Testimonials
Allison Mondel’s teaching is like nothing else out there. Old-school classical training focuses on “technique” – which makes us obsess over what we perceive as tiny imperfections in our voices. Allison has worked through all that as a singer herself and broken through to a level of mastery that focuses on what music actually IS – an expression of the totally unique individual soul.
She is loving and gentle, and teaches with generosity, humor and deep empathy because she has been there! Her teachings center on the deep knowing that every sound that comes directly from our heart is beautiful and as I’ve worked through her classes I have experienced what I was longing for – singing as pure joy!
Allison has brought her brilliant insights and gifts as a teacher out into the world at a moment when so many of us who have struggled and want to love how we sound can can benefit. My work with her has been balm to my soul and transformative for my voice, teaching, and directing.
Erin Durrett
Allison, I loved working with you because you made deliberate the impact partnering with the spiritual realm as close Companion could have on my work. That you are an expert a particular category and genre of music demonstrates this and makes you appealing as a coach.
I felt inspired to own my uniqueness and trust my intuition as a gift of guidance. Since working with you, I see myself and my work more powerfully and purposeful to myself and who I serve.
As I prepare a performance or lessons for teaching, I’m seeing how I can create impactful, satisfying experiences. You are a beautiful artist and teacher and have helped me see how I also can bring my own uniqueness and strength to what I create – co-create with Spirit.
Sharon Hamel
Allison is an extremely helpful, insightful, and qualified voice coach. She has a very relaxed, comforting manner that is perfect for the delicate art of singing – i.e., coaxing an instrument that we can’t see to make sounds that are almost impossible to describe!
She in particular really helped me loosen up unnecessary tension in my tongue and throat, allowing me a smoother, more relaxed legato and greater agility with fast-moving, ornamental notes. I heartily recommend Allison to students of all levels.
Kevin Elam
I truly believe that even the most accomplished musicians have emotional blind spots on issues that could be holding us back. Every once in a while, we should put our scales and arpeggios aside and check in with how we’re doing emotionally.
Allison takes the entire person into account when teaching. She knows there’s more to vocal performance than the mechanics. It’s about comfort, intention, and releasing the emotional baggage that holds us back. That said, she also knows the mechanics inside and out.
You could not find a more nurturing teacher! Allison is a master: her knowledge of repertoire and performance practices is revelatory, and she approaches all music from the heart.
Music is meant to be shared, and Allison’s tutelage will convince your inner self that you belong.
Emily
When I first started working with Allison, I would be anxious for days before a recital, and my heart would race whenever I sang in front of others.
Now, the energy I bring to vocal performance is overwhelmingly positive.
The sheer joy in sharing music I love and connecting with an audience has replaced my dread of failing to meet some ill-defined set of musical standards I imposed upon myself.
Dale
Allison’s guidance has strengthened my self-confidence and my own sense of self worth. I no longer feel like I need someone’s permission to sing. By learning to accept my voice, I am learning to accept myself.
My self, like my voice, has its areas for improvement. But at the same time, it has something to offer and it is inherently worthy.
Samantha
I have grown in every way as a singer with Allison.
David
Allison is very good at getting to the heart of the matter and bringing that up into the light.
There’s a line we keep coming back to… “O priestess what you cry is clear, and sound good sense I think it” when she has come up with something so insightful that it’s now hard to imagine not knowing it, even though it wasn’t at all clear before.
Sean
When I first heard Allison sing, I was in awe of her beautiful voice. Then I took her workshop on Hildegard von Bingen, and I was in awe of her scholarship. When I started taking singing lessons from her I experienced what a wonderful teacher she is as well!
Her approach is very personal and intuitive. She listens and then makes suggestions based on her knowledge and intuition. She has loads of patience and a depth of vocabulary.
I have known Allison for many years and she continues to inspire and delight me!
Her heart centeredness, wisdom and generosity are evident in everything she does. One of my latest adventures with her was to take her course in the Sacred Voice School. It was enlightening and uplifting and I learned some very practical tips that have transformed my singing. I love her and I know you will too!
I advise you to sign up for any of her courses and her weekly emails. It’s true self-care!
Cherie Liesersohn
“Working with Allison is wonderful… she somehow extracts the sound that you didn’t realize was inside the whole time.
She cares deeply about helping each student find their own path to a healthier relationship to their voice.
I am 1000% more comfortable with the sound of my own voice.”
Tyler
“Working with Allison has given me greater confidence in my voice and an awareness of what to do when I feel that my voice needs more support. She is so much more than just a voice coach, she brings a sense of pragmatism and calm to discussions of any “issues” whether they relate to singing or other aspects of life.
I trust in my ability to take on new challenges and greater belief in my musical ability and in the capabilities of my voice.”
Juliet
“Working with her was a deeply healing experience. And I discovered so many underlying pains and blockages in my mental approach to music that had been holding me back for a long time.
I learned so much about the connection of the voice to the entire body, and learned how to pull my singing out of my head and into my breath.”
Natalie
“It was wonderful working with Allison, especially since she understands so well the connection between the voice and the workings of the mind, the emotions, the body, and the spirit.”
Monica
“As a non-singer, with the intention of using my voice to connect to inner wisdom and as a tool for healing, working with Allison has been an insightful and joyful experience.
I have gained a deeper understanding of the mechanics of the breath as a trustable wellspring from which my voice arises, as well as the importance of getting the mind out of the way for a deeper resonance and alignment (body and pitch) to naturally occur.
I’m so grateful for Allison’s technical expertise rooted in trust and heart-centeredness, which has given me tools to build a voice practice based on profound listening and inquiry, holistic embodiment and a reverence for the voice as a sacred instrument.”
Adrienne
“Allison is a wonderfully resonant sounding board. I came for some voice lessons but received much more. In particular, she helped me to achieve clarity in questions I had regarding my next career steps. Grateful to be a lifelong seeker!”
Heather
“As a teacher, she is a fierce, passionate advocate for her students, always seeing their gifts and inspiring them to grow into and take ownership of their persons and voices.
As a colleague, she is the kindest, most loving person I could ever have hoped to work with – her support and friendship have meant the world to me in my own teaching and musicianship.”
George Fergus, former Associate Organist and Choirmaster, Washington National Cathedral
“My experience with Allison has been a great one. Her teaching skills, as well as her calm approach and understanding of music and life, were very rewarding to me.
She is charismatic and kind… She is wonderful!!!”
Marie
“Allison’s coaching unlocked a more sincere, expressive, and invigorating sound. The singers were dwelling on the details of correct execution.
She redirected their worried energies into creative energies. They were inspired to create something meaningful. In the end, their singing was more beautiful, more in line with the breath, and simply full of life.”
Allan Laiño, former Associate Director, The Reston Choral
Frank
“As a life-long singer who has studied with other teachers in the past, I have found my private sessions with Allison to be revelatory.
Her approach is enabling me not only to address the bad habits I’d developed over many years, but also to rethink and retool my entire instrument, both mentally and physically.
I feel so fortunate to have found her!”
Karen
“I feel like I’m headed down a new path with my voice. There’s a lot more work to do but I have some idea of how to approach it now. And I felt unself-conscious about singing (or less self-conscious, anyway) for the first time in a long time!”
Helen
“I’ve had one heart-to-heart conversation with Allison and the best word I can use to describe it was magical. She possesses magical powers. There’s really no other way to explain her and what she does.”
Missy
“I cannot adequately tell you just how much you helped me this weekend. The concert went so much better than I’d even hoped that it would, and it is thanks to you and your pep talk and strategies.
The things that you told me were exactly what I needed to hear, and while my adrenaline made it a little hard to get grounded and centered with every breath, the ones that I did were transformative. I sang through phrases that I have never been able to… something I’ve tried so many times in the past but was never able to understand.“
Julia
“I had my Peabody audition a few weeks ago, and it was the best audition I’ve ever had. Not thinking about it in a performance way, but in terms of ease and comfort.
The thing that helped me the most was thinking of it as a chance to share music I love rather than a moment of judgment. So thank you SO much for that. I really wouldn’t have gotten to that point without our session.”