"I first worked with Nina my Sophomore year of High school and then again just recently as I prepared to begin my Junior year as a musical theater major at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington. She has given me tools to access parts of my voice that I had forgotten or never knew were there. My range has expanded, and I feel confident once again in my upper range, and grounded in my lower range. I went into my auditions for this fall season feeling strong and confident and the positive feedback I got from my faculty as well as the turn out in casting is no doubt in large part due to the support and training I received from Nina during my summer vocal lessons. She is incredibly supportive and a very knowledgeable mentor and teacher. She focuses heavily on how you the student are experiencing your voice, and works from your own feeling and experience in your voice to integrate good vocal technique. It is very grounding to be able to learn about and connect to your voice in this way, using techniques that work specifically for you and that you can feel in your body. She is very conscious about the way you are feeling and even helps you to discover habits that you were unaware of and in turn gives you ways to gradually let go of those habits. I have continued to use the exercises I learned with her and have integrated them into my practices with my voice teacher here in Seattle." ~ Casey Kitzman (Cornish College Musical Theatre Major)
"Nina has a growth mindset and is forever honing her craft of teaching. She not only builds voices, she creates a strong and positive community of students that help each other to find artistry and purpose in their singing. From classical art song and opera, to contemporary pop and musical theatre, Nina understands how to teach it, and does so with love. I'm proud to call her my former student and am thrilled that she's back in Milwaukee to shape our young singers!" ~Dr. Tanya Kruse Ruck (Professor of Voice & Department Head at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee)
"Taking voice lessons not only helped my singing, it helped me grow as a person. In high school, I used to just sing my part and not push myself to explore my vocal range. That all changed quickly when I made the decision to take voice lessons. With Nina’s help, I was able to find a whole other range I can sing. Voice lessons helped me gain the confidence to try out for solos in choir, audition for the school musical, and even sing in a coffee shop for the first time. Nina was right there by my side throughout solo ensemble. She helped me, step by step, work on the little things that eventually paid off when I was able to go to state for a musical theater solo, which I had never done before. Not only is she easy to work with, she is a great person as well. She helped me feel comfortable with discovering a whole other side of me, vocally. Working with Nina was one of the highlights of my senior year of high school. She is an incredible person, and an even more amazing teacher. She showed me what it is like to work at something to make it perfect. Without her help, I would not have had the strength to audition for one of my college choirs, let alone get in. She pushed me to believe in myself and not second-guess my talent. " ~Kiri M. Salinas (Former Student)
"Nina has been an amazing teacher in my three and a half years of lessons with her. She has exceptionally prepared me to enter into college as a voice student through her dedication to my vocal development. She always makes the success of her students a priority which includes offering many performing opportunities to her students like NATS." ~Emma Milton -Senior (Current Student)
"My daughter has become a stronger, more confident singer since working with Nina. I get to hear many lessons and am amazed from week to week with the progress Aidan makes on the songs she selects. Nina encourages song choices that not only suit her students vocal range and ability, but that challenge her students to explore new music. She is a great teacher, coach, and mentor. " ~ Tammy Von Allmen (Parent)
"Johnston Voice Studio has been one of the best experiences for my daughter in her life. Seriously Nina is that good that she's giving my daughter more confidence. From a parent perspective I love that Nina is very prompt & structured and professional. My daughter has gained knowledgable insight not just with singing but also how to further her love for music & a career in the future.
My daughter can be picky with her musical tastes when choosing a song for an audition/event since it's so important & Nina patiently played through every possible song & talked about each one until my daughter found one she was happy with. She knew that the right song will give my daughter the confidence that she needed for that event.
My daughter has said she likes singing for Nina because she tells you what's wrong & how to make it better but also gives the why to back up her point.
There are several optional musical events throughout the year that Nina puts on the calendar to give the students more challenge while giving them something to work towards.
We are both very thankful we found Johnston Voice Studio. Nina is worth the drive from anywhere because she is that good!"
~ Marianne Fett (Parent)
My daughter can be picky with her musical tastes when choosing a song for an audition/event since it's so important & Nina patiently played through every possible song & talked about each one until my daughter found one she was happy with. She knew that the right song will give my daughter the confidence that she needed for that event.
My daughter has said she likes singing for Nina because she tells you what's wrong & how to make it better but also gives the why to back up her point.
There are several optional musical events throughout the year that Nina puts on the calendar to give the students more challenge while giving them something to work towards.
We are both very thankful we found Johnston Voice Studio. Nina is worth the drive from anywhere because she is that good!"
~ Marianne Fett (Parent)
" I am one of Nina's newer students, but I have never felt as confident in my singing as I do now. Nina doesn't only focus on how you sound; She focuses on how you feel. How does it feel when you sing this way? What if you change this? She is so intelligent and kind, and working with her is an absolute joy. However, she is not just a great teacher, but a great person as well. When faced with a mistake in regards to one of my [competition] performances, Nina stuck up for me and made sure that I got what I had worked for. Choosing to work with her is one of the best vocal choices I have made in a while, and I cannot wait to continue my studies with her!"
~ Cora Trexell - Junior (Current Student)
~ Cora Trexell - Junior (Current Student)