Frequently Asked Questions

I work with singers across all styles: classical, musical theater, pop, rock, contemporary, barbershop, a cappella, church music, and more. My approach is grounded in how the voice works as a system, so the principles apply no matter what style you sing.

Both use the same instrument: your voice. Singing coaching focuses on vocal technique, performance, and musical expression. Speaking coaching focuses on clarity, presence, projection, and authentic communication in professional and everyday settings. The physical foundations overlap significantly, and some clients work on both.

I work with singers ages 14 and up. Teenagers and young adults often see big shifts quickly. Voices change, confidence grows, and the skills stick. For younger children, I recommend looking into excellent community children's choirs like the Olympia Youth Chorus. Programs like that give kids great early exposure, support a love of music, develop young voices appropriately, and offer the social side of singing together.

Everyone is different. While many students notice changes early on, that's not guaranteed and depends on a lot of factors. What is consistent is this: the more you engage with the process (practicing what we work on between lessons, staying curious about your own voice, asking lots of questions, and bringing what you're learning into your singing or speaking life), the faster and more meaningful your progress will be.

Occasionally, yes. Audition prep isn't a major part of my work right now, but I'm happy to help when it lines up with someone's goals. We work on song selection that fits your voice and the role, healthy belt and mix, monologue cuts, walk-in confidence, and a rehearsal plan for the week leading up. Whether you book a single session, a package, or a monthly plan depends on your timeline and what you need. We'll figure that out together.

Yes. Many students come to me because their voice tires easily, feels strained, or has changed in ways that concern them. I help identify what's happening mechanically and build healthier vocal habits. For medical concerns, I work alongside speech-language pathologists and other medical professionals to support your recovery.

Yes. I offer both in-person lessons at my studio in Lacey, WA and virtual lessons. Virtual sessions work well, especially once we've established a foundation together. Many students choose a mix of both.

Yes. I work with choirs, quartets, a cappella groups, and ensembles of all sizes. Ensemble coaching can be a one-time workshop, ongoing coaching arrangement, competition prep, or custom retreat. Pricing is based on the scope and format of the engagement. Contact me directly for a quote.

I've been teaching voice since 1988, more than four decades. I hold two degrees from Seattle Pacific University in Vocal Performance and Music Education, and I earned National Board Certification in 2005. I've conducted choirs in public schools for nearly 30 years, performed and won awards across multiple voice classifications, and published The Adaptive Voice Framework™, a nearly 700-page guide to how voices work. Learn more about my story.

The Adaptive Voice Framework (AVF™) is the teaching system behind everything I do. It organizes how voices work into Five Pillars (Body, Breath, Phonation, Resonance, Expression) and Eight Dials that control stylistic variety. I published it as a nearly 700-page book available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Learn more about AVF.

The PASS Profile™ is a professional communication assessment I created. It measures 40 distinct communication traits across six domains through 60 real workplace scenarios. You receive a detailed 46-48 page report revealing your unique communication fingerprint: your natural strengths, patterns, and style. It costs $49.99 and can be completed online in 30-60 minutes. Learn more about the PASS Profile.