Most of us weren't taught to sing in our own lessons, so it's no wonder singing feels awkward to teach. Today, I'm sharing a conversation I recorded with voice teacher Nikki Loney back in 2021, and the message is just as relevant now. We talk vocal roller coasters, kazoos, and why singing should be a normal part of lessons from day one, whatever instrument you teach.

  • Tim explained why he's revisiting this 2021 conversation on singing.
  • Nikki shared how a lack of vocal resources led her to co-found Full Voice Music.
  • Why singing supports pitch, language development and emotional regulation.
  • How vocal roller coasters use playful exploration instead of pitch correction.
  • Nikki explained why singing can feel especially vulnerable for older students.
  • Why movable do lets each student start on a pitch that feels comfortable.
  • How hand signs give young students something physical to focus on.
  • Tim shared why kazoos make a gentle, low-pressure entry point into singing.
  • Why normalizing singing early prevents awkwardness later in exams or tests.
  • Nikki shared how vocalizing a phrase can shape expressive instrumental playing.
  • How Full Voice workbooks grew from one-page activity sheets into a full curriculum.
  • Nikki shared her advice for teachers wanting to try singing with reluctant students.


Links Mentioned

Today’s Guest

Inspired by the youngest students in her private voice studio, Nikki Loney challenges teachers to redefine what a singing lesson looks like for a child. Founder and CEO of FULL VOICE Music, she works with music education specialists, children’s composers, and musicians to create music education resources for the young vocal student. She is an active member of NATS, and The FULL VOICE Podcast (part of the NATSCast Network) serves the independent voice teacher and has a global audience. Today’s Sponsor

Beginners quit when reading music feels like decoding. Andrew Ingkavet built the Musicolor Method® to change that. Color makes notation readable from the first lesson, then scaffolds step by step to the standard staff. Piano is where most kids start, and the approach now works on ukulele, guitar, violin, viola, and drums too. Andrew is a guitarist, singer, songwriter, and composer, a former MTV VJ, and author of Superpowers Through Music. He founded Musicolor Method NYC, where 20 teachers use the method every week. Today he trains music teachers of every instrument to bring Musicolor into their own studios.

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