Online singing lessons for adults and beginners
on Zoom or in person in Victoria, BC
You can take singing lessons online, live and one-to-one, from anywhere in Canada, or in person. I'm Jessica Benini, a Canadian folk singer-songwriter and music teacher based in Victoria, British Columbia. I sing for a living, and I still warm up before every show with the same exercises I'll teach you. If you'd like to try, write to me about a first singing lesson.
“I was pretty nervous about learning to sing, but Jessica helped me become really confident. The exercises have done much to increase my range and I am now performing and loving every minute of it.”
There's more from my students on my testimonials page.
If you were told you can't sing
Many adults I teach were told they couldn't sing, or sang years ago and stopped. Adults learn to sing. I start from how your voice feels today and build breath and range gradually, on the songs you actually want to sing. No audition and no recital unless you want one.
Beginner and intermediate singers are my favourite students. I've taught for more than 16 years, including voice at Rosebud School of the Arts in Alberta, where I also earned my degree in Theatre and Music. I was nominated for Vocal Performance of the Year at the Vancouver Island Music Awards in 2014. My about page has more of my background as a singer and teacher. My lessons are welcoming to 2SLGBTQI+ and neurodivergent students.
What happens in your first lesson
If you've never sung in front of anyone, I think online is the easiest way to start. You're in your own room, the door is closed, and it's just the two of us. I help you find your range, show you how breath works for singing, and often play along on guitar or ukulele while you sing. You leave with one exercise and one song section to practise. Nobody has ever been "too much of a beginner" for this.
What you'll work on in lessons
With consistent practice, your range can grow over time. Lessons cover:
Breath support, and releasing tension in your jaw, tongue and throat
Range, and moving from chest to head voice through the bridge, where your voice switches register
Tone, pitch and ear training
High notes without pushing, and habits that protect your voice
Phrasing and performance, so a song sounds like you
How singing lessons work on Zoom
I find that voice teaches well through a screen. On camera I can see your posture and how you breathe. Lessons are 30, 45 or 60 minutes, Tuesday to Friday, Pacific time, on Zoom or FaceTime if you prefer. Afternoons in Victoria are evenings in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes.
You need a laptop, tablet or phone with a camera, and a quiet room. No special microphone, no software to buy. I send a short recap after each lesson with your practice for the week, plus demo clips to replay. I also teach online guitar, ukulele and harmonica lessons.
Singing lessons in person in Victoria, BC
In Victoria, BC, you can take the same lessons in person, on the same days and at the same prices as online. For a lesson at your own location, I add a $30 travel fee. Younger children usually do better in person or in a group class.
A live teacher, an app or a group class?
A video course or app is cheap and works at any hour, but nobody hears a habit forming. Free videos are fine for a first try, though bad habits can slip by. A group class costs less per hour and is social, with less attention for each person, and I run ukulele and guitar group classes myself. Waiting is a fair choice too. What a live lesson adds is someone listening to you, one-to-one, with a recap and demo clips afterwards.
What singing lessons cost
A private lesson with me is $50 for 30 minutes, $75 for 45 minutes and $100 for an hour, in Canadian dollars. Online and in person cost the same, including for students in the US. Semi-private lessons cost the fee plus half per extra person, so two people pay $75, $112.50 or $150 for 30, 45 or 60 minutes.
Most adults start with a 45-minute lesson weekly, depending on budget and goals. Lessons must be cancelled at least 48 hours in advance, or you're charged for the session. The full rates are on my rates page. When you're ready, tell me what you'd like to sing.
What new singers ask before booking
How long before I hear a difference?
Most students notice easier breathing and a steadier tone within three or four lessons. Your range, and the strength at the top and bottom of it, can grow with consistent practice over time, so how much it changes depends on how regularly you practise.
How much should I practise between lessons?
I suggest practising 15 to 20 minutes a day between lessons. The recap I send after each lesson lists the exercises and song section to work on that week, and the demo clips let you check how each one should sound.
What age can a child start online singing lessons?
Children can start online singing lessons from about eight. I ask a parent to sit in for the first lesson. Teens and adults of every age take online lessons too. Younger children usually do better in person or in a group class.
What styles of singing do you teach?
I teach pop, folk, rock, country, soul, blues and gospel singing. You choose the songs you want to sing, and I teach the technique through them, so your warm-up and exercises lead straight into the music you care about.
Can I record my lessons?
Yes, you can record your singing lessons with me, so you can replay the exercises during the week and hear how your voice sounded. I also record short demo clips of exercises and song sections for you to sing along with.