In the field of psychology, a "therapeutic alliance" encapsulates the relationship a…read morepsychotherapist and their client has to reach agreed-upon goals. When I reminisce on my voice relationship with Melissa--from autumn of 2019 until now (January 20th of 2025, as this is being typed)--the connotative strength of the word "alliance" accurately reflects the effectiveness of her pedagogical methods. Before I began working with Melissa, I intended to study with Lynn Helding, a renowned voice professor and pedagogue at University of Southern California. While a spot wasn't available for me in Lynn Helding's schedule, she referred me to Melissa, who was Helding's protégé as a USC DMA candidate at the time. If the concept of "when one door closes, another one opens" is to be embraced, then I will use the example of my path being directed to Melissa as evidence the concept is true. When I lived in San Gabriel Valley from autumn 2019 to February 2020, I would drive at least one hour to Venice from Alhambra for lessons with Melissa on a weekly basis, never regretting the time commitment (via another Yelp account, I wrote my first review for her on January 6th, 2020). As someone with a penchant for analytical thinking, I immediately benefitted from her extensive vocology research knowledge that would be applied to warmups and aria rep. Furthermore, my singing practice has always been spiritually rooted, and Melissa also engaging in music as a spiritual experience leads to her imparting memorable aphorisms that nurture my vocal growth; without her impactful communication skills, I wouldn't have been able to write the essay "Contemplative Consequences from a Decade of Singing" (https://web.archive.org/web/20220517012057/https://www.ruminatemagazine.com/blogs/ruminate-blog/contemplative-consequences-from-a-decade-of-singing). After I moved back to Bellevue, Washington due to COVID-19 lockdowns, I continued to train with Melissa via Zoom. Although I was nervous about doing lessons on screen, she ensured that the quality of the experience would be the same, even trying out different devices (ex. Google Hangouts) to figure out which would work best. The care that Melissa puts into her teaching was also demonstrated by her hosting monthly Zoom studio classes, in which her students would gather together for 2 hours in a weekend afternoon to perform for each other. I began studying with Melissa as a classical countertenor/sopranist at the age of 24 & a half 1/2, but her students represent a spectrum of ages and genre interests, such as CCM (contemporary commercial music). She currently works as an assistant professor of musical theatre at USC, in addition to singing in the LA Opera Chorus; if you're looking to improve your vocal technique in any way, I certainly recommend contacting Melissa now, before her availability becomes more limited. Though I took a three year hiatus from voice lessons to focus on my writing, I have retained my singing stamina because of Melissa's lasting pedagogical influence. Today, after my first lesson in three years with her, I experienced rejuvenation in my body, mind, and spirit, as her wholehearted commitment to developing potential in her students has remained apparent. Melissa: thank you so much for your vocal allyship. Through whatever is to come in the future, I know I will always be thrilled to continue growing with you singing.

Melissa is my first vocal coach and she's truly amazing! She's very knowledgeable and smart! My…read morethroat used to tense up quite a bit and also my voice is tense. She's helping me to work through it!! She's wonderful!!!

I cannot recommend Paloma enough. I started working with her for muscle tension dysphonia, and she…read morehas been such a gift in this process. She's incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and thorough. The laryngeal massages and targeted vocal exercises she's guided me through have made such a difference in helping me understand my voice and reduce tension. What I appreciate most is how supported I feel during our sessions. She truly listens and tailors everything to what my voice needs that day. If you're struggling with vocal tension or MTD, Paloma is someone you absolutely want on your team.

I'm not surprised that Paloma has perfect. Five star review on yelp - I'm so glad I went based on…read morethese recommendations when I reached out to her for lessons I had not sung in decades when I began working with Paloma in October, with one very meaningful goal: to prepare Ave Maria for my mother's 80th birthday Mass. Paloma is a seasoned professional with an absolutely beautiful voice, and she made the entire process approachable, easy to digest, and genuinely fun. She taught me how the voice truly works--breath support, diaphragm use, vocal anatomy, resonance, tongue placement, and effective exercises that rebuilt my voice with care and intention. Her depth of knowledge is exceptional, yet she explains everything in a way that feels clear and accessible. Most importantly, I felt extremely comfortable and supported every step of the way. Thanks to Paloma's expertise, patience, and encouragement, I was able to deliver a heartfelt and beautiful tribute to my mother. If you are returning to singing after time away or preparing for something truly meaningful, I cannot recommend Paloma highly enough.

Loran was the best teacher ever. She has so much patience and she's so encouraging and found a…read moreplace for each person to be able to participate in sing and it was just so much fun. I've always been super shy about ever doing karaoke so this was the best way to start breaking into it.

Lauren is an exceptional teacher. She helped me to express the artist inside. I took online and in…read moreperson classes. She creates such a welcoming and free environment. I feel confident working with her because of her experience as a teacher and performer. She sings, plays and performs so you're learning from someone who understands the emotions and vulnerability needed to create music. I highly recommend Venice School of Music if you're a novice or a seasoned professional.

Dot has truly brought my voice out of the dark cell I trapped it in for far too long, and has shown…read moreme the iridescent sparkle that has been inside me all along. In only three sessions I am completely giddy and falling in love with my voice. This isn't just an assigned affirmation I am TRYING to believe.... it is a TRUTH that has resided inside of me forever and now I am seeing its beauty. If you are looking for a safe person to explore your deepest vocal fears and trauma, look no further than Dot. She continues to nurture and hold my voice without judgement and lead me to my truth of my voice through breathe and song. I am in awe of her capacity to love and guide her students to the lightness of their being. Since working with Dot (again only three sessions) I have a newfound openness and confidence in myself that I really never thought I would have found by taking voice lessons. I was expecting to expand my vocal range, but I had no clue that I was actually going to be expanding my being into believing in ME! A "ME" I thought was lightyears away, but who was just waiting for the right coach to see my potential and be my mirror. If you're looking for a review or sign to invest in yourself and start working with Dot... HERE IS YOUR SIGN! You'll thank yourself after your vocal assessment. And then you'll thank yourself again for every lesson after as you uncover the goodness that has always been inside. YOU ARE WORTH THIS INVESTMENT! Your truest self has been waiting for you to love you. Let Dot help you do just that!

I take weekly lessons with Dottie and Fluffy Puppy! I also take her workshops. They challenge me in…read moreall the best ways. Her energy is transformative! Highly recommend reaching out to her. Do it for yourself!

Rich Schraier is one of the best teachers I have ever had. I'm a professional actor and singer and…read moreI owe a huge portion of what I am able to do to the teaching I received from him. He is tough but fair, and no one knows more than he does about the genre of musical theater. He is also a fantastic director and I cannot wait for the opportunity to work with him again. I highly recommend him for all levels! Whether you are just starting out or you are an old pro, you can get so much out of lessons from Rich.

From the owner: Known as a perfectionist, it should come as no surprise that I am extremely thorough when…read morepracticing my teaching methods with vocal coaching students. My major emphasis is on the performance & acting interpretation of the lyrics, but vocal technique, musical phrasing/dynamics, sight reading, ear training & basic piano fundamentals play an equally important role. Musicianship knowledge can greatly increase a singer's job success. We MUST eliminate the expression "there are musicians & then there are singers!" I am available for 1/2 hour & 1 hour private sessions. If inconvenient, I am also available for Skype sessions. I will help you prepare for an audition of any kind as well as long range singing goals. My teaching styles for piano are exactly the same as vocal coaching. I am thorough in all elements of learning, including becoming a better sight reader, develop ear training, start with a classical piano method & slowly add jazz, musical theater & pop to your playing repertoire. A variety of playing styles is essential, but so is good technique. I can work with students age 6 - 96, & I am very patient. I usually work from my home in W.L.A., but will travel to you within a 10 mile radius.

Great at what she does! Really has a lot of experience and passion and is serious about her…read morestudents development as singers and song writers

I began working with Forbsey over a year ago now. I don't have a yelp and have never used it before…read more-- but this woman has completely transformed what I am capable of and, so, I had to come here and add myself to the praise around Forbsey. She's a vocal magician and will change your life. It will not only serve your voice, but will enhance your confidence and composure. I'm a better performer all around because of her.

Melanie is absolutely the best vocal coach I've ever had the privilege of working with. She's…read morehelped me improve my singing more than I thought I could and is unfailingly encouraging. She's also very honest and has good prices. I ten out of ten recommend her to anyone who's pursuing voice at any level :)

My teenage daughter is going to Melanie and things are going great. She loves it and appreciates…read morethe time they spend together. Already seeing improvements

I'm a novice singer and have been taking lessons with Juliana for a few months. Already, I've…read morenoticed a huge improvement in my sound, tone, and--most importantly--my confidence. Juliana is a genius at making suggestions that help you visualize how small physical or mental changes can create a much better sound--for example, I've learned to notice when I allow my rib cage to collapse. As a beginner, I've often felt unsure about what's happening in my body when I sing, but Juliana's examples have made difficult things feel clear and achievable. The recordings of our lessons have been a game-changer for me. Re-listening to them not only helps me see how much I've improved, but also lets me revisit her advice and keep working on it between lessons. It's like having unlimited lessons because so much of learning to sing is about making time to practice. Juliana's studio is a warm and peaceful space where I feel completely safe to experiment and be loud without embarrassment. It's clear that she remembers her own learning journey very well and can really empathize with her students. I couldn't be happier with Juliana as my teacher.

I've retired and had never sung out loud! So the idea of singing lessons was very scary but it was…read morean inhibition that I really wanted to overcome. I did a lot of research on LA based teachers and Juliana's commitment to voice discovery for anyone got me through the door. I have never looked back. Juliana's teaching style is warm and constantly encouraging, giving you building blocks from physical preparation and relaxation through the many vocal techniques to enhance your sound. Her attention to detail is exemplary and she is an expert who always makes you feel you are in safe hands. She also goes above and beyond to ensure you have materials and videos to help you practice. My confidence has grown with every session and I continue to improve. For me, it is also a pleasure for my first audience to be her adorable cats and dogs who wander into our sessions. They are of course optional if you had concerns. I don't hesitate to recommend Juliana to anyone. Whatever your level, you will improve under her guidance. Simon

Brian is hands-down one of the best vocal coaches out there. He really understands the anatomy and…read morescience behind singing, and he explains what's happening in your body in a way that makes it easy to understand and recreate on your own. He's not cheap, but he's absolutely worth it if you want to learn efficiently instead of spending money on endless lessons that don't move the needle. I've been learning from him for almost a year, and I've learned so much more in that time than I did in four years at another studio. Thanks Brian!!

A little update here on yelp. It's only been four lessons, but I just wanted to take a moment to…read moreappreciate you by saying thank you very much for doing what you do!!! Music has always been there for me through many difficult parts of my life, but I've always felt like there was this gap between music and I that I could never close. I never felt like I had any talent to immerse myself, or further myself in it. Always just singing to myself, or when I'm alone, because that's the only time I have the courage to explore my voice. I have to say I've never felt this great singing before and it's only been four lessons. This year for me is big on self investment and rediscovering myself and where my interests/passion lies. You've gotta take some risks in life sometimes and taking a chance on vocal lessons with you has been by far one of the best decisions I've made in a while!. I'm still super stoked and I'm looking forward to what's to come!! Thanks voice dad!

My daughter has been working with Lauren for almost a year now. My little girl was diagnosed with a…read moreSpeech and Reading Disability and her psychiatrist recommended speech lessons as well as singing and piano classes to help her improve overall. With Lauren's expertise in singing and piano, and her calm patience, my daughter is speaking more fluently now and belts out songs all day long. Lauren is a pleasure to work with and my daughter just loves her. If you have small children who enjoy singing and want them to learn piano, Lauren is the best!

Lauren Carter is an amazing vocal coach. I have been working with her and have transformed from…read morean off key hopeless singer to someone who can carry a tune and has the confidence to sing in public. She is patient and encouraging and highly recommend her.