You Don't Have to Be a Singer to Work with a Vocal Coach

There's an assumption that vocal coaching is for people who sing and who are polishing something already in progress, preparing for a performance, or climbing some ladder of musical achievement.

That's not who I mostly work with.

Many people who find their way to my studio were told at some point that their voice wasn't quite right, or they were simply never invited into singing at all and decided it wasn't for them.

Others come because their speaking voice isn't working the way they need it to. A teacher whose voice gives out by Wednesday, a therapist who wants more warmth in how they're heard, or someone who just feels disconnected from themselves in a way they can't quite name.

The voice as a way back to yourself

People watch dramas to feel something. To be moved, stirred, reconnected to their own emotional life after a week of going through the motions. It works but it's borrowed feeling. Someone else's story, someone else's voice carrying you on a much needed escape.

Working with your own voice can be as exhilarating as it might seem terrifying in anticipation. The aliveness that results is yours. It doesn't fade when the episode ends. Like any real relationship, getting to know your voice isn't always comfortable. Sometimes it shows you something you’d been successfully ignoring. While it can be awkard at first, it's usually the most useful part. People describe feeling more present, more grounded, more like themselves. A freshness that ripples into ordinary life in ways that are hard to predict and fun to notice.

This is not a small thing. It's actually one of the reasons I do this work. When I began inviting the ‘metal’ voice into my speech, I heard myself whining and then realized that I was actually bothered by something. This is how the voice reveals us to ourselves.

What "good at singing" even means

The voice isn't an instrument you either have or don't. It's a living system connected to your breath, your body, your history, your nervous system. "Good" and "bad" are judgments that mostly reflect what someone was told or not told, encouraged or discouraged, early on.

In the Full Voice method I work with, there are five elements of the voice: earth, fire, water, metal, and air. Most people are more comfortable in some than others. Finding where your voice is free, and where it's held, is the whole project. That's true whether you've sung in choirs your whole life or haven't made an intentional sound since third grade.

If feeling 'good at singing' is your goal, we can absolutely work toward that. What helps most is getting to know you, your voice, your history, and your vision so that our time together actually aligns with your path rather than someone else's idea of what a voice should be.

You don't need a reason beyond curiosity

You don't need a goal. You don't need a problem to solve. General curiosity about your own voice is more than enough to begin.

What you might find is that your voice knows things about you that you haven't gotten around to knowing yet. That's not a problem, it's an open door.

Ready to find out what your voice knows?

I offer vocal coaching in Olympia, WA and online. If any of this resonates, feel free to reach out. I hope to help you love your voice.

What to Expect in Your First Vocal Coaching Session

If you've never worked with a vocal coach before, it's natural to wonder what you're walking into. Will you be asked to perform? Will someone judge your voice? Will it feel like a music lesson from fourth grade?

The short answer: none of the above.

It starts with a conversation

Before we do anything with sound, we focus on what is bringing you to the session. Maybe your voice feels tight or tired. Maybe there's always been a wish to sing but something gets in the way, or your voice doesn’t quite fit your profession in some aspect. You might have a clear reason or goal but you also don’t need one. General curiosity about your voice is a great place to begin.

I'll ask about your vocal history of singing and speaking, as past vocal experiences can have a long reach. The body/mind connection is especially interesting when it comes to the voice. The whole body is the vocal instrument, including our thoughts and feelings, and it’s important to begin where you feel comfortable.

This is also a two-way conversation. Questions about my background and my approach can help you get oriented and are all welcome.

It can be reassuring to know that first sessions typically have more conversation than follow up sessions and that the pace and focus are entirely up to you. Beginning with a rich context better aligns future sessions to your meet needs, and a discounted pack of four sessions is the most popular choice, but single sessions are useful. It helps to know if you want a single session upfront so that we can try to fit more into that time instead of going in depth. If you aren’t sure, I recommend treating the first session as one of possibly more and see where it goes. You will get the five elements exercises, personalized feedback, and follow up resources from either approach.

Then we make some sound

Not a performance. Not a test. Just exploration. We begin with the five elements (earth, fire, water, metal, and air) of the voice, which I explain and demonstrate. I invite you to make sounds along with me and when you are comfortable, to continue making sounds yourself. Hearing your own sounds gives your ear more direct feedback and often helps tune into the experience. I will ask you what you notice about making each sound and I’m interested in your unique experiences. I might ask you further questions, to hum, or sustain a tone, or try something that feels slightly strange and then notice what shifts. My methods are playful and body-based. It's about finding where your voice is free and where it's held, and exploring ways to find more freedom.

Sometimes people are surprised by what comes up. I am not a therapist but vocal work is therapeutic. I trust that you will only bring up what you are comfortable discussing, and if emotions arise they are welcome. Most people leave feeling more spacious than when they arrived, especially after follow up sessions.

You don't need to prepare anything

No song to practice, no scales to memorize. Bring your water or tea if you like. Comfortable clothing is best.

What people often notice afterward

With the five elements in mind, people often hear voices with a fresh ear. Understanding this vocal framework can lead to increased awareness of oneself and others.

It is also common after a first four pack of sessions to realize that you could do more than you thought. Goals might shift or multiply to meet your changing view of your voice and how you use it.

Interested in getting to know your voice better?

I offer vocal coaching in Olympia, WA and online. If you're curious whether this might be right for you, feel free to reach out. A conversation costs nothing.

My voice is a beloved friend who rescues me, knows me better than myself sometimes, and brings me great joy. Every voice is vast and magical. I hope to help you love yours.