Karen Lyu
Safeguarding Check: Not Provided
Insurance Check: Not ProvidedHi, I’m Karen Lyu (she/her) — an award-winning queer, Korean-American Holistic Voice Coach and jazz singer/songwriter/actor. I help sensitive, creative people speak and sing with confidence, clarity, and joy. Since 1997, I’ve taught over 1,000 students from 17…
- Confirm safeguarding & insurance.
- Ask about cancellations and rescheduling.
- Clarify lesson format (online / in-person) and location.
About Karen Lyu
Hi, I’m Karen Lyu (she/her) — an award-winning queer, Korean-American Holistic Voice Coach and jazz singer/songwriter/actor. I help sensitive, creative people speak and sing with confidence, clarity, and joy.
Since 1997, I’ve taught over 1,000 students from 17 countries — especially those who’ve been silenced, bullied, or afraid to speak up. Students call me “Karey Poppins” because I blend science, technique, compassion, and a little magic to help people finally love how they sound.
My tools include trauma-informed technique, vocal science, mindset coaching, and creative play. I’ve worked with students in schools, churches, theaters, music festivals, and everywhere in between.
* Education: BSS Jazz Studies, Vocal Performance – Cornell College
* Certified: IMIA, CCHI, TNAOC, TESOL, New Science of Singing
* Author of Singing in Tune: Solutions for 25 Pitch Problems (5-star rated)
* Honors: Won 20 honors/awards
A creative explorer at heart, I have donned many hats, including—Facilitator of the Female Musician Academy Songwriters Group, Executive Director of West Bank School of Music, Hmong Idol USA judge, Steppingstone Theatre Teaching Artist, and elementary ESL teacher.
Also, I am a unique and animated jazz singer/songwriter who loves to give playful, powerful and unforgettable performances. I swing, scat and soulfully savor heartfelt, brave and quirky songs about life, love, and things that matter. My music is touched by jazz, folk, pop, funk, Motown, 80’s, Broadway, classical, Latin, and world music. Vocal inspirations include Ella Fitzgerald, Janis Siegel (The Manhattan Transfer), Sarah Vaughan, and Eva Cassidy. My singing has been featured on National Public Radio, documentary film, TV, radio, cable, and on all kinds of stages.
As a neurodivergent mental health advocate, I offer a safe, nonjudgmental space where your voice can heal and shine. I’ve lived and worked across the U.S. and South Korea — and now teach globally online.
Let’s connect if you’re ready to sound like the strongest, most free version of yourself.
Lesson prices
WHAT TO EXPECT
I teach with kindness, encouragement, and a focus on both your strengths and ways that you can grow. Each lesson blends vocal solutions, fun, and clear guidance to help you reach your full vocal potential. And, I will create a personalized plan to help you reach your goals, with music that inspires you.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, and INCLUSION
All students are welcome and respected, regardless of their race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or disability status. I also have experience with MTF trans vocal feminization.
❤️ YOUR FIRST LESSON – 100% MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE
If for any reason you feel that holistic voice coaching is not right for you, just let me know within 72-hours of your first voice lesson, and you will get 100% of your money back.
24-HOUR CANCELLATION POLICY
Please contact me at least 24-hours in advance, in order to reschedule your lesson.
PAYMENTS
Voice lesson payments are due ahead of time. When you finish a package of voice lessons, the next payment is due after the 2nd-to-last lesson in the package for continuity (ie. the 3rd, 7th, or 11th lesson, etc).
RECORDINGS, TRANSCRIPTS, and NOTES
You have the option to receive a video recording, an AI Quill transcript, and AI Quill notes via email for every lesson to help aid in your progress, unless you object for any reason.
TERMINATION OF LESSONS
If, for whatever reason, you feel the need to discontinue with your lessons, please kindly let me know at least 4 weeks in advance, so I can have some time to search for another student to fill the lesson time. Unfortunately, I cannot give refunds for pre-paid lessons.