Greetings All, My name is Melvin Moore (stage name: MELO), and I have been working with Sam Shin for approximately 1.5 extremely enlighten year(s). I have tried to find the right words to express what Sam means to me as a coach and what he means to this world as a teacher and philosopher. When I first ask for Sam's assistance with vocal lessons, he was very blunt about my inexperience. Although I was not offended, I was, however, curious about his response. Sam stated, "I didn't say you don't have talent. You're not a natural signer; however, because of your talent and my coaching, when placed next to a natural-born singer, no one will be able to tell the difference." I had known that I lacked professional coaching; that's why I was there, but his ability to target my limitations only enhanced my desire to work with him. Sam Shin does not just teach his student how to sing; in fact, his lessons are rooting in musical theory, philosophy, psychology, physiology, spirituality, and the essence of life (AIR = BREATHING). For some, singing is just a hobby, but for Sam, it is his calling. His exemplary approach to teaching enables, in my opinion, each student to find their lane. Before Sam, I had struggled with singing out, rifts, pitch, breathing, and I had mimicked various artists. Now that I am training with him, I have been able to appreciate my talents while fine-tuning my vocal abilities. Working with Sam has helped me to break down deeply rooted emotional barriers. Furthermore, I learned how to apply specific techniques to embedding those emotions into my singing. I have become overwhelmed with inspiration working with Sam, and I believe in his methods/teachings because I am noticeably a better person/singer/artist because of him. In closing, when one can find their purpose and then extends that knowledge to others, they become legendary. Sam Shin exudes a praiseworthy humility that warrants recognition to his selfless contribution(s) to musical coaching. I love you, Sam, and thank you for showing me who I am through music! ~ MELO MOORE read more

Sam is one of the best teachers I have ever had in any subject area. When I began taking lessons from him, all I knew was that he had outstanding reviews, and that the philosophy expressed on his website was very positive. What I couldn't possibly have understood was what a true master of his craft he is, and what an outstanding ability he has to teach what he knows. Sam's ability to precisely diagnose vocal issues and to develop specific exercises to address them is remarkable, and a tremendous benefit for the student. I feel very comfortable saying that those in any profession with his level of expertise are few and far between. I came to EL Melody Vocal Studio wanting to learn a song for my wedding four months away, but I didn't realize what a privilege it was to even get on Sam's schedule. Many voice teachers could have taught me to sing the song, but I don't think very many could have drawn the very best out of me as well as he did in those four months. (My bride absolutely loved the song, and the guests are still talking about it.) Sam is honest but respectful, and truly believes in his students. He furthermore works to explain things to them based on their own backgrounds or experience, relating to them as clearly as possible. And when I developed a bad sore throat just weeks before the wedding, he worked with me to get my voice back in working order. If I had to do this over, I would choose Sam without a moment's hesitation. I would be so much further along in many areas of life if I could find other teachers of Sam's caliber. My advice to future students: Ask Sam all the questions you have and seek to truly understand what he is teaching you. You will find more knowledge and understanding and depth of insight than you could have imagined. He can teach you a lot on his own, but if you purposefully interact with him, you can learn so much more--I know that I did. [Cross-posted on Google] read more

Sam is my very first vocal coach, and I love taking lessons from him! At first I was nervous about taking lessons, as I never had the chance to pursue music in the past, but to my pleasant surprise, he got straight to the point and started helping me right away. Since that first lesson 6 months ago, he's taught me a variety of singing techniques and has helped me improve my voice in ways I couldn't have ever imagined. Not only has he helped me improve my singing voice, but he has also helped me raise my confidence. I've always been a very shy person, but Sam has helped me to break old, bad habits and challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone. When I first started lesson, I told Sam that I wanted to learn how to write music. Now, he's recently started to teach me how to do just that. I've never expected to gain this much knowledge and experience from vocal coaching. When Sam teaches, he breaks everything down into simple and easy-to-digest parts, making it very easy to understand and remember. I never fully pursued singing or music writing in the past because I believed that it was too difficult, but Sam has taught me otherwise. I have never felt like I was being pushed too hard to do anything, yet I still have broken through many personal barriers keeping me from moving forward through his teachings. I would highly recommend this vocal studio to anyone, regardless of skill level or experience. I have heard his other students in the past, and while they all have different styles of singing and levels of skill, they seemingly improved immensely over a short period of time. I can say that personally I feel as though I had improved in ways I could have never imagined, and can only imagine what will come in the future. Sam is an excellent motivator and caring person, and seems to be constantly determined to help his students improve themselves. read more

So....where do I start. I started taking lessons with Sam about 2 years back. Honestly, I wasn't expecting much out of the lessons except that maybe I'll just learn to sing louder and hit higher notes. But Sam is simply an astounding teacher and an even better singer. He is honest, firm, kind, and constructive. He teaches you that singing is not just about your skills or what you sound like but also about how you sing, the emotion you express, and your level of confidence. He's helped me harness my emotional side and bring it out when I sing. Before I started taking lessons at El Melody, I never sang in front of anyone including my own family and friends. I lacked so much confidence and was just so scared to mess up when I sang. He helped build so much of the confidence I have now. I'm not afraid to sing anymore or to mess up and occasionally sound bad. I moved away after a couple of months so I couldn't take lessons with Sam anymore. But since he's such an amazing teacher, we had some skype lessons and I always fit in some with him when I'm in town. He has a great ear and can pinpoint the areas that are weak and helps you improve them. My voice, my passion, and my confidence has grown so much and I'm honestly sooo thankful for Sam. You can tell he adores music. Every time he sings you can just feel the emotion and see how much he enjoys what he does. And let me tell you, it is contagious. So if you're looking for a vocal coach and you're asking yourself if El Melody is for you, then yeah it's definitely for you. This vocal studio and Sam's amazing teaching and guidance are for everyone, especially those who want to become the best. read more

This is an overdue review. In February 2014, I decided I was going to marry the girl I was dating, and began learning guitar in secret to surprise her at the wedding. I convinced my wedding party to learn instruments too, forming an entire band (the "Premarital Sextet," which performed once and only once at the Barns at Wolftrap on 5/15/15). She's a professional musician, hence why this would be cool. Anyway, December 2014 comes around, I'm 6 months from getting married, and am quickly realizing my musicianship has FAR outstripped my vocals. I did some googling and came across El Melody and Sam, and went in for an eval and first lesson. 6 months, later, I went from AWFUL voice and 0 talent to: (Music starts at 2:40 to skip too much talking) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb4S3vniAMo Now she and I gig together in our free time (embryduo.com), play together all the time, I sing in a church band as well. Sam's amazing. He's also very honest and frank, telling you when you aren't sounding as great as you want to, and telling you when he has concerns you won't be ready for what you need to be or need to work harder. This makes it all the more rewarding when you get it right, because he's not a cliche tough-guy teacher just looking to bust on you. He's just as clear and comprehensive in his praise when you get it right. I can't say enough good things about how fantastic a teacher he is, plus he's quite a good singer himself! I'd recommend him to anyone. Also, I NEVER write Yelp reviews. Sam's good enough that, despite this being 6 or 7 months overdue, I just had to write one for him. read more

I am so blessed that I found out about Sam Shin's vocal teaching through a mutual friend. I have been with Sam on and off for a decent period of time, and every time I come back to him for vocal lessons, I regret ever stopping. I think Sam has an amazing skill for coaching because he has a great balance of structure, discipline, and fun. Time always fly by when I am singing with him, and I gain so much knowledge and is able to sharpen my vocal techniques. I think I learned more from him in one single lesson than I have learned from my pervious past instructor in a month. Vocal lessons are an investment, and if you are looking to make a decision, don't look any further. If Sam Shin ever moves away from my area, I would probably cry haha. For the weak hearted/hesitant singers: Sam is very straight forward and definitely gives you constructive criticism to help you grow and develop your skills. However, he does this in a gentle way and is very encouraging as well. Do not worry if you are not too confident or have low self-esteem because he will build you and make sure to mold you into a power house. For the advanced singers: Do not underestimate the amount of vocal knowledge Sam has. Even though you are more experienced in singing, he has endless numbers of tips and tricks to further your career in singing. He can hear EVERY LITTLE DETAIL in your voice. He refines your voice and STYLE TOO, which is extremely difficult to elevate in my opinion. In conclusion, just do it. Life's too short to miss the opportunity to take Sam's vocal lessons! read more

Sam employs a unique approach to music instruction that stands out from conventional methods. He possesses an acute ability to gauge the innate skills, strengths, and areas of improvement in my children's vocal talents. By emphasizing the enhancement of their strengths and bolstering their weaker areas, I've witnessed a swift progression in their vocal techniques and styles--a growth I hadn't observed under their previous traditional training. What deeply resonates with me about Sam is his steadfast commitment to pushing boundaries. He consistently encourages my kids to venture outside their comfort zones, understanding that true growth often emerges from facing and overcoming challenges. The learning atmosphere Sam fosters promotes risk-taking and personal development. My children's confidence has surged since they began lessons with him, and I attribute this newfound self-assuredness to Sam's exceptional ability to inspire and invigorate his students. Sam's appreciation for our cultural heritage is evident in the curriculum he's tailored for my children. Recognizing our roots, he's seamlessly integrated Hindi and Punjabi music into their lessons, harmonizing it with the more familiar Western genres we enjoy in America. Beyond his teaching prowess, Sam's deep-seated Christian values further accentuate his role as a commendable mentor, presenting ideals that I want my kids to cherish and emulate. Overall, I wholeheartedly endorse Sam as an exemplary music teacher. read more

I have been taking lessons from Sam for about two months now. I am an adult who is coming to vocal training with little experience in singing other than some high school chorus and performances. And I am so glad I did! Sam was immediately welcoming, encouraging, and warm. He is clearly a wonderful person and it shows right away. But maybe more importantly, he is an extremely talented singer, performer and instructor. I really wanted an experienced and sophisticated teacher who will not just encourage me but teach me, push me, and help me to advance and become an accomplished performer. Sam has a great reputation and teaches many advanced, even famous singers but he is also great for beginners. He teaches you not just singing technique but how to develop as a musician both technically and emotionally. Before starting with Sam, I took a few lessons with others who start you off the bat with sheet music and just singing. That doesn't work in my view. Singing is difficult (more difficult than I expected actually) and to progress you have to understand theory, rhythm, timing and phrasing. Sam starts you with these kinds of lessons so that when you start singing you understand the music itself, not just technique. In short, you won't find a better teacher or person than Sam so if you are interested in progressing either as a beginner or an experienced singer, please check him out. You won't be disappointed. read more

I started taking vocal lessons with Sam for two reasons: to learn something new with my girlfriend and to finally learn how to sing after 7 years of wanting to. As a complete beginner, I had weak technique and little confidence in my voice. In less than a year, Sam has made one of my dreams come true and enabled me to sing most of the songs I've wanted to sing since high school. He supplied me with several exercises, remedies, and actions to teach me the basics, address my weaknesses, and take care of my voice. Through Sam, my range has increased beyond what I imagined, my tone went from being thin and nasally to becoming fuller, and I learned how to breathe not only just for singing but also for any physical activity. Even with these improvements, he continues to push me harder because he wants his students to be the best that they can be and be performance-ready at any moment. One of the ways that he does this is by holding an annual showcase for all of his students to demonstrate their new or improved vocal abilities. It also gave me something to strive for. Every lesson with Sam is educational, engaging, and fun. There's nothing better than taking vocal instruction from someone who is skilled in many instruments, continues to master his craft, and pursues opportunities to perform. I recommend that anyone at any skill level who wants to improve their vocal abilities in any style to take lessons at EL Melody. read more

I would highly recommend Sam Shin as a vocal teacher. My daughter has been going for a year and my husband began a few months ago. Sam's grounding them in basic technique has made the world of difference. Sam is great. This in a partial list of why I think Sam is a great vocal instructor. 1. Ability to hone in to where the student is, what the weaknesses are and what needs to be worked on. 2. Taking everything mentioned before and finding the place from which to build a strong foundation and understanding of the techniques being practiced. 3. Fine-tuning the approach as needed and be able to explain things clearly and in multiple ways if necessary. 4. Keeping the student and their goals clearly in mind. He is not going to try to crank out a number of identical sounding students. My daughter is a teenager, and in a vocal program at school. He works to give her a strong foundation and to learn how sing without putting strain her voice. My husband wishes to sing well enough to sing with others in a band. Each has different goals that are respected and Sam works to keep it interesting for them in their different goals. 5. He is very encouraging, clear and honest in his feedback. My daughter enjoys his lessons very much and always comes away encouraged. My husband was initially somewhat skeptical that any teacher could be as great as I said Sam was, but was quickly converted. read more

I've dabbled in signing throughout elementary and middle school, but it was only in high school choir that I got serious. I was interested in a singing instructor to keep up with the classes. But although I tried a few, none of them stuck with me. One day, the topic of singing coaches came up for college a capella. The school year was almost over, but my friend told me to give Sam a shot and meet him over the summer. Best advice I've gotten in a long time. I knew from day 1 that Sam was in a different league from other teachers. One of the most impressive things about Sam is that he'll sing any song you show him better than the recording itself. He's mastered so many little nuances, and taught me to appreciate them as well. And, to put it bluntly, he made my voice sound better. It wasn't bad before, but he taught me how to access my whole voice and figure out what I really sound like. You wouldn't believe how much easier its been to expand my range since then. Going from choir to solo and a capella doesn't sound like a big change, but I quickly learned that it makes all the difference. He's very supportive and has made it clear that my deadline for preparing songs is his priority. And he's always creative when it comes to teaching certain techniques - I have a bag of balloons I bring to every class. Before we even get started, I have to blow 5 seconds without my face going red. read more

I contacted Sam Shin with no vocal training/experience whatsoever, but simply had a thirst to learn and improve my abilities. I expected to be taught some techniques and maybe a few tricks necessary to grow accordingly, but soon found out Sam's lessons had an incredible amount of depth. With sincerity I can say that I'm always surprised at what I take away from his lessons. After my first class, not only did I leave his studio with unknown knowledge and helpful techniques to work with, but I gained new perspectives with life lessons that I strangely needed to hear. He starts off class by being completely human with you, asking how you are, how things are going and set's a climate where you feel comfortable. This is not to say he is not ready for business however. He is well prepared with an individualized lesson and his techniques really ensure fruit for your labor, as long as you are serious about improving. He won't provide sugarcoated critiques, which I really appreciate from a teacher. I've been taking his lessons for a few months now and his training really has helped me improve my vocal confidence and abilities exponentially. Sam Shin is not only a great teacher, but a great life mentor as well. P.S. He always makes sure to demonstrate the techniques he wants you to practice with and use, but just know that you'll be blown away at his talent every time. Seriously. read more

I decided to start looking for a voice coach for my daughter Taylor in the fall of 2014. I asked friends and looked at reviews. I entered Sam Shin's website and knew I had found her coach. His mission statement and choice of studio name touched my heart El Melody, "E" for everlasting and "L" for love - God's Love. I immediately contacted him and set up an appointment. Mr. Sam greeted us with a warm smile and his signature hat. He sang a few bars while he played the keyboard, and it was honestly some of the sweetest music we've ever heard. Sam asked my daughter to sing so he could assess her needs. We discussed her goals musically and beyond. He made my daughter feel comfortable and we signed on. Sam began instruction with the fundamentals - defining types of breathing, breathing techniques and exercises, musical terminology, exposure to various genres of music, etc. It was weeks before actual singing began. Sam was first building a foundation. Then with encouragement and guidance he elicited the best out of Taylor. The year culminated in a rehearsal at a Grammy-winning recording studio and a tear jerker performance of "Beautiful" at Jammin Java with a live band. Each lesson with Sam feels like a spiritual experience. He is knowledgeable and exudes a love of music and people. Taylor's life has been enriched by Sam's mentorship. Liza read more

When I started lessons with Sam Shin, I was a first timer, a pure beginner at singing. And now less than a year later I've improved and grew in many more ways than I even knew I could. He could pinpoint exactly what my weaknesses and problems were and ways to solve them. Some of the techniques honestly were like magic. My range has increased, my breath control has become easier, and my tonality became much fuller. I have also learned so much about the theories behind the mechanics such as how your vocal chords work and the process of how sound is made. However, other than these technical aspects, he's taught me to become a better musician, to have that confidence for artistic expression. El Melody is the perfect place to go to for pop and contemporary singing and any other styles totally up to you. It can also either be solo or group singing (duet, trio, etc.). I actually began taking the lessons initially with my boyfriend and it was a VERY fun experience to be able to sing and harmonize with someone. Other than being a commendable and knowledgeable musician, Sam is a very genuine and easy going person. He is very easy to talk to and has a great humor. I definitely 100% recommend him to anyone no matter what skill level you are at. I am so thankful and lucky to have decided to go to Sam as my first vocal teacher. read more

I started taking voice lessons for the first time at the age of 53 from Sam. My only other musical experiences were singing in a church choir as a teenager and taking piano lessons for a couple of years when I was in middle school. I chose Sam because of his willingness to accept different types of voices and his terrific and positive reviews. I have never questioned my choice. When I started with Sam, my voice was weak. I could basically carry a tune, but definitely not in a public setting and definitely not one that was outside of the middle-of-the-road range. I took lessons so I could feel more confident in my singing ability and improve my voice. Sam started by teaching me how to breath while singing. I'll admit that it was hard work and not the most exciting, but it has made a huge difference in my ability. My range has been broadened and my voice is much stronger than when I began 8 months ago. During that time we have worked on music theory, rhythm, harmony, different types of music, etc. The key for me is that I have always found Sam very patient and encouraging yet at the same time mindful of the technical expertise needed to improve one's voice. I highly recommend him for someone like me and definitely for anyone who has a more natural musical talent! read more

I contacted Sam about four months ago to inquire about taking lessons with my female bandmate, and he was able to accomodate us as a pair. We have very different vocal types and challenges to overcome (emotion, power and vocal endurance have been my main hurdles), but he's helped us sound better both individually and as a duo. I've been a singer for many years, but in the months since I met Sam, my voice has improved dramatically. Friends and family who have heard me sing for decades noticed a difference in both confidence and quality after only a few weeks. His teaching style is encouraging, but straightforward when it comes to what you need to work on. He always reminds us that our voices are instruments, and like any instrument, improvement comes with effort and practice. Many times we'll work on drills that seem ridiculous or pointless, but the results are both immediately obvious and surprisingly helpful days later. He never asks us to do anything that he can't do himself - sometimes he'll demonstrate a technique and it's hard not to be blown away. Also, his hat selection is on point. I'd highly recommend Sam to anyone looking for a voice coach. My only regret is not starting years ago. It's worth every penny, and you won't be disappointed. read more

I began taking vocal lessons from Sam Shinn / El Melody, in early 2014. After attending his classes for 6 months I had to take some time off for family business; but I continued practicing on my own using the techniques Sam taught me. Now having returned, my voice is stronger than when I first began and getting stronger! This is a testimony to Sam Shinn's God-given talents and to the goodness of our Lord. You see, in 2009 I had surgery on my neck, which impacted my vocal chords. Suddenly, after years of singing, amateur and professional, my vocals were gone! To say the least I was devastated and even depressed. But praise to God and thanks to Sam I am now a lead in my church's praise team where I can worship with my whole being. Thank you Sam for being a part of my healing from God! If you want to excel in your vocal abilities, stage presence, and inner confidence with a strong sense of accomplishment then Sam Shinn/El Melody Academy is where you want to attend and invest in yourself. Debra Ovall Award winning Actress/Artist read more

I sing bass in a local semi-professional a cappella group and before that sang in a group in college. I did not have any prior vocal training, so I had plenty of weak points coming in to lessons with Sam starting a few months ago. We first started out on proper breathing technique and have since moved to sound placement techniques and making my tone less nasal. In the process, I've increased my high range and my tone has definitely been improving. Sam is really good about finding songs that fit my voice and present things to work through (phrasing, 'feeling' the song, proper support for belting, etc). Some of my best karaoke go-tos now are from songs he suggested that I worked on. The only downside I can see is location if you don't have a car.. Annandale is not the most convenient for public transit in downtown DC, but thankfully I have a car and it's a speedy 25 minute drive down 395. I'd highly suggest anyone who wants to become a better soloist, singer, or musician consider Sam. Reasonably priced and great quality instruction. read more

My daughter has been taking lessons from Mr. Shin for almost 2 months now. Let me tell you, the difference is amazing. She had been taking vocal lessons for a year prior to Mr. Shin and has progressed more in 2 months with him then her previous instructor. Also, Mr. Shin lesson plans are customized for each individual and he takes a comprehensive approach towards vocal instruction that includes music theory, fundamental concepts and exercises. He not only wants to teach to sing but desires his students to see vocals as a form of art and skill. I could not be more pleased with Mr. Shin. My daughter is already prepping for a performance and Mr. Shin has agreed to assist her and provide mentor-ship during the performance prepping process. His desire is for his students to succeed and his approach captures many variables I did not know existed. I am looking forward to watching my daughter grow and succeed in her vocal endeavors. Her and my confidence has been significantly increased knowing Mr. Shin will be by her side the entire way! read more