The Things I Love (and Hate) About Being a Voice Coach
When I meet new people and they ask what I do for a living, they’re naturally curious. Some of that is novelty—I mean, how often do you meet someone who teaches singing for a living? But I think a lot of the curiosity comes from people wondering what it must be like to work in a completely different world from theirs.
Like any job, mine has highs and lows. So in this guide, I’m sharing both sides: what I love about my job—and what I don’t.
Four Things I Love About Being a Voice Coach
1. I get to spend all day every day making music
If you’re reading this, you probably love music—especially singing. It’s a massive perk of the job that I get to work on my own voice and dig into songs every single day. In a way, I’m paid to work out how songs tick and how different voices interact with them.
Just like an athlete warms up each morning, I start my day with exercises that get my voice coordinated. Most of the time, these go to plan—some days, not so much. But I get to build my instrument daily and develop it further over time.
2. I get to sing my favourite songs every day
These aren’t just warm-ups—I’m singing my actual favourite songs. I have a core group of 10–20 that show me how my voice is doing, help me improve, and just feel great to sing. Some songs get swapped out, some evolve, but it’s a joy to shape my voice by singing what I love.
3. I work with clients who love voice as much as I do
It would all be pretty meaningless without the people. I get a huge kick out of helping others build their voice, often seeing them conquer songs they never thought possible. The real magic happens when they say: “I didn’t even notice how I got there—it just feels natural.”
Helping someone realise that they’ve become a truly great singer is immensely satisfying. A great voice is its own reward.
4. It’s great for my mental health and headspace
Singing is my daily reset. On days I don’t sing—maybe I’m unwell or away—I notice a real shift in my mood and mental clarity. Singing keeps me balanced, and I know many of my clients feel the same. It’s a grounding habit that clears the mind, even when life gets noisy.
Four Things I Hate (Well… Dislike) About Being a Voice Coach
1. I have to get my voice firing every day, whether it wants to or not
One of the best things about my job is also one of the hardest. When I’m unwell, overtired, or recovering from a sore throat, I still have to get my voice working—because my work depends on it. Sometimes I can’t cancel, even if I’m feeling rough.
Unlike hobbyists or part-time singers, I can’t push through and then rest for days. My voice needs to be dependable every day, and that can be mentally and physically draining.
2. Even a mild cold can wipe out my work week
You’d be surprised how even a tiny infection can totally derail a voice. Pharyngitis, laryngitis, sinusitis—they all hit differently. Post-nasal drip alone can make it impossible for me to sing or teach properly, even if I feel fine otherwise.
When your voice is your livelihood, even a sniffle can mean lost income. There’s no sick pay, no holiday pay. No voice = no work.
3. Your self-worth can get tangled up in your voice
When your skill is so central to your work, it’s easy to feel like your worth is tied up in your vocal performance. If my voice is underperforming, even temporarily, it can affect my confidence—just like it would anyone who’s struggled to sing a song they normally nail.
Even seasoned professionals admit this gets to them. It’s a psychological weight that comes with the territory.
4. There’s a constant low-level stress in the background
Running your own studio means there’s always uncertainty. Imagine this:
It’s Friday night. You’ve wrapped the week and you’re off the clock—but you get a text from someone who says they might need to cut their sessions. They don’t say how much or when. You reply. No answer. Then another message arrives the next morning about something else affecting your income. You try not to worry, but it lingers.
This happens to small business owners all the time. It’s not always dramatic, but the threat of loss, disruption, or instability is never far away. It’s like living under a low, buzzing cloud of uncertainty.
Final Thoughts
I meant it when I said the good outweighs the bad. Singing, teaching, making music—these are deeply fulfilling, and I’m incredibly lucky to do them every day. But the reality is more nuanced than most people realise.
If you’re a singer, hobbyist or pro, I hope this gives you some insight. And if you ever want to explore your own voice more deeply—whether for mental wellbeing or musical ambition—you know where to find me.