Julian Otis
Singing Lessons by Northwestern University Educator - Develop Musicality with Expertise
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Singing lessons - Julian Otis
Masters degree
/ 30 min
Julian - Get to know your vocal coach
Unlock Your Voice, Unleash Your Potential: Study with Julian Terrell Otis! Are you searching for a voice tutor who can truly elevate your singing, connect with your artistic vision, and help you find your unique sound? Look no further. Julian Terrell Otis, a celebrated creative vocalist, improviser, and composer, brings a fresh, nuanced, and dynamic approach to vocal instruction. Whether you're aiming to master contemporary techniques, explore dramatic interpretation, or simply discover the full range of your vocal capabilities, Julian offers personalized guidance that goes beyond traditional lessons. Drawing from his extensive experience performing with renowned ensembles like the American Contemporary Music Ensemble and the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), and his groundbreaking work in George E. Lewis's opera Afterword, Julian provides insights into performance that only an active, innovative artist can offer. He's not just teaching notes; he's cultivating artists who can infuse their music with genuine emotion, profound contemplation, and impactful social commentary. Discover how to integrate your musicality with dramatic instincts and experiential elements, making every performance a powerful statement.
Julian graduated from Northwestern University


Your vocal coach specialities
Melody & Pitch
Music Performance Techniques
Sight Singing
Improvisation & Composition
Vocal Training
Singing lessons highlights
My teaching methodology centers on the principle of Flow Phonation, a highly effective approach designed to reduce unnecessary vocal pressure and unlock your true vocal potential. This technique emphasizes the smooth, efficient, and unconstricted flow of air through the vocal cords, leading to a healthier, more resonant, and effortlessly produced sound. Through targeted exercises and mindful practice, we will focus on: Breath Management for Efficiency: Developing a relaxed and consistent breath support that provides just the right amount of air pressure for phonation, avoiding over-blowing or holding back. Balanced Vocal Cord Closure: Cultivating a gentle yet complete closure of the vocal folds, allowing them to vibrate freely without excessive squeezing or breathiness. Resonance Optimization: Guiding the sound into optimal resonant spaces within your vocal tract, amplifying your voice naturally without straining. Sensory Awareness: Teaching you to recognize and release physical tension that hinders vocal freedom, promoting a feeling of ease and balance throughout your body during singing. By mastering Flow Phonation, you will experience: Reduced Vocal Fatigue: Alleviating strain and hoarseness, allowing for longer and more comfortable singing sessions. Expanded Vocal Range: Accessing higher and lower notes with greater ease and clarity. Improved Tone Quality: Achieving a richer, more vibrant, and consistent vocal timbre. Enhanced Expressiveness: Gaining greater control and flexibility to convey emotion and nuance in your performances. My goal is to empower you with the tools and understanding to produce a healthy, beautiful sound with minimal effort, allowing your unique artistic voice to shine through.

Singing concept taught by Julian
The session focused on vocal warm-up techniques, resonance exercises using straws, and articulation practice with 'sh' and 'yum' sounds. The Student worked on controlling airflow and improving vocal cord massage. Next session will include exercises the student got a 'taste' of.
Body Warm-up
Straw Phonation
Vowel Modification
Reverse Snore Resonance
Humming Exercises
The following is a summary of a lesson. Julian coached Alexandra through vocal exercises, concentrating on warm-ups, pitch control using straw and water, and phrasing within a song. During the lesson, they tackled ear training challenges and explored techniques to enhance Alexandra's pitch accuracy, especially at the extremes of her vocal range. They set their next lesson for Friday at 3:00.
Vagus Nerve
Straw Phonation
Ear Training
Vocal Phrasing
Julian and Alain focused on vocal exercises to enhance Alain's vocal transitions and consistency. Their work centered on improving airflow, resonance, and alleviating tension in the passaggio area. Alain practiced scales, arpeggios, and applied these singing techniques to a song. Julian recommended that Alain practice a John Legend song using a 'nigh neigh neigh' sound and revisit the 'caky voice' exercise for their next lesson.
Straw Phonation
Resistance Breath
Passaggio (Pajio Area)
Head Voice
Video Submissions guided an individual from Riverlakes through vocal exercises, including straw phonation, vocal slides, and the "Shuy Shouy" and "Showa" techniques, to improve airflow, resonance, and pitch accuracy. The learner practiced singing a song to apply these techniques and successfully expanded their vocal range, reaching up to a B flat or C6. For future development, Video Submissions will provide repertoire suggestions and consult with his voice teacher for additional exercises to challenge their head voice.
Resonance Awareness
Vocal Range Expansion
Vowel Modification for High Notes
Straw Phonation
Alain's vocal lesson involved exercises and singing practice aimed at enhancing resonance, vocal agility, and navigating the passaggio. He diligently worked on lip trills, scales, and various vocalizations to improve vocal placement and breath control. During their time together, they also focused on John Legend's 'Ordinary People,' applying techniques like reverse snorting to achieve better resonance and smoother transitions.
Lip Trills
Nasal/Mask Resonance
Breath Support
Pajio (Passaggio)
Vowel Modification
During this lesson, Video Submissions guided a LaSalle Park resident through various vocal warm-ups, including straw exercises, resonance techniques using the "sh" sound, and the "yum yum yum" exercise. The learner then applied these techniques to singing "Ordinary People" by John Legend, focusing on intonation and vocal placement. The lesson concluded with scheduling the next one for Thursday.
Straw and Water Vocalizing
Vocal Resonance (Mask Placement)
Vocal Fry (Creak)
Mix Voice
Types of singing lessons
Singing
Classical Singing
Pop Singing
Jazz Singing
Movie Singing
Blues Singing
Learner types for singing lessons
School
College
All levels
Adult/Professionals
Interactive voice lessons
Weekend lessons
Mobile joining
Open Q&A
Note taking
Record lessons
Tools & techniques used in voice lessons
Metronome Apps
Ear Training Software
Looping Software
Karaoke & backing track apps
Digital sheet music & lyric databases

Vocal coaches on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.
