Choosing a voice teacher is easier when you know what to ask. Here are seven questions worth asking any teacher in Olympia, Lacey or Thurston County before you book, and how I answer each one. I teach singers and speakers at my studio in Lacey and online, and every new student starts with a free 15-minute discovery call, which is the right place to ask all of them.

1. What experience and training do you have?

I have taught voice since 1988, nearly 40 years. I hold a BA in Vocal Performance and a BA in K-12 Music Education from Seattle Pacific University, earned National Board Certification in Music (2005), and belong to the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). I was named a Top 3 Vocal Instructor in Washington State by BusinessRate in 2025 and 2026, and the 2025 Lacey South Sound Chamber Entrepreneur of the Year. More on my About page.

2. How do you teach?

My lessons build on the Adaptive Voice Framework, my book on how the voice works across singing styles and speaking. Lessons are built around your goals, your style, and your voice.

3. Do you teach my style?

I work across all styles: classical and art song, musical theater, pop, rock and contemporary, barbershop and a cappella, and church music. I also coach speaking voices and choirs, choruses and quartets.

4. Can I start with no experience, or with a voice that has been strained?

Yes to both. Complete beginners are welcome, and you may arrive convinced you “can’t sing.” That is completely normal here. Helping singers recover and rebuild after strain, fatigue or injury is a special focus of mine.

5. What happens between lessons?

After every in-studio lesson, you get a written summary by email: what we worked on, vocal exercises for the week, and resources I picked for you. Students on a monthly plan or a lesson package also get my Online Voice Studio, with practice apps, recorded warm-ups and sheet music for the days between lessons.

6. In person or online?

I teach mainly in person at my studio in Lacey, for students from Olympia, Tumwater and across Thurston County. Online lessons are available wherever you are. We work out which one suits you on the discovery call.

7. What does it cost, and how do I try it?

Monthly plans are $320 a month ($80 a lesson), lesson packages run $75 to $85 a lesson, and a single session is $100. All lessons are 60 minutes. The full list is on my pricing page.

To try it, start with the free 15-minute discovery call. It is a short conversation where I learn about your goals and you learn about how I teach. From there, we decide together if it’s a good fit.

Book your free discovery call.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I ask a voice teacher before booking? Ask about their experience and training, how they teach, whether they teach your style, whether they work with beginners or strained voices, what happens between lessons, whether lessons are in person or online, and what it costs.

Is there a voice teacher in Lacey, WA? Yes. Ted’s Voice Academy is at 4204 Lorna Ct SE, Lacey, WA 98503, and teaches singers and speakers from Olympia, Tumwater and across Thurston County, plus online students anywhere.

How do I try a lesson first? Book the free 15-minute discovery call. We talk about your goals, and you learn how I teach before you commit to anything.