How to become a great vocal coach

Teaching voice is about more than just technique—it’s about helping students find confidence, overcome fear, and develop a strong vocal foundation that allows them to sing freely. Many students come to voice lessons carrying years of self-doubt, bad habits, and misconceptions about their own potential.

A great voice teacher understands not only the mechanics of the voice but also the psychology of performance, the importance of bodywork, and the need for a structured learning path.

Here’s how to become the teacher that transforms lives. I'm not claiming to be a top vocal coach necessarily, but I can claim to have transformed some lives. I tried to reverse engineer this process and list some criteria of a good singing teacher.

Define your (USP): teach what you wish you had been taught

Most teachers default to teaching the way they were taught—but what if your own training had gaps? The best voice teachers actively identify what was missing in their own education and use that knowledge to create a better learning experience for their students.

For me, the missing elements were:

✅ Performance Mindset – I wasn’t given the mental tools to reframe stage anxiety or feel confident in front of an audience.

✅ Lack of Structure – My training didn’t give me a clear path for improvement, which left me feeling lost.

✅ Bodywork Issues – I struggled with tension and posture for years before I finally discovered how to free my voice through movement.

After years of learning and teaching, these are the exact issues I specialize in helping my students with.

A great teacher doesn’t create dependent students—a great teacher equips students with the tools to grow independently.

To develop independence, students need:

✅ A clear structure for learning songs, technique, and practice

✅ The ability to self-correct and recognize tension or bad habits

✅ Methods to continue improving even when they’re no longer taking lessons

When students leave each lesson with actionable steps and self-teaching strategies, they will improve faster and stay motivated.

Include performing in the curriculum

Performing is a skill separate from singing. Many students sound great in a lesson but freeze up on stage. They need more than just vocal technique—they need tools to manage stage anxiety and performance pressure.

This shifts their mindset from fear of judgment to feeling supported, allowing them to relax and sing with confidence.

🔹 Student concerts & recitals – Regular performance opportunities build confidence.

🔹 Performance psychology training – Mental exercises, visualization, and relaxation techniques improve stage presence.

🔹 Simulated performance settings – Even in private lessons, I simulate a performance environment.

Performing should be a regular part of the curriculum — not an afterthought.

Use both physiology and metaphors to explain vocal technique

A teacher’s job is to explain, not just instruct. Many students struggle to grasp vocal technique if it’s explained only in scientific terms or only in metaphors. The best approach? Use both.

🔹 Physiology – Explain breath support, resonance, and vocal cord function in simple, accessible ways.

🔹 Metaphors – Help students feel the technique by using relatable imagery (e.g., “imagine the sound floating above your head”).

Each student learns differently—some need technical breakdowns, while others respond better to imagery and sensation-based learning. The key is balance.

The mental game: teach students to stop judging themselves

Many students sabotage their progress with negative self-talk:

🚫 "I sound terrible."
🚫 "I’m not good enough."
🚫 "I’ll never be able to sing like that."

A voice teacher must acknowledge the psychology of learning. Confidence is not a bonus—it’s a precondition for progress.

🔹 Help students recognize and reframe self-judgment.
🔹 Introduce mindfulness and mental exercises that improve focus and reduce fear.
🔹 Encourage students to enjoy the process rather than chase perfection.

Include bodywork in lessons

Even if you are physically fit, many students struggle with tension, poor posture, and inefficient breath support. Their bodies hold them back more than their voices do.

The Bodywork I use in my teaching

✅ Yoga – Helps with breath control, posture, and reducing tension.

✅ Alexander Technique – Improves alignment and balance, preventing unnecessary strain.

Many of my students experience instant vocal improvement just by fixing posture and releasing tension.

Make notes & track progress

During each lesson, track:

🔹 The main priority for the student to work on that week
🔹 The specific exercises or tricks that work best for them
🔹 Any breakthroughs or persistent challenges

Students benefit from structured practice plans. Creating a checklist or recording a quick recap of each lesson helps them stay focused between sessions.

Stay in touch between lessons

The best teachers don’t just teach once a week and disappear. Regular check-ins keep students:

✅ Motivated
✅ On track with the right exercises
✅ Accountable to their practice

Simple ways to stay connected:

📩 Have students send clips of their practice for quick feedback.
📅 Send practice reminders or motivational messages.
💡 Encourage students to reflect on their progress.

These small touches increase engagement and commitment dramatically.

Structure your voice studio for success

To be a successful voice teacher, you need a system that allows you to serve many students effectively without burnout. One pillar is to hire an assistent, who offloads work so you can focus on teaching, creativity and growing your business. But there is more.

The three pillars of a scalable teaching model

🎤 Group lessons in a masterclass format – Students learn from each other and gain confidence.

💬 Asynchronous feedback – Allow students to send recordings between lessons for review.

📚 An online video library – Give students access to online lesson materials, so they always have access to my knowledge.

This blended learning approach speeds up progress and allows you to grow your teaching business sustainably.

As mentioned above, the business coach who taught me all this is Fabiana Claure, who I couldn't recommend more.