certified lead teacher who does the instructing, assisted by volunteers who monitor the flow of the class.
Q: If I become an instructor may I charge tuition to cover expenses and to compensate me for my time?
A: Yes. During training, you will receive instruction on
setting up a business model in which a reasonable
tuition may be asked. However, no student should ever be turned away from SongShine due to lack of personal finances.
Q: May we integrate a few SongShine exercises into
existing, on-going programs or activities?
A: No. To achieve maximum benefit, SongShine should be taught separately.
Q: Is a Celebration Concert required at the end of a
class season?
A: Instructors and students will decide what is
appropriate for their group. A Celebration event however, has proven to be a great motivation for practicing and gives participants an additional, very satisfying goal. Additionally, end of the season events provide publicity and fund-raising opportunities.
Q: What is the frequency and duration of SongShine
classes?
A: Ongoing classes are the ideal model for the benefit of the student. However, we recognize the need for
breaks due to holidays and seasonal flexibility. A
minimum goal is 30 weeks per year, broken into 10-week sessions. Classes are one hour in duration.
Q: Is the same material taught every ten weeks?
A. No. Each ten weeks will be varied. There are specific exercises that repeat because of their ongoing value, but new material is being created and new songs should be continually added to develop creative approaches to voice strengthening.The energy of a class and interaction with other participants is an important part of the training.
Q: Can there be more than one SongShine group in a
community or region?
A: Yes. Programs are not competitive or exclusive
Q: Is there a charge for Certification Training?
A: Yes. Contact us if you have further questions.
Q: What types of locations/settings are appropriate for SongShine classes?
A: Any setting that is handicapped accessible: Senior
Centers, Senior Living Facilities, Hospitals or Clinics that offer Arts in Healthcare programs, churches, synagogues, educational facilities.
Are You Ready for More?
Want a SongShine group in your area? Want to train as a SongShine instructor?
Want to be a SongShine volunteer? Contact us!
Want to give voice back to the voiceless through a gift to SongShine?
We thank you for your support!
SongShine Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit tax exempt public charity
SongShine 