Marla is a wonderful and dedicated teacher. I originally came to her just with some long ago choir experience and no formal music school background. And because of that, I don't know many of the terminology or what they mean. So I really appreciate that Marla has always been patient and super adaptive in coming up with new exercises or creative visualizations to fit me, and find alternative ways to help me learn. I have been working with Marla for many years. And since then, she had taught me good foundations and helped me develop my voice and expanded my range. I feel like she cares a lot for her students and is very supportive. I would not be where I am w/o her on-going support and guidance. read more

Marla is a great voice coach. My 16 year old daughters voice has improved during the few months (COVID) working with her virtually. My daughter has told me that the techniques taught by Marla have made a positive improvement + impact in how she sings. Prior to Marla my daughter said she would just sing but now she'll implement the tools taught by Marla each time. She is patient and skilled. We are strongly considering in working back with her again once in person lessons and the pandemic improves. She accepts Zelle payments which are convenient and offers a new student discount fir a few lessons. Thank you for your help Marla! read more

I got to know this voice teacher from a previous singer. I can tell the different voices of this exact singer since I have known the singer for more than 10 years. Compared to more than 10 years ago, the singer presents songs so calmly and beautifully now. I am very impressed. I started my weekly voice lessons with Marla in Oct 2021. It helped me be able to learn voice techniques that I was not able to get in my previous 6 years of voice classes. I am grateful to Marla for helping me. I became more comfortable in my choir practices with all the voice techniques I learned. When I am in the class, Marla is able to catch little air that comes out before my vowel. The onset, the breath, the vowel, the coming in a phrase, all the techniques are so essential and she is teaching me from the beginning. We also have an open mic every other month. Although it is kind of scary for me, I enjoy the feeling of finishing some pieces of music and present to the group. I will continue my classes with Marla since I really believe she is a great voice teacher. I also improved my Italian along the way :) read more

Volovna Vocal Studio - A picture when we have a class on zoom. - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me

I have been taking lessons with Marla for about 10 months now, and I am so happy with the work we have done together. For years, I have been working with one ineffective or harmful teacher after another, and from the first lesson with Marla, I could tell that she had a solid technique and a great gift for teaching. With her guidance, my voice has already gotten so much better than with years of studying with past teachers. We are focusing on purely classical technique and music, but I know she has other students who sing other types of music. More concretely, Marla has helped me with properly supporting the breath, shaping the mouth and tongue, and posture. She incorporates other disciplines like the Alexander technique into singing. Marla also has a very positive style of teaching, and is always encouraging. Over all, I am thrilled with her teaching, and I highly recommend her to anyone who wants to develop their voice. read more

Marla is such a great teacher! I've been singing with her for a couple months now and my technique has improved tremendously. I've gained much more control over my voice and I'm slowly learning to use my chest voice, something I never thought I'd be able to do! Marla is also a really fun and encouraging teacher and very nice person all around which makes me look forward to my singing lesson all week long! read more

I have only taken 2 lessons with Marla so far, but I want to comment and say what a fantastic teacher she is. I discovered I wanted to learn how to sing in a classical style (grew up liking the blues and r &b though) and tried to work with 2 other teachers before this. It was a fail (although I discovered the love of classical style). The first teacher kept encouraging me to put 120% into the singing at all times (which doesn't make sense, if done with incorrect technique), until I sang with such force once that I hurt myself...inside...I don't know how. It was good that I took a break from singing for a few months, as I let her know I wouldn't be going back to her, quite politely. I tried another teacher and was thrilled to start new material but then it seemed every time I had another lesson, singing became difficult and my throat would close up. That caused stress on my throat. I was sure it was not the right technique, because it didn't feel natural and right.. Marla puts them both to shame. She jam-packs her session with information, which is why she asks you to bring a tape recorder. She is intense in that fashion. This is good because I am an older learner and want to learn well. In the course of one session, I heard DRAMATIC improvement and I'm talking about the kind that I can take home...and continue to work on, while still feeling good and strong about the technique I'm using, because I can FEEL that it is not damaging me but instead is strengthening how I sing. She said it's called 'support'. And I was surprised I'd never really found it before haha. =) So I really love her technique. Hope you can give this teacher a try too. I can't wait to see how she will mold me, given time. She also is curious about your goals and how she can help you get there. She is very supportive and kind about it and give tons of helpful information if she knows anything about how you can reach your goals outside of class that are related to music. I feel therefore that she is interested in her student's success and that is #1 foundation for a good teacher. Oh and by the way, I found my diaphragm too. And by found, I mean not just physical location, but can use it and control it using technique. She is very specific about how it is to be done, which helps me a lot....way to go, Marla! What a waste my other lessons would have been had I continued this way, without Marla's valuable know-how and technique. I would hate to continue with flawed teaching and end up, years later, with problems that are difficult to undo and lack of progress! Which student wants that!? What she is advertising, I feel, is very truthful. I drive 45 minutes each way to get to her place, but since each session yields so much information and improvement, it is a quality bargain to drive and pay for the lesson. Absolutely necessary for the improvement that I desire to see. read more

Marla is a very accomplished singer and teacher. I started lessons with her several years ago and she gave me a firm foundation in vocal technique. Her method of teaching technique is comprehensive. She helped me develop my voice in a way I never thought I could! She helped me to understand how to sing, without injuring and also taking care of my voice. She also helped me with musical and dramatic expression. I highly recommend Marla, whether you are just starting out, restarting, or need remedial work. I agree with all the other reviewers: Marla is an outstanding teacher! read more

I have been taking voice lessons with Marla Volovna for 7 months now. In this short time I have progressed faster than I ever had before, in vocal technique as well as in interpretation and musicianship. Marla is very demanding, very honest and very encouraging... a killer combo for success. And Marla's commitment to her students' progress really extends beyond the weekly lesson, with regular communication of tips to improve technique, interpretation, links to performances, documentaries, archives, etc... I highly recommend Volovna Vocal Studio. read more

I'd never done any vocal work or lessons before and was, frankly, embarrassed to attempt to sing in front of others. After playing guitar for several years I decided to get over my fears and give singing a try, so I started taking lessons with Marla. After only a few lessons, I've been amazed at how much I've learned about using the voice as an instrument. Marla has shown me basic techniques of controlling the diaphragm and the breath, placing the sound to make it more resonant, and shaping the space of the mouth and throat to make a more consistent and full sound. More importantly, I feel much more control and confidence in my voice, enough so that I feel like I can actually make pleasing music with my voice, and I feel motivated to continue developing my vocal skills. read more

i have been to multiple voice coaches but marla has a technique that i have never experienced before . She has not only expanded my range but actually taught me how to sing . I am beyond amazed at what i can do with my voice after only 8 lessons . I cant express enough how thankful i am for marla volovna and what she has done for my voice . read more

I have taken lessons from Marla for several years. I sing in two community chorus' in the North Bay and needed to learn proper breathing/singing technique. Marla has given me a tremendous musical technique foundation. She is patient, kind and encouraging, something a person singing for pleasure needs. I have seen a great improvement in my voice and also in my singing confidence. She is truly a gifted teacher. I have found myself, in the middle of a song, thinking "what would Marla tell me do here." I would encourage all singers to work with Marla, whether singing for pleasure, pursuing a professional career or wanting to learn a great singing technique!!! read more

Marla's teaching style and techniques are outstanding for the dedicated student. I have felt tremendous growth in the past two months working with her. She has the right blend of encouragement and constructive criticism that are essential in a good teacher. She doesn't placate egos or step on them. She gives the right kind of push when a push is needed and knows how help when you start beating yourself up. I highly recommend her for a student at any level of skill. read more