Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What happens in a typical voice lesson?

Online singing lessons take place over Zoom and are uniquely tailored to each student. We use a student-led learning model, where the student and teacher work in partnership towards the student’s goals and desired outcomes by building on strengths and growing practical, sustainable skills. Here at SDVS, voice lessons are a space to explore, experiment, ask questions, get curious, and sing in rough draft! 

Every session is customized, but you can expect:

• Technical exercises to build skills in support of your vocal goals

• Breath & movement work to build self-awareness

• Time spent on songs you care about, building technique & expression

• Guided self-reflection – what’s working, and where do you want to grow

Do you offer in-person lessons?

No. SDVS offers convenient, practical, quality voice training exclusively online. We highly value each student-teacher-family relationship at SDVS, and online lessons allow us to maintain these important, long-term relationships, regardless of geography.

Online lessons allow you to work with a teacher who is a perfect fit for you, both in terms of personality and skill sets, no matter where you live. SDVS works with students in multiple time zones across the United States and Europe. Many students enjoy the comfort and control of being in their own home for lessons, and families and working professionals appreciate the simplicity of commuting and scheduling.

Do I need special equipment for online lessons?

No, you do not need special equipment in order to have a robust online singing lesson. However, you will definitely need reliable, high-speed internet, so that both teacher and student have the clearest connection possible. Zoom has audio settings that we’ll adjust at your first lesson for optimal sound quality. If you’re interested in purchasing a microphone, external speakers, or headphones to enhance your online experience or to practice microphone technique, I would be happy to provide a list of recommendations!

Who takes voice lessons at SDVS?

• Experienced singers who have outgrown previous training and need a holistic blend of artistry, athleticism, and humanity

• Beginner singers who may be nervous about their voice but long to reconnect with it as a core part of who they are

• Hobbyists & pros frustrated by vocal limitations and seeking practical help

• Creative teens wanting to express themselves, improve their singing, and have fun in a place where they are seen as whole people

• Energetic, sensitive, mission-driven professionals seeking a creative, expressive outlet

• Singers yearning to reconnect with joy, play, and purpose, not only technique and polish

• Overthinkers, perfectionists, and hard workers struggling with a harsh inner critic

I'm not a "serious" singer. Is this still for me?

Yes, 100%. If you love to sing and want to feel more confident, expressive, and free in your voice, you're in the right place. Whether you’re preparing for auditions, returning after years away, or exploring your voice for the first time as an adult, this work will meet you where you are.

I'm an experienced singer. How can these lessons
help me?

Professional and semi-professional singers often come to me when they’ve outgrown previous traditional training and need something more holistic. When it feels like your body keeps sabotaging you or something is “off” no matter how hard you work, we take an integrated approach, directly addressing the physical, mental, and emotional interconnections of your instrument. SDVS offers you a space to recalibrate and refine your singing, bringing you back to meaning, connection, and a sense of empowerment.

Why do all new students start with a Discovery Call?

SDVS prioritizes long-term relationships with students and their families. Starting with a Discovery Call allows both parties to put faces to names, to ask questions, to provide clarity, and to personalize what can sometimes feel like a transactional process. It’s also important for singers to find a teacher who’s a great fit for them, and a Discovery Call (and the Discovery Package) gives students/families and the teacher an opportunity to discern if SDVS is the right fit. 

No matter what, you can expect to leave a Discovery Call with a clear plan of action and recommended next steps!

What kinds of songs do people work on?

Students sing all kinds of songs and lead approximately 80% of repertoire choices. Currently, studio members sing everything from musical theater to pop to folk to classical. Some students work on music that they wrote, while others prepare music for school auditions. In your singing lessons, we’ll focus on music that suits your voice and speaks to your goals. Whatever you sing, make sure you love it and connect with it on an emotional level!

What makes this work different?

Rather than focusing solely on sound, our work together includes the whole person. We explore the interconnections between body, breath, emotions, and voice. We develop the voice and the inner experiences that come with it. That means working through nerves, perfectionism, and the emotions that affect how we sound and feel. Students often leave sessions sounding better and feeling better!

How do I join SDVS?

I’m so glad you asked! Everything starts with a Discovery Call. In this FREE 20-minute session, we’ll discuss your love of singing, your experience and goals, how I work, and whether it feels like a good fit to work together. Click here for the 3-step roadmap to joining the studio.

What are Flex Weeks?

Your Songbird Tuition provides you with 4 Flex Weeks BUILT IN. These Flex Weeks take place during the month of June and serve as make-up lessons built into your tuition. Life happens, and if you need to miss a lesson for any reason, you may choose to use a Flex Week.

If you have no need to miss a lesson or if you always choose another type of Alternative to Cancellation, then congratulations! You may use the June Flex Weeks for a few extra “bonus” lessons. If a student misses more than 4 lessons throughout the course of their studio membership, they will not receive extra lessons.

What is a Vocal Project?

Students who are not able to attend our annual in-person Studio Salon have the option of working on a Vocal Project that aligns with their singing goals and lifestyle while simultaneously building creative courage and vocal confidence. The student and Susan will work closely together to realize the project and then share it within the studio community. 

A Vocal Project could look like: creating and editing a video recording or highlight reel of several songs; creating and recording a mini concert for family and friends; building a YouTube channel of recorded performances; designing a full-length recital, cabaret, or concert for public or private audiences; finding and signing up for local open mic nights.

What’s with the sunflowers?

I received a birthday card once that summed it up well: “Sunflowers: with irresistible charm, they stand tall, unabashedly seeking the source of their sustenance. Sunflowers show us the beauty of staying connected with all that nourishes and sustains us.”

Singing is a profound way to connect with ourselves and others. It takes courage and resilience to grow a singing practice, to nourish your love of singing, and to follow the call of your innate musicianship. Sunflowers remind us that, even on cloudy days (when singing may feel difficult or pointless), there is purpose in living a creative life. Artists can learn a lot from sunflowers and their unapologetic combination of strength and beauty, always turning their heads to track the path of the life-giving sun.