I feel blessed to have helped to improve the voices of 500+ singing and speaking students!

My voice lesson, teleclass, live workshop, live class, choir and musical theater students have come from all walks of life, absolute beginners to untrained professionals (singers, speakers, life coaches, actors), 9 year-olds to 79 year-olds, amateur to national, all races, ethnicities, backgrounds, and GLBT. I've also had students with allergies, enlarged tonsils, sleep apnea, spasmodic dysphonia, a paralyzed vocal cord, birth defects, back issues, thick accents, learning disabilities, and more.


See what students are saying:

"I was completely blown away by what Karen was able to do with my voice by phone in less than 1 hour! I can feel and hear the difference in both my singing and speaking voice!
My voice is more clear, resonant and relaxed."

Paul Cutright - Paul and Layne relationship expert, EFT practitioner, life coach, artist
(speaking/singing basics/vocal health)


"Wow, Karen, you're great! This stuff really helps!"

Ed Pettersen - Song of America producer/singer/songwriter/guitarist
(singing/rock/vocal health)


"Karen was a fantastic vocal coach and teacher for me. I can't say enough about the time
I was able to spend with her! I discovered parts of my range I did not know I had,
and learned many helpful techniques!"

Jess Doughty - Speak the Word International praise team leader
(gospel/contemporary Christian/pop/rock/country/vocal health)

"People will help you with all kinds of things, but nobody tells you how to talk, how to make your voice better. My voice doesn't get so tired anymore! I can roll my Rs now, and I've
been trying since my first Spanish class in 1982! This is exactly what I was looking for!
My singing is much better too! I think Karen can teach anyone how to sing!
My lessons have definitely made a difference in my life."

Joelle Key - Schneider Electric
(speaking/singing basics/vocal health)


"Thank you for teaching me so much about breathing! I'm amazed how much I learned
in one lesson. My voice feels clearer and bigger!"

Juliana Ericson, Breathworks rebirthing breathworker and visual artist
(breathing/speaking/singing basics/vocal health)


I was amazed at the extra vocal power I discovered in myself through lessons with Karen! More volume, longer sustain with no extra effort.

Ed Haggard, LoveDrums percussionist, drum instructor, singer, voiceover artist
(speaking/singing/folk/ethnic/vocal health)


"Karen Lyu has a comprehensive understanding of how to enhance vocal capacity and essence. Coupled with her astute understanding of coaching and motivation, Karen's students experience transformational learning and vocal improvement!
Karen, you rock my world! Thank you!"

Jean Keating, artist and host/producer of cable show Living an Aligned Life
(speaking/singing basics/vocal health)


"I started singing since age 7 and I met Karen when I was 27. I have never had a better instructor than Karen, she helped me understand aspects of my own voice I did not acknowledge before. She has a unique approach to teaching. I am very grateful to her."

Alejandra Pedraza - OceanCats singer/songwriter/bassist/
(singing/punk/rock/jazz/vocal health)


"Taking lessons from Karen has been one of the best choices of my life. I always have fun learning from her. She listens to the things I want to accomplish and helps me reach them.
I now have over a four octave range, this makes me more than happy!
I would recommend Karen to anyone that wants to learn to sing."

Rachel Wood - 16 year-old singer/songwriter ArtsWork performer
(R&B/alternative/rock/pop/Broadway/classical/songwriting/vocal health)

"It is fun to have lessons with Karen! As an international student, I am getting three things at the same time - good English pronounciation, good vocal tone and joy!"

Shino Takayama - former international student and teaching assistant U of MN
(speaking/oldies/J-pop/Broadway)


"I'm amazed! I totally, 100% recommend Karen Lyu's voice coaching!"

Devin Brady - Nashville for All of Usformer Phonebanking Coordinator,
Nashville Obama for President Campaign (speaking by phone/singing basics)


"Karen Lyu is exactly what you want in a voice teacher, she is knowledgeable and patient, supportive and committed to detail. But it's the small things that make Karen an exceptional voice teacher. The reassurance in her eyes and the genuine caring in her heart. She was able to free that part of me that I thought was imprisoned forever, my own true voice. With Karen's guidance I was able to take my own music to new heights.
From performing with my own band to soloing with award-winning singers and singing
on several CD projects."

David Ballman - songwriter/vocalist for Blue Garden and
soloist with the Twin Cities Community Gospel Choir
(blues/gospel/rock/pop/folk/songwriting/vocal health)

"Within a few sessions Karen showed me how to expand my range, breathe correctly, and to really learn to use my instrument - my whole body not just those rusty vocal chords. Within a few months I had the confidence to sing to friends and family (and with a waitress at a coffee shop). I love to sing! Now my 19 year-old daughter has been Karen's student for several weeks. She's more confident in her singing and speaking voice. She's having fun and really owns the sense of competence she's developing. You'll be amazed!"

Maureen Heinen - Send in Maureen personal organizer
(speaking/folk/jazz/pop/vocal health)

"I have been singing since I was a child. When I took a vice lesson from Karen she helped me realizethat by making a few changes in posture, breathing and where to place my voice for different songs I could make a big difference in my singing. More strength and durability. Her coaching helped me to perform two concerts each 70 minutes back to back while touring in Brazil. Karen is creative and very good at coaching.”

Masankho Banda - UCanDanc International Storyteller - Dancer / Drummer -
Educator - Healer / Massage Therapist - InterPlay Leader
(speaking/folk/jazz/pop/vocal health)

"I have been playing music professionally for over six years and until now never had the confidence to help my band with the vocals. Karen has taken my voice from a scared mouse to a confident lion. I am now working on harmonies with the band and feel as though I can now add what we were lacking in the vocal department. Karen was a great teacher. Not only was she cool, fun, and talented, she also helped me with my allergies, bad back, and posture. Thanks Karen, you rock!"

Jimmy Baker - singer/songwriter/guitarist Crazed Individuals
(Prince/rock/pop/songwriting/vocal health)

"After taking lessons with Karen, I feel confident with my voice and now I do teleclasses
all the time. It's the main way I get new clients!"

Scott Lewis - Focused Business Action life coach and teleclass presenter
(speaking/singing basics/vocal health)

"This was my first teleclass ever - I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It was fun.
I found myself wishing it lasted a little longer. Karen offers a breadth of knowledge which leaves me feeling hopeful that I will regain my singing voice and that I can be a more powerful speaker in the artistic and business realms. My voice feels clear and open!
Thanks Karen!"

Amy Barankovich - Compassionate Kids, creator and educator
(speaking/singing basics/vocal health)

"I really enjoyed the experience as much taking a physical class. I loved the comaraderie of being able to share similar issues in a safe, protected environment. I was able to get results that I wasn't able to get with other teachers! It's obvious that you put time into developing valuable information for the class and really care about the outcomes of your students!"

Tom Powell - aspiring educator and new member of Nashville in Harmony
(speaking/singing/vocal health)


"[Karen] you are a constant source of inspiration. I learned so much in just a short time in your voice class. I will continue to use what I learned for the rest of my life. Thanks again."

Jerome Beckley - lead singer, The Downchilds Band
(folk/rock/oldies/vocal health)

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© Copyright Karen Lyu, Holistic Voice Coach 2008-2009. Photo by Dawn Vogel.