How 1-on-1 singing lessons helped Atlas improve harmony skills and confidently lead worship at church

Atlas Kerley, an enthusiastic worship singer, faced challenges in mastering harmony and vocal dynamics for his church performances. 

Though passionate about singing, he struggled with recognizing and sustaining harmonies, especially in live settings with large congregations. 

With little formal training and a busy schedule, Atlas sought personalized support from an expert Wiingy vocal coach, Zackery Nash, to refine his skills and contribute more effectively to his church’s music team.

Why Atlas started singing lessons

Atlas was motivated to start lessons after stepping in on short notice to sing for his church’s 10:30 service when their music leader fell ill. “I had 30 minutes to learn it,” Atlas shared, explaining how he felt his dynamics were off during that service with nearly 800 attendees. 

With a new music pastor arriving who plans to offer coaching, Atlas wanted to improve his technique and confidence. 

Despite hesitations about learning online and balancing his commitments, Atlas chose to work with vocal coach Zackery Nash to build foundational skills and enhance his harmony singing.

If you’re like Atlas and want to strengthen your vocal foundation or dive into church singing, this guide on how to learn singing can be a great start.

Real class insight: What Atlas worked on with Zackery

In their sessions, Zackery and Atlas focused on essential music theory concepts like chord construction, key signatures, and the “circle of fifths” to help Atlas understand harmonization. 

They practiced major and minor chords on the piano keyboard, connecting these concepts to vocal harmony.

Improving vocal confidence: Learning to harmonize with “Way Maker”

One of Atlas’s challenges was harmonizing effectively, especially during live performances. Through focused exercises, he learned how to find and hold harmony parts accurately. 

Zackery emphasized ear training: “You can always change the harmony depending on what sounds good to you.” This approach helped Atlas build confidence in his ability to harmonize independently.

Building ear training skills: Singing “do, me, soul” notes

A key exercise involved singing “do, me, soul” notes to train Atlas’s ear to find and hold harmony parts accurately. This practice enhanced his pitch recognition and interval accuracy, crucial for blending harmoniously with other voices.

Mastering performance: Singing “Way Maker” with confidence

They worked extensively on the worship song “Way Maker,” practicing melody and harmony parts separately and then together. 

This method built Atlas’s ability to stay on pitch and blend smoothly. Zackery coached Atlas through challenges like hitting higher notes and maintaining harmony under live conditions, encouraging persistence despite mistakes.

Enhancing practice: Using virtual piano apps for independent learning

The lessons also included practical tips like using virtual piano apps to find notes, empowering Atlas to practice independently between sessions. This tool allowed him to reinforce concepts and build muscle memory outside of formal lessons.

For adult learners or those returning to singing after a break, check out how to learn singing as an adult to build your confidence step by step.

The outcome: Atlas’s transformation and achievements

Atlas reported growing confidence in his ability to harmonize and lead worship songs effectively. 

He shared how the lessons helped him identify harmony parts quickly and stay on pitch even when “the sound system had distortion.”

Despite occasional frustrations hearing himself in recordings, Atlas remained motivated and eager to continue improving.

“I just can’t tell you how much I appreciate what you’ve already done,” Atlas said, expressing gratitude for the support and progress made in a short time. 

He planned to continue lessons to prepare for future performances and was excited about integrating new skills into his church music ministry.

What you can learn from Atlas’s journey

• Personalized 1-on-1 vocal coaching can unlock vocal skills even for busy adults balancing work and family.
• Learning harmony is a process of ear training, theory understanding, and consistent practice.
• Mistakes are part of growth, persistence and positive encouragement are key.
• Using tools like virtual piano apps can enhance independent practice.

Parents supporting children in musical pursuits may also find this parents guide to singing lessons for kids useful.

Try it yourself – book a free trial

Take the next step like Atlas by booking a free trial with expert vocal coaches such as Zackery Nash. Benefit from:

• Customized lessons focused on your goals and challenges
• Real-time feedback and patient guidance
• A supportive environment for building confidence and technique
• Practical exercises to practice between sessions

Start your singing journey today and experience the transformation of personalized 1-on-1 vocal coaching.

Meet the tutor – Zackery Nash

Zackery Nash is a dedicated vocal coach specializing in helping singers develop their ear, harmony skills, and musical understanding.

Known for his patient, clear teaching style, Zackery combines music theory with practical exercises tailored to each student’s needs. 

Based in South Carolina, he enjoys empowering students across the globe through engaging online lessons, from beginners to seasoned worship leaders.

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Footnote: Student’s name has been changed for privacy.