Martin Lawrence
Don Lawrence
Max Lawrence
Where It All Began
Opera to Pop
Martin began his career as a performer, serving as the lead tenor in the Philadelphia Opera Company.
He made the shift towards teaching the many who were interested in learning his notable and unique sound grounded in the classical Bel Canto tradition. In 1948, he opened The Lawrence Vocal Studio at the Ansonia Hotel on West 73rd Street in NYC. He became so busy that he needed a larger space. Hence, in 1954, The Lawrence Vocal Studio moved to 260 West 72nd Street where it remains to this day.
Martin transformed the classical Bel Canto technique into a viable approach for the swarm of up-and-coming pop and rock singers. He was the sole teacher to Dion, Bobby Rydell, Buddy Greco, Jerry Vale, Jane Morgan, Connie Francis, and Vikki Carr. In later years, he taught John Waite, Annie Lennox, The Spinners, and The B52s, amongst many other highly successful stars.
Martin passed away in 2000, leaving his legacy and technique to his son Don.
The Legend
Performer to Kingmaker
Don attended the Juilliard School of Music in 1965 at the age of 19. He was drafted into the Army and became the personal vocalist for the Commanding General of the Third Army and Band. After years of duty, Don acquired the job of performing at the Copacabana in New York City. After some time, Don felt his calling in life was to teach others the technique necessary to "make it" in a changing world and left the night club scene.
Having studied vocals under his father for years, Don joined his father at the Lawrence Vocal Studio. It has been 54 years since then, and Don has not looked back. As an instructor, coach, and consultant, he has flown all over the world to help singers experiencing severe vocal distress. His experience speaks for itself. He is a master of correct vocal technique.
The Next Generation
Instructor to Coach
Max trained under his father Don to learn the nuances of the voice, starting out as an instructor for The Music Academy of Kansas City. He now works alongside his father in the very studio where legends have been made and discovered.
Having earned his doctorate from The George Washington University, he has fused the top technique for pop and rock vocals with advanced coaching techniques for overcoming performance anxiety, building vocal identity, and developing self-esteem as an artist. This, in combination with the powerful projection and expanded range he instills within his students, has become a winning strategy for the artists of today.
He works alongside record labels and performing artists at shows and recording sessions to provide live coaching. With intimate knowledge of the evolutionary shifts within the industry towards social media, content creation, and at-home studio production, he has adapted the Lawrence tradition to the current era of music creation.