Testimonials
The experience of studying with Nanci Sorin Collyer was literally life-changing for me. I had a successful singing career in New York with the Ray Charles Singers, Norman Luboff Choir, along with performing on several television shows. I had been a party of many recording sessions. My first album was called "Born to Be Blue." When it was time to introduce vocal training to my daughter, with much confidence, I entrusted my child to one of the best vocal coaches around, Nanci Collyer. It didn’t take long before I knew I realized that I had to study with Nanci, as well.
It was life-changing. I am now in my seventies and singing better than ever. I have recorded two new CDs in the last few years and perform regularly, and because of Nanci, I now have the ability to teach. I received a call to be on the faculty of NYU as a coach and teacher for a vocal production. Though I had never considered teaching, I was equipped with the proper skills from all that I had learned from Nanci, and knew I was fully prepared to take that challenge. It has opened up a new and exciting field for me.
I teach privately; oversee the vocal clinics at the Fairbanks Arts Festival; and for fifteen years, conducted annual two week workshops in Ketchikan, Alaska.
The workshops are not for students or professionals, but geared for the townspeople, many of whom have never sung. This is particularly thrilling because Nanci's vocal exercises are so unintimidating to an amateur. During these sessions, I have witnessed miracles. And those miracles are in themselves life-changing for those with newly discovered talents. And with the professional singers who have come to me, nothing in Nanci's method has ever conflicted with the work they have done before.
Studying with Nanci Sorin Collyer is a great experience for anyone.
-Anne Phillips Singer/Song Writer/Arranger/Producer, New York City
I love your teachings, I have been singing for 20 years, I am now 47 years old I never knew how to use my instrument correctly. You have brought out my confidence and levels of my voice I never new I had. You teach the best techniques to get where I need to go vocally. I thought I was a singer 20 years ago!!!!! NAE!! NAE!! Now I can PROUDLY say I'm a singer! And I'm looking foward to really getting all of which you teach me. Thanks and I would recommend you to EVERYBODY. THANK YOU GOD FOR NANCY SORIN.
-LOVE, BARRY MINNIEFIELD, former student and THE VOICE! contender.
In 1989, one of my dreams became true. I received an invitation to audition for the Broadway show City of Angels. The Composer, Cy Coleman, decided to use a Manhattan Transfer style vocal quartet in his new show to serve as a musical commentary as the 40's film noir plot unfolded. I felt I was 'right' for the part. When Mr. Coleman heard my audition, he immediately asked if I would like to be the soprano in the quartet. Having been in show business a long time, I was smart enough and quick enough to say “yes”, even though I had always been an alto. Trying not to panic about accepting the soprano spot in the quartet, I took the advice of Jacki Presti, who was cast as the Alto. She said, "Please go to Nanci Sorin Collyer. She is a great voice teacher and she will train your voice as a soprano."
I began private voice lessons with Nanci and it was one of the best things I ever did. Through her diligent exercises, Nanci taught me how to 'open up my top' and strengthen my high register, enabling me to sing high A's show after show, 8 shows a week, for almost 3 years, with absolutely no vocal fatigue. City of Angels won 6 Tony's and was nominated for Best Broadway Cast Album.
After the show closed in 1992, I returned to teaching voice, and became a principal architect of the highly successful vocal department at the New School University Jazz BFA program in NYC where I continue to teach today. I continue to employ Nanci's voice exercises in my teaching and through her methods and concepts, I have helped open up the voices of hundreds of singers, as well as helped repair really bad vocal habits as well.
Today, I am a Motema recording artist. I frequently perform in jazz clubs in NYC and travel the world performing and teaching at Jazz Festivals. I direct my own vocal jazz camps called Adventures in Jazz. I am very grateful for my studies with Nanci Sorin Collyer, who is an excellent teacher. Our few years together as teacher and student made a huge impression on my singing, as well as my teaching.
-Amy London, Jazz Vocalist/Jazz Educator,Professor of Jazz Voice, New School University for Jazz and Contemporary Music NYC
Nanci Sorin has given me such joy - I can now sing! I struggled for 7 years with various voice teachers, trying to learn to sing - with poor success. As a physician, I finally diagnosed myself as needing speech therapy to get my larynx and tongue coordinated. I heard of a teacher in Palm Springs who was an expert in the field of voice - Nanci Soren. After only one year of her special exercises, my voice was so much better - both speaking and singing. My fellow chorus members are relieved and I am shouting out with joy.
-Nancy Kubik M.D.
I began studying voice with Nanci in January of 2010. I thought I was a very good singer that had just a “little” trouble with tongue tension that prevented me from really hitting those high notes. In the words of cyberspeak, OMG, was I wrong. Sure I could carry a tune and knew how to sell a song fairly well but after studying with Nanci for only a short time I found a voice in me that I never knew I had. I really found my voice. Nanci’s technique has given me the sound that no other teacher could tap in to. I feel like a new person and most importantly I feel like I am now really a singer. Thank you so much, Nanci.
-Kitty Garascia
Nanci has exceptional talent beyond her ability to listen, encourage, instruct and motivate. It's her ability to connect and help develop one's natural vocal talent. Her patience and immense reservoir of experience is invaluable. If you want to discover and realize your potential, I encourage you to spend time with Nanci.
-Dr. Corina Morrison, DC, CCSP
Palm Desert, CA.
I spent several hours with Nanci because I wanted to improve my public speaking skills and learn how to project my voice with effortless ease and clarity. I learned how to do this and benefited beyond expectations. Nanci was also able to help me enhance my visual communication skills and body language, instilling more confidence and ensuring a more professional delivery.
-Phil Cox, Chairman
SALUS Holdings Ltd., Hong Kong
Nanci Sorin(Collyer) has been my voice teacher for nearly one year now. In that time I have improved tremendously. Her technique has allowed me to do things I was never able to master, even after three years of lessons with my former teacher. I came to Nanci after witnessing marked improvement in two acquaintances who had only taken 2 or 3 lessons with Nanci. Both were in a musical theater class that I was taking, and both had problems producing a full sound and remaining on pitch. Their improvement
after just a few lessons with Nanci amazed the entire class. After experiencing first - hand what Nanci can do, I would highly recommend her to anyone who seeks vocal instruction. In addition to being an effective teacher, Nanci is warm, enthusiastic and very encouraging. Her comments are always kind and very positive. I strongly feel that we who live in the Coachella Valley are very fortunate to have this very gifted vocal instructor available to us.
-Jenise Fryatt, Founder
The Desert Actors' Network
Nanci is nothing short of miraculous. Her patience and intuitive understanding of an artist has helped me reach new heights as a vocalist, musician and a human being. Nanci has the delicate and loving touch to take anyone beyond their expectations. Truly, she is a rare gem.
I love you so much, Nanci. All my accomplishments are because of you.
-Missoni Lanza
Indian Wells, CA.
Shreveport, LA.
Press
She Tunes Up Vocal Cords
If your voice is your stock in trade and your stock has hit an all-time low; voice-trainer Nanci Collyer's program is the commodity for you.
~ by Ernest S. Young
The Saturday Evening Post, October 1983
She Tunes Up Vocal Cords
If your voice is your stock in trade and your stock has hit an all-time low; voice-trainer Nanci Collyer's program is the commodity for you.
~ by Ernest S. Young
The Saturday Evening Post, October 1983
She Tunes Up Vocal Cords
A many-Faceted WomanThe Desert Woman - November 2005
