Voice Lessons in Paris for Wellbeing or Performance
If you are searching for voice or singing lessons in Paris, you are in good company, whether you want to sing for wellbeing, for performance, or a bit of both.
Many of my students are not learning to sing for the stage (although I do offer performance opportunities for all students). They want to connect with their voice, build expressive skills, and grow in confidence. They want a creative outlet that is just for them, a way to feel more at ease in their body, or a second chance after being told they “can't sing”.
I also work with developing and high-level performers, including singers preparing for auditions, recitals, and professional engagements. The foundations are the same: understanding how your voice works, and having the freedom to use it well.
Many students sit somewhere in between. A performer may want to develop their skills in a more holistic way, and a wellbeing student may discover a taste for the stage. I enjoy working with all of them equally. It is an honour to support each person's journey and to watch their skills and confidence grow.
This page explains how singing lessons usually work, how my approach adapts to wellbeing and performance goals, how my group workshops fit in, and what to expect if you get in touch.
About Kayla Collingwood
I am a contralto classical singer and voice teacher, originally from New Zealand. I have lived in France since 2020, and I teach in Paris area, in English and French. I teach classical, musical theatre, and contemporary styles, and I adapt lessons to each student's goals.
My teaching is grounded in voice science and a trauma-informed approach. I hold a Master of Music in Classical Voice, a Graduate Certificate in Theatre Studies, and multiple certifications in vocal anatomy, pedagogy, trauma-informed practices, non-clinical therapeutic interventions, and more!
Questions and Answers
Are your lessons for wellbeing or for performance?
Both. Some students come for a creative outlet, some for audition or performance preparation and training, and many for a blend of the two. Goals can change over time, and the lessons adapt with you.
Can anyone learn to sing, even as a complete beginner?
Yes. Singing is a skill involving coordination of the brain and body, and coordination can be learnt at any age. You do not need to read music, have sung before, or know what your voice type is. We adapt to your current level of knowledge and ability.
How do performance or technique-focused singing lessons usually work?
Traditional voice lessons typically follow a well-tested structure, and it suits many people. A typical lesson with most voice teachers looks like this:
A weekly lesson of around 60 minutes with a teacher
Music theory, if needed/desired
A warm-up with vocal exercises and scales
Work on a set piece in the genre/s the teacher specialises in (I teach classical, musical theatre, and contemporary styles)
Corrections from the teacher, then practice at home until the next lesson
How is my approach to voice lessons different?
Whether you come to me for performance training or for personal development, I use the same foundations as traditional lessons: technique, repertoire, and musicianship. The difference is in how adaptable the lesson structure is.
Your goals lead. If you are preparing for an audition or performance, we work to that standard. If you are not, there is no pressure to prepare music to a performance standard, and we focus on developing your overall abilities.
We adapt the structure and pace. If we need to explore something a bit off-track, we do that. If something triggers a physical or emotional response, we pause to explore it and change course if needed.
I explain the “why”. We look at how the voice works functionally, so you can try something, notice the result, and adjust. Because the voice is an internal instrument, it is a constant process of explaining, trying things out, and building physical awareness. Vocal anatomy is very complex, so I am still learning all the time, too!
Holistic skills alongside technique. For many people, movement and stagecraft practices open up new ways to connect with their voice. Sometimes we explore these ideas together.
Flexible formats. I offer weekly and flexible lesson options to suit your schedule, budget, and capacity for this kind of work.
Do you offer group voice lessons or workshops in Paris?
Alongside private lessons, I host regular group workshops that bring the same science-based, trauma-informed approach into a shared space. For performance-based participants, I host a workshop series called Expand Your Voice. For wellbeing-based participants, I host Breath & Bloom workshops.
Workshops suit you if you:
Prefer to try things out before committing to weekly lessons
Enjoy learning alongside other people
Want a one-off, intensive experience
Are curious about your voice but not sure about one-to-one work
What does “science-based” mean in a singing lesson?
It means we work from an understanding of anatomy. We look at how we coordinate breathing, how we phonate, and how the shape of your vocal tract (throat, mouth, and so on) affects the sound.
Knowing how your voice works takes away much of the guesswork. Pitch, vocal freedom, and expression become questions of coordination, rather than talent.
What is the mind, body, and voice connection?
How you feel affects how you sound, and how you sound affects how you feel. Stress, anxiety, low mood, tiredness, illness, pain, and hormonal changes can all alter the voice, through muscle tension, changes in breathing, or changes in energy. In the other direction, how you use your voice can shape how you feel in your body, how you breathe, and how confident you feel.
The larynx is supplied by the vagus nerve, which is part of the nervous system and also connects to the heart and gut, so tension and emotion often show up in the voice before we notice them elsewhere. In lessons, you learn to notice these changes, then make small, deliberate adjustments. Getting to know your instrument and how to adjust what you do with it leads to a wider palette of vocal skills and more expressive freedom.
What does “trauma-informed” mean in practice?
Trauma-informed work is built on six widely used principles, set out by SAMHSA (the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). They were written for health and social services, and I have adapted them for my voice studio. This applies in every lesson and workshop I teach, whatever your goals. This is how each principle looks in my teaching.
Safety. I provide a safe, supportive environment for you to explore and learn about your voice. We agree on an initial direction for the lesson, you can ask for a breather at any point, and you never have to sing in front of anyone else before you are ready.
Trustworthiness and transparency. I explain what we are doing and why. I do my best to make expectations, boundaries, and practicalities clear from the start. I do not share personal details outside your lesson space, unless there is a serious safety concern of legal consequence.
Peer support. Learning alongside others can be powerful. My group workshops offer a shared space to explore your voice with people on a similar path, at whatever level of participation feels right. If you work with me one-to-one, I can point you towards community when you are ready. The teacher-student dynamic is a little different, as I am sharing knowledge and skills with you, but I support you during lessons as a fellow human and an equal.
Collaboration and mutuality. We work as a team. You are the expert on your own experience, and I bring knowledge of how the voice works.
Empowerment, voice, and choice. Consent is central to our work. You are empowered to ask questions, ask to make adaptions, say no, or make a different choice at any point. It is your choice whether you disclose elements which may affect our work (for example: traumatic experiences, health issues, current life challenges), and to what extent.
Cultural, historical, and gender issues. Everyone arrives with their own background, identity, and experiences, which shape how they see and experience their voice, the lesson space, and the dynamic between us. I keep my own learning up to date so my methods reflect current best practice.
I stay attuned to the person in front of me and lead with curiosity rather than assumptions. I suggest further support where it would help, and I refer out where necessary. If I do not have an answer to hand, I find it.
Are these lessons the same as music or voice therapy?
No. Therapy is delivered by trained, registered clinicians who work towards therapeutic goals. I am a voice teacher trained in non-clinical therapeutic interventions (this means that I draw from therapy practices in ways which are ethical and safe outside that context), and I refer out where necessary. If you are looking for therapy, a qualified practitioner is the right person to ask.
Many students find that voice lessons sit well in tandem with therapy.
What happens in a first singing or voice lesson?
We talk about what brings you to voice work and what you would like from lessons. I give a short vocal anatomy presentation. Then we begin working on a vocal exercise, so you can hear and feel how your voice works, and so I can understand the qualities, challenges, and skills your voice currently has. Depending on your current abilities and needs, the rest of the lesson is adapted accordingly. I then send you a Notion page with some things to work on, and you decide whether you would like to continue with further lessons.
How much do singing and voice lessons in Paris cost, and where do they take place?
Please see my teaching page for current prices and availability. I teach mainly from my studio and online.
Quickfire Questions
Do I need to read music? No. If you want to learn music theory, we can incorporate this into your lesson time.
Do you teach in English? Yes, I teach primarily in English, but I also have students whose lessons take place in French.
Is it too late to start as an adult? No. Adults can improve at any age.
Can I learn if I feel nervous about my voice? Yes, most people feel nervous before and during their first lesson. This is totally normal, as this is a new experience for you, and I am a new person who you are getting to know. Many people are surprised by how quickly they begin to feel comfortable using their voice in a lesson!
Can I take lessons alongside therapy? Many students do. Lessons are a creative practice and do not replace mental health care.
Do I have to perform? This is never an obligation. I offer performance opportunities, and you may like to begin seeking out your own (open mic nights, etc) at the right time.
Do you teach advanced singers and professionals? Yes. I work with singers at every level, including those preparing for auditions, recitals, and professional engagements.
Do I need lessons before joining a workshop? No. Workshops are open to beginners and to people who have sung before. For the Expand Your Voice workshops, you should be comfortable singing in front of people.
Can I do both lessons and workshops? Yes. Many people who attend workshops have also come for 1:1 lessons, and workshops are open to current students.
Ready to start?
Whatever your goals, visit my teaching page, fill out the enquiry form, and I will send you all the necessary details to book your first lesson!
If you have any questions, feel free to mention them on the enquiry form or to contact me directly, using the contact form.
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