Others say...

"Sorry to disagree..."
Sorry to disagree with so many positive reviews, but I found this CD of very little value. I can see where some might find it useful for warming up the voice, but even then the speed of the exercises precludes thoughtful placement and proper breathing. As a beginner looking for help in improving my breathing and volume, I found virtually nothing helpful here. As an addition to other voice exercises maybe it's useful, but if you have not had voice training before, this CD will not help develop proper technique. I finally resorted to finding a voice teacher and have never looked back.

"Good Ideas, Poor Execution"
The exercises seem to be working, however the CD lacks in some major ways:

Whenever you're in the middle of a lesson and Ms. Vaccarino starts to sing "with" you, her voice peaks out the recording so it crackles and comes out really loud.

She also will speed some of the exercises up so fast that even she can't sing them accurately. I was looking for a CD to learn how to sing on pitch and make my voice stronger. Some of the exercises seem to be doing this, however I find myself plugging my ears on others to block out the distorted recording, off-pitch singing, and sped up examples.

"Fitting these CD's into a busy lifestyle"
Several people have mentioned using these in a car. I have a different approach to incorporating them into my day.

I own both of these, have used them many times--and continue to improve with each use. I am not a singer, but always wished I could sing, and this material actually helped me develop a pleasing singing voice. As a teacher, my speaking voice is an important tool of my trade, and this also helped me strengthen my voice and project it more effectively.

My approach to incorporating these into my life is perhaps not ideal, but works for me. I start the day with them, before it has a chance to get so hectic that they are put aside. I start the breath CD before I get out of bed in the morning. Laying in bed on my back, freshly awakened, I am able to bring a strong focus to this part of my routine. Sometimes I don't have time for more than the first few exercises, but I still benefit from those I can do. It's a really nice way to wake up, and I am fully oxygenated before my feet hit the floor.

I do the ear training one in combination with exercising before I leave the house--get on my Total Gym and do squats, overhead pulls, etc., so I am still on my back. Or I stretch out using an exercise ball. I put that CD on my vcr, and keep the remote at hand so I can pause, rewind, etc. as needed. Some of the more challenging exercises require my full attention during the learning process, and these I save for the weekends when I'm not zooming off to work.

I realize that this might not be ideal for either the voice/ear training OR the weight training--but it's such a great way to start the day for me that I accept the trade-off. If I didn't get it done that way, it might not happen at all. I have dressed, showered, cooked breakfast, packed my briefcase, made and packed lunch, to these CD's, and can tell the difference in how the day goes when I follow this routine. (Brushing teeth while doing these doesn't work--tried it.) I sacrifice something in posture and focus, but even so, I benefit from the routine. I use the time while she's talking to drink warm water with lemon juice and a little sweetener. Helps relax my throat and hydrate me for the morning. If you have either the privacy or the self-confidence to do it, I think you could do these while going for a walk as well.

It's almost like a meditation for people who don't have the time or patience to do the real thing. The combination of breathing and focus are the same techniques many traditional meditative approaches use, and I feel some of the same benefits ascribed to meditation--increased clarity, calm, optimism--just a great way to start the day. YMMV.

I have some other voice CD's and DVD's, but they sit on my shelf while I use this one each day--they are too slow, too mechanical, or showcase irritating mannerisms on the part of the instructors. Ariella Vaccarino has a very optimistic, upbeat, down-to-earth approach to teaching--even after many listenings, I still take encouragement from her supportive instructions.

Another reviewer commented that she leaves the user with no followup at the end. I respectfully submit that this is because she does that at the end of her introductory information. (And her voice plays in my head as I type: "if you do this, you WILL improve. Good luck!" She also recommends seeing a voice coach to take you beyond the scope of the CD's. Yet another expressed frustration that the CD did not take advanced singers further, and the repeated instructions were not helpful at that level. I can only speak to the level I was using it on, which was rank-beginner-yearns-to-sing, and I found it electrifyingly transforming.

I have recommended these CD's to students of mine who do not have access to voice training or choral activities, and feel very confident that I'm doing right by them. Homeschooling families may want to consider these as well.

I hope someday to have the pleasure of attending one of her live performances.

"Perfect for my needs"
This album provides fun warm-up exercises that I can do in the car when driving to an all-day singing event. (The breathing exercises should not be done while driving, so I have not tried them yet.) The vocal warm-ups are just what I was looking for, just my speed, not particularly advanced or complicated, but they stretch the voice sufficiently. This is a useful album for a non-professional who likes to have help warming up the voice. I can't speak for the professional singer, but I'm very pleased with this album.

"SIMPLE & EFFECTIVE ---- SING ON!!!!!!!!"
I loved this CD the first time I put it in and the most recent time I have payed it. The exercises are great because they are simple as well as complete. Standing in my living room or driving to band practice (though posture is not ideal in the car). My control is getting better and so is my range. ENJOY!!!