Voice Lessons
Online & in San Diego
Find Your Real Voice—Without Shrinking, Straining, or Apologizing for It
Gentle, science‑informed private voice lessons for adult hobbyists who want to sing with confidence—especially big choral voices that have been told to “blend more” or “tone it down.”
Private voice lessons currently start at $115 for a 50‑minute session.
“Kathryn is an extremely down‑to‑earth and highly gifted instructor. She makes her students feel comfortable but also challenges them to bring out the best in themselves. She’s specifically helped me work through issues with my vocal health and given me practical strategies to build a healthy vocal tone and good vocal care habits.”
— Carole
Tell me if this resonates…
You love to sing.
In the car. In the shower. In church. In the choir loft.
But when it comes to really owning your voice, things get…complicated.
Maybe you’ve heard:
“You’re a little too loud.”
“Can you blend more?”
“Just mouth the words on that high section.”
Or you’ve told yourself:
“My voice is too big / too weird / too old to sound good.”
“I must be doing something wrong if singing feels this tense.”
“I’m fine in a group, but please don’t make me sing alone.”
You might:
Love choral singing, but feel unsure how your voice fits in
Worry about strain, fatigue, or that tight, squeezed feeling in your throat
Second‑guess every note, especially in the higher range
Want to sing the songs you love—without feeling like you’re constantly “too much”
Underneath it, you’re not just afraid of a wrong note.
You’re afraid of being heard.
If that lands a little too close to home, you’re in the right place.
Try this on for size…
Take a breath and imagine:
You walk into choir rehearsal or step out onto the stage feeling grounded instead of apologetic.
You know how to breathe, and your sound feels free and resonant—not jammed in your throat.
Your “big voice” feels like an asset, not a problem to hide.
High notes feel reachable, not like a cliff you’re going to fall off.
You can sing alone (even just for a friend or in your living room) without your insides turning to jelly.
Over time, you notice:
Your body knows what to do when you sing—less guesswork, more ease
You can adjust volume and color without losing yourself
You understand how to warm up, practice, and protect your voice
You actually look forward to singing again, instead of bracing for criticism
That’s what we’re working toward in private voice lessons.
What You Get in Private Voice Lessons
We’ll blend vocal science, mindfulness, and musicality so you can sing with a healthy, confident, authentic voice—on your own terms.
1. One‑on‑One Lessons Tailored to Your Voice
Live 1:1 lessons on Zoom (or in‑person if you’re local to San Diego).
Weekly is ideal; bi‑weekly is possible when life is full.
We start from where you are: choir singer, shower soloist, former belter, nervous beginner…all welcome.
We’ll choose material that fits your world:
Choral pieces you’re currently singing
Songs you love (classical, sacred, musical theatre, folk, pop—whatever lights you up)
Simple exercises that target exactly what your voice needs
“I’m really enjoying these lessons. Kathryn lets me move at my own pace while consistently offering support and knowledge. She makes the lessons—and the whole learning experience—flow for me.”
— Mary
2. Science‑Backed, Body‑Friendly Technique
We’ll talk about breath, resonance, registration (chest/head/mix) in normal‑human language.
You’ll learn how your instrument works so “blending” in choir doesn’t have to equal strain.
We focus on body alignment, and releasing unnecessary tension so singing feels sustainable.
“This was a really nice lesson! Kathryn gave me practical exercises to do at home and taught me about the biology of singing. A+.”
— Melanie
3. Support for Big Voices in Choir
If you’ve ever been “the loud one” in choir, you’re my people.
Together we’ll:
Harness your natural power without clamping down or shrinking
Learn to adjust color, dynamics, and vibrato so you can blend when needed—without disappearing
Explore solo vs ensemble singing so you feel at home in both
Your voice is not “too much.” It’s just waiting for the right instructions.
4. Mindful, Shame‑Free Singing
We’ll use mindfulness tools to notice nerves, self‑talk, and body tension.
Instead of judging your sound, we’ll get curious about it.
You’ll learn simple ways to regulate your nervous system before and during singing (hello, big performance feelings).
5. Clear, Realistic Practice Plans
We’ll design short, doable routines you can actually stick with, even on a busy week.
Think 5–20 minutes: focused warm‑ups, targeted exercises, and one small musical goal.
No guilt‑trip if life happens; we’ll adapt as we go.
Who This Is and Isn’t For
This is for you if…
You’re an adult hobbyist who loves to sing and wants to feel more confident and skilled.
You sing in a choir (or want to) and have been labeled a “big” or “loud” voice.
You care about singing in a healthy, sustainable way—not just forcing notes out.
You’re more interested in authentic expression and joy than in perfectionism or competition.
You appreciate a slightly nerdy, science‑meets‑soul approach.
This is not for you if…
You want a harsh, drill‑sergeant style teacher.
You’re only interested in chasing perfection, no matter how it feels in your body.
You’re looking for someone to guarantee you a professional singing career in 3 months.
You’re offended by the idea that gentle, mindful work can be powerful.
(If you’re still reading and your shoulders feel a little lower, you’re probably in the right place.)
So, who am I, anyway?
Hi, I’m Kathryn—singer, harpist, pianist, and your resident whimsical, “nutty” professor of “yes, your voice counts.”
I’ve spent almost 20 years in the music industry, and I’ve watched too many singers shrink because of one discouraging comment from a teacher, director, or conductor. I’ve had my own share of “you’ll never…” stories, and I know how heavy they can sit in your body and your sound.
I teach with three core beliefs:
Your voice is not a problem to fix. It’s a sound to understand and support.
Process over product. We celebrate the tiny wins: one freer note, one braver breath, one song you finally enjoy singing.
Science + mindfulness = freedom. When you know how your instrument works and feel safe in your own skin, everything opens up.
“I’ve worked with Kathryn for both operatic role preparation and introductory piano. She’s extremely knowledgeable and has a warm, caring nature, which makes learning from her approachable, encouraging, and genuinely fun.”
— Emily
My job is not to turn you into someone else.
My job is to help you sound more like you—on purpose, with less strain and more joy.
How It Works
Apply for Lessons
Click the button and answer a few questions about your singing background and goals.
This helps me make sure we’re a good fit.
I Follow Up Personally
I’ll email you with available time slots, the $115/50‑minute rate, and how to get started.
If my studio is full, I’ll offer a waitlist and some next‑best steps.
We Schedule Your First Lesson
You’ll get a Zoom link (or studio info), plus a brief pre‑lesson check‑in so I know what to focus on right away.
After Each Lesson
You’ll leave with 1–3 clear, doable things to try—never an overwhelming list.
We’ll keep refining based on how your voice and your life are feeling.
What Students Say…
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![Close-up of a vibrant purple flower with five petals, green leaves in the background, and a blurred green background.]()
"I am really enjoying these lessons. Kathryn allows me to move at my own pace while consistantly offering support and knowledge. She makes the lessons and the whole learning experience flow for me."
Mary
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![Close-up of a light blue flower with a dark center, with two more similar flowers blurred in the background.]()
"Kathryn has really done a great job teaching the basics of singing to our almost 7 year old daughter. She is the best singing teacher ever and has helped our daughter learn several new songs in a short time. She is very easy going and adapts her style to her students."
Sameer
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![A white water lily flower blooming on a pond surrounded by green lily pads.]()
"This was a really nice lesson! She gave me practical exercises to do at home and taught me about the biology of singing. A+"
Melanie
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![Close-up of a bright orange flower with dark center, surrounded by green foliage and dried brown plant parts.]()
"Kathryn is an extremely down-to-earth and highly gifted instructor. She makes her students feel comfortable but will also challenge them to bring out the best in them. Kathryn has specifically helped me work through issues with my vocal health. She has given me practical and tangible strategies to ensure that I develop a healthy vocal tone and maintain good vocal care habits."
Carole
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![Close-up of a pink protea flower surrounded by green leaves.]()
"I have taken lessons with Kathryn for both operatic role preparation, and introductory piano lessons. She is extremely knowledgeable and has a warm, caring nature which makes working with and learning from her an approachable, encouraging, and fun experience."
Emily
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![Close-up of a vibrant yellow sunflower with green leaves and a blurred background.]()
"I’ve been studying with Kathryn since she first started her studio and she’s AMAZING. I’ve learned so much about my voice and myself - can’t recommend her enough!"
Maya
FAQs
“I’m an adult (or older beginner). Is it too late to start voice lessons?”
Not at all. Adult voices are my favorite to work with because you bring a real story, real feelings, and real motivation. We won’t be chasing a conservatory track—you don’t need to. We’ll focus on building healthy habits, confidence, and expression from exactly where you are now.
“My voice is really big and I’ve been told to ‘blend more’ my whole life. Will you just ask me to be quieter?”
Never! Big voices are absolutely welcome here. We’ll work on how to use your power in a healthy way, and how to shape color and dynamics so you can blend when needed—without disappearing. Your volume isn’t a flaw; it’s raw material we’ll refine together.
“I’m nervous to sing alone in front of anyone…what if I freeze?”
Totally normal. We can start gently—with humming, simple exercises, or even just walking through how your voice works—until you feel ready to do more. My job is to create a space where you feel safe enough to try, not pressured to perform perfectly.
“I don’t have a lot of time to practice. Can I still benefit from lessons?”
Yes. We’ll build practice plans around your real life, not a fantasy schedule. Even 5–15 focused minutes, a few times a week, can make a real difference when you know what to do. And in the seasons when practice is minimal, lessons still give your voice and body helpful reminders.
“Do you teach online—and does that actually work for singing?”
Yes. Most of my lessons are online. I can see and hear plenty to help you with breath, alignment, jaw/tongue tension, resonance, and musicality. You also get to work in your own space, on your own equipment, which often makes people feel more relaxed and open.
“Can you help with vocal fatigue or strain?”
Yes. We’ll look at breath, resonance, and any habits that might be contributing to tension. I’ll give you real-life advice to build a healthier vocal tone and protect your voice over time.
“Kathryn has specifically helped me work through issues with my vocal health. She’s given me practical and tangible strategies to ensure that I develop a healthy vocal tone and maintain good vocal care habits.”
— Carole
“Will you make me sing styles I’m not interested in?”
Nope! We’ll use the styles that matter in your world—choir music, worship songs, musical theatre, folk, or the artists you love. I might borrow an exercise or a short piece from another style if it serves your technique, but the goal is always to help you sound more like you, not to turn you into a singer you don’t recognize.
If you’ve spent years turning yourself down…
If you love to sing but constantly worry you’re “too loud,” “not good enough,” or “doing it wrong”…
If a part of you secretly wants to know what your voice could really do with the right support—
I’d love to work with you.
“I’ve been studying with Kathryn since she first started her studio and she’s AMAZING. I’ve learned so much about my voice and myself—I can’t recommend her enough!”
— Maya
Private voice lessons are $115 for a 50‑minute session. Weekly spots are prioritized, and space is limited.