Vocologist

Ella McGaunn Geiger Singing and Acting Voice Specialist

Ella gives singers and actors tools and techniques to make the art they want to make with authenticity, sustainability and health.

She holds a degree in Music and Linguistics with a minor in Speech Language Pathology from Gordon College where she was the first to graduate with Departmental Honors in Music. She was awarded this honor for her research into comparative contemporary and classical singing pedagogy culminating in a lecture recital and thesis. 

Her continuing education includes instruction in Linklater Voice, McClosky Voice, Estill Voice Model, Alexander Technique, and myofascial release techniques. She has taken graduate level classes at the CCM Institute at Shenandoah Conservatory and the Acoustic Vocal Pedagogy Conference at New England Conservatory, and earned a certification in Vocology through the Summer Vocology Institute (SVI) at the University of Utah. She was mentored by Nicholas Perna through the NATS Mentorship Collaborative Program in 2021, and was granted a special observation at Bastian Voice, the top voice specialist otolaryngology clinic in Chicago, in 2022. To learn more about Ella’s voice journey check out her blog post about it. To learn more about Ella’s work as a theater artist please check out her theater page.

Ella’s Approach To The Voice

Whether she is coaching a professional through the vocal demands of a show or instructing an amateur vocalist, her approach combines voice science, acting/storytelling methods, problem-solving skills and confidence-building for greater independence as a singer/performer.

Ella looks to the Evidence Based Voice Care Model which combines:

1) The best available research we have on the voice

2) Over a decade of experience working with voice professionals

3) The needs, experiences and preferences of the voice user in the room

Services

  • Drop in Sessions

    60 MINUTE LESSONS WITH A GOAL IN MIND

    These sessions are great for both professional performers and actively performing amateurs looking to learn about their vocal instrument, take their artistry to the next level, and put new tools in their toolbox. Rather than creating an interdependence with the teacher these sessions are intended to give singers/actors the ability to problem solve and know how to better use their voice outside of the voice studio.

  • Technical Tune Up Package

    Technical Tune Up Package

    4 Sessions, Lesson Notes, Recordings and Personalized Exercises

    This package is our best bang for your buck. For sessions entirely based around vocal technique. Great for performers who have already taken lessons in the past and now want to brush up on techniques that they need now. Our voices are always changing and so should our strategies to get our best possible voice production. Performers use this package as a check in to find gaps in their technique and to change up their vocal workout routines.

  • Voice Coaching for Plays and Musicals

    HELP YOUR SHOW SOUND ITS BEST

    The things that actors are asked to do with their voices is nothing short of herculean so bring in a vocal health specialist to help them keep doing what they do best. Each show brings its own specific voice demands and its an honor to bring a show to life with a team of artists.

  • Workshops at Interlude Music

    WORKSHOPS ARE AN AFFORABLE WAY TO GET STARTED

    Join us for a workshop on various voice topics. A few topics include:

    • Myofascial release for singers

    • Audition Prep

    • Anatomy and Physiology for Singers

    • Vocal Health for Musical Theater Performers

    • Singing for Dancers

      and more!

  • Bring Ella to Your Organization for a Workshop or Masterclass

    PERFECT FOR PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY THEATERS, SCHOOLS, AND VOICE STUDIOS

    First we book a call to talk about the needs of your organization and then we create a workshop to meet the needs of your company. Sessions could range from a traditional masterclass to voice science topics to vocal health for improvisational comedians!

  • "It’s one thing to sing well; it’s quite another to touch someone with your singing. Ella teaches not only technique and physiology behind great vocals, but also how to convey emotion with your song so it reaches the hearts of your listeners."

    —— Therese Leboffe, Singer

  • "Taking vocal lessons in the technical tuneup program with Ella has not only improved my singing from a technical perspective, but has given me new confidence and tools that I can transfer across all of my musical endeavors!

    —Jayme Conte (Singer, Actress)

  • "Ella knows exactly how to approach my voice each day and adjusts lessons as we go to maximize my voice potential. Ella works on various technique through a variety of flexible exercises that build off one another. She helps me get out of my head and marry acting with singing by incorporating emotion and character work into drills and rep."

    —Joe Szaf (Improviser at ImprovBoston and Nova Comedy)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Although I have extensively studied quite a few acting and singing voice methods (see my continuing education below) I do not teach one specific methodology.

  • Anyone who uses their voice for their profession or enjoyment is a voice user (yes singing in the shower counts!). I work with professional performers, but I also work with choral singers who have always wanted to train their solo voice, avid community theater performers, passionate karaoke and open mic singers and more. Side note if you are a teacher, pastor, telephone operator, tour guide or work in any other field that depends on your voice you are not only a voice user- you are a professional voice user and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

  • Some of the most success I’ve had with clients have been people who loved to sing in high school or college or perhaps before kids and then decided to come back into singing as an older adult. Taking a pause in your voice journey does not disqualify you.

  • I primarily work with adults, but each year I have about 4 slots for weekly teenage students who are avid performers. I also in certain circumstances will take on a younger client for drop in sessions who has particular voice demands/needs that I can serve well (for example a young performer navigating a heavy performance schedule and needing guidance for keeping their voice healthy or a young singer who has finished treatment for a voice disorder and is in need of specialized voice lessons from a teacher who is medically informed.

  • Vocologists (Voice Specialists) work on the HABILITATION side of the voice while Speech Language Pathologists (SLPs) work primarily on the REHABILITATION side of the voice. SLPs often work in medical settings and may accept insurance. Voice specialist teachers and SLPs often work collaboratively on a voice care team, if a client is dealing with an active voice disorder I always refer them to a qualified voice specialist ENT (otolaryngologist) for evaluation.

  • HISTORICAL DANCE FOR MUSICIANS

    Powers Music School (Fall 2025)

    ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE SUMMER INTENSIVE

    Boston Conservatory (June 2025)

    “ROLL WITH IT” MYOFASCIAL RELEASE TEACHER TRAINING

    With Jen Mast at Revolution Yoga in Acton, MA (March 2025)

    9-DAY SHAKESPEARE INTENSIVE: THE FOUNDATION

    Shakespeare & Company Lenox, MA (August 2025)

    OBSERVATION, BASTIAN VOICE INSTITUTE CHICAGO, IL

    Granted special observation with the top voice specialist otolaryngology clinic in Chicago (2022)

    OBSERVATION, SONNENBERG VOICE CHICAGO, IL 

    Observed voice therapy sessions online and in person with Lori Sonnenberg (Singing Voice Specialist SLP)

    NATS MENTORSHIP COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM

    Mentored by Nicholas Perna D.M.A. through the National (Fall 2021)

    SUMMER VOCOLOGY INSTITUTE AT UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, SALT LAKE CITY, UT

    GRADUATE LEVEL CERTIFICATE OF VOCOLOGY (2022)

    CCM INSTITUTE AT SHENANDOAH CONSERVATORY SHENANDOAH, VA

    Graduate Level Courses in Commercial Music and Musical Theater Voice (2019)

    CELEBRATE SINGING CONFERENCE

    (Online) Singing in Midlife and Beyond (April 2021)

    VOCAL FOLD INJURY WORKSHOP

    (Online) Lori Sonnenberg November 2020

    CONTEMPORARY COMMERCIAL MUSIC (CCM) INSTITUTE

    Shenandoah Conservatory (July 2019)

    ACOUSTIC VOCAL PEDAGOGY CONFERENCE

    New England Conservatory (June 2019) ***

    ESTILL VOICE MODEL LEVELS 1&2

    Bedford, MA (July 2018) ***

    ACOUSTIC VOCAL PEDAGOGY CONFERENCE

    New England Conservatory (June 2018)

    25 HOUR OBSERVATION, BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER BOSTON, MA

    Observed voice therapy sessions with Speech Language Pathologist Meredith Bosely as part of obtaining license as SLPA in Massachusetts (May 2016)

    MCLOSKY SUMMER INSTITUTE

    Southern New Hampshire University (July 2015)

    TEACHING CHILDREN TO SING WORKSHOP

    Gordon College (Fall 2014)

    IMPROV LEVELS 101-601

    Improv Boston (2014-2020)

Contact Ella

To book me or learn more send me an email to ella@interludemus.com or fill out the form to the right. We will book a free consultation call so I can learn a little more about your voice needs and get you booked with the right service.