Vocal Training
Ready to unlock a level of vocal freedom you have never known? Your body is your instrument and we can help you get aligned and in tune.
As you get more connected in your body, a freer, more supported voice emerges.
Here are some examples work Erika has done with previous clients:
Develop a customized, quick pre-show physical warm up to release whole body tension
Increase lung capacity for long phrases and long sets
Prepare to sing at altitude at Red Rocks Amphitheater without getting out of breath
Restore core and pelvic floor function for better breath support after pregnancy
Teach self-myofascial release to unwind the neck tension from being on a tour bus
Resolve nagging back pain that brings tension to the body and voice
Create a mobile, whole-body strength training program that also supports the voice
Navigate the changes that come in menopause that influence vocal range and stamina
Improve balance and posture for a better and more enjoyable experience on stage
Prevent cancelled shows due to voice lost and vocal rest
“Erika’s unique expertise has helped to change my life. After giving birth to two children, she has given me the tools to be more able-bodied again, personally as a mama and professionally as a singer.”
-
“I am now able to be a more active and agile mama again because of her, without fear of pain. I feel like I got a part of myself back that I’d thought was otherwise lost, all due to Erika’s specialized training.
I am also a more capable singer again because of Erika’s rare skill set. I never knew how intimately connected the voice and the pelvic floor are. After my last birth, my voice was left compromised in a way that was flummoxing even top vocal specialists. Erika’s one-of-a-kind practical, specific breath and physical strengthening approach has helped me regain my vocal control and clarity. She’s given me the tools I now use every day to grow stronger and stronger.
And if that wasn’t enough, HOW Erika goes about all this is deeply supportive. She will create a program that is specific to your individual needs and gently walk you through each step like a loving friend and coach. I cannot recommend Erika enough!"
- Joy Williams,
Grammy-winning artist
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
“What makes Erika different from anyone I’ve ever worked with is the way she considers every aspect of the body, not just the voice. I was referred to her by the Vanderbilt Voice Clinic, and working with her was truly life-changing.”
-
“Although my vocal folds were healthy, muscle tension was interfering with my singing. Erika helped me release tension throughout my body and introduced me to pelvic floor integration. This not only transformed my singing but also improved how I breathe when working out or lifting weights, preventing patterns that could cause future vocal issues.
I genuinely wish every professional voice user had access to her knowledge. With her guidance, we’d see fewer injuries and better long-term stamina and power. Stronger, healthier voices do not just come from the vocal folds or diaphragmatic breathing. The voice reflects tension, power and mobility throughout the entire body. Erika addresses so many layers of physiology, performance and recovery for a stronger, healthier voice. Erika is the real deal.
As a professional opera singer, I’ve encountered many so-called experts promising quick fixes. I’m naturally cautious, but I trust Erika completely with my voice, my body, and even the mental side of performance and recovery. That trust is huge. She’s there for all of it: the body, the voice, and the mind.
If you’re struggling vocally, Erika and her network can help you through even the scariest, most debilitating times. I can promise you won’t regret reaching out. Her knowledge and vision deserve to be part of every singer’s training.”
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
- Keri Alkema,
International Opera Singer
“Erika showed me how to use my body and pelvic floor correctly so I can perform and stay strong at the same time. ”
“Before working with Erika I was really struggling to find balance between my fitness goals and my voice. After losing 40 pounds from lifting, it was hard feeling like I couldn’t keep doing what I loved in the gym because of my singing. Erika showed me how to use my body and pelvic floor correctly so I can perform and stay strong at the same time. She’s completely changed how I approach both fitness and singing and helped me find the best version of both.”
- Ashlie Amber,
Singer-songwriter and actress
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Yes! I coach many male professional voice users. Often their voice issues are rooted in habits they have collected while strength training in the gym. I can make adjustments to their exercise selection and programming that can help to open up the voice. Many of my male clients are surprised to learn that their hernias, back or hip pain, and neck tension is actually a pelvic floor issue in disguise. After our work together, they often find that their vocal range and stamina has improved, as well as general mobility and athleticism. The systems all work together.
-
I am not a voice coach, I am a strength coach and body mechanic. I work alongside many of Nashville’s top voice coaches, Speech-Language Pathologists and vocal surgeons. My work is in biomechanics and getting your posture, airflow and diaphragm optimized so that your body is in the best position to sing with freedom and ease. Then your voice coach can help you fine tune technique placement.
-
I prefer to start in-person in Nashville with vocalists. I find I can get more done in 1 hour in-person than in 5 hours online. Once I have learned your body’s patterns and you get the feel of the exercises, I can work virtually to support you as a touring artist.
-
Everyone! I have worked across genres and professions: country, rock, metal, gospel, opera and r&b. Newscasters, podcasters, TedX speakers, as well as teachers, therapists, police officers, group fitness instructors or anyone else who uses their voice will see more power, control and stamina by addressing the whole body.
-
Yes, I have traveled to meet clients in support of big shows or to offer help for vocal trouble that pops up while on tour. Availability varies.
-
Yes, I have spoken at vocal conferences and my presentations are often the talk of the event. There is a significant and growing body of research about the connection between the voice, pelvic floor and breath mechanics. I love to educate groups about all the possibilities for improving vocal function in novel and innovative ways.
More Messages from Happy Clients
“As a life-long, professional musician, I am blown away by my experience with Erika. I wasn't sure what to expect--I'd heard she was a combination of personal trainer, vocal therapist, and voice magician.
“I could sense that I had not been breathing freely and was running into tension in certain areas of my voice. In one hour, she helped me feel my breath support in a completely different way with exercises that made my whole body feel renewed. I suddenly felt taller, lighter, and even my walking gait felt more fluid. We practiced an unfamiliar physical stance and suddenly I was singing more freely and in a range that had eluded me for some time. I will definitely be incorporating what I learned and can't wait to go back!!”
- Deanna Walker,
Senior Lecturer in Songwriting, Vanderbilt Blair School of Music
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
“I tried vocal therapy at several medical institutions with no success, but Erika completely changed my life! Since I began incorporating the exercises and strategies I learned with her, I haven’t lost my voice once.”
“Erika is truly a miracle worker!! Before working with Erika, I lost my voice after any gathering- a group dinner, a networking event, and even my own wedding. As a therapist, my voice concerns often required me to cancel work as well. Learning to connect with my pelvic floor and use my breath was the piece I didn’t know I was missing. Discomfort related to my pelvic floor has eased, and even my low back and knee pain have lessened. I feel more embodied in every part of my life.”
- Bridget Krantz,
Therapist, Licensed Master Social Worker
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL