How to correct a loud soprano as a director
I direct and accompany a .25 person church choir. I play piano while directing, just to understand what doing. I have never sung in a choir myself, and have no education in choir conducting. I mostly landed the job for my piano playing but I do really enjoy the conducting aspect.
a new soprano joined in the last year and she has a loud voice, pretty fast vibrato, broadway-esque. Her singing is pretty good, on pitch and time, and overall I think her addition has made the choir sound better. however many members are very upset with how she sings and the lack of blending that she does. it’s to the point that other members have told me they are considering quitting the choir.
I’m asking for advice on how to approach this. Voice blending exercises, taking her aside and asking her to be quieter, potentially making her an alto? its tricky to me because singing gets so personal and I am also not a vocal expert in the way of explaining how to sing quieter without potentially hurting technique
EDIT: does anyone have suggestions of voice blending exercises?