Where do I even begin with the incredible Jonathan Stancato? He has been an absolute treasure of a…read morecoach, mentor, and overall fantastic human to have in my life--a godsend. A talented, intuitive, intelligent, encouraging, and impactful coach that has guided me to so much growth. His impact is vast and noticeable in both my personal, singing, and corporate/professional life. Jonathan takes the time to get to know his students/clients and is then able to truly show up for them--he's always present. His work is highly tailored and you can guarantee when you leave a session with him, you'll feel lighter, happier, stronger, and empowered. He taught me things about my voice, and how it translates to other (seemingly) non-vocally related aspects of my life; I'm talking eye opening, jaw-dropping type stuff. Over a year of working together on a bi-weekly cadence, the learnings are endless, awe-inspiring, and quite frankly, worth every penny and more. 5/5 stars doesn't feel like an adequate rating when you're talking about life changing work but, I suppose it'll have to do. In short, if you're considering hiring Jonathan, DO IT ASAP.

I took a few voice lessons with Jonathan to improve my speaking and singing voice. I discovered…read morethat my real voice was much lower than what I was used to. To my surprise, many people have complimented my speaking voice since then. I considered the lessons as masterclasses as they were unconventional but extremely effective. Highly recommend!

I normally don't write reviews but everyone needs to know about Pearson Studios. I have been a…read morebroadway actor for 8 years, most recently in Beetlejuice the Musical, and I FINALLY found a brilliant vocal coach, music director, arranger and accompanist. But Scott offers so much more! Due to the pandemic everything has gone virtual and because of Pearson Studios I was able to pivot during the pandemic. Scott also has a state of the art recording studio and is a fabulous sound engineer and videographer. I now have a commercial voice-over demo (which landed me a commercial agent and a few v/o gigs), and also very professional self-tapes for my theatre and tv/film auditions. Not only does he offer his accompaniment and coaching skills, but he uses a professional microphone and protools, and a very fancy camera and back drop which totally ups my game! He also offers excellent acting coaching as well as acts as my reader. He is a one stop shop! Once I went to Pearson studios all my stress was taken away. I started receiving callbacks and just booked a brand new Off-Broadway show from only my self-tape submission. I can't speak highly enough about Scott. He is very professional and personable and makes music and theatre fun. I promise you'll have an amazing experience.

Scott is the best. My daughter was a member of the HCT Junior Company and is currently a member of…read morethe TaDa Resident Youth Ensemble. She's had a number of teachers since she started singing at the age of 5 - and Scott has been the most helpful and knowledgeable teacher of them all. She loves him.

I don't write a lot of reviews but I am so happy with the results of my daughters lessons with…read moreIrina that I am taking the time to write this. I have a 14 yr old daughter who's dream is to be on broadway. She loves singing but her passion is much bigger than her voice. I believe passion is something that should be nurtured so I spent thousands of dollars on voice lessons over the past 3 years. Emily worked hard. After about a year and a half of lessons, though, with a different New York based vocal school, she seemed to plateau. She still practiced all the time and loved it but eventually started to get frustrated. Finally she was passed over for any main singing roles in her school play, and it was the last straw for her. She came home and said she was giving up singing. And she was serious. This broke my heart. Not because I want her to be a famous singer, but because I know how much she really does love singing and her spirit was broken. Shortly thereafter I was speaking to a friend at work about our kids and he recommended I have Emily take a trial lesson with his daughters teacher, Irina Fields. I made the call and I am so happy I did! First of all Irina comes with "cred". She is cool and hip and pretty as well as being an accomplished artist. Emily loved her instantly. She has the patience of a saint and has the same passion for singing that I see in Emily. While studying with Irina, My daughter has become very knowledgeable about the intricacies of this technique called "Bel canto". She does drills every day and not just singing drills. I see her laying on the floor practicing breathing and she describes in detail the science behind singing with this bel canto technique. She is full of passion again and it's awesome. It's been about 9 months now since Emily started lessons with Irina and the results have been nothing short of amazing. I can clearly hear a dramatic difference in Emily's voice and more important, in her confidence and happiness. Thank you Irina! (Voice whisperer!)

I am a NYC based yoga teacher, sometimes I need to lead the class through singing mantras at the…read morebeginning of class. I had a huge phobia of singing in front of people so I went to Irina for direction on where to begin. She has an encouraging and informative, grounding presence and in just a few lessons of Bel Canto I feel as though I can go step by step to ease my fear of singing in front of others. She taught me proper breath support using my diaphragm. These techniques helped to make my voice sound bigger and clear even though I was nervous. I highly recommend her to a novice like myself or someone who is interested in Bel Canto technique to improve their craft.

I've been working with Ellie over Skype only over the last 1.5 years. I have taken around 35-40…read morelessons from her over that period. I've always loved to sing but never taken formal lessons. Let me start by saying that Ellie is an extremely perceptive teacher that - as shocking as that is - notices more about my posture and body tension over a Skype connection (often a crappy one) than I initially noticed myself. I didn't know how to breathe properly - Ellie taught me how to breathe. I have tried taking lessons with other teachers and I heard comments on how good my breathing is. I have found that learning to breathe properly gave me a deeper, fuller sound. Ellie's perceptive instructions helped me eliminate tension and bad singing habits. I love the exercises she gave me, they are fun to do and really build the voice. Doing them over and over again helped me build both my speaking and singing voices - with much less tension. Ellie is also careful when teaching. I had a bad vocal injury from another teacher that rendered me unable to sing for around 6 months. Ellie was very supportive and helped me rehab my voice. I really appreciate that Ellie is kind and careful and makes sure we don't do anything that could mess up your voice. Finally, I really enjoy every lesson because we start with various scale exercises - each time I learn how to use my body/voice properly. At the end we sing a song of my choice to a karaoke track that I play. This makes lessons a real vocal work out, challenging (but safe) and also great fun because I get to sing the songs that I love. I am bilingual and I love that in addition to all the English songs that I love I can sing songs in my native language - and Ellie is totally on board with that. Finally, Ellie is a very kind, fun person with an amazing sense of humor that immediately puts you at ease all while giving you valuable feedback that you need to hear! I would highly recommend Ellie as a singing teacher, she taught me skills that will last a life time - my ease, resonance, and fluidity in both my speaking and singing voices had increased dramatically. You cannot go wrong with Ellie as your technique teacher.

I love to sing but have been told my entire life that I am tone deaf and can't carry a tune. After…read moremuch encouragement from my daughter, I signed up and today I had my first lesson with Lars. He was fantastic. He went at a pace that worked for me and totally calmed me down as I was pretty nervous. And guess what? I CAN sing but have been doing it wrong for all these years. He taught me how to breathe and that my range is actually much higher than I thought - it was pretty amazing. I went from nearly crying with fear to singing a tune pretty decently! I can't wait until my next lesson!!! And I am sure he is phenomenal with experienced singers as they can't be as hard to teach as I was! Thank you so much Lars!

We had a very disappointing experience at Next Step Broadway. The staff was fully aware that my…read moredaughter has an ADHD diagnosis, and we consistently communicated and shared strategies to support her. Unfortunately, the program does not accommodate or support children with special needs. Staff reacted harshly to behaviors related to her diagnosis and made decisions about my child without communicating with us first. There was little understanding, flexibility, or inclusivity. I would not recommend this place to families looking for an inclusive and supportive environment.

If I could give 100 stars to Next Step Broadway, I would. Before deciding on NSB, we tried a few of…read morethe other local programs a well-known Manhattan program. Comparing all, I can say with confidence that NSB was by far, the best choice for us for the past 6 years. I can't say enough about this program. From the owner, Morgan, who is amazing and supportive, to Keisa, who is just a powerhouse, an inspiration and mentor, to all of the teachers and staff (many of whom, including Morgan and Keisa, are former Rockettes) who create a rigorous, yet collegial environment for expression, this program is top notch. The best part is not that the students who wish to will be prepared for any profession program (which many former students have gone on to do). What's most impressive to me is that NSB has become an extension of our village, supporting the important life lessons that matter to us. At NSB, my daughter and others learn that perfecting your craft and even winning national championships, (as the Triple Threats do) is important, but it's also important to show respect for yourself, your art and others, and that it's possible to be the best, be a serious dancer and still be kind and have fun and maybe make some lifelong friends along the way.

I've been working with Kayla virtually for 2 years, and it's no exaggeration to say it has changed…read moremy life. Kayla has helped me free parts of my voice (and myself) that I didn't have access to before. I went from a traumatized former theater kid, only ever singing in the car, to performing rock music on stage and writing my own songs. Kayla isn't just a great teacher, she's also a wonderful human. She's endlessly supportive, funny, kind, warm, and knows exactly how and when to push me past my self imposed limits. Whether it's technique, confidence, or just being my authentic self, I have grown in more areas than I ever imagined I could. The most exciting thing is that it still feels like we've only scratched the surface of what I'm capable of! I love working with Kayla and would recommend her to anyone who wants to fall in love with themselves and their own voice.

I came to Kayla for my very first vocal lesson, having never sung before and honestly feeling quite…read morestuck. From the moment I walked in, she created a space where I felt safe enough to simply make sound out loud -- something that was both amazing and liberating. In our very first session, she asked me to say: "Hi, my name is Yunny. I am a singer and I have a beautiful voice." It felt surreal -- I had never considered myself a singer, let alone someone with a "beautiful voice." That small exercise opened a door to a whole new identity I didn't know I could try on. Each lesson begins with a simple yet profound question: "How has your voice been? What has it said to you?" It's such an eye-opening way to check in, and it has helped me hear my voice -- and myself -- more clearly. Over time, I've grown more comfortable with the sound of my own voice, and I feel more connected to it than ever. What makes Kayla special is that she sees something in you that you might not yet see in yourself. She guides with warmth, professionalism, and authenticity. Her teaching isn't just about technique; it's about creating a space where your voice feels free to emerge. If you're curious about exploring your voice -- whether you're a complete beginner like me or more experienced -- I couldn't recommend Kayla enough. She's not just teaching singing; she's helping people find their voice in the deepest sense.

I have had a pleasure of studying with Evelyn La Quaif and I can confidently say that she is an…read moreoutstanding voice teacher. Her expertise, patience, and personalized approach have helped me grow tremendously as a singer.Evelyn has a deep understanding of vocal technique, from breath control and resonance to diction and pitch accuracy. Whether preparing for the roles she equips students with the tools to perform confidently, including stage presence and emotional expression. Her guidance will help you unlock your full vocal potential. Highly recommended!

I am a practicing physician and a perpetual student of singing. For more than fifty years, I have…read morebeen continuously taking vocal lessons from many professional singers. I typically switched after three years when my progress would plateau after the same study routines. I have been studying with Miss Evelyn LaQuaif for the past 20 years and am happily surprised that in my mid-seventies, I am singing my very best and still improving. Most of my previous teachers gave me metaphoric inspiration, as I would hopelessly imitate their better voices. But how could I get there? Miss LaQuaif is the only one who taught me the physical mechanics of good singing. She offers details that are palpable and teaches hands on: "Belly breathing...use your ribs...your tongue is too loose...guide your voice with your hand...oh, you forgot to rest..." Miss LaQuaif is a multi-talented artist that has that rare talent and sensitivity to feel and guide the students' muscle coordination -- minute details of tongue, palate, throat, and diaphragm that are invisible to ordinary people's external observation. She has the ear and mental conception for what is naturally beautiful in the student's voice. Her method of teaching is creative and often changing. The result: a strengthening of the singing muscles and shedding counterproductive habits that have stood in the student's way. Throw in a little psychology, human empathy, and a profound respect of the art of singing -- then you may sense what Miss LaQuaif is like as a teacher. -JCWM

I have been studying with Judy for almost two and a half years and I have nothing but positive…read morethings to say. From the first trial lesson with her, I knew that I finally found the right teacher. I came to Judy because I loved music and I just wanted to learn to sing. I never imagined that I would be able to develop the voice that I have now. I started with a small voice. Now, through her training, I have a voice with range and power. It takes dedication and hard work but her method works! Judy advocates for vocal health and knowledge. She wants her students to learn to take care of their voices and be in full control of their technique. I don't abuse my voice singing difficult material! I feel very confident in my understanding of vocal science, and I have Judy to thank! Judy not only works on enhancing your technique. She works on developing every aspect of becoming a real singer. This includes artistry and performance. I am a very shy person and Judy has helped me to be able to stand up and sing in front of a room of people. I have been lucky enough to perform at the Bitter End! Her studio is full of amazing students. She encourages you to bond with other people in the class, and I have made some incredible friends who are also passionate about their work. I don't think I would be the person that I am without studying with Judy. I feel very confident and strong, and its because even on the days I felt discouraged, Judy was always there for me. She is a rare teacher because she cares about her students in every way. I work a full time job and she is always considerate of this and working with me to make sure I can make it for my lesson. She takes the time to listen and get to know you as a friend. If you want to really learn to sing study with Judy because she will encourage you to be the best that you can be!

Where do I start with this review. I came to Judy with no voice, no experience and absolutely no…read moretraining. But I came with a great attitude and willingness to learn. I was immediately surrounded by people with passion and willingness to share their experience with music (her students). Her technique is complex but it's also learnable and fun. The technique is called Bel Canto. You also get group technique and voice building lessons. The voice building lessons are critical as well as practice time. A year after, you would have never known that I could not sing AT ALL and that I had no previous experience. I continue to work with Judy because she is an excellent teacher and she's passionate about her work. My voice continues to get better week after week, sequence after sequence. I even produced a full show with some of the students last year at The Bitter End. I sang live in NYC. Something I never thought I would be able to do. Again, if you are looking for a solid teacher, for someone who will TRANSFORM your voice, Judy is the BEST!

First time around, I was confused. Wait, we start from bottom of range and build up to a higher…read morerange? I was used to being told by my previous teacher that I needed to start from middle of range and vocalize to the top to build on the lower range. What I did not realize is that her purpose is to get all of her students to sing relaxed with a neutral larynx position at a quiet volume and build up to a large sound once the vocal chords can relax from bottom to top without stretching the chords. The key is a gentle and natural zipping of the chords that occurs naturally when we speak correctly, however with a background of vocal strain some gentle vocalizing is required to build strength in the vocal chords so that you have one, unified voice and not two or three distinct voices. The whole process might seem unusual and unlike other teacher's you have studied from, but I assure you, she has spoken the most sense to me than any teacher I have ever had and I have had several at the university and throughout the seemingly professional community of south and north orange county. I am appalled that there are not more quality and caring and gifted teachers like Jennylyn. She is not only great at breaking down things in an easy-to-understand way, but she is a kind and giving person who will truly support hard-working and driven individuals. She will encourage you and challenge you and she will help you reach your goals, be that becoming a better singer for fun or a professional career.

As I clicked on the option to rate this business with five stars, a corresponding message comes up…read moreon my screen, saying "Woohoo! As good as it gets!" I thought to myself, "how apt." I firmly believe that in terms of vocal teachers in a Orange County, Jennylyn Chung is as good as voice teachers get. Her traditional Bel Canto style of singing is especially what makes her studio so fantastic for every style of singer. I started taking lessons from Jennylyn because I had talked to one of her students, who recommended that I try a lesson with her. The voice teacher I had before Jennylyn had me straining and belting, which hurt in the process and eventually did negative things to my voice. For so long, I was under the impression that singing was work and that this wear-and-tear I was experiencing would eventually iron itself out, which is what my teacher seemed to think. She didn't seem to take my concerns seriously and brushed them under a rug. Right off the bat, Jennylyn started helping me rebuild my technique. Unfortunately, I had to start from square one again because everything I knew was strained. Since then, Jennylyn has helped me take almost all of the tension out of my voice and replaced it with comfortability, ease, and confidence. I cannot say that I've quite arrived in the time that I've been taking lessons from her, but I know that with every day that passes, I'm getting closer and closer to my goal. I'd recommend Jennylyn to anyone and everyone who is serious about learning to sing well. Don't waste your money with teachers that teach at a university and claim to be an amazing teacher by backing their argument up with their degrees. Jennylyn does have a Masters in vocal performance (if I remember correctly) from Cal Baptist University, but her experience in the real world, having been with countless misguided teachers, is was really makes her the most competent voice teacher in Orange County. Jenny's extensive experience with many types of teachers and teaching styles gives her a clear picture of what vocal students often go through. She knows a damaged voice when she sees one and she can help fix and repair it. Even for those without damaged voices, Jennylyn knows how to lay the foundations down so that you can reach your full potential, no matter where you've come from in the time that you've been singing. The bottom line is that if you want to take voice lessons with a teacher who really knows what technique to teach and how to teach it, come to Jennylyn. I can't imagine that you'd be disappointed.

Suzanne is an incredible voice teacher and has helped me with my speeches as well! She has also…read morehelped me with my presentations as well. She is great, positive energy and I'm always looking forward to the next lesson! She really teaches from the heart, and has incredible technique! Can't recommend her enough!

From the owner: PLEASE NOTE: Teacher of voices age 17 to age 50. Learn how…read moreto sing freely and naturally. Teaching includes correct breathing technique, body alignment, and movement with dramatic & vocal expression. Singing lessons for auditions and performances on stages of Broadway musicals, concerts & opera. Speech lessons for job interviews & presentations, diction, public speaking and speech accents. Acting classes are now offered! Lessons offered in studio, Skype, Zoom. Studio accepts beginners age 16 and up, as well as pro-level singers.