Which Famous Singers Have Had Singing Lessons?
People often ask me: “Have any famous singers actually had singing lessons?” The answer? Absolutely—many. Below are just a few examples of world-renowned artists who worked with vocal coaches to unlock their full potential.
1. Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson studied with Seth Riggs for over three decades—32 years, according to Seth himself (source).
Seth helped Michael evolve his voice from his child-star beginnings into a mature, tour-ready voice capable of handling extreme demands on stage.
Want to hear a real session of MJ working with Seth? Listen to this:
2. Stevie Wonder
Another Seth Riggs student, Stevie Wonder worked with him from early on in his career. Though anecdotal, it’s said that vocal strain initially led him to seek help.
Much like MJ, Stevie’s signature ease and vocal agility reflect the hallmarks of healthy technique developed through training—combined with innate talent and years of hard work.
3. Luciano Pavarotti
Yes—even the great Pavarotti had singing lessons. He began formal voice training at 18/19, which is considered late for operatic standards. However, his father was a trained singer and gave him a foundational musical education from home.
According to ‘Pavarotti: Up Close’ by Leone Magiera, Luciano could already hit high E♭5/E5 in full voice during his first lesson—highly unusual. Despite this, Pavarotti himself noted it took six years to master his first vocal bridge/passaggio (‘Great Singers on Great Singing’ by Jerome Hines).
His message? It’s hard—but worth it. Stick with it. Don’t take shortcuts.
4. Beyoncé
Beyoncé is widely known to have undergone intense vocal training from a young age. Voice coach David Lee Brewer reportedly worked with her for 11 years (sometimes even living with the family). Another coach, Tom McKinney, is also associated with her vocal development.
Her vocal control, range, and endurance are testaments to both talent and rigorous training.
The Takeaway
Each of these artists had two key things in common:
- ✔️ Natural vocal gifts
- ✔️ An extraordinary work ethic
But that doesn’t mean singing is just for the “naturally gifted.” With consistent practice, the right coaching, and dedication, you can absolutely build a voice people want to hear.
Learn More: Related Articles
- What happens in a singing lesson?
- What most singing teachers get wrong
- Our vocal technique explained
- Can lessons help if I think I sound bad?
- Are singing lessons actually effective?
If you’d like to experience this for yourself, I’d love to start work with you. You can book yourself in right here!