LYNDIA “mzlyndiA” JOHNSOn

Voice Coaching Professional

Lyndia Johnson, known in the Music Industry and singers as “MzLyndia” is not your average vocal coach. From touring with artists to collaborating with producers, MzLyndia has spotlighted the need for vocal artist development in the music industry for 25 years.  Her celebrated abilities as a vocal coach and in artist development are highly respected; she has served on the Board of Governors for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and is a vocal consultant and clinician for MusiCares and was one of the original architects of Grammy Camp. Her relationship with the Recording Academy has been a long recognized and well-respected collaboration.  

MzLyndia holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Voice and is certified in Vocal Anatomy and Physiology, Vocal Acoustics, and Comparative Vocal Pedagogy. Her expertise in developing the Contemporary Pop/R&B Vocal Style is a unique combination of years of operatic study (MzLyndia was a well-established opera singer and a student of the legendary Margaret Harshaw before becoming a vocal coach) but it was Gospel and R&B Music that supported and re-enforced the development of her operatic voice; influenced by the voices of Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, and Mahalia Jackson, she brings to her expertise the best of both worlds; an avid vocal scientist which informs her contemporary musical instructional style and is highly sought after among Pop, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater and artists that desire to brand and transform their voice in addition to Opera Singers who are “crossing-over” from Opera to Popular singing styles. Her artists can be heard around the world in Pop, KPop, R&B, Gospel and Musical Theater.

MzLyndia has lectured on the voice for the Pacific Voice/Speech Foundation at UCLA, the University of Illinois Chicago Hospital of Voice/Speech Therapy, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to name a few. MzLyndia is a contributing editor for the upcoming Oxford Dictionary of Contemporary Music; and in 2018, MzLyndia was invited to serve as Associate Professor of Practice in Pop Voice and is currently interim-Co Chair of the Popular Music Program at the University of Southern California. MzLyndia is the first African American Professor of Voice engaged by the Thornton School of Music.

COVID Considerations for Singers

Vocalists Considerations. “Singing is thought to be higher risk activities for COVID-19 spread due to the aggressive expelling of respiratory droplets. This can result in aerosols that can hang in the air for hours. Much attention has been given to the risks of singing because of ‘super-spreading’ events documented during this pandemic. It is important to take extra precautions when participating in musical activities, especially if they involve vocalists and wind instrument musicians.”

Vocalists should use masks for all rehearsals and increase distances between individuals to 12 feet during performances where masks are not to be in use by the singers in the group.

Distancing Recommendations. A minimum distance of 12 feet is recommended between singers. Like an athlete, simply the physical activity of playing one’s instrument generates more forced breathing and generally leads to more droplets escaping from the sides of masks. As a result, it is best to increase from the standard 6 feet distancing as an added precaution.

STERLING VOICE COACHING

Sterling Voice Coaching (SVC), founded in 1995 by Lyndia Johnson, “MzLyndia”, is the first stop for singers who have never studied or trained their voice. SVC educates singers who have been singing for years “unaware” of how to sing.  MzLyndia calls this, singing with talent and No Skill!  Which is a recipe for disaster for any new singer.   

Sterling Voice Coaching is an exciting and innovative approach to voice coaching for ages 14 and up with specific attention given to adolescent boy singers experiencing the dreaded “vocal transitional” phase of life.  SVC provides complete vocal coaching and training at this very important time for all new singers and singers who have been poorly or never developed.  SVC works on all singing styles specializing in methods that produce healthy, beautiful, easy singing.  

Sterling Voice Coaching’s clientele consists of singers of all genres and styles in addition, SVC works side by side with producers who desire assistance with singers during recording sessions.  “An important aspect of effective vocal coaching is “the style of singing does not have to change to get great recording results.”  

Sterling Voice Coaching provides vocal coaching that prevents vocal loss, promotes longevity that is easy to maintain.  A great start for any new singer on the journey to discovering their singing and all its possibilities!