How to Find an
Exceptional Singing Teacher
A complete guide to picking the singing teacher who fits you best
Rose Park
11/15/21 • updated 9/2/25 • 4 min read
Finding the right singing teacher can feel challenging, whether you are searching online or meeting instructors in person. It isn’t always clear who has the right mix of professionalism, experience, and personality to help you reach your musical goals.
You might wonder: how do you choose between two instructors? How can you tell if one teacher explains things more clearly, offers better guidance, or simply makes learning more enjoyable?
Here are some key things to think about before signing up for lessons with a potential singing teacher.
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Start strong with an experienced singing instructor
Many singing students begin with a lower cost teacher and later switch to someone more experienced. That change can create confusion and make it harder to unlearn habits, which may take time to fix.
Every singing teacher has a unique approach to lessons. Some focus more on technique and vocal exercises, while others emphasize expression and musical storytelling. The best fit helps you develop both strong vocal skills and an authentic voice.
Check the teacher's educational background
Degrees in Voice Performance
When possible, take a moment to check the degree your potential teacher earned in college. The most qualified singing instructors often hold advanced degrees, such as a Bachelor’s or Master’s in voice performance from verified music schools. Along with their degrees, they should also be able to demonstrate their skills through recordings, competition prizes, and frequent recital or concert performances.
Here are some questions you can ask about a teacher’s education:
For Parents: If you are looking for a singing teacher for your child, you might start with someone who majored in music education with a focus on voice. These instructors are well prepared to introduce children to the basics — reading music, understanding rhythm and theory, and developing healthy vocal habits. They often have classroom or choir experience as well, which helps keep younger learners engaged.
As your child grows, often within a year or two, it may be time to move on to a teacher with an advanced degree in voice performance. This next step can open the door to more expressive singing, preparation for recitals or competitions, and confidence with more challenging repertoire.
Competitions and Performance Experience
When choosing a singing teacher, see if they highlight their performance accomplishments in their bio or resume. These could include winning awards from opera auditions or competitions, making recordings, joining international voice workshops, or giving solo recitals and touring performances.
A good place to start is by visiting the teacher’s professional website and reading through their bio. If they share recordings of live performances, take some time to watch or listen. This gives you a sense of how they sing, how they express music, and whether their vocal style resonates with you.
An ideal singing teacher will usually list some of the roles they have performed or productions they have taken part in, whether in opera, Broadway, or other vocal settings. Their resume may also summarize experiences such as recitals, tours, summer festivals, masterclasses, and other public performances. These details show that they are active as a performer and can bring valuable real-world experience to their teaching.
Teaching Experience in Singing
Checking a teacher’s degree is a good start, but experience matters too. Look for someone with at least three years of teaching voice. Professional singing teachers often take voice pedagogy courses in college, and that background shows they know how to build a strong foundation for students.
The genre they teach is not what matters most, but it helps to know their specialties. Some focus on Classical or Jazz, while others are more experienced with Contemporary styles like gospel, R&B, or pop. Many also work in Musical Theatre. Knowing their strengths makes it easier to choose a teacher who fits your goals and interests.
Background Check
Not every singing teacher lists this online, but you should check if the teacher has done and passed a comprehensive background check, especially if the lesson is for your child. Some live online singing lesson websites, such as Lesson With You, offer free trial lessons with professional voice instructors who are fully background checked.
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Questions to ask when contacting a singing teacher
Once you have narrowed down a few potential singing teachers, the next step is to talk with them directly. Asking the right questions can help you understand their teaching style and whether they are the right fit for you.
- How many voice students do you currently teach? What ages and levels?
- How do you build a lesson plan? Is your curriculum personalized?
- Do you encourage students to participate in recitals, juries, or competitions?
- What are your practice expectations for beginners and advanced students?
- Do you use any singing method books? If not, what music or repertoire will students work on?
- How do you motivate students to practice and keep improving?
Take a trial lesson first before you commit
When reaching out to a few singing teachers, make sure to ask if they offer a
trial lesson. Taking a trial lesson will give you valuable insights on a few important things:
- Does the teacher speak clearly and ask thoughtful questions about your singing goals? How do they respond to your answers and encourage you to share?
- How does the teacher start and lead the lesson? Is it engaging and enjoyable? Do they demonstrate vocal techniques themselves so you can hear and copy healthy singing?
- What is the teacher’s personality like—warm, supportive, or perhaps more serious? Do they seem approachable and easy to connect with?
- How often does the teacher give feedback? Do they point out areas to improve? How do you feel when receiving their praise and constructive criticism?
- How does the teacher wrap up the lesson? When giving assignments or practice tips, do you leave with a clear idea of what to work on before the next lesson?
Choosing the right singing instructor after a trial lesson
Singing Lesson Costs
According to our recent singing lesson cost guide, the average price is $35 for a half hour lesson. Live online singing lessons through video chat usually range between $20–40 per half hour, while local private lessons average around $40 per half hour. If you prefer in-person group lessons, expect to pay about $20 per half hour.
Flexible Scheduling
An ideal singing instructor should also provide flexible scheduling and rescheduling options. It’s never a great sign when a teacher or student cancels frequently, but having the option to reschedule when unexpected events come up is a big advantage.
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Lesson Reviews
When searching for a singing teacher, either online or in person, make sure to check and read lesson reviews. For online singing lessons, reviews are usually posted on the teacher’s profile. If most reviews — for example, 8 or 9 out of 10 — are positive, it’s a strong sign the teacher delivers high-quality instruction.
If you’re looking for in-person lessons, ask for recommendations from friends, neighbors, or local musicians. You can also search online for singing teachers near you and see if they offer lessons in your area.
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Need help with finding a potential singing teacher?
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Rose Park
Rose Park is a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where she studied Piano Performance and Arts Administration, receiving both Bachelor's and Master's degrees before co-founding Lesson With You. As a pianist, Rose was a prizewinner in many international piano competitions and performed at various summer programs and festivals across the United States, Italy, and Japan.