Joann C. Chang StudiosReviews of joanncchang.com

I was so happy to see my son step out and try something new, singing. These lessons were just the right thing. Joann made him feel comfortable, and she guided him in just the way that he needed, to explore his singing talent. I was so impressed with his performance at the recital, he really came out of his shell and shined brightly, while having fun. Joann does a great job in tailoring the sessions to what each student needs, while also encouraging them as a group.

I’ve been taking singing lessons with Joann for about 8 months, after moving from the East Coast where I had 6 months of prior vocal training. As a beginner, I was worried about how long it would take to move from just trying not to hurt my voice (using falsetto or straining my cords) to actually sounding good and creating art as a singer. Coming from a South Chinese background, my speaking habits lean more toward head mix rather than chest voice, which made me wonder if that would hold me back. But Joann completely changed that perspective. She helped me not only build a healthy foundation in chest voice but also understand how to transition smoothly into mix and head voice. With her guidance, I’ve learned how to achieve vocal closure, find placement, navigate my passaggio, and use subtle changes in facial expression, tongue, jaw, and core strength to shape my sound. Every month, I notice real progress. Joann doesn’t just teach technique—she teaches how to design a song thoughtfully, using the right tools for each section to create dynamics and artistry. My personal goal is to be able to perform confidently in public within 3 years, and for the first time, I feel that’s truly achievable thanks to her. On a personal note, vocal training with Joann has been more than just music lessons. My work environment has often been stressful, and her supportive teaching and positive feedback have been a huge source of motivation and joy in my life. Singing, like any physical training, gives you direct positive results when you put in the effort—and Joann makes that journey exciting and fulfilling. I would wholeheartedly recommend Joann to anyone interested in singing—whether your dream is to perform professionally, shine at karaoke, or simply feel more confident in your own voice. She’s an incredible teacher and truly brings out the best in her students.

I started working with Joann earlier this year at the end of March. I have led worship for many years, and have never received formal vocal training. Before I started private vocal coaching, I was convinced there are certain songs I could never lead, due to not being able to reach certain high notes. Joann helped me identify where my chest, head, and mixed voices are, and taught me several helpful warmups and exercises to help me strengthen my mixed and head voice. She is also familiar with worship leading and worship songs, which is something I was looking for in a coach. Joann is very professional, but also makes the coaching fun! I have improved in my confidence and I believe I have improved my singing techniques, although there is still lots of room for me to grow. I would recommend Joann to anyone who wishes to grow in their vocal journey, especially those who are in worship!

Coming to the bay area. I really really wanted to make my music better. The biggest thing I needed was to get a vocal coach who could help me not only find my own sound, but help with technique so I could finally sing the correct way. I wanted to be able to confidently sing without being autotuned. Joann was able to help me accomplish both of these things and much more. She is a great teacher with a mastery on the techniques of singing. In addition, she is also a musician herself. Because of this, she has helped me a lot in how I could apply these techniques to my own songs. When I first joined, I was singing from my throat with a lot of tension. After just a year, my singing has gotten so good and relaxing, I can sing for so much longer with tension, and I even feel comfortable singing in front of crowds when its just me and someone else playing a guitar. This didn't even seem possible before I started. She is very encouraging and will really help you not only sing better, but increase your confidence in it as well. I am still taking lessons because I feel like there's another ceiling I can hit when it comes to my vocals. And with Joann, I am confident I can reach that goal.

I didn't sing before Joann. Always thought it was reserved for those with natural talent, but I wanted to put myself out there last year. I'm glad I did because now singing has become a comfort and joy for me. Singing provides me a way to relax, have fun, or express any emotion. And because of Joann, I've been invited to a wholesome lot of singers (her other students) that ocassionally get food or sing together. I didn't realize how encouraging a singing community could be and I wish I knew I earlier that I wouldn't be judged for singing terribly or not knowing what to do. For the classes themselves, I've learned so many things about my voice and so many drills, techniques, and skills. I think Joann will follow your pace and if you're willing to put in a lot of time, she can help you get anywhere. I'm still just getting started and even though I made a lot of progress, I can appreciate so much more now how much skill and talent it takes to write and sing a song.

I feel my singing has improved so much with Joann! For most of my life I've been musical, playing piano, drums and violin but singing never really made sense to me. I doubted I could improve and tried on my own for a while just by doing exercises. But I wasn't sure whether I was getting any better. I heard about Joann through a friend and signed up for lessons because I really wanted to enjoy my own voice and be able to sing for worship/praise! Joann has given me a step by step process to improve singing through exercises and focussing on the right things. In the 3 months I've taken lessons, people around me have been really surprised that I've improved this much and I feel a lot less strain when singing. It feels more comfortable and my voice is stronger. I think this is because Joann is able to diagnose problems really well and discover what is holding me back. I'm really happy with the progress I've made and think the cost is more than worth it! I highly recommend Joann's teaching because she has a wealth of experience in understanding what your obstacles are and giving quality feedback!

I wanted to improve my ability to sing in order to be able to pour out emotion in worship through my voice. I had no prior, formal training. In fact, I did not even have the vocabulary to describe what "better singing" meant. I just knew that some people sound great when they sing! I took the jump and worked with Joann on singing worship songs. The group classes with Joann were a great environment to learn how to sing. It felt safe and fun. Joann puts effort into developing technique and building up your confidence. The classes gave me vocabulary to begin to describe different aspects of singing and I learned practical exercises to help me improve. I was able to improve my singing and get honest and encouraging feedback in a community that helped motivate me to sing more. Also, I did my first singing performance in front of a crowd. The coaching aspect was crucial because each student gets individual feedback to help them improve. I would highly recommend Joann as a vocal coach.

I've been taking vocal lessons with Joann for the past two months, and I'm so grateful I decided to invest in something I love. Singing has been a passion of mine since middle school, but I've never had formal training. As a mom of two toddlers and an elementary teacher, finding time for myself can be a challenge. Taking singing lessons with Joann has been a wonderful form of self-care that brings me joy during this busy season. She has taught me various techniques to use my voice correctly, and I now have a much better understanding of sound placement and control. Joann is clearly passionate about helping her students achieve their vocal goals. My aim has been to improve my resonance with higher notes, and I can see progress each week. She provides clear guidance on exercises to strengthen my voice, making each lesson productive and enjoyable!