how PROFESSIONAL online voice lessons work

If you're new to online voice lessons, you're in the right place for the best experience. Getting set up is simple. With today's devices and video technology, the sound and video are clear, allowing me to see your posture and breathing and to hear your vocal resonance perfectly—just as if you were in the studio. (Click here for the acoustical science) Online lessons are just as effective as in-person training, with even more advantages, while saving you time and travel so you can learn from wherever you are. See what students have to say about their experience.

All the video apps are free, so there's no extra cost. Zoom is the primary choice and allows screen sharing, but lessons also work beautifully on FaceTime and Google Meet. Zoom works on all devices, FaceTime is for iOS, and Google Meet is available on both Android and iOS.

If you're not sure if online lessons are for you, here's an opportunity. I created the New Student Special to give you the chance to experience these easy, effective, science-informed vocal methods that deliver results in a short amount of time. With an affordable starter plan, you'll feel and hear what the program offers.

Click here to learn more about how online lessons can even outperform in-person training.

SUGGESTIONS ON choosing your device

Choosing Your Device:

For the best vocal accuracy and clarity, please use your devices in this order of preference:

Best: iPad or Tablet (Latest models have the most sensitive and accurate "studio" mics).
Great: iPhone or Android Smartphone
Good: Laptop
Desktop Windows/iMac Computers: I do not recommend using this option, as it would require a full gear setup, including a USB microphone, which can color your sound and introduce latency during processing, and headphones, which create the "occlusion effect," which changes how you hear your own voice inside your head. This can lead to compensation such as over-singing or forced technique.

ZOOM users - SET UP & DEVICES

1. Update Your Software If Using Zoom

Before your lesson for the best up-to-date audio/video experience), please ensure:

Your device's Operating System is up to date.
The Zoom App is updated to the latest version. If you don't have a free Zoom account, you can create one here.

2. Activate the "Original Sound" Setup (Crucial!)

Before the meeting, make sure you have a free Zoom account. Then go to Zoom Settings > Meetings and toggle on "Original Sound For Musicians" (check the box).
Then, Check Other Settings: Ensure "Echo Cancellation" is OFF and "Auto Volume" is UNCHECKED. This stops the app from dipping your volume down when you hit those powerful high notes.

CHOOSE YOUR DEVICE

iPhone

Before your lesson (outside of the meeting):

Open the Zoom app (on your desktop, not your mobile device or tablet)
Tap your Profile Picture in the top corner
Tap Settings
Tap Audio
Turn ON: Original Sound for Musicians
Turn OFF: Echo Cancellation
Uncheck: Auto Volume / Automatically adjust microphone volume

During your meeting:

Tap your device's screen
Select More (...)
Tap Enable Original Sound for Musicians (if it says Disable, you're already set)

iPad (BEST CHOICE)

Important: As of late 2024, Original Sound must be activated in Settings before joining your meeting — it will then appear in the More menu during your call.

Before your lesson (outside of the meeting):

Open the Zoom app (on your desktop, not your mobile device or tablet)
Tap your Profile Picture in the top corner
Tap Settings
Tap Audio
Turn ON: Original Sound for Musicians
Turn OFF: Echo Cancellation
Uncheck: Auto Volume

During your meeting:

Tap your device's screen
Select More (...)
Tap Enable Original Sound for Musicians (if it says Disable, you're already set)

Android Phone or Tablet

Before your lesson (outside of the meeting):

Open the Zoom app (on your desktop,not your mobile device or tablet)
Tap your Profile Picture
Tap Settings
Tap Audio
Turn ON: Original Sound for Musicians
Turn OFF: Echo Cancellation
Uncheck: Auto Volume

During your meeting:

Tap your device's screen
Select More (...)
Tap Enable Original Sound for Musicians (if it says Disable, you're already set)

Laptop or Computer (Mac or Windows)

Before your lesson:

Open Zoom app (on your desktop, not your mobile device or tablet) and click your Profile badge (top right)
Click Settings (gear icon)
Click Audio
Check the box: Original Sound for Musicians
Ensure Echo Cancellation is OFF
Uncheck: Automatically adjust microphone volume

During your meeting:

Click Original Sound for Musicians: Off (top right of your screen) to turn it ON
When it reads "Original Sound for Musicians: On" you are set

facetime users

FACETIME

iPhone

Important Note: Mic Mode may not appear if your iPhone is older than XR/XS (see below for older iPhone models), or your iOS is outdated. Please ensure your iPhone is updated to the latest iOS before your lesson.

iPhone — Face ID Models (iPhone X and newer)

During your FaceTime call:

Start or join your FaceTime call
Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center
Tap Facetime Controls in the upper right at the top of your screen
Select: Wide Spectrum

Touch ID Models (iPhone 8 and older)

During your FaceTime call:

Start or join your FaceTime call
Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open Control Center
Tap Mic Mode, if you don't see that option -Tap FaceTime Controls, upper right at the top of your screen
Select: Wide Spectrum

iPad

Important Note: Mic Mode requires iOS 15 or later. Compatible iPad models include iPad 8th generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad mini 5th generation and later, and all iPad Pro 11-inch models and iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later. Please ensure your iPad is updated to the latest iOS before your lesson.

During your FaceTime call:

Initiate your FaceTime call on your iPad
Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPad screen to open Control Center
Tap Facetime Controls in the upper right at the top of your screen
Change the setting to Wide Spectrum

FaceTime on Laptop (Mac):
FaceTime on a laptop is not recommended for voice lessons, as it does not allow control over noise filtering and audio processing. This can affect how your voice is heard, making it difficult to accurately assess tone, resonance, and vocal technique. For the highest quality experience, please use Google Meet or Zoom on a computer, or FaceTime on an iPad (best) or iPhone with mic settings adjusted.

GOOGLE MEET USERS

On iPhone / iPad

Important: Noise cancellation may be on by default on newer devices. You must be in an active call to change this setting.

During your meeting:

Join your Google Meet session
Tap the screen to bring up controls
Tap the 3 dots (More options)
Tap Audio
Turn Noise Cancellation OFF (or "Noise reduction" if labeled that way)

If you don't see it:

The setting may not be available on all iPhones
It depends on: iOS version/Google Meet app version
If missing → use Mic Mode (Control Center) instead: Swipe down → Mic Mode → Wide Spectrum

On Android (Google Meet app)

Important: Noise cancellation may be on by default on newer models including Pixel 4+, Galaxy S10+, and OnePlus Nord+. You must be in an active call to change this setting.

During your meeting:

Join your meeting
Tap the screen
Tap the 3 dots (More options)
Tap Settings or Audio
Turn OFF: Noise cancellation or Noise reduction

On Computer/Laptop (Mac or Windows)

Before your lesson:

Open your Google Meet session
Click the 3 dots (bottom right)
Click Settings
Go to Audio
Turn OFF: Noise cancellation/Noise suppression (if shown)

Private One-On-One Online Voice Lessons in Wilmington, NC

how PROFESSIONAL online voice lessons work

internet connection requirments

SUGGESTIONS ON choosing your device

CHOOSE YOUR VIDEO PLATFORM

ZOOM users - SET UP & DEVICES

facetime users

GOOGLE MEET USERS

Questions about the online setup?