Our Team – Transgender Voice Coaches
Working with a transgender voice coach is so much more than taking lessons – it means finding the real you! As a team, we are eager to help you meet your trans voice training goals. Whether that’s a feminine voice, masculine voice, or androgynous voice, for speaking or singing. We also understand that a trans voice coach needs to be passionate about working with transgender students – that’s why many of us are LGBT ourselves.
All transgender voice coaches go through an extensive TruVoice Lessons training curriculum before beginning work with students – this is a requirement no matter what their level of education or experience is. We are also firm believers in continuing education for our transgender voice coaches – that way you know you’re always getting the best possible lessons!
Not sure who to schedule a lesson with? No problem! You can schedule a free consultation with a member of our team to discuss your goals find the right voice coach for you.
You can learn to not only speak in your new voice, but SING in your new voice too! The instructors that teach singing have the Singing icon when you scroll over their bio.
Many of our staff teach music lessons too! You can book music lessons here.
Bryn Colodny
Being a part of the LGBT community herself, Bryn is excited to help students become comfortable within themselves. She is excited to share her passion for voice, piano and songwriting with her students. Her goal is to create a safe and open environment for all!
Bryn Colodny
Bryn Colodny is a senior vocal principle at Berklee College of Music and is earning her Bachelors of Music in Songwriting. Bryn also attended the reputable, LaGuardia High School in New York City as a vocal principle with a secondary instrument of piano. Being a part of the LGBT community herself, Bryn is excited to help students become comfortable within themselves. She is excited to share her passion for voice, piano and songwriting with her students. Her goal is to create a safe and open environment for all!
Bryn Colodny
Connor Johnson
Formally trained singer with over 10 years of piano and voice training, and a passion for helping those in the LGBT+ community.
Connor Johnson
Connor Johnson is a trained pianist and singer with over a decade of experience – from school choirs to opera competitions. He’s received several awards for piano and vocal performance, as well as music composition. After graduating high school at 16, and earning his associate degree the following year, Connor is now attending college for his bachelor’s in Music Production. Growing up with two moms, he’s spent his entire life within the LGBT+ community, and as such is deeply motivated to help you find your TruVoice!
Connor Johnson
Tracy Clark
With over 12 years of formal voice training, Tracy Clark has taught voice extensively. She is excited to help
students find their true voices through self acceptance, personal growth, and with continual
support.
Tracy Clark
With over 12 years of formal voice and piano training, Tracy Clark has taught voice, piano and
bassoon privately. She is a strong supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and is excited to help
students find their true voices through self acceptance, personal growth, and with continual
support. Tracy’s ultimate goal is to make her students feel as safe and welcome as possible in
their lessons while they work with her to achieve their highest potential.
Tracy Clark
Carter Richardson
Experienced music educator with the ability to adjust to the student’s unique needs rapidly while remaining encouraging no matter what. A true advocate for his students that want to find their TruVoice!
Carter Richardson
My music life started in 6th grade band with the trombone. Since then I have expanded my musical horizons to multiple instruments, including all the brass instruments as well as voice and keyboard. I studied music education at Texas Tech University. Afterwards I returned to my childhood home of San Antonio. I have been teaching private voice and music lessons as well as working with larger ensembles. For fun I love to play around town with any type of group, jazz, polka, pop etc. I love helping others find a voice that is theirs!
Carter Richardson
JB Levine
Classically trained singer, choir director, and Jewish music leader. JB uses both their personal and professional experience in their teaching, and wants to help you Unlock Your TruVoice!
JB Levine
JB Levine (they/she) is a choral conductor and classically trained vocalist from Houston, TX. Growing up in the Fort Bend Boys Choir, vocal music has been a part of her life since an early age. JB received her bachelor’s degree in choral music education from the University of Houston in 2015, where she sang in several operas and choral groups. While a member of the university’s top choir, the group took first place at multiple major international choral competitions.
JB served as a high school choir director for five years in the Houston area, where she directed several choirs that consistently received the highest ratings in contests, regularly taught students in individual voice lessons, served as music director for the school’s musicals, and taught AP Music Theory. She has participated in vocal pedagogy workshops at the New England Conservatory and the Boston Conservatory, where she developed an interest in an acoustics-based approach to vocal pedagogy. She has also sung professionally in choirs throughout the Houston area, including Chorus Angelorum and the Bach Society of Houston.
Through it all, JB has been a leader of Jewish music and a student of skillful leadership of spiritual experiences through a Jewish lens. She completed the “Davvenen’ Leadership Training Institute,” a part of ALEPH: The Alliance for Jewish Renewal and was one of ALEPH’s inaugural class of Kesher Fellows. She has served as cantorial soloist, co-creator of liturgy, and high holy days music director at Temple Sinai in Houston for over ten years.
Currently, JB is living in San Jose, CA and will soon graduate with a masters degree in choral conducting from San Jose State University.
JB Levine
Guy Groves
Guy Groves is a Northern Virginia based LGBTQ+ music teacher, marching band enthusiast, and color guard director with experience teaching ages/grades K-12 and beyond. Guy received his Bachelor’s degree of music for music education as well as certification in clarinet performance from the Conservatory of Shenandoah University in the spring of 2018. As a natural part of his degree program he was able to learn and perform on many different types of instruments including, but not limited to: Trumpet, French Horn, Flute, Alto Saxophone, Piano, and of course Clarinet. Along his musical journey, he discovered a new love for teaching transgender and androgynous voice, and with that is beyond thrilled to help students find their TruVoice, and maybe even make some music along the way!
Guy Groves
Donny Christison
Classically trained singer, regular performer, and voice coach with 10+ years of teaching experience. Donny has focused much of their voice teaching on the LGBT community, and understands the importance of lived experience in teaching transgender voice training.
Donny Christison
Donny Christison is a classically trained vocalist who found their calling serving the LGBT community. As a nonbinary person discovering their place in the world, Donny found a haven in choir and musical theater, and later the opera. They received their BA in psychology with a minor in music from Oregon State University where they were a founding member of a capella group Power Chord, performed in the OSU Opera, and toured the world with award-winning Bella Voce and OSU Chamber choirs, all while keeping up in the research lab as they studied how music affects the way humans feel and think. During their research Donny became fascinated by the ways we grow and the physical, social, spiritual, and psychological benefits we gain by training our voices. Moving to Portland, Oregon to receive their Masters in Pastoral Ministry provided Donny with many new opportunities including leading worship bands for summer camps and conferences, singing and acting in independent film, and immersing themself in every corner of the vibrant community the city has to offer. Donny started teaching private voice lessons in 2011 and has loved every minute of it. Every trans person’s vocal journey is unique, and Donny’s students most enjoy their ability to support them as they find the unique and powerful voice that lies within and let it shine through.
Donny Christison
Margarita Barcomb
Experienced teacher of many subjects, including English as a second language, Spanish, and voice. As the parent of a nonbinary child, Margarita understands what it means to be truly supportive of the transgender community, and wants to help you Unlock Your TruVoice!
Margarita Barcomb
I believe you should be who you are and how you are. For yourself and not for any body else. This includes what you wear, look and sound like. I believe all these things are part of your power, and sometimes, the source of it. And if you need a little help to get there, that is what we are here for.
If you do not find me reading or walking our two little beasties, you can find me painting or watching a movie.
I was born in Lima, Peru to a conservative but very close-knit family. I learned English early on with the intent of teaching and French also (I am brushing up on the French). I went to the National Conservatory in Lima when they still held trials to get admitted at age 6. Learned piano and Theory of Music. After finishing high school, I went to college at Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Lima to study Law of all things.
On how I got to the USA, I met my husband at a park one day, in between classes; he was a pilot stranded in the city, waiting for his plane to be serviced. I was sitting at a café preparing an English lesson, reviewing my French class, and checking my prelaw books (lots of books on the table). He insisted on trying to speak in Spanish, I answered in English and we got to know each other; we fell in love, and as the saying goes, “the rest is history”. We were blessed with one angel, my enby child, who has opened my eyes to a new world.
Margarita Barcomb
Rowanne Atallah
Experienced voice teacher with a passion for working with the LGBT community, about which she says “The LGBT Community is one of the most empowering communities in the world…It would therefore be an honor and blessing for me to help you free your soul and be unapologetically you.”
Rowanne Atallah
My name is Rowanne, and I have recently graduated in Voice – Performance from Berklee College of Music. Coming from the struggling yet revolutionary country of Lebanon, I have found healing in expression and performance. Finding my voice constituted the foundation of my artistic journey as a singer, dancer and actor. That is why my aim in life is to help others liberate themselves and find their own true voice.
The LGBT Community is one of the most empowering communities in the world as it is resilient in the face of hardship and constantly vibrating with strength, passion and love. It would therefore be an honor and blessing for me to help you free your soul and be unapologetically you. The time has come for you to express your voice and let it be heard from deep within and I will be there, every single step of the way, as your ultimate support, to make your dream come true and your voice come to life.
Rowanne Atallah
Charlotte Abbott
To Charlotte, your voice can be as much a part of your identity as any other defining trait, and being able to find that voice can be paramount to a comfortable life for many transgender individuals. Charlotte has been through it, and wants to help you too!
Charlotte Abbott
Charlotte is a trans voice coach located in Atlanta, Ga. To Charlotte, your voice can be as much a part of your identity as any other defining trait, and being able to find that voice can be paramount to a comfortable life for many transgender individuals. She understands that being in control of your voice can mean many different things to different people. It can mean safety. It can mean fitting in. It can mean easing dysphoria. It could just be for fun. Whatever motivates you to find your TruVoice, she is dedicated to helping you every step of the way.
Growing up in a classic conservative southern town, she learned at a young age that life can be a struggle when you’re different. Fear of social rejection and hardship forced Charlotte to wait until she was 28 to come out to the world, casting fear away and developing a strong desire to help others find comfort in who they are as an individual and learn to love themselves more. Her dream is to go to school to become a therapist so she can further support her LGBT+ family and community.
Charlotte Abbott
Christian Scott
Years of experience teaching voice of all kinds. As a person of color, Christian believes that everyone should feel safe in their body and be able to be who they truly are. Using her classical pedagogy background, she aims to help her students find their inner and earnest voice.
Christian Scott
Christian Emmanuelle Scott was born in Oakland, CA. She completed her undergraduate degree in Music Education at Mississippi College. She subsequently completed her Masters of Music in Choral Conducting at Mississippi College during her first year of teaching at Provine High School in Jackson, MS. Most recently she was the Director of Choral Activities at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Mississippi.
Christian believes in activism and collaboration. Beginning in her college years, she joined with LGBTQIA+ friends and allies and attended several rallies and marches for marriage equality and transgender rights. She also teamed up with clergy from her community and the local ACLU to host round table events, marches, and lectures on LGBTQ issues, policies, and to raise awareness. As a person of color, Christian believes that everyone should feel safe in their body and be able to be who they truly are. It is with this in mind that she begins her journey of working with the trans voice. Using her classical pedagogy background, she aims to help her students find their inner and earnest voice.
Christian Scott
Ivy Phairchyld
Ivy Phairchyld self-taught the process of developing her own voice. Skilled in a wide variety of musical styles, she is an adept pianist and music instructor. She applies her understanding of music to help guide her students on the path to finding their true voice. She understands what the process is like, has been through it herself, and is able to use her extensive understanding of sound to help you accomplish your goals!
Ivy Phairchyld
Ivy Phairchyld is an accomplished pianist, storied composer with 17 years of experience, and holds a Vocational Degree in Audio Engineering from The Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Ivy Phairchyld self-taught the process of developing her own voice. Skilled in a wide variety of musical styles, she is an adept pianist and music instructor. She applies her understanding of music to help guide her students on the path to finding their true voice. She understands what the process is like, has been through it herrelf, and is able to use her extensive understanding of sound to help you accomplish your goals!
Ivy Phairchyld
Frank Pierce
Frankie has taught many subjects in both 1 on 1 and group settings, and brings to TruVoice his adaptability to teach under many different circumstances. A personal awakening in himself sparked support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Frank Pierce
Frankie is a teacher based out of Oregon. Raised in sunny San Diego, he was introduced to a love of music by his mother, picked up a guitar, and began writing songs at 5 years old. In high school, Frankie re-introduced himself to the guitar, and with much dedication and training, began leading the jr. high and high school worship bands. Having vocal lessons himself, he learned how to control and gain strength in his voice. After high school, his pursuits of music remained, although constant, more in the background as he began teaching Environmental Education in San Diego. Leaving San Diego and traveling around teaching all over the country, he was led to new experiences, walks of life, and perspectives on the world around him; These led to a healthy focus on social respect and understanding. A personal awakening in himself helped to spark an interest in support for the LGBTQ+ community. Through his conversations, work, music, teaching, and his art, he seeks to always stay learning and growing. This passion led him to Truvoice and supporting a growing community with all that he can offer.
Frank Pierce
Melodi Alper
Since 2015, Melodi has been teaching private lessons with a passion for both music and LGBT acceptance. As a member of the LGBT community herself, she is very passionate about being a part of the journey to Unlock Your TruVoice!
Melodi Alper
Melodi Alper is a voice instructor from Izmir, Turkey. Her classical music education started at age 5 with solfege training, continued with playing the piano at age 6, and began guitar training at age 10. Melodi continued her voice and music studies into her adult years, seeking to be the best teacher and vocalist she can be! Since 2015, Melodi has been teaching private lessons with a passion for both music and LGBT acceptance. She loves helping people and is proud to be involved in the LGBT community. As a member of the LGBT community herself, she is very passionate about being a part of the journey to Unlock Your TruVoice.
Melodi Alper
Nic Brannen
Piano instructor with a specialization in jazz, Nic is a strong believer in individualized interpretation of music.
Nic Brannen
You have an equal chance to find Nic Brannen with a camera in hand or at a painter’s studio as you find zem in a practice room. Even though ze has been learning to play piano since zir childhood in Cincinnati, Ohio, Nic’s work often is about finding the beauty in zir subject matter, though the process of deconstruction and re-actualization. Nic has been trained as a Jazz Performer-Composer at Cornish College of the Arts.
As a multimedia artist, Nic has put the power of queer voice at the center of zir work. As an educator, Nic has spent two years volunteering in inner city Seattle Schools as a music tutor and has spent 5 years teaching students of all ages and backgrounds. As a vocal coach and as a non-binary individual, Nic believes that Vocal training is just as much about how we present in public, as it is about our own journey and self-empowerment.
Nic Brannen
Rosie Schwartz
A proud and experienced Trans-Woman, Rayann “Rosie” Schwartz is a multi-talented member of the TruVoice Team. She is an experienced voice feminization coach that has feminized her own voice, our Social Media Manager, and an avid gamer.
Rosie Schwartz
A proud and experienced Trans-Woman, Rayann Schwartz is a multi-talented member of the TruVoice Team. She is our Digital Media Producer, meaning she makes, edits, and manages our YouTube content. She is also a Voice Feminization Instructor with years of learning and understanding due to her own journey as a Trans-Woman. A passionate member of the Trans Community and an avid gamer, Rayann learned many of the core skills necessary to feminize the voice through many different resources and people. With lots of practice due to her online voice chatting while gaming, and a healthy dosage of research. She quickly started to sound the way she wanted.
Welcoming, Passionate, and an Enthusiastic part of the community. We hope you consider Rayann as your Voice Feminization Instructor!
Rosie Schwartz
David Tafone
David has gone through 3 voice changes over the course of his life, and understands the importance of a solid technique to modify and maintain the voice in a way that is both healthy and effective. David knows that the path to finding your true voice ends only when you are fully satisfied.
David Tafone
David Tafone is a voice instructor based in the Portland OR area. He has studied at SUNY Purchase and the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music for both his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Voice respectively. At the New England Conservatory of Music he sang leading roles in 5 operas and studied with the world renowned distinguished professor of voice Ms. Carole Haber. He still sings today using the bel canto technique passed down to him from generations of excellent vocal technicians who served and still serve at NEC today. While at SUNY Purchase, he sang leading roles in 3 operas and studied with the head of the voice and opera department, internationally renowned tenor, Jacque Trussel as well as Baritone Thomas Goodheart who is currently the chair of voice at SUNY Binghamton. He began his masters at the Jacobs school of music at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. He studied there under the tutelage of internationally renowned pedagogue Dr. Dale Moore. He has studied basic grammar and diction in Italian, German, French and Spanish and can communicate at an intermediate level in Spanish and French. David uses his many years of vocal technique and diction training to help his transgender students develop a voice that is genuine, healthy, and above all their own. As a bass-baritone turned baritone turned bari-tenor, David knows voice changes quite well. He’s been through 3 himself as a gay man. While voice changes are intimidating you gotta dive in with confidence. You control your voice! Your voice doesn’t control you. Being part of the LGBTQ community requires us to overcome who and what intimidates us on a daily basis. “Through my own personal experiences as a gay man, confidence took years for me to develop. My hope is to instill confidence in you and make your journey easier.” Lastly, David knows that the path to finding your true voice ends only when you are fully satisfied. While the path may be challenging and at times tedious, the result is an irreplaceable, rewarding voice that is YOU! So have fun, loosen up and trust the process! With my experience and your commitment, we will make it to the finish line!
David Tafone
Lily Grace
Strong believer in the value of lived experience in finding and defining one’s own voice as a transgender person. She has done work on small animated short films in both male and female roles, instructional videos, and audio dramas.
Lily Grace
Lily Grace is a voice instructor in Corvallis, Oregon with four years of experience working as a voice over artist. She strongly believes in the value of lived experience in finding and defining one’s own voice as a transgender person. She has done work on small animated short films in both male and female roles, instructional videos, and audio dramas.
Lily Grace
Lauren Rigsby
Lauren knows that every student has different goals and struggles, so she strives to find what works for each individual. Lauren grew up as a shy, queer kid in the South, and has fought long and hard to have the confidence to live as her authentic self.
Lauren Rigsby
Lauren is an instructor based out of Oregon. After earning a degree in Elementary Education, she went on to become a teacher for several outdoor schools across the country and eventually moved on to managing one here in Oregon. Lauren knows that every student has different goals and struggles, so she strives to find what works for each individual. Lauren grew up as a shy, queer kid in the South, and has fought long and hard to have the confidence to live as her authentic self. So she loves to help students find that same confidence to use their voice effectively.
Lauren Rigsby
Ty Napierskie
Ty Napierskie (they/them) is a transgender, non-binary voice instructor who through their love for teaching music found their way to teaching transgender voices. They have a BM in Music Education and have years of experience teaching private piano, voice, and guitar lessons. Ty currently teaches choir and guitar at a middle school in Virginia and LOVES learning new instruments.
Ty Napierskie
Ty Napierskie (they/them) is a transgender, non-binary voice instructor who through their love for teaching music found their way to teaching transgender voices. They have a BM in Music Education and have years of experience teaching private piano, voice, and guitar lessons. Ty currently teaches choir and guitar at a middle school in Virginia and LOVES learning new instruments. They love their students and the Gender Sexuality Awareness (GSA) club they are sponsoring at this middle school.
Ty has been involved in many different ensembles including: playing piano in musicals, singing soprano in select and jazz choirs, playing piano in jazz bands, playing flute in marching bands, playing flute and euphonium in concert bands, and playing piano for solo and accompanied performances.
They also love watching anime and the K-pop group BTS. They saw BTS live in 2019 and hope to see them live again soon. Their other interests include going on hikes, painting, making earrings, and playing with their pet dog and pet rats.
One passion of theirs is personalizing lessons to suit each individual student’s need, and they are dedicated to helping their students find their TruVoice, whether it be feminine, masculine, or androgynous. Currently Ty is based in Northern Virginia, USA.
Ty Napierskie
Kimo Knowles
Artist, engineer, educator. Classically trained, Kimo now writes, produces and performs music and multimedia art.
Kimo Knowles
Kimo Knowles is an artist, engineer and educator. Trained in classical piano and viola, Kimo was awarded first place in the MHCC Northwest Orchestra Festival and a gold medal in the Oregon Bach Festival. Kimo holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with a focus in Art & Technology Studies. For over 15 years, Kimo has led and contributed to projects in film, video, new media, dance, folk, punk, classical and ambient music. In the classroom, Kimo draws influence from his studies in philosophy, his piano teacher (a Doctor of Psychology) and a career in K-12 STEM education. Kimo prefers holistic, collaborative and emergent styles of learning, and treasures the relationships of inspiration and respect that make this possible. Kimo is available for lessons in guitar, piano, voice, theory & composition and audio production.
Kimo Knowles
Tris Ogram Buckley
Obtaining a gender-congruent voice as a trans person is undoubtedly a difficult task, but no matter how impossible it seems, it can be done with practice and a good instructor. Having grown up in a family of teachers and feminized her own voice, Tris has a talent for patiently teaching difficult skills, always meeting the student where they are.
Tris Ogram Buckley
A close-up and stage magician since 2009, Tris knows well that even when something seems impossible, there’s always a method. With enough practice, that method can become effortless. So when she began her transition in 2018, she approached it like a magic trick, but for real. Magic requires a meticulous understanding of perception, and since voice is one of the largest components in the perception of gender, she focused hard and early on mastering it.
It’s hard to be a beginner in anything, but it helps to feel understood. With a wide variety of interests (all kinds of science, art, film and video [B.A., Penn State University 2012], and such niche crafts as whipmaking, miniature painting, and chainmail), Tris is intimately familiar with how it feels to be a beginner.
Obtaining a gender-congruent voice as a trans person is undoubtedly a difficult and frustrating task, but no matter how impossible it seems, it takes only diligent practice, coupled with the right instructor. Having grown up in a family of teachers and keeping a continuous beginners’ mindset, Tris has a talent for patiently teaching difficult skills, always meeting the student where they are.
Tris Ogram Buckley
Kaydee Cage
Kaydee is a voice feminization instructor with 14 years of music and vocal teaching experience.
“As a transgender female, I recognize and highly respect the importance many of us place on finding just the right voice to match our gender expression.
Working with other trans women, helping to build confidence in their voices is a deeply fulfilling way to represent our community, and I am very proud to be able to contribute to each and every one one of their transitions.”
Kaydee Cage
Anson Brown
An experienced voice and guitar instructor, Anson thoroughly enjoys working with the LGBT community. He believes that self actualization is necessary for long term happiness and wants to take part in that wonderful journey.
Anson Brown
Anson Brown started his musical career at Fresno City College where he studied with David Schramm and Dr. Kevin Cooper where he studied classical guitar and started to develop a fondness for historical music. At the University of California, Irvine, he studied the lute and historically informed guitar performance under John Schneiderman. At Irvine, he earned both his Bachelors of Music and his Masters of Fine Arts degrees in 2013 and 2015. He specializes in performance on the guitar and the lute. He also specializes in basso continuo and historical accompaniment from the 16th-17th century. He has extensive knowledge of music theory in modal counterpoint, tonal music, and 20th century music. Anson has thoroughly enjoyed working with the LGBT community. Being able to reach out and take part in such a wonderful community has inspired him, and helping people to present their true self to the world is a source of great fulfillment and pride. He believes that self actualization is necessary for long term happiness and wants to take part in that wonderful journey.
Anson Brown
Denise Brown
Voice instructor with 10 years of experience. Denise has worked with many trans and non binary students to develop both a speaking and singing voice that matches who they truly are. A wonderful instructor for those that are new to voice training.
Denise Brown
Denise Brown, mezzo soprano, has been teaching private voice and piano for 10 years. Denise completed her Master of Music in Pedagogy and Performance at the University of Texas at San Antonio and is currently a certified EC-12 music instructor. Her favorite student is anyone who wants to sing or improve themselves and has worked with many “tone deaf” beginners, who all have learned to sing in tune and give their first performances within several months. Denise has experience with helping students with diagnosed vocal faults, and rehabilitating tired, stressed voices back into vocal health for singers and speakers. Her experience also includes working with non-binary and trans students to develop voices that are healthy and reflect who they truly are. This includes building consistent technique and taking cues from your own body. Her piano students learn to be functional musicians and bold sight readers, whether their goal is to move on to classical works, or just learn to play along with their favorite pop song. Her students are also active in the musical theater community and on the classical stage. Denise Brown performs regularly with the Opera San Antonio chorus, in solo recital, and is music director for her local Episcopal church. Denise Brown is a current member of Texas Music Educators Association and the National Association for Teachers of Singing. She is currently and adjunct college instructor with Alamo Community College District in San Antonio, TX.
Denise Brown
Brandon Tuzio
Enthusiastic and adept instructor of transgender voice, about which he says “I’ve found it to be an incredibly fulfilling experience to be an integral part someone’s life and/or journey in such a special way.”
Brandon Tuzio
Brandon Tuzio is a music instructor based in New Jersey. He began his music education at a young age and eventually graduated from Berklee College of Music as a Voice Principal with a Professional Music Bachelor’s Degree. He writes and produces his own music, as well as composing music for film and video games.
Brandon also has an extensive performance background in Musical Theater, performing keyboards and vocals in numerous wedding bands, and being a part of many bands performing original music.
As a music teacher, he has had years of experience teaching voice, guitar, piano, bass, and music theory. He truly enjoys getting to know students and what their individual goals are and works hard to help achieve them.
Brandon is an enthusiastic and adept instructor of transgender voice, about which he says “I’ve found it to be an incredibly fulfilling experience to be an integral part someone’s life and/or journey in such a particular way. I’m grateful that the skills I’ve learned and taught in the past have allowed me to be able to adapt them into a new direction that will be useful for individuals in day to day life. One of my personal goals with teaching in general is to connect with and specifically cater to each student. Everyone is unique, has something to offer back to the teacher that we can learn from, and learns in their own way and at their own pace. I am looking forward to continuing working with students, and hope to be nothing but a positive presence in their lives.”
Brandon Tuzio
Mari Valverde
Voice instructor with 6+ years of teaching experience. Mari believes working with transgender voices requires sensitivity, understanding of the acoustics of the voice, and some imagination. Having sung through her own transition, she is delighted to offer her insights with the trans community and eager to learn from others.
Mari Valverde
With over six years of teaching experience, Mari Esabel Valverde believes working with transgender voices requires sensitivity, understanding of the acoustics of the voice, and some imagination. She regards the voice as an instrument with expansive and expressive qualities and the ability to be many things, regardless of the gender associated with it. Having sung through her own transition, she is delighted to offer her insights with the trans community and eager to learn from others. As a composer, she uses music to speak on a variety of social justice issues and is recognized as a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ community.
Mari Valverde
Christi Brekke
Years of experience teaching voice, piano, and guitar, along with personal experience of feminizing her own voice. Major advocate for the transgender community as a pod-caster, speaker, author, founder of the Diversity Pride Center in conservative Eastern Washington.
Christi Brekke
Christi Brekke is a transgender voice instructor driven by her advocacy for the trans community. She has a BA and MA in English and has years of experience teaching voice, piano, and guitar in both 1 on 1 and group settings. She has experience in voiceover work and is currently the host of TRANS CHAT WITH CHRISTIANA, a podcast that celebrates the lives and highlights the struggles of everyday trans people. She wrote and published her first trans memoir (I Want to Be Her) in 2016. She co-founded the Diversity Pride Center Trans Support Group in a conservative region of Eastern Washington State in 2019.
Versatile, experienced and passionate, Christi is dedicated to helping her students find their TruVoice. She is currently based in South Texas, USA.
Christi Brekke
Alexander Reeves
Trans masculine musical theater performer and voice teacher, with extensive experience navigating the speaking and singing voice while transitioning. Strong advocate for the autistic and transgender communities in education and the arts.
Alexander Reeves
Alexander Michael Reeves (They/He), a former foster kid, who is trans* masculine and disabled (autistic, type one diabetic, ADHD and dyspraxia) is an Actor, Singer, Public Speaker, Advocate, and Playwright. Reeves graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Theatre and a minor in Musical Theatre from Western Kentucky University (2018). During his undergraduate studies he graduated with over 220 credit hours in different areas, including some masters coursework in special education. Reeves studied acting, dance and movement, musical theatre, music theory, vocal and instrumental lessons, autism and inclusion at Western Kentucky University. During his time at Western, Alexander Michael was a member of the honors theatre fraternity, Alpha Psi Omega. Alexander Michael also worked directly with the Kelly Autism Program at Western Kentucky University as an advocate, mentor and consultant for and with the autistic community.
Alexander Michael has taken part in several acting and industry intensives including; The Gaiety School of Acting (Summer 2016), Dublin, Ireland; West End On Demand (Summer 2016), London, England; Rock the Audition w/ Sheri Sanders (2018-2019), Online; and Lights! Camera! Access! Hollywood online Summit (2020). Some of Alexander Michael’s favorite acting roles include; Tigger (House at Pooh Corner), Duke (The Great American Trailer Park Musical), and The Emperor (The Emperor’s New Clothes). Alexander Michael has spoken at several collegiate conferences (Transgender Singing Voice Conference, 2017 and 2019 at Earlham College, College Inclusion Summit, 2019 at Vanderbilt) to advocate for both the Autistic and Transgender communities.
Alexander Reeves
Adrian Soliz
Strong advocate of using science to understand how a student can achieve more vocal freedom, and to achieve a voice they are most comfortable with. “As a fellow member of the LGBTQ community I understand what is was like to not feel comfortable in my own skin, so I want to help any individual going through this in any way that I can.”
Adrian Soliz
Adrian Soliz is a graduate from UTSA (Bachelor of Arts in Music) who has been teaching in the San Antonio area since 2016. He has taught all levels of singers, from 6 years old to adults, many different genres of music, and transgender voice training. He is an advocate for using science to better understand how the voice works to allow his students to have much more vocal freedom/expression, and to achieve a voice they are most comfortable with. His biggest project right now is being the president of the Young Professional Opera Guild, where he seeks to be an advocate for community members and performers. This nonprofit works bring opera education to the community through various popup performances, recitals and opera education watch parties. “My goal as a voice teacher is to create an environment where my students feel safe and secure enough that they can allow themselves to unleash the artist that is in everyone. In just the past few years the field of voice science has grown exponentially in its use to help people understand how the human voice functions. I want to use this knowledge that we use to help singers become much more aware and confident in their singing voices, and transfer it to helping the trans community find their own true voice. As a fellow member of the LGBTQ community I understand what is was like to not feel comfortable in my own skin before i came out, so I would like to help any individual going through this same process in any way that i can.”
Adrian Soliz
Want to read more about lessons with us? We have information on achieving a more feminine voice or a more masculine voice. If you’re looking for more transition-related resources, we also have a resource page.
