One on One Voice Lessons

I believe that every human has the ability to learn how to sing well.

Singing is not reserved for the few who possess talent, rather it is a skill that can be honed with practice and repetition, just like any other skill. Whether you are preparing for a performance or simply wishing to expand your self expression, learning to sing well is a rewarding practice. 

Using techniques passed down from my teachers, I apply a variety of strength building exercises to help uncover your strong singing voice. I lean into your unique vocal strengths while using targeted exercises to navigate problem areas. The techniques are aimed at unifying the entire vocal range by mixing registers, bringing the lighter upper voice down and the strong belty voice up, without straining, until your entire voice has the beautiful qualities of both registers.  I do this through navigating the places where “cracks” or “breaks” might feel limiting.

Lessons can be in person or online using Skype.
In person lessons are hosted at Ayla’s Voice Studio in Saint Johns district in Portland Oregon. Address to be released after your lesson is scheduled. Ayla will reach out to schedule lesson after purchase.

What to expect

The first half of the lesson is dedicated to practicing unique vocal exercises tailored to your vocal ability. These exercises can feel primal, outrageous or silly, but I encourage you to trust the process and sing them out anyway.

The second half is using the techniques from the vocal exercises to workshop a song of your choosing.

My preference is to work on a song that you are already familiar with so we can focus on the vocal technique as you sing, instead of remembering the words or notes. However, I am available to teach specific songs note by note if that is wanted or needed.

I will not provide accompaniment. Please bring your own if desired, however no accompaniment works just as well.

You are encouraged to bring a device to record your lessons so that you may easily practice the techniques on your own time, and track your improvement. Recordings also reveal the stark difference between what you think you sound like and what you actually sound like.

If you are preparing for a performance, I will focus on honing your strengths. If you are wanting to improve, I will focus on integrating the practiced exercises into your singing voice.

Student Testimonials

Lisa Hubbard:

I cannot thank Ayla enough for her invaluable guidance and support in my journey to regain and reinforce my vocal abilities. She is a joy to work with, always approaching our sessions with sincerity and playfulness.

After suffering damage to my vocal cords, I lost the ability to sing for some time, which was devastating and left me feeling defeated. However, with Ayla's expert guidance and encouragement, I was able to build up the courage to step out of my comfort zone and sing again, even with the potential for imperfections due to the damage.

After 2 years of feeling lost, I feared I’d never have my vocal abilities again, I’m happy to say that I can and do enjoy my voice again! She has helped me rebuild confidence in my voice and I am eternally grateful for her help. 

Carrie Stiles:

Singing with Ayla is deeply joyful. I feel genuinely elated with her guidance. I’ve tapped into a powerful depth of creative freedom through her liberating coaching style. Ayla is sincerely thrilled when I hit a note, and access my vocal strength. Her happiness at my progress is so encouraging.

Ayla created a safe space for me to open my voice and sing unapologetically. Through her techniques and empowerment I’ve been able to unlock my inner child’s desire to set my voice free!

I highly recommend singing with Ayla if you want vocal power, creative freedom and a liberating experience.

Ali Pullen:

Through Ayla’s singing workshops and private voice lessons, I feel like I have finally been able to reconnect with my own artist child inside and have tapped into a power inherent within myself that had been dormant for a long time.

Through Ayla’s one-on-one sessions, I have been able to explore my voice in a safe and sacred container without any judgment; and this component is so important and crucial for me, being someone who often experienced criticism, ridicule, or shame for sharing my truth and using my voice, and still carries a deep seeded fear of this now as an adult.

Through these powerful and transformative sessions, I have slowly witnessed the wall of armor melt away to create more space, more openness, & more acceptance of myself.

Protea Grows:

I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect when I started voice lessons with Ayla. I hadn’t taken any lessons before and didn’t know exactly what I was wanting out of it, but after experiencing a group workshop facilitated by her, I knew I wanted to learn more.

My expectations have been far exceeded. Ayla is extremely patient and gives encouraging, helpful feedback. It’s evident she has a genuine desire to see me succeed. She’s helped me identify and coax out the voice that’s been begging to be heard.

Working with her has left me shocked at sounds I never imagined I would be able to make, and leaves me excited to continue exploring what is possible.