A foundation shaped by performance, research, and teaching.
This work is informed by years of training in classical voice and opera, theatre practice, interdisciplinary arts, and academic research. My experience spans performance environments, higher education, conferences, and professional training settings—each shaping how I understand voice, presence, and communication.
Focus areas include:
This experience informs how I work with clients in high-stakes communication and performance settings.
Research, writing, and creative work in practice.
My work bridges theory and application, bringing together scholarship, creative inquiry, and real-world voice practice. This includes academic research, presentations, creative projects, and applied voice work developed across performance, teaching, and professional contexts.
Includes:
These projects shape the research-informed, practical methods I bring into coaching and training.
About Me
Voice has always been at the heart of who I am.
I was the little girl with the big voice—the one who couldn’t help but sing. That early love of performance led me into classical voice and opera training, where I built a strong technical foundation.
Over time, I realized that flawless technique wasn’t enough. I wanted more than beautiful sound—I wanted genuine emotional connection.
That search led me beyond the opera stage and into theatre, and eventually into an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts. There, I began exploring the space between singing and speaking, and how voice functions not just as performance, but as communication, presence, and connection.
My curiosity didn’t stop there.
I went on to complete a PhD focused on how speech-based methods can help classical singers connect more deeply with their artistry—bridging technical excellence with emotional truth.
During my doctoral work, I presented at conferences alongside researchers and artists from many disciplines. I noticed something striking: even highly skilled, accomplished people often struggle to share their ideas with confidence and clarity. I realized I was experiencing the same challenge. Despite years of vocal training, speaking in a way that felt grounded, engaging, and authentic required its own set of skills.
That realization reshaped my work.
Voice isn’t just about hitting the right notes. It’s about being heard, understood, and felt. Whether you’re singing an aria, leading a meeting, or sharing your research, your voice is your most powerful instrument for connection.
Today, I work with artists, professionals, and anyone who uses their voice to help them find that connection—combining technical skill with emotional authenticity so their voices truly resonate.
Because your voice matters. And you deserve to use it with confidence, clarity, and power.
If you’re unsure whether professional or performer coaching is the right fit, I’m happy to help you think it through and decide what will best support your goals.
Real experiences from people learning to trust their voice.
Leave a Review!
Dr. Holmes has a strong and extensive background in voice and somatics, supported by both her academic training and artistic practice. She was able to accurately identify what I needed to improve in my voice based on my individual challenges, and her guidance was always precise and relevant. She was friendly and patient throughout the coaching process, and I felt relaxed working with her. The methods I learned during the sessions were integrated naturally, without pressure. Within a few weeks, a vocal issue that had previously troubled me was resolved through her coaching. I highly recommend Dr. Holmes’ voice approach and her coaching sessions.
I wanted to revive my speaking ability and take good care of my voice. Shannon’s guidance was spot on! She helped me take strides in reaching my goals and was a delight to work with. I feel more connected with my breath and have some new habits that will help me retain what I’ve learned.
Shannon has helped me connect body, mindset, and breath to build habits that are giving me the clarity and confidence to speak up in my business. She is easy to work with, fun, and super knowledgeable. I’ve gained such a respect for the power of our voice!
Shannon is the absolute BEST when it comes to ensuring that our VOICE is our best asset as entrepreneurs & creators. She has helped me find more presence & confidence in all my endeavors, from podcasting to social media content creation to public speaking!!!
As a dancer who is hoping to one day work in theatre, but has no previous vocal training, I am so glad I started my vocal journey with Shannon. In a small group setting, I was able to learn so much about my voice and how it connects to things I already know about my body as a dancer. She is so encouraging and free of judgement. The knowledge and practice that I have gained from Shannon has been invaluable!
I ADORE working with Shannon! Her whole-body, playful, process-driven pedagogy gets me out of my head and into my body, leaning into the character & story I’m portraying. Her coaching is fueled by a really special level of support, attentiveness, and curiosity. In her lessons, I feel empowered to make bold artistic choices, and ask expansive questions about my voice. I can’t stress enough that her guidance has left a very special mark on me to this day. I continue to utilize her teachings in my vocal practice on a day-to-day basis, especially when I’m feeling stuck. I trust her immensely and would recommend her in a heartbeat.
Shannons pedagogy and practice as an educator was the missing link I had been looking for when it came to my voice. It was clear to me from the first time we worked together one on one that honing my confidence meant as much to her as it did to me. She made my comfort a priority, and in doing so, helped me discover a voice I didn’t know I had.
Her training, knowledge and experience make her an absolute professional and a confident educator. Meeting Shannon was a cornerstone moment in my education, and gave me a new sense of conviction in my capabilities. She helped me understand myself better, and for that I am eternally grateful.
Every time I sing (and because of her, I do it often) I think of her and the positive impact she has had on my life.
Shannon is an impactful, thoughtful and compassionate professional in her work. Not only does she see you as an artist – she sees you as a whole person. During the years I worked with her on my voice practice, I felt more empowered, more safe, and more free than I ever have.
Without her I217;m not sure I would have learned how to channel hardship into passion. Her voice still rings in my head at times when I am processing emotion.
She’s also hilarious. An absolute joy to be around.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Shannon in multiple courses in my BFA, and she’s an absolute master of her craft! Her expertise on the voice completely revitalized my perspective on singing and helped me negotiate and heal damage to my vocal cords. As a working artist, I still use techniques she taught me all the time, and feel confident in my preparations for auditions. She is extremely patient and kind with all her students and helps them work through the very challenging vulnerability of the voice work. I saw her change a lot of peoples perspectives of their voice, and help them leave with confidence and genuine skills. Her skills are based in classical training and years of experience as a performer and she shares this expertise so that you can approach the voice and performance from so many angles and have pleasure and success in your work. Could not recommend enough.
Shannon is everything you want and didn’t know you needed in a voice coach. She’s kind, empathetic, and gentle while supported by years of rigorous training and technique. She teaches in a safe and shame-free environment that, at times, feels almost more like therapy than voice lessons. If you ever have the chance of working with Shannon, whether one-on-one or in a group setting, take it. Take it every time.
Shannon has been a teacher and trusted vocal advisor for years. Her dearth of academic and biological knowledge on the voice is only matched by her patience and empathy. She has always found ways to help me improve with her supportive and encouraging tone. Her vast intellect also allows her to personalize her teachings to what best fits each individual. Not only do I recommend her, but I myself continue to seek her counsel.
Dr Shannon Holmes is a joy to work with and a brilliant and insightful artist, scholar, and educator. Her expertise in singing, voice techniques, and theatre training modalities springs from her thought provoking work as a performer, extensive training in vocal arts, and her dedicated experience in higher education mentoring young artists. I have enjoyed collaborating with Dr Holmes and I often rely on her feedback in my own work and process. I highly recommend her as a collaborator, teacher, and mentor. If you have the opportunity to work with her, do it! — Misha Penton, PhD, singer-composer, filmmaker, and creativity mentor.
I have known Dr. Holmes for nearly 5 years. I have worked with her on collaborative and solo projects. I have found Shannon to be an inspiration. She is imaginative, adaptive, and a problem-solver. A brilliant technician both for voice work and devising performance. Shannon has a lovely sense of humour and is a pleasure to work with.
~Brad Mcdougall Actor, Playwright, Singer.
Professor Holmes is an expert in her field and a fantastic person to work with. She is as considerate as she is articulate and you will be glad to have made her acquaintance.
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