HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR CURRICULUM WITH AN ESTILL CERTIFICATE

EVI – Estill Voice International offers 3 certification levels, one preparatory to the other, which follow international preparation and examination standards.

In some countries, Estill certificates are often requested from candidates in job offers for voice, singing teachers, and/or for performers, as they demonstrate high skills in voice control and in the case of higher levels – in-depth knowledge of physiology and vocal mechanics, as well as acoustics and vocal pedagogy.
Many ask me for clarifications on the differences between the certification paths and the activities permitted by the different levels.

The EVI – Estill Voice International website offers all the information, but it may be worth spending a few more words answering the most frequent questions and highlighting the essential information for each of them.

Let’s see in detail:

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A) EFP – Estill Figure Proficiency

(formerly called CFP – Certificate of Figure Proficiency)

EFP is a certificate that certifies the basic competence in the execution and demonstration of the different options (figures and vocal qualities) provided for in EVT.

It is a prerequisite for subsequent certification and teaching qualifications EMT and EMCI.

It does NOT enable the teaching of EVT, as the practical part is quite elementary and the theoretical part is totally absent. However, at the moment all those who are in possession of the EFP certification are in any case included in the Estill site’s teacher’s directory. Although they cannot declare themselves EVT teachers, they can still boast a certified EVT knowledge.  They can use the EFP logo and of course insert the certification into their curriculum

However, EFP makes the difference compared to a normal certificate of attendance at an Estill course. If this indeed certifies the simple presence of a course, EFP certifies that the concepts have been assimilated and that a basic mastery of all the exercises has been acquired.

In many countries EFP it is an essential requirement for candidacy as a teacher in many private schools and academies, including the university level.

In many other countries it is considered a certificate for performers, which certifies mastery and control of the voice.  This certifies an advanced level of studies in vocal technique. Many EFPs decide not to continue with the subsequent levels of certification for teaching and to exploit their certificate in their career as performers, actors or singers.

Prerequisites for taking the exam: attendance of at least one Estill Level 1 course (3 days) and a Level 2 course (2 days). However, exam preparation can begin even before attending the course.

Who prepares: any Estill teacher, both EMT and EMCI. Preparation can take place either in person or online.

Examiner: any EMCI.

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B) EMT – Estill Master Trainer

(formerly called CMT – Certified Master Teacher)

EMT authorizes EVT individual teaching or in small groups.

The certification process includes 3 steps:

1) A written test attesting to the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, acoustics, and the Estill model.

2) A practical test to perform voice control tasks much more advanced than the EFP test.

3) An observation period during the teaching, in which the candidates are trained in the EVT pedagogy.

The certification process demonstrates a good knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the vocal and acoustics.  Also, this will show a good mastery of the voice, the ability to teach EVT, and apply it to vocal performance.

EMTs can give individual lessons and conduct one-day introductory seminars and workshops but CANNOT present official level 1 and 2 courses. However, they can conduct practice groups within these courses.

In many countries, it is an essential requisite for candidacy in various jobs as a teacher for prestigious schools, academies or universities.

EMTs can advertise themselves as Estill teachers and have access to material reserved for teachers.

Prerequisites to take the exam: EFP certificate and frequency of at least 2 official Estill Level 1 and Level 2 courses.

Who prepares: The responsible of the training, the candidate’s mentor, must be an EMCI with TP – Testing Privileges (a qualification for training teachers). However, the mentor can be helped in the training path by one or more EMTs.

Examiner: an EMCI – TP (EMCI with Testing Privileges).

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C) EMCI – Estill Mentor & Course Instructor

(Formerly CCI – Certified Course Instructor)

The EMCI are Estill’s experienced teachers who, having demonstrated experience and competence as EMT who have followed a training and certification process of the highest standards, are authorized to present EVT in the official level 1 and 2 courses and to certify the EFP and take care of the training of other teachers.

Prerequisites: EMT and a high level of experience as described by the Estill Certification Manual (available on the Estill website)

Who prepares: the mentor must be an EMCI – Adv TP (EMCI with Advanced Testing Privileges, that is an EMCI with a great experience in training other teachers). However, the mentor can be assisted by other EMCIs who do not yet have TP Adv.

Examiner: the person responsible for the entire certification process must be an EMCI – Adv TP.

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Do you want to know more about one of the levels or do you need help to start your certification process? CONTACT ME!