What do I need to do to prepare for a lesson?
Pick out a song that you want to work on. Write down any questions you have about your voice. Stay hydrated. That’s about it.
Please watch this video to walk through the ideal Zoom settings for voice lessons:
What is a lesson like?
Lessons are collaborative and experimental. We’ll make sounds, talk about what you’re feeling and hearing, and figure out what works for your particular voice.
We’ll usually spend some time on exercises that let us isolate different parts of singing and experiment with them. Then we’ll apply what we learn to music. I want you to leave lessons not only singing better, but understanding your voice better and becoming more capable of making your own adjustments.
Please bring a song you’d like to work on and have a separate device available to play the track if possible.
You don’t need to commit to a package. You’re welcome to book one lesson and see what happens.
What equipment do I need for online lessons?
A device with a webcam and microphone, reliable internet, and Zoom.
Headphones and a second device for playing tracks are very helpful. You do not need an expensive microphone or recording setup. I can hear a lot through a normal phone or computer microphone.
If you want to upgrade to an external microphone, that’s your choice. Getting better internet is also your choice.
Your very good choice.
Do you teach in person?
No. All lessons are currently online through Zoom.
Who do you work with?
Everyone from complete beginners to professional singers, touring musicians, and voice teachers.
You don’t need to know anything about vocal technique before your first lesson. If you’re curious, willing to experiment, and interested in becoming a better singer, I’m a pretty good guide through the wilderness of figuring out your voice.
With experienced singers, lessons are often less about “learning how to sing” and more about solving specific problems, expanding your options, understanding why something is working, or making something you can already do more reliable.
Singing in front of another person can also be weird. I do my best to meet people where they are and make lessons a comfortable place to experiment. If either of us decides I’m not the right teacher for you, I’m happy to recommend someone who may be a better fit.
What kinds of music do you teach?
Whatever you want to sing.
Different styles ask for different sounds, but the underlying instrument is still a human voice. We can work on range, power, registration, distortion, tone, style, musicality, or whatever else is getting between you and the sound you want.
How many lessons will it take to be able to _____?
There’s no way to know.
People learn at very different rates, and different skills take different amounts of time. Some changes happen surprisingly quickly. Others need practice before they become reliable.
My goal isn’t to keep you in lessons forever. I want you to understand your voice well enough to increasingly solve problems on your own.
How often should I take lessons?
For people looking to make consistent progress, I generally recommend 60 minutes every two weeks or a 30-minute lesson every week.
More frequent lessons can help reinforce something you’re actively learning. Less frequent lessons cost less and give you more time to practice and experiment between sessions.
Sixty-minute lessons can be especially useful if you’re learning a lot of material, preparing for a tour or audition, working through several specific problems, or if you like to talk a lot. I also like to talk a lot. We’ll manage.
Is there an age requirement?
There is no specific minimum age. What’s more important is whether the student can focus for about 30 minutes, follow directions, and engage with the lesson.
If I don’t think lessons with me are a good fit yet, I’ll be honest about it and help you figure out what might work better.
Do you work with trans students?
Yes.
I can work with singers whose voices are changing through testosterone, as well as people exploring different ways of using their voice in relation to gender expression.
For voice feminization or masculinization, my expertise is primarily in vocal function. I can help you explore things like pitch, resonance, vocal weight, and different ways of using your voice. I’m not a speech-language pathologist, so there are aspects of gender-affirming voice work that may be better served by an SLP who specializes in it.
My voice is injured or damaged. Can you help?
I’m a voice teacher, not a doctor or speech-language pathologist.
If you’re experiencing persistent pain or loss of function, or you’ve been diagnosed with nodules, polyps, dysphonia, or another vocal condition, I recommend working with an ENT/laryngologist and speech-language pathologist.
I’m very happy to be part of a team once you’ve been appropriately evaluated. If you’ve had a recent scope, information from that evaluation can also be useful when deciding how we should approach singing.
Do you work with international students?
Yes! I teach singers around the world.
I’m in Austin, Texas, in the Central Time Zone, but the booking system can display available appointments in your local time zone.
I’m also open to working with people who don’t speak much English if you’re up for a potentially fun and silly experience.
What are your rates?
My current rates are $80 for 30 minutes and $150 for 60 minutes.
Current availability and pricing are always shown on the booking page.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours before your lesson. Lessons cancelled or rescheduled with less than 24 hours’ notice are normally charged in full because it’s difficult for someone else to fill the appointment on short notice.
I also understand that life happens. If you’re sick or something genuinely unexpected comes up, contact me as soon as you can. I’m a person. We’ll figure it out.
The full cancellation terms are shown when you book, and you’ll be asked to agree to them before confirming your appointment.
If I ever need to cancel a lesson, you’ll have the option to reschedule or receive a full refund.
How can I suggest a song for you to analyze on YouTube?
Please leave suggestions in the comments on my YouTube videos. Unfortunately, emailing me songs will not increase the likelihood of me actually analyzing those songs.
Will you analyze a video of me?
I don’t currently offer standalone video analysis. If you want feedback on your singing, the best option is to book a lesson so we can work with your voice together in real time.