Celebrity Vocal and Performance Coach for 50+ Years: Famed vocal coach Lis Lewis’ official bio says that her training began as a child at N.Y.C.’s world famous Dalcroze School of Music as well as with private music teachers. But her first experience with the kind of coach she would one day become happened in her late teens, when she was a multi-faceted gigging singer-songwriter (playing pop, rock, folk, bluegrass, and jazz) and began getting hoarse during lengthy shows and experiencing other vocal troubles. After receiving her Masters, she taught privately and at a music school in San Francisco while continuing to pursue her career as an artist. Then she moved to L.A. to continue pursuing both paths. The first soon-to-be famous person she worked with was Gwen Stefani, whose record label hoped she could help her with vocal problems. Lewis’ success with the No Doubt singer led to Britney Spears seeking vocal lessons—and soon she had a thriving clientele of celebrity singers and other advanced level professionals. Though her resume includes the likes of Rihanna, Demi Lovato, KatsEye, The Pussycat Dolls, Kali Uchis, and Jack Black, Lewis’ focus has always been on the vocal development of all pro-quality singer/songwriters to help them through the demands of a singing career.
Content of the Sessions: Lewis says the connection between her and each student is based on trust and the reality that she’s their partner—not there to focus on what’s wrong, but to help them achieve their goals and discover their unique voice as an artist. “A good teacher is one who understands how the voice works and then can create a workout for the singer to have more strength and ease,” she says. “To me a great voice is not necessarily about runs and range, but one that can express the artist’s true self and make the listener feel the emotions they feel.” Among the techniques Lewis teaches are exercises to strengthen various areas of the voice: build a bridge between the singer’s voices, improve pitch and tone, extend dynamic range, develop breath control, and increase vocal range, endurance, and strength.
Focal Points: Beyond these foundations, Lewis emphasizes to her students three key concepts crucial to their development as artists and to sustaining a career. The first is that they should not duplicate their idols but absorb current styles and create their own sound. In the industry of the mid-2020s, big American Idol-type and Adele vocals are out, and the Billie Eilish bedroom pop vibe is in—but she adds that styles come and go. Second is the need to be in a constant mindset of practice, warm up and strengthening as an athlete would. The third point: Know your range. “Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande have completely different voices and wouldn’t sing in the same key. Singers should choose a key that is comfortable and makes them sound great. Remember, there isn’t just one key for each voice; the more the artist knows what works best for his or her own voice, the better.”
Contact Lis Lewis, The Singer’s Workshop, 213-880-5123
