How 1-on-1 singing lessons helped Michael rebuild confidence and pursue his musical dream

Michael had always loved music. A small-town guy from Kansas, he was used to singing karaoke and dabbling in musicals. People often told him he should take it more seriously. But it wasn’t until a personal setback and a surprising conversation with his boss that he decided to take a leap.

Now, with the help of Wiingy and his vocal coach Reese, Michael is not only improving his voice – he’s building a path toward performing, writing music, and starting a band.

Watch Michael talk about his journey

The turning point: “I found my authentic self – and my voice”

After a painful breakup, Michael turned to therapy and joined a meditation group to deal with anxiety and trauma. That process helped him rediscover himself. And when his boss – a former music teacher – encouraged him to pursue singing, it all clicked.

“I finally had the confidence to go after something I always loved – music.”

He looked for vocal coaches online and found Wiingy. He got matched with Reese – and that’s when things started to change.

Real class insight: Michael’s 1-on-1 vocal training

Michael signed up for 30 private lessons and quickly saw progress. His coach Reese structured lessons around:

• Breathing and relaxation
• Matching pitch with piano
• Expanding vocal range
• Real-time feedback and video assignments

Reese adapted the lessons to Michael’s learning pace – combining clear technical guidance with patience and encouragement. She created a space where Michael felt safe to make mistakes and grow from them.

Breathing right: “I used to feel my throat cinch up”

One of Michael’s biggest challenges was throat tension – it made singing feel strained. With Reese’s help, he learned proper breathing techniques that freed up his voice.

“Reese taught me to use my diaphragm and release that throat tension. That alone changed everything.”

Through simple but powerful exercises, Reese helped Michael unlock his natural voice and reduce physical discomfort.

Getting technical: “Raise your soft palate… wait, what?”

Michael admits he doesn’t always immediately get the techniques – but he always tries. Whether it’s finger placement exercises or vowel shaping, he trusts the process.

“Sometimes I’m like… what am I doing? But then I try it, and Reese’s like, ‘Yes! That’s it!’”

Reese broke down complex ideas into clear steps, helping Michael apply them in a way that felt achievable and relevant to the songs he loved.

Confidence to perform: From karaoke to real goals

Michael used to second-guess his voice, especially when singing live. Reese not only coached him technically but also gave him the emotional support to push through self-doubt.

“At karaoke, if my voice cracked, I’d get embarrassed. Now, I feel more confident – I don’t let little mistakes mess with my mindset.”

He’s already writing songs and teaching himself piano. Once his wrist heals from a recent injury, he plans to hit local venues and build a band.

From practice to performance: Preparing to start a band

Michael isn’t just taking lessons to sing better – he’s using them as a launchpad. With a full song already written, he’s setting his sights on forming a band and performing live.

“I told myself: once my wrist heals, I’m going out to open mics and finding bandmates. I want to make this real.”

Reese supported his broader musical journey, offering encouragement that extended beyond just singing – reinforcing his creative goals and motivating him to keep going.

Busting the myth: Can you really learn to sing online?

Michael had his doubts. “How do I match notes when I can’t hear the piano over Zoom?” he wondered. But those doubts are gone now.

“Online lessons work. I’ve taken 14 already. When I’m famous, I’ll be the one busting that myth.”

He’s even picked a stage name.

Inspired by Michael’s story?

Michael’s journey proves that the right coaching can do more than improve your voice – it can change your mindset. Through Wiingy, he’s learned how to:

• Breathe properly
• Relax and let his voice flow
• Perform with confidence
• Set bold musical goals

With Wiingy’s expert tutors, you can:

• Build vocal control and range
• Receive personalized, 1-on-1 feedback
• Learn real songs and techniques that matter to you

Book a free trial lesson today – and take the first step toward your own musical breakthrough.

Link to Reese Marshall’s profile

Reese Marshall

More stories of student transformations

How 1-on-1 singing lessons helped Mason overcome self-doubt and start discovering his voice

How 1-on-1 singing lessons helped Catherine reconnect with her voice and herself

How 1-on-1 singing lessons helped Veronica find her voice and reclaim her confidence

How 1-on-1 singing lessons helped Sam start tackling performance anxiety and discover his voice

Footnote: Student name changed for privacy. Videos shared with permission.