

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Ann
Hi Alyssa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in the Midwest, humming along to tunes as young as 9 months old. I learned to enjoy making up random songs while doing chores with my mom and working with community rock bands in churches from my dad. Likewise, I had great confidence and a great tone at a young age.
Fast-forward to college, I transferred from a private Lutheran college to MNSU, Mankato, with an emphasis on vocal performance. I loved singing for an audience but never felt good enough. In my junior year, I got married to my high school sweetheart, who was also a music major. I started carving a way to success with the support of my family and my partner.
After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I was determined to start a vocal studio in my home with the mission of building confidence and knowledge in all my students. Within 2 years, I was teaching 20–25 students a week. I was fortunate to have learned how to teach virtually right before 2020 because COVID-19 did not stop me from building my studio up to 30–35 students a week by 2022. This year I received a platinum award for youth music lessons as well as a silver award for music lessons from CommunityVotes Mankato 2024.
I changed my life two years ago when I ended an unhealthy marriage and moved to Minneapolis. I have reestablished my business in a new area with a stronger financial foundation, higher-quality services, and as a more experienced servicer than I was when I started in Mankato. I am slowly building my business back, and a year from now, I know I will be even more successful than before.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My battle for a music career began when I moved to Mankato, MN in 2008. As a new 8th grader, I experienced bullying and developed intense performance anxiety. Writing music and playing sports were my grounding activities, so I never knew I was dealing with “real” mental health issues. When I got to college I had ignorantly battled clinical anxiety and low self-esteem with a need for approval from my husband, professors, family, and peers.
After I graduated from college, I had reached my breaking point with my mental health and was diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and a codependent personality disorder. When I wasn’t in therapy, I threw myself into my work. With no previous business knowledge, very little teaching experience, and very low income, I started researching everything I could get my hands on. This led me to learn how to sing other styles of music, advertise and build social media content, vocal direct kids community theater productions, and even create a published journal for my students to access on Amazon.
In the last two years I have worked hard at facing what I have left of my past. I faced challenges with legal papers, financial debt, family and friend betrayal, letting go of beloved pets, filing divorce, imposter syndrome and, as stated before, severe mental health issues. Despite the challenges, I learned about building new family bonds, developing genuine friendships, loving partnerships, and stabilizing a love for myself. I love my job and who I have become.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I teach individual voice lessons as well as create social media resources and performance opportunities for my students. Each lesson is personalized according to a student’s vocal experience and goals. My vocal expertise started with Christian pop and traditional classical music. My research and personal experience has allowed me to teach students that want to learn vocal styles such as Musical Theater, Metal, Jazz, Pop, and so many others. I have performed for many years in church bands, large choirs, cabaret showcases, musical theater productions, and even an Opera. My level of technical expertise is strong, but my ability to teach and build a student’s confidence sets me apart from many teachers. I have worked with kids, ages 7 and up, as well as adults in late retirement. Singing should be accessible to all, and with me as a teacher, it can become a great form of self-care. That is why my business motto is care, confidence, connect. I care about each student’s mental health so that they can better connect with their voices.
What does success mean to you?
Success for me is defined as hard work and gratitude. Notice I didn’t say easy work and gratitude. To feel truly successful you need to be able to look at the hard work you put into your dreams and goals. The more hardships I had endured in the past have allowed me to be more grateful for my present. Gratitude will lead you to feel success in life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.avocalstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssasvocalstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alyssasvoicestudio
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alyssasvocalstudio7876
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Singers-Journal-All/dp/B0B14HKW25/