One-on-one lessons and group classes in Iowa City
Your Voice is Beautiful (Even If You Think It Isn't)
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or terrified of singing out loud, my lessons and classes are for you.
Look, I don’t care if you sound like a dying walrus in the shower or if some bully in middle school told you to “just mouth the words” during the Christmas concert. Your voice is not broken. It’s just been hiding.
Maybe you’ve been singing your whole life and want to get serious. Maybe you belt out Taylor Swift in your car but clam up the second someone’s listening. Or maybe—just maybe—you’re one of those people who’s convinced they’re tone-deaf but secretly dreams of not being terrible at karaoke.
Here’s the thing: I work with adults who are done apologizing for taking up space. (Plus a few teenagers who haven’t learned to shrink themselves yet.) If you’d like to be one of them, I want to work with you.
How It Works
01
The Warm-Up
We start every session getting your voice out of its cage with gentle warmups that make you feel like a human being instead of a tightly wound spring.
02
We Sing!
Then we dive into the good stuff: songs you actually want to sing. Don’t know what that is? I’ll help you find material that aligns with your voice and values.
03
Live Accompaniment
I’m an accomplished pianist, which means you get real, live music backing you up. It’s like having your own personal concert every time you show up.
04
Follow-Up
I won’t leave you hanging after your lesson. I’ll send you home with things to work on at home before our next lesson.
This is for you if...
You want to feel joy in singing.
- You’re healing something and your voice is part of that journey.
- You’re preparing for auditions and need someone who will lovingly push you to greatness.
- You want to perform but need to build some confidence first.
- You’re tired of keeping your voice locked away like some shameful secret.
Some people come to me to remember who they were before the world told them to be quiet. Others want to master their craft. Both are valid. Both get results.
And if you’re feeling brave? We’ve got Knightingale Concerts at Riverside Theatre twice a year. Because you are not on this earth to hide your voice under a bushel.
All my life I had been told I couldn’t sing.
I felt there was something wrong with me, or my ear. Even though I had played the guitar for years, I just couldn’t sing the right notes. After much encouragement from a friend, and a referral from another one, I went for my first lesson. I’ll never forget when Mary Jane told me after 10 minutes, “well there’s nothing wrong with your ear.” After that I felt like a whole musical world opened up for me. I think about singing all the time and my confidence grows weekly. I am learning how to breathe, and how to use my mouth, and learning where the sound comes from. More importantly, I’m learning to use my own voice. Whether you are a beginner, or an experienced singer, Mary Jane will challenge you, and bring it out of you. I give her an enthusiastic 2 thumbs up! And that’s because I only have two thumbs.
– Tyler
I had no idea I could sing like that.
Thank you for the lessons! I just killed my audition!
– Andy
Thanks for giving me a safe place to be.
One of my reasons for thinking about not showing up was because I might break down. But I know that would have been ok. That’s part of my song.
– Jackie
I hadn’t sung in decades when I started working with Mary Jane to get my voice back in shape.
She’s been so supportive helping me re-discover the joys of singing, and she’s introduced me to new vocal techniques I never knew about, much less thought I’d master. I love the breadth of musical styles Mary Jane has introduced me to, from Handel to Patsy Cline!
– Marie
I never thought I’d have been ready to sing in front of a crowd in only a few classes.
I also never thought I’d express interest in singing the national anthem in front of sports fan, but here we are. Sang in front of a crowd, and will hopefully sing the anthem next season. Mary Jane has a sneaky way of not only building confidence in yourself and your voice, but knowing when you need pushed into that next part of finding your voice, and supporting you on the journey. She’s not going to hang you out to dry! If you love music and you want to find your voice, Mary Jane is the only way to go.
– Samantha
I signed up for the group adult class as a low barrier to entry experience and it did not disappoint.
It was just the motivation I needed to begin my voice finding journey. It has inspired me to begin individual lessons.
– Zach
You have the amazing ability to not only help Tabitha hone her craft, but she always comes back to us lighter, happier and content.
A parent of high school client
– Ashley
This night (Knightingale Studio Concert) was magical.
It was the warm-hearted, fully supportive community that wrapped each singer in laud for bringing their powerful voice! Mary Jane consistently creates connections of true delight in each other and growth in musicianship! Wow!!
– Jan
In over 30 years of studying and performing, I have never had a better voice teacher than Mary Jane.
From her ability to convey in plain language how to work with my instrument, to her thoughtful choice of repertoire, to her fantastic accompanying skills, Mary Jane is the entire package. I literally cannot recommend her highly enough and wish I had met her many years ago!
– Adam
Let Your Voice Be Heard
Beginning Session Offered Jan. 22-Feb. 24
This beginners singing class for adults (18 and up) isn’t your grandmother’s church choir. It’s a 6-session small group where you’ll learn to:
- Breathe like you mean it
- Project without blowing out your vocal cords
- Sing with other humans
- Build confidence without the solo spotlight terror
No music reading required. No pressure. No solo performances unless you’re begging for one. Just you, your voice, and a group of people who get it.
Want to join? Register above or reach out through the contact link below.
LEVEL TWO SESSION OFFERED MAR. 25-APR. 29
Registration is also open for a developing voice class in the spring for those who’ve already completed this one or have had some prior singing experience. Reach out if you’re interested!
Singing Playground
A playful, welcoming space to sing for each other in community
So many things are better in community—and singing is no exception! Join the fun of group voice exploration. Share a song, receive kind and helpful feedback, and dive into workshop time to grow your skills.
Feb. 15th, March 29th, April 26th
$25 for a two-hour class
Knightingale Studio, 332 E. Davenport Street, Iowa City, Iowa
Open to those who’ve taken the “Let Your Voice Be Heard” Adult Singing Class or 1-on-1 sessions with Mary Jane.
come and play
Frequently Asked Questions
My home studio is located in the Northside Neighborhood very close to downtown Iowa City. It is only three blocks north of Bluebird. 332 E. Davenport Street, Iowa City, Iowa
270 days! Also you can book a session only 8 hours or more ahead of time. Rescheduling and cancelling must be done 24 hours in advance, except in the case of severe illness, extreme weather, or emergency.
I sure can, but I find that people sing better when they have a connection with a song, so I always ask every client if they have a song or songs that they would love to learn to sing! Music selection is part of the collaboration and process of learning in each session.
Every style!! If you want to sing it, I can help you, although some styles of singing take advanced skill. We have to have patience and work our way up to the high dramatic notes, whether it is pop, rock, soul, country, musical theater, opera and more.
Singing is one of the most vunerable things we can do, so it is absolutely natural to be nervous, even terrified. The biggest step is walking into the studio. Once you have made it there, I will help you take some deep breaths and easy your worry. My studio is a safe zone, and has a warm and calming vibe so you can feel comfortable and free to explore and connect with that voice deep inside.
I do not offer sessions online because a big part of the experience that I offer is our collaborative music making. Also, I feel that I am able to help you best when we work together in person. There is magic that happens when we explore in the studio together. If you are not local to Iowa City and interested in exploring the healing power of your voice, please check out my community page and fill out the interest form for the online community I will be launching soon.
Definitely!! This is one thing that is helpful about my studio, compared to other voice studios in the area. Feel free to book a session anytime. You are welcome to come as frequent or infrequent as you would like. Keep in mind though learning always happens best with frequent touchpoints. If you are serious about growing your skills weekly or bi-weekly lessons are best.
Technically, all you need is yourself! But often people like to bring water and if you have specific music you would like to work on, email me the sheet music beforehand or bring a copy. Otherwise I will find sheet music for you and we will build a plan together to achieve your goals!
The Bottom Line
You were born with a voice. You were meant to use it. And anyone who told you otherwise can kindly go kick rocks.
Ready to feel the joy of singing again and reclaim your right to be heard? Let’s talk.
