1^st lesson free

Karen

5 (2 reviews)

Rate R1993
Response 1h

5 (2 reviews)

R1993/h

1^st lesson free

Vocal Coaching
Jazz Singing

5-star-rated Holistic Voice Coach/Jazz Diva with 29 years of experience helping struggling singers to perform with confidence and passion. From absolute beginners to pro singers, SAG-AFTRA actors, etc

Vocal Coaching
Jazz Singing

Lesson location

- online

About Karen

Karen Lyu is an award-winning queer Korean-American Author, Holistic Voice Coach, Jazz Diva, Songwriter, and Actor. She is also a Keynote Speaker, Creative Clarity Coach, and Game Designer. For nearly three decades, she has been helping neurodivergent creatives to transform their voices so they can speak and sing with confidence, clarity, and joy.

Since 1997, she has coached over 1,000 students in 17 countries — from absolute beginners to pro singers, SAG-AFTRA actors, contest competitors, and scholarship winners. Students call her “Karey Poppins” because she combines proven vocal science with compassion, mindset training, and a touch of magic to unlock breakthroughs that last.

Karen's education includes a BSS in Jazz Studies, Vocal Performance from Cornell College, as well as certifications for IMIA, CCHI, TNAOC, AVP, TESOL, EMF, LMA, SMA, LMAFT, Genesis, New Science of Singing, and Expert Coaching. She is also the author of Singing in Tune: Solutions for 25 Pitch Problems, 2nd Edition and the recipient of more than 20 honors.

Along the way, she has worn many creative hats — Executive Director of the West Bank School of Music, facilitator of the Female Musician Academy Songwriters Group, judge for Hmong Idol USA, Steppingstone Theatre teaching artist, choir director, and more. Each role has deepened her passion for helping voices rise and be heard.

As a performer, Karen is known for her playful, powerful, and unforgettable jazz performances — blending swing, scat, soul, and stories that touch the heart. Her music draws from jazz, folk, Motown, funk, Broadway, Latin, and world influences, inspired by greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Janis Siegel, Sarah Vaughan, and Eva Cassidy. My voice has been featured on NPR, film, TV, radio, and all kinds of stages, including the Dakota and Fitzgerald Theatre.

Also, as a neurodivergent mental health advocate, Karen creates a safe, encouraging space for voices to heal, grow, and shine. Today, she works with students globally online — guiding them to discover the strongest, most free version of themselves.

About the lesson

How My Approach Is Different

Holistic voice coaching supports the whole person by paying attention to the mind, body, and emotions together. It helps students feel confident and comfortable with their voice and solves voice issues faster and more effectively.  

Most voice lessons give you techniques and lectures, and hope something sticks. I work differently — because I've seen what actually changes a voice, and it's never just the mechanics.

You may have been told to "just relax" and "breathe from your diaphragm" ~ without much to show for it - leaving you feeling exactly the same as before.

That's not a you problem. That's a teaching problem.

Here's what we do instead:

➢ Hands-on Learning — So you instantly know when you are doing something correctly
➢ Body Alignment & Breathwork — So your sound is supported and free
➢ Vocal Technique Made Simple — So your voice is healthy, strong, and flexible
➢ Performance Coaching — So your presence captivates and connects instantly
➢ Mindset Training — So you stop sabotaging your own success
➢ Creative Play — So you find the joy in learning and performing

This isn’t about just sounding better — it’s about becoming a confident performer who loves their voice and knows exactly how to use it powerfully.

It's about becoming someone who knows their voice — who trusts it, uses it fully, and actually loves performing.

That performer is already in you.

My mission is: I help unheard voices SOAR!

From absolute beginners to pro singers, SAG-AFTRA actors, contest competitors, and scholarship winners.

Are you ready to SOAR?

Recommendations

Recommendations are written by the tutor's friends, family, and acquaintances.

C

Cynthia

Karen is the best teacher I could ever ask for. At every class, I learn something new and I make progress on my voice/singing capabilities. She is SUPER knowledgeable, about absolutely anything related to vocal training. It's not just about breathing: it's about learning to put emotions into your singing, to use your whole body, to take care of your body, train your muscles, where to direct your eyes when you sing... She is a true holistic coach, exactly what I was looking for.

Before studying with her, I doubted that an online teacher could work out. But she proved me wrong! It's amazing all the things we can do via distance.

Karen is very kind, and with her I discover I'm more capable than what I thought!
Read more

C
Cynthia
Karen is the best teacher I could ever ask for. At every class, I learn something new and I make progress on my voice/singing capabilities. She is SUPER knowledgeable, about absolutely anything related to vocal training. It's not just about breathing: it's about learning to put emotions into your singing, to use your whole body, to take care of your body, train your muscles, where to direct your eyes when you sing... She is a true holistic coach, exactly what I was looking for.

Before studying with her, I doubted that an online teacher could work out. But she proved me wrong! It's amazing all the things we can do via distance.

Karen is very kind, and with her I discover I'm more capable than what I thought!
C

Carol

Karen is exceptional. Her teaching skills go way beyond for jazz and vocal excellence in general. As a professional singer myself, I worked with Karen and she brought certain techniques and skills to my attention which enormously improved my singing. I would recommend Karen in a heartbeat to anyone who wants specialized, personal, individualized vocal instruction, in the form of one of the kindest people I know.
Read more

C
Carol
Karen is exceptional. Her teaching skills go way beyond for jazz and vocal excellence in general. As a professional singer myself, I worked with Karen and she brought certain techniques and skills to my attention which enormously improved my singing. I would recommend Karen in a heartbeat to anyone who wants specialized, personal, individualized vocal instruction, in the form of one of the kindest people I know.
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Rates

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R1993

Package rates

5h: R9965
10h: R19930

free lesson

The free first lesson with Karen allows you to get to know the tutor and discuss your needs and expectations.

online

R1993/h

5-star-rated Holistic Voice Coach/Jazz Diva with 29 years of experience helping struggling singers to perform with confidence and passion. From absolute beginners to pro singers, SAG-AFTRA actors, etc

Lesson location

Recommended

About Karen

About the lesson

Recommendations

Rates

Rate

Package rates

free lesson

online

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