Schedule Lessons
I work with people who are interested in learning more about themselves and their voices, especially if something doesn't feel good while singing, or if their voice feels uncontrollable or "unknowable".
Singers from all musical backgrounds are welcome. Learning vocal efficiency is the basis for all singing styles.
I also teach voice coaches about voice physiology and anatomy, vocal acoustics, and pedagogy (how to teach).
We achieve the best possible results by focusing on the following topics:
Vocolgy (voice science) and psychology research have come a long way in the last 30 years, offering us a chance to explore sounds based on an understanding of physical function and the connection between the brain, body, and psyche.
The Goal:
Create freedom of vocal expression. When we program vocal efficiency into the body with calm, centered practices, we experience sound in profound new ways.
My Clients Include:
There's more substance and resonance to my sound, and I'm able to hit notes more easily. It's made a difference in how I feel about my singing - more positive - and I project that from the stage. Plus, I'm having more fun, which for me is what it should be about.
- Mickee C.
The work we do here is founded on becoming more authentic and skillful. This requires patience with ourselves on all levels. If you are looking for quick fixes or voice “tricks”, I am probably not the voice instructor for you.
The studio is a safe place to explore sounds - here we learn to trust, hopefully even love, our voices. They are more powerful than any of us can imagine - acoustically and metaphorically.
Liz Johnson Voice Studio is centrally located in the FilmHouse Building in Nashville’s Metro Center neighborhood. From this beautiful hilltop location, clients can access I-65, Germantown, Music Row, and the downtown area within minutes. Click here to see a map.
When visiting the studio, enjoy free parking, a breathtaking three-story atrium waiting area, front desk service, and a modern, discrete atmosphere.
I’ve learned not to be afraid of the size of my voice, to trust that my body knows what it’s doing, and that my instrument sounds exactly like it was designed to sound.
- Kristie McCarthy
Liz has helped me to learn to observe the differences in both myself and my voice on a daily basis. I am learning how to accept and work through many difficult challenges with more insight, patience, love and clarity.
- Christa Mercy
What to Expect from Vocal Lessons in this Studio
Dispelling common fears about the voice
Many people have fear around singing or making sound in general. I often hear things like:
All of these fears can be addressed through voice work. There are many things we can do to make our voice function more efficiently, and to experience a free, authentic singing or speaking sound. Unless there are medical reasons against singing or speaking, many vocal exercises and sounds can and should be explored.
The voice is intimately connected to our physical, emotional, and spiritual selves - for better or for worse. That means our voices can be used as an expression of who we are and who we are becoming.
I’ve gained confidence and a sense that I can grow as a musician. I’ve made better practice habits and seen their fruit. My mind is more open to my voice - I think less about ‘correct’ sounds and more about healthy, new or satisfying sounds.
- Abigail Flowers
I learned there is a way to be more me.
- Danny Strimer, songwriter, recording artist
How do we learn new sounds and vocal expressions?
Consistency, persistence, patience, and openness are the keys to any lasting self improvement. Singing is no different. Again, part of vocal training is programming efficient coordination into the body. This, done with a positive attitude and willingness to have fun with sound, gives people a great advantage in voice training.
Some of the tools used in this studio are:
I know my singing skills have improved because I can sing 4 to 5 gigs a week for 2-3 hours each and keep going if I need to. I used to get tired after one gig, but the Blaylock exercises are a game changer.
- Nikki Elias
What results come from voice work in this studio?
Training a reliable voice is not mysterious or haphazard. Sure, there are cases where voice training does not comply with practiced wisdom. In those instances I refer clients to other voice specialists in the fields of physical therapy, medicine, and psychology. It really does take a team to support our healing and personal growth!
Most voice clients can hear a noticeable difference in even one session. Over time and with consistency, voices of all ages can sound better and more vibrant.
Clients regularly experience improvement in:
There are many benefits to voice work beyond just having a better voice. I hope more people discover their ability to make great sound and have fun in the process.
I’ve learned that developing your instrument isn’t grueling work that takes hours each day. Improvement can be easily achieved by working on it a little bit everyday. After I made this discovery through Liz, my voice drastically improved because she helped me change my mindset and approach. People are often shocked at the progress!
- Claire Maisto, Belmont University Student
About Me
Liz Johnson
I have a Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from Belmont University, and have also completed a Certificate in Vocology through the University of Utah and the National Center for Voice and Speech. I love learning how things work and then using that knowledge to help people grow and heal. My first and second loves are psychology and jazz, which have become the basis for helping singers regain voice ability and more awareness of their innate talents.
In addition to my primary work as a Vocologist (Voice Instructor), I perform jazz, play saxophone, compose, and teach jazz style. I also serve on the Ethics Committee for the Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA) and as the Certificate Program Coordinator for Nashville Jazz Workshop (NJW).
This profession chose me, I didn’t choose it.
I majored in psychology, and after graduating with a degree and certificate in mental health work, moved to Nashville to start my first job. Music City, USA. Saxophone in hand, and a research position to get my adult life started, I jumped into the big pond of music making and the music industry.
A year after moving to Nashville, jazz singing became my first taste of making music vocally, and I instantly fell in love. For over 20 years now I have immersed myself in the world of singing through gigging and, eventually, teaching.
Voice science entered the scene a few years after starting my teaching career. Both which, by the way, happened by accident. Vanderbilt University needed a “jazz voice teacher,” and I enthusiastically said “yes!” only to discover that I love teaching more than any job I’ve ever done.
After attending a seemingly random voice science lecture, my heart again fell for another field: the science behind the voice. A master’s degree in vocal performance and a certificate in vocology later, I now work as a full-time voice technician and entrepreneur.
My career is modeled after and mentored by people like Tom Blaylock of the Northwest Institute of Voice, as well as countless researchers and clinicians such as Ingo Titze, of the National Center for Voice and Speech, and Tom Cleveland, of the Vanderbilt Voice Center.
I’ve spent the last 15 years soaking up as much information and experience as possible in order to be able to help people solve the technical issues that hold their voices back - both physically and emotionally. All of the experience from my seemingly disparate career paths - from research, to domestic violence advocacy, to performance - blend perfectly in the work of helping people find solutions to any number of voice “challenges.”
Check out my free YouTube series called Interviews on Voice Matters, Straws For Voice, and social media and blog dedicated to sharing voice information. You can find this information on the resources page of this website.
Liz Johnson
Website: lizjohnsonvoice.com
Email: liz@lizjohnsonvoice.com
Degrees
Master’s in Commercial Vocal Performance (MM), Belmont University, August 2013
Certificate in Vocology, National Center for Voice and Speech, University of Utah, August 2012
B.S. in Psychology, with a certificate in Mental Health Work, University of Illinois, Champaign, Urbana, May 1997
Voice Teaching Experience
Adjunct Artist Teacher of Jazz Voice, Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University, 2005-2016
Applied Voice Instructor, Trevecca Nazarene University, 2014-2016
Adjunct Professor, Belmont University, 2012-2013. Interim Director: Jazzmin, Jazz Vocal Ensemble I
Private Voice Instructor, East Nashville School of Music, 2007-2011
Adjunct Voice Instructor, Nashville State Community College, 2011-2013
Voice and Performance Faculty, Nashville Jazz Workshop, Nashville, TN, 2008-Present
Private Voice Studio Owner - DBA: Liz Johnson Voice, Voice Habilitation Services, LLC, 2009-Present
Leadership Experience
Ethics Committee, Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA), 2021-Present
Certification Program Coordinator, Nashville Jazz Workshop (NJW), 2017-Present
Communications Committee, Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA), 2019-2020
Central Governor, Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA), 2017-2019
President and Co-founder, Nashville Vocal Pedagogy Colloquium, 2014-2017
Trainings
The Resilient Heart: Trauma Sensitive HeartMath Training, HeartMath Institute, online, April 2022
Vocal Acoustic Pedagogy Workshop, New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA, June 2019
The School for the Work with Byron Katie, Ojai, CA, July 2018
The Blaylock Method Trainings: Building/Balancing Vocal Function, Northwest Institute of Voice, Beaverton, OR, 2011, 2016, 2018, 2022
Ploger Method Training and Certification, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, June 2012
Neurolinguistic Programming Certificate Training, Nashville, TN, June-July 2007
Professional Associations
National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), 2011-2016
Jazz Educators Network (JEN), 2016-Present
Pan-American Vocology Association (PAVA), Charter member, 2013-Present
Online Publications
Interviews on Voice Matters, YouTube, 2016-Present
Quick Tips for Voice, YouTube, 2015-Present
Studio blog: blog.lizjohnsonvoice.com
Online straw phonation resource: strawsforvoice.com
Presentations and Workshops
University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, April 2022
Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA, Voice Styles Class, Jan 2022
Maverick City Music vocal group workshop, Dallas, TX, September 2021
Loyola University, New Orleans, LA, January 2020
United States Air Force, Scott Airforce Base, Special seminar for Air Force singers, October 2019
Loyola University, New Orleans, LA, October 23-24, 2019
Studio Singers Intensive with Tim Davis, Nashville, TN, May 2018
Caterpillar Financial Corp., Employee Education Outreach Presentation, Nashville, TN, September 2017
Voice Foundation, Vocal Workshop, Philadelphia, PA, June 2017
Northwest Voice Conference: The Art and Science of Performing Voice, Seattle, WA, April 2017
Private 2 Day Seminar for Voice Teachers and Professional Singers, Orlando, FL, February 2017
Jazz Educators Network, Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, January 2017
Studio Singers Intensive with Tim Davis, Los Angeles, CA, August 2016
Pan American Vocology Association, Annual Symposium, Scottsdale, AZ, October 2016
Caterpillar Financial Corp., Employee Education Outreach Presentation, Nashville, TN, September 2016
American Association of Physics Teachers Conference, Winter Meeting, January 2013
Vanderbilt University Medical Center Conference: Contemporary Perspectives and Health in the Commercial Voice, March 2013 and March 2014
Vanderbilt University Jazz Department Improvisation Clinic, March 2013
Christian Music Industry Academy (CMI) Conference, Nashville, TN, June 2013
Graduate Lecture/Recital, Belmont University, June 2013
Nashville Jazz Workshop Jazz Camp, July 2013 and June 2015
Musical Theatre teacher’s training seminar, Mt. Juliet, TN, January 2014
Private Studio Seminars, Nashville, TN, March 2016
Vocal Performance Experience
Special Guest Performer with the Nashville Jazz Orchestra, 2010-2011
Lead Vocalist with The Establishment Big Band, 2001-2011
Festival performances in the Southeast
Jazz performances in Denver, NYC, and Chicago
Radio appearances, Live in Studio C, WPLN, Nashville, TN
Awards
Semi-finalist at the Montreux Jazz Festival Vocal competition, 2004
Recordings played on Bob Parlocha’s nationally syndicated jazz radio show
Jazz Recordings
“Ain’t Nobody Worryin’” (1999)
“One More For the Road” (2001)
“Playground” (2004)
“Joy Unspeakable” (2009)
“Jazz + Hymns” (2014)
LEARN MORE ABOUT
VOCAL INSTRUCTION OPTIONS
Schedule Lessons
I’ve learned not to be afraid of the size of my voice, to trust that my body knows what it’s doing, and that my instrument sounds exactly like it was designed to sound.
- Kristie McCarthy
Liz has helped me to learn to observe the differences in both myself and my voice on a daily basis. I am learning how to accept and work through many difficult challenges with more insight, patience, love and clarity.
- Christa Mercy
Dispelling common fears about the voice
Many people have fear around singing or making sound in general. I often hear things like:
All of these fears can be addressed through voice work. There are many things we can do to make our voice function more efficiently, and to experience a free, authentic singing or speaking sound. Unless there are medical reasons against singing or speaking, many vocal exercises and sounds can and should be explored.
The voice is intimately connected to our physical, emotional, and spiritual selves - for better or for worse. That means our voices can be used as an expression of who we are and who we are becoming.
I’ve gained confidence and a sense that I can grow as a musician. I’ve made better practice habits and seen their fruit. My mind is more open to my voice - I think less about ‘correct’ sounds and more about healthy, new or satisfying sounds.
- Abigail Flowers
I learned there is a way to be more me.
- Danny Strimer, songwriter, recording artist
How do we learn new sounds and vocal expressions?
Consistency, persistence, patience, and openness are the keys to any lasting self improvement. Singing is no different. Again, part of vocal training is programming efficient coordination into the body. This, done with a positive attitude and willingness to have fun with sound, gives people a great advantage in voice training.
Some of the tools used in this studio are:
What results come from voice work in this studio?
Training a reliable voice is not mysterious or haphazard. Sure, there are cases where voice training does not comply with practiced wisdom. In those instances I refer clients to other voice specialists in the fields of physical therapy, medicine, and psychology. It really does take a team to support our healing and personal growth!
Most voice clients can hear a noticeable difference in even one session. Over time and with consistency, voices of all ages can sound better and more vibrant.
Clients regularly experience improvement in:
There are many benefits to voice work beyond just having a better voice. I hope more people discover their ability to make great sound and have fun in the process.
This profession chose me, I didn’t choose it.
I majored in psychology, and after graduating with a degree and certificate in mental health work, moved to Nashville to start my first job. Music City, USA. Saxophone in hand, and a research position to get my adult life started, I jumped into the big pond of music making and the music industry.
A year after moving to Nashville, jazz singing became my first taste of making music vocally, and I instantly fell in love. For over 20 years now I have immersed myself in the world of singing through gigging and, eventually, teaching.
Voice science entered the scene a few years after starting my teaching career. Both which, by the way, happened by accident. Vanderbilt University needed a “jazz voice teacher,” and I enthusiastically said “yes!” only to discover that I love teaching more than any job I’ve ever done.
After attending a seemingly random voice science lecture, my heart again fell for another field: the science behind the voice. A master’s degree in vocal performance and a certificate in vocology later, I now work as a full-time voice technician and entrepreneur.
My career is modeled after and mentored by people like Tom Blaylock of the Northwest Institute of Voice, as well as countless researchers and clinicians such as Ingo Titze, of the National Center for Voice and Speech, and Tom Cleveland, of the Vanderbilt Voice Center.
I’ve spent the last 15 years soaking up as much information and experience as possible in order to be able to help people solve the technical issues that hold their voices back - both physically and emotionally. All of the experience from my seemingly disparate career paths - from research, to domestic violence advocacy, to performance - blend perfectly in the work of helping people find solutions to any number of voice “challenges.”
Check out my free YouTube series called Interviews on Voice Matters, Straws For Voice, and social media and blog dedicated to sharing voice information. You can find this information on the resources page of this website.
Liz Johnson
Website: lizjohnsonvoice.com
Email: liz@lizjohnsonvoice.com
Degrees
Master’s in Commercial Vocal Performance (MM), Belmont University, August 2013
Certificate in Vocology, National Center for Voice and Speech, University of Utah, August 2012
B.S. in Psychology, with a certificate in Mental Health Work, University of Illinois, Champaign, Urbana, May 1997
Voice Teaching Experience
Adjunct Artist Teacher of Jazz Voice, Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University, 2005-2016
Applied Voice Instructor, Trevecca Nazarene University, 2014-2016
Adjunct Professor, Belmont University, 2012-2013. Interim Director: Jazzmin, Jazz Vocal Ensemble I
Private Voice Instructor, East Nashville School of Music, 2007-2011
Adjunct Voice Instructor, Nashville State Community College, 2011-2013
Voice and Performance Faculty, Nashville Jazz Workshop, Nashville, TN, 2008-Present
Private Voice Studio Owner - DBA: Liz Johnson Voice, Voice Habilitation Services, LLC, 2009-Present
Leadership Experience
Ethics Committee, Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA), 2021-Present
Certification Program Coordinator, Nashville Jazz Workshop (NJW), 2017-Present
Communications Committee, Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA), 2019-2020
Central Governor, Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA), 2017-2019
President and Co-founder, Nashville Vocal Pedagogy Colloquium, 2014-2017
Trainings
The Resilient Heart: Trauma Sensitive HeartMath Training, HeartMath Institute, online, April 2022
Vocal Acoustic Pedagogy Workshop, New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA, June 2019
The School for the Work with Byron Katie, Ojai, CA, July 2018
The Blaylock Method Trainings: Building/Balancing Vocal Function, Northwest Institute of Voice, Beaverton, OR, 2011, 2016, 2018, 2022
Ploger Method Training and Certification, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, June 2012
Neurolinguistic Programming Certificate Training, Nashville, TN, June-July 2007
Professional Associations
National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), 2011-2016
Jazz Educators Network (JEN), 2016-Present
Pan-American Vocology Association (PAVA), Charter member, 2013-Present
Online Publications
Interviews on Voice Matters, YouTube, 2016-Present
Quick Tips for Voice, YouTube, 2015-Present
Studio blog: blog.lizjohnsonvoice.com
Online straw phonation resource: strawsforvoice.com
Presentations and Workshops
University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, April 2022
Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA, Voice Styles Class, Jan 2022
Maverick City Music vocal group workshop, Dallas, TX, September 2021
Loyola University, New Orleans, LA, January 2020
United States Air Force, Scott Airforce Base, Special seminar for Air Force singers, October 2019
Loyola University, New Orleans, LA, October 23-24, 2019
Studio Singers Intensive with Tim Davis, Nashville, TN, May 2018
Caterpillar Financial Corp., Employee Education Outreach Presentation, Nashville, TN, September 2017
Voice Foundation, Vocal Workshop, Philadelphia, PA, June 2017
Northwest Voice Conference: The Art and Science of Performing Voice, Seattle, WA, April 2017
Private 2 Day Seminar for Voice Teachers and Professional Singers, Orlando, FL, February 2017
Jazz Educators Network, Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, January 2017
Studio Singers Intensive with Tim Davis, Los Angeles, CA, August 2016
Pan American Vocology Association, Annual Symposium, Scottsdale, AZ, October 2016
Caterpillar Financial Corp., Employee Education Outreach Presentation, Nashville, TN, September 2016
American Association of Physics Teachers Conference, Winter Meeting, January 2013
Vanderbilt University Medical Center Conference: Contemporary Perspectives and Health in the Commercial Voice, March 2013 and March 2014
Vanderbilt University Jazz Department Improvisation Clinic, March 2013
Christian Music Industry Academy (CMI) Conference, Nashville, TN, June 2013
Graduate Lecture/Recital, Belmont University, June 2013
Nashville Jazz Workshop Jazz Camp, July 2013 and June 2015
Musical Theatre teacher’s training seminar, Mt. Juliet, TN, January 2014
Private Studio Seminars, Nashville, TN, March 2016
Vocal Performance Experience
Special Guest Performer with the Nashville Jazz Orchestra, 2010-2011
Lead Vocalist with The Establishment Big Band, 2001-2011
Festival performances in the Southeast
Jazz performances in Denver, NYC, and Chicago
Radio appearances, Live in Studio C, WPLN, Nashville, TN
Awards
Semi-finalist at the Montreux Jazz Festival Vocal competition, 2004
Recordings played on Bob Parlocha’s nationally syndicated jazz radio show
Jazz Recordings
“Ain’t Nobody Worryin’” (1999)
“One More For the Road” (2001)
“Playground” (2004)
“Joy Unspeakable” (2009)
“Jazz + Hymns” (2014)
Liz Johnson
I have a Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from Belmont University, and have also completed a Certificate in Vocology through the University of Utah and the National Center for Voice and Speech. I love learning how things work and then using that knowledge to help people grow and heal. My first and second loves are psychology and jazz, which have become the basis for helping singers regain voice ability and more awareness of their innate talents.
In addition to my primary work as a Vocologist (Voice Instructor), I perform jazz, play saxophone, compose, and teach jazz style. I also serve on the Ethics Committee for the Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA) and as the Certificate Program Coordinator for Nashville Jazz Workshop (NJW).