Championing the Artist: A Conference for Industry-Relevant Vocal Coaches
2025 has been a turning point for ViP. It’s become crystal clear: we are equipping artists and the coaches who support them for real-world careers with confidence, resilience, and authenticity.
We’re proud to deliver education that rises to this challenge. And this year, we took that mission to new heights at our 6-day education conference in Los Angeles. Read on to discover how we’re turning vision into action.
After several years away, we relaunched our conference for voice teachers in Los Angeles, a milestone that felt like coming home.
Partnering with VocalizeU (VU) was a key part of our vision: empowering both artists and vocal coaches with the very best information, network and skills to navigate the music industry with success, whether you’re in it or supporting those who are.
The venue was as inspiring as ever — overlooking Los Angeles with a view that made you feel part of something rare and creative. Both ViP and VU draw an extraordinary team of presenters and attendees, and when we bring our worlds together, the magic is undeniable.
Before the main conference began, we were privileged to host a 2-day pre-conference course and certification with Amy Chapman on Laryngeal Manipulation Therapy. This purposefully intimate cohort of just seven participants allowed for in-depth, hands-on learning in a focused, supportive environment. The small group format meant every attendee received individual attention and practical experience — a hallmark of the kind of premium, high-impact training ViP is committed to offering.
Gratitude for our Keynotes and Guest Experts
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We are deeply grateful to the outstanding speakers who chose to present at our conference. Their generosity in time, knowledge, and openness was both humbling and inspiring. Their expertise elevated each session, and their willingness to connect with attendees created a truly special learning atmosphere.
At the heart of our program were three powerful keynote speakers who set the tone with thought-provoking perspectives and important, challenging questions, such as:Â What are you really offering the artists you coach, and what do you need to develop to remain industry-relevant?Â
Thank you to Amy Chapman, Dave Stroud, and Justin Stoney.Â
We are especially proud that two of these keynote speakers are members of our ViP community. Alongside them, many of our members led sessions of their own—showcasing the depth of knowledge and experience that exists within our organization, with contributions spanning the globe.
Additional presenters from our membership included: Sandro Leon, Whitney Nichole, Amber Mogg Cathey, Holli Archer, Dolly Kanekuni, and Clare Silver.Â
We were also honored to welcome leading voices from the wider field, who generously shared their expertise with us. Guest presenters included: Jennie Morton, Alison Lewis, Cooper Phillip, Sharlotte Gibson, Michael Aczon, and Ayanna Sealey.Â
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"I left the Vocology in Practice 2025 conference inspired and with a renewed sense of wonder at the incredible range of approaches to training singers. As a 30-year veteran of coaching in the music industry, I was impressed with presentations that were not only informative but thoughtful, holistic, and generous."
-Laura
"A great refresher of knowledge, boost of inspiration and a reminder of why we do what we do, surrounded by like-minded incredible coaches."
-Fiona
As part of our mission to foster peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, we introduced “Insights From Global Voice Studios.” This was an opportunity for attendees to present their own passions, research, and voice studio businesses.
These mini-presentations were as inspiring as they were diverse — and they quickly helped us identify shared interests to dive into over meal times, coffee breaks, and late-night conversations. It was a living example of our belief that every voice in our community has something valuable to offer.
ViP Member Kate Steinberg revealed the unique perspective of balancing multiple roles on tour: coaching her artist client’s vocals while also performing as a backup musician and singer for the band.
From mindset coaching with Ayanna Sealey to observing artists in their creative process, to Q&A panels with producers, labels, management, career backing vocalists, and more — we covered it all.Â
We were challenged to re-examine our methods, affirmed in our strengths, and inspired to keep growing.
Our program was densely packed with opportunities to:
- Audit our own teaching skills and offerings
- Observe coaching in action
- Hear directly from those moving and shaking the music industry
- Explore coaching across all seven ViP Principles
- Enjoy “Soul Food” acoustic performances over lunch and electrifying live band shows in the theatre by night
- Share meals, laughter, conversations, and new friendships
ViP member Fiona Currie, who’s also part of the Vocalize U faculty, wowed us with her powerhouse vocals alongside the incredible band at the evening spotlight performances
Next July 2026, we’re excited to be collaborating once again with VocalizeU in Los Angeles. With even more music industry insight and an artist-focused agenda, we’re shaping a program that gives attendees superb opportunities to stay current, connected, and truly industry-relevant.
Don’t miss the chance to be part of it — sign up to our email list to keep up to date with announcements, news, and everything coming your way.
"I was blown away by the ViP conference 2025...the speakers were incredible! And the connections and community are invaluable in my life. I have a whole new family of singers to learn and grow with. And, I will be integrating all I learned for the rest of the year. Such a powerful way to level up!"
-Dara
"The Championing the Artist theme for 2025’s conference was everything I didn’t realize I needed as a voice teacher and as an artist myself. I also didn’t expect to make so many meaningful connections and friendships in such a short amount of time. I feel so empowered to be the best teacher I can be after attending the conference."
-Taylor
