Top Singing & Voice Lessons in Virginia State University, VA

"Vandi was very generous getting me off to a good start!"

"I had a great experience working with Daniela."

"I can't say enough good things about Stephanie. She is by far the kindest soul you're ever going to meet. She cares so much: about music, about teaching, and about instilling all of her passion into you.

Before going to Stephanie, I was too paralyzed by self-doubt to sing - even to myself. I thought it was one of those talents you either had or you didn't. Growing up, my mom was always so keen to undermine my self esteem anytime I tried to sing that I just learned to keep quiet. I thought I must be one of the have-nots. Music (let alone singing) was some mysterious club that I could never join. Even though I always loved vocals and lyrics and the depths of emotion they tapped.

And then it all changed. My partner had been taking voice lessons from Stephanie for about 2 years and really wanted me to come along. So I sat in on one of their lessons, and after seeing them in action I just HAD to start taking lessons myself!

Perhaps the most obvious result from the outside is that in a couple months Stephanie took me from not even singing by myself to performing at one of her recitals in front of a bunch of people. Not saying I was great or anything, but I wasn't awful either. And even though getting me to come out of my shell like that is a big deal, I don't even consider it the most important part.

I didn't start because I wanted to be some amazing performer. I'm doing it because I want to experience the joy of some part of me I've always wanted to connect with. I couldn't have anticipated how, with Stephanie, I really just love the process. She's so knowledgeable and experienced, and she can communicate it all so well. Our lessons constantly involve a back & forth of my own introspection (what I'm feeling happening in my body), Stephanie's observations, and our work towards improvement. It's everything from zany, to nerdy, to personal. From hanging my head upside down to get the right airflow, to discussing the finer points of breathing technique, to working through my emotional connections to specific lyrics. She's so passionate, inspired, invested, and helpful, you can't help but get excited by osmosis!

Even on day one, Stephanie was empowering me. We got right to business. I didn't need to mumble at her about how inexperienced I was or anything - none of that mattered. She just laser-focused on the teaching, and it was seamless. She laid out the nuts and bolts of singing mechanics, which I would come to appreciate all the more in the months ahead (they're simple principles to conceptualize, but sooo hard to execute!). Then we established my vocal range: pluck a key on the piano, try to sing the note. Did I do it right? Awesome, next one. Did I do it wrong? No judgement, just the gentle prods, cues, and corrections to get me there. I didn't feel as much like an idiot as I expected. In fact, she made me feel good about myself, even as a rank novice; apparently I had a wide range and (despite not knowing which notes are which) a good ear for reproducing the tones I hear. I never once felt condescended to. Stephanie's genuinely kind and encouraging.

And to go from all that day-to-day process to singing in front of people, Stephanie's pulling so much weight along the way. She chose a song for me to perform that was within my abilities. (And she made sure I liked the song!) She was invested in practicing and instructing and focusing to make me the best I could be for Recital Day. (And she implored me to keep it fun & light!) She bent over backwards organizing the whole recital: booking the venue, coordinating with the A/V guy, hand-crafting invitations, rehearsing her own performance, editing together videos, dialing in her online clients so they could perform, and on and on. She pours her heart and soul into it. And after that's all done, we go back, watch the video, analyze what went right & wrong, and forge forward with the next game plan!

Stephanie's amazing. She teaches anyone from child to adult with great compassion, expertise, and moreover fun. Even if you're like me and thought you'd never be able to be musical, Stephanie will reach in and shine a light for you. I don't practice nearly enough outside of class to do justice to all the work Stephanie does in class. But all the same, I get better. And Stephanie cheers me on along the way."

"Best singing teacher ever"

"Kate is a great instructor! Her feedback is clear and she pushes you to do your best."

"Shelley is an amazing teacher! She is always so positive and supportive, and the exercises and songs she has provided have really helped me develop as a singer and musician. As someone who picked up singing after playing a wind instrument for years, I really appreciate how she's able to explain the purpose of each exercise and what aspect of my singing it is working to improve."