We are rich in the quantity of songs rather than in the quality. The singer has to go through hundreds of compositions before he finds one that really says something.

If the student could give up her work on my advice, she had better give it up without it. One does not study for a goal. The goal is a mere accident.

The sincerity of the art worker must permeate the song as naturally as the green leaves break through the dead branches in springtime.

In the piano, one has the instrument complete before he begins; but in the case of the voice, the instrument has to be developed by study.

French is, in many ways, more difficult for an English-speaking person to sing. It is so full of complex and trying vowels. It requires the utmost subtlety.

When the student has her voice under complete control, it is safe to take up the lyric repertoire of Mendelssohn, Old English Songs, etc. How simple and charming they are!

A student will send me an urgent appeal to hear her, saying she is poor and wants my advice as to whether it is worth while to continue her studies. I invariably refuse such requests.