I'm losing my voice. What can I do.?

Question:

I'm losing my voice. What can I do.?

I've been taking voice lessons now for over a year. I've been labeled as a soprano by my instructor (though I can't remember exactly what kind of soprano). The problem is I still have problems breathing properly (you know deep into the diaphram) and I can't get a rich register when I hit those high notes. And I might be performing soon and I want so badly to sound as "professional" as I can. PLEASE, someone tell me what I'm doing wrong and how I can fix it?!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: there's no real easy trick to breathing correctly. It just involves practice. One tip that worked for me...

practice in your room (or anywhere besides a rehearsal or group setting so you can mess up and do whatever you like). concentrate less on the song/notes and pay particular attention to breathing. As the breathing gets easier think more about how much you are slaughtering the song by not concentrating on the notes. hehe ;)

as the two merge together, you will be happy with the results. Go slow and eventually you wont even have to think about your breathing, it will be second nature.