Our Vocal Coaches
Experienced. Passionate. Dedicated to Your Voice
Choose you vocal coach and sign up today for an incredible singing experience!
STEPHANIE LIPPMAN – TEACHES VOICE, SONG PERFORMANCE, SONGWRITING AND MUSIC PRODUCTION.
“We sing when words alone no longer suffice.”
SINGER, PIANIST, VOICE TEACHER, PERFORMANCE COACH
A true-self starter with a passion for the arts, music advocacy and New York City culture!
Stephanie is excited to be sharing her ‘know-how’ with the Voice Academy team! A specialist in vocal styles, Stephanie is a professional session singer and voice-over artist.
She has worked as a backing vocalist for celebrities, such as- Cyndi Lauper, Taylor Dayne, Sandra Bernhard, Nancy Sinatra, Ana Gasteyer and more.
She has performed on Broadway National Tours, European and Regional Tours of musicals, as well as at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.
COMPOSER, ACTRESS, HOST AND VOICE OVER ARTIST: Recording Artist and International Touring Singer, Musician, Songwriter / Composer, Producer, Host/MC, Voice Over and Audio Books
EDUCATION: Boston Conservatory at Berklee/Berklee College of Music | BFA – Musical Theatre, minor in Directing
“We sing when words alone no longer suffice.”
TATE CHU – CLASSICAL/OPERA, MUSICAL THEATER, AND POP PERFORMANCE & VOCAL TECHNIQUE
Tate is a professional opera singer, vocalist, performer, and voice/piano instructor from beautiful San Diego, California.
Tate received her Bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from California State University Fullerton, where she was educated by great performers and directors such as Deborah Voigt, Frederica von Stade, and Tito Capobianco. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in opera performance at Manhattan School of Music.
ASHLEY MORTON – TEACHES VOICE & SONG PERFORMANCE
I am excited to have joined the amazing team at Voice Academy NYC and to be working with all the wonderfully diverse voices this city brings.
Ashley Morton is a New York based performer and voice coach. She has toured nationally with shows like Legally Blonde the Musical and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and continues to perform regionally at theaters across the country. Throughout her career, which spans over 8 years, she has honed her craft as a vocalist, developing reliable and effective technique. She has studied with the Institute for Somatic Voicework under Jeanie Lovetri, and continues to develop her practice based on the principles therein. Her mission is to make singing joyful, fulfilling, and easy.”
MICHAEL LONGORIA – MUSICAL THEATER, ROCK, POP, STAGE & VOCAL PERFORMANCE
Michael Longoria is best known for his star turn on Broadway as Frankie Valli in the Tony Award-Winning Musical Jersey Boys. Currently starring in The Midtown Men concert tour and Meet The Midtown Men (a live concert/documentary for PBS), Longoria has been crooning across the world in a rock concert celebrating the 60s. Their self-titled debut album, THE MIDTOWN MEN: Sixties Hits was met with critical acclaim and was followed by their first radio single “All Alone On Christmas” with producer Steven Van Zandt and backed by members of The E Street Band.
In 2016, Longoria’s solo debut Broadway album, Broadway Brick By Brick, reached #2 on the iTunes Vocal Album Chart. Longoria’s second solo studio album, Merry Christmas Darling, was released in November of 2018 to critical acclaim, followed by a 16 song collection of movie soundtrack hits with his third release in 2019, Like They Do In The Movies.
Michael made his Broadway debut in the smash hit musical Hairspray (2003 Tony award for Best Musical), later creating the role of Joey in the original Broadway cast of Jersey Boys (2006 Tony Award for Best Musical) before taking over the starring role of Frankie Valli. In 2017, Longoria created the role of Freddy in the original Off-Broadway cast of The View UpStairs and can be heard on the original cast album.
He has appeared on television as the lead vocalist for Cirque du Soleil on the Season 9 Finale of America’s Got Talent, Broadway Under The Stars: A Tribute To Harold Prince, the Opening Ceremonies at The U.S. Open and as animated characters on Dora the Explorer.
As a singer-songwriter, Longoria has performed his original songs at Joe’s Pub, The Cutting Room, CB’s Gallery, and Caroline’s on Broadway. Longoria was nominated for Best Male Vocalist and Best Cabaret by The Glam Awards in 2016.
Michael trained at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts followed by New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
JONNA CHRISTENSEN – TEACHES POP, R&B, SOUL, ORIGINAL MUSIC. Available on Wednesday's only!
Jonna is a singer, songwriter and a recording music artist from Finland.
Jonna is a singer, songwriter and a recording music artist from Finland. She joined Voice Academy NYC in 2018 as a vocal coach.
Besides teaching voice lessons, Jonna has also taught dance (commercial, hip hop, jazz, musical theater, latin) in various dance schools since she was a teenager herself (1996–2017).
Jonna’s music career took off in 2002 when she was selected to be in the first PopStars band in Finland (a reality TV-format which was the inspiration for the Idols franchise). Jonna stayed in the band for only a short time before becoming the first singer and songwriter to combine American R&B sounds with Finnish lyrics and paving the way for a new era of pop music in Finland.
Jonna has released 3 solo albums with Sony Music, received multiple nominations at the Finnish Music Awards, booming radio play and top hits on the Finnish charts.
She has also worked as a TV host (Voice Out!, TV2), is a three-time Finnish “show dance” champion, has worked as a dancer in 2 different dance companies (Step Up dancers, Cat People) and was a Finnish National semifinalist for the Eurovision Song Contest with her song “Puppets” in 2011.
Jonna has performed in musicals such as “Hair“, “Grease” and “Hello Dolly!” and she recorded the theme song for Disney’s Kim Possible in Finnish, among other voice-over and studio work she has done over the years.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Pop and Jazz vocal performance from Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki, Finland. She also studied jazz vocals for 1 year at the Royal College of Music (Kungliga Musikhögskolan) in Stockholm, Sweden.
In 2015, Jonna crowdfunded, produced and released her first English album Sound Mind and after touring with the album in Europe, she relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area. After 2 years in California and touring the west coast, Jonna moved to NYC in 2017.
She has performed her original music at venues such as Shrine, Pianos, The Bowery Electric, Scandinavia House, Silvana and the KAYE Playhouse.
For the past 5 years, she has been focusing more on raising her little kids and teaching & performing less. But she is excited to teach and write more new music in 2025.
Jonna’s over 20 years of experience as a performer gives her a unique set of tools in coaching new talent, not only in singing but also in the art of performing.
SAM WOOLF – TEACHES VOICE, SONG PERFORMANCE, SONGWRITING AND MUSIC PRODUCTION AND GUITAR.
Sam teaches beginners, intermediate and advanced levels.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE :
SAM WOOLF is a highly collaborative singer-songwriter known for his original compositions and emotive vocals. Sam gained national recognition as a finalist on American Idol where he placed in the Top 5. Sam has been hailed as a “natural singer whose soul and passion are undeniable in every note he sings.” His performances and recordings have obtained millions of views, and Sam receives tremendous support from his fan club, the “WOOLFPACK,” on social media.
Sam is an accomplished singer-songwriter and performer with over a decade of success running an independent music career. Recognized for professionalism, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to artistic excellence, Sam is an experienced pro at songwriting, producing original music, and as a live performer, but also has an aptitude for contract negotiations and executing strategic marketing initiatives.
You may recognize Sam from his Top 5 placement in a nationally televised competition, performing for millions of viewers. (American Idol 2014). Same is also a scholarship recent to Berklee College of Music (2016-2017).
Sam has four years of classical vocal training under renowned opera singer Robert Lischetti. His experience spans multiple genres, allowing him to help students build strong vocal technique while finding their unique style. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced singer, Sam offers personalized lessons tailored to your goals.
Songwriting/Recording:
- Released 5-song EP, Pretend, which charted #9 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart;
- Released the 10-song acoustic album, Acoustic Village (2023), and multiple singles/collaborations with other artists like The Como Brothers band, guitarist/producer Orion Meshorer, artist Stephen Puth, and producer Noah Conrad.
- Collaborated with renowned musicians and producers, including Aaron Sterling, Andy Burton, and Grammy-winning producer Danny Blume.
Live Performance/Touring:
- Headlined Bradenton, Florida Winterfest alongside The Doobie Brothers, War, and Jefferson Starship.
- Secured performances at iconic venues, including Webster Hall, Mercury Lounge, Casa Cipriani, and the Hard Rock Hotel.
- Completed a 44-city arena tour across the U.S. following American Idol, delivering high-energy performances for thousands of fans.
MELANIE SCHOLTZ – TEACHES VOICE, SONG PERFORMANCE, SONGWRITING AND MUSIC PRODUCTION AND PIANO.
I am excited to have joined the amazing team at Voice Academy NYC and to be working with all the wonderfully diverse voices this city brings.
Melanie teaches intermediate and advanced level.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE :
Melanie Scholtz is a South African born, Multi Award winning jazz singer and composer. Melanie started playing the piano from the age of 5 and went on to study Opera at The University of Cape Town Opera School where she graduated Cum Laude with a Performer’s Diploma in Opera in 2000. Melanie has released five successful solo albums and has been a featured artist and guest songwriter on many albums nationally and internationally. She has been a professional musician for over 20 years and has performed all over the world including her native country, South Africa, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, Poland and the United States. Her most recent performances include touring with Wynton Marsalis and The Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra in their 2019/2020 season, with shows in New York, Chicago, South Africa and Vienna. She released a new album called “Kindred” on a very successful tour in Czech Republic and Poland in Nov 2021.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE :
Melanie has been involved in the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa from 2008 – 2014 as a performer and teacher as well as part of the mentor-ship program with the Artscape Youth Jazz program from 2006- 2013. She also went on to teach at the University of Cape Town from 2004-2005. She has taught Internationally at annual Jazz Camps in The Czech Republic, where she lived for 2 years.
She currently resides in East Village, New York and gives workshops and develops Songwriting, Music Production and Visual Arts curriculum for the 92Y Centre for Arts Learning and Leadership. She is also frequently invited by Jazz at Lincoln Centre as a featured singer/musician giving workshops for conferences and events.
Melanie is also working for The Leadership Program, a New York based Teaching Artist DOE approved organization, for the past 3 years as a music and visual artist teaching artist, teaching across the board from Kindergarten to High School. She has also hosted workshops showcasing Music Production, Electronic Looping , Visual Art , and Improvisation at CUNY, the University of Pennsylvania, and Smith College. Melanie is also a South African Junior Champion in Ballroom and danced Latin and Ballroom for more than 10 years.
AZUDI ONYEJEKWE– TEACHES POP,ROCK, R&B, SINGER/SONGWRITER, ORIGINALS AND MUSICAL THEATER
300+ in Off-Broadway and 300+ on Broadway!
Azudi is a Brooklyn based actor, singer-songwriter and educator. As the last born of six, to two incredible Nigerian born parents who immigrated to America in the 1970’s, infectious melodies, soulful basslines, African diasporic rhythms, and a transnational consciousness have permeated his existence for as long as he can remember, leading to a lifelong love affair with music.
Azudi is an honors graduate from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he double majored in Theatre and Africana Studies, but also trained extensively in voice and music theory. His voice teacher throughout his time at NYU was renowned vocal coach Dr. Pamelia Phillips. As an actor, Azudi has performed in dozens of productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway and at multiple Tony award-winning regional theatres across the country. He is a member of the original Broadway casts of the critically acclaimed Broadway musicals “Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812” (featuring 4 time Grammy nominee and multi-platinum recording artist Josh Groban) and “Violet” (featuring Grammy nominee and 2 time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster).
As a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Azudi has also performed at venues all around the city including 54 Below, Joe’s Pub, Pete’s Candy Store, The Parkside Lounge, The Shrine in Harlem, and Carnegie Hall. He is currently at work on a debut EP of his original music, to be released in early 2019. He has been a member of the Faculty of Molloy College-CAP21 since the 2015-2016 school year and also teaches acting and vocal performance privately.
Fun Fact: Talented Azudi has performed 300+ in Off-Broadway and 300+ on Broadway! Impressive!
Please email us at voiceacademy23@gmail.com if you want in person private lessons with Azudi ( $119/hour).
Katarina Nolfe (Founder) – Teaches Pop, R&B, Musical Theater and Singer/ Songwriter style!
“Teaching in New York City for twelve years, I have had quite a unique experience working with professionals, aspiring pros, amateurs or beginners of all ages, including architects, lawyers, brain surgeons, ambassadors, social workers, pilots and many more. I love the diversity this provides every day and watching the joy which people share with their voices, while strengthening their inner voices. This is why I created Voice Academy NYC.”
Swedish-born Katarina Nolfe studied voice technique, song performance and music theory at New School University, and has worked as a singer, songwriter and vocal coach for the better part of the last two decades. She began performing as a child and through her teen years furthered her professional training, including at Kulturama, one of the most reputable music academies in Sweden.
Privately, Katarina studied voice under the world-renowned voice teachers Dr. William Riley and Don Lawrence (whose collective client base is a who’s who list such as, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, and Usher to name a few).
Prior to founding Voice Academy NYC in 2006, Katarina worked as a singer and songwriter and collaborated in recording studios with various musicians and producers such as Catalyst (Lady Gaga, Chris Brown) and guitarist Willie Brown Jr (Alicia Keys). While coaching different singers in the studios of NYC, she discovered her gift for showing others the fundamentals of singing.
On September 27, 2017, Rachel Platten (Fight Song) joined Katarina and Rob as a surprise guest vocal coach as they jointly coached eight cancer survivors as part of Ford’s Warriors in Pink, More Good Days Tour. (see more at AMNY.com and CBSNEWS.com)