LA’s Top Vocal Coach, Katie Riggs
Considered one of LA’s finest vocal coaches, Katie Riggs has been teaching voice for over twenty-two years. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Katie grew up at the knee of arguably the most distinguished and successful voice teacher in the business: her father, Seth Riggs, creator of Speech Level Singing. Training her voice since she was seven years old and working side-by-side with her father earned Katie a lifetime of training. It’s given her extraordinary vocal insight, extensive knowledge, and instincts second to none.
Katie teaches, develops, and unfolds the voices of everyday singers as well as the industry’s finest. Some of her star clientele include Dua Lipa, Vampire Weekend, Brian Wilson, Ozzy Osbourne, Aimee Osbourne, Saweetie, Midland, Jon Pardi, Leslie Grace, Chvrches, Amber Mark, 070 Shake, Amber Riley, Madison Beer, and a host of up-and-comers!
What attracts many students to Katie is her ability to sing. She sings the technique she teaches and demonstrates exactly how to apply it. This particular skill gives Katie a unique advantage over most vocal teachers by allowing her to teach others quickly and effectively, with clarity, authority, and a tremendous amount of support.
Katie’s goal for every lesson and event is to establish great vocal technique so that her students feel free in their instrument to fully express what’s in their hearts. She believes that the joy of singing is in the freedom and flexibility of your gift.
What is the most common misconception about your practice as a vocal coach with over 20 years of experience?
The most common misconception about vocal lessons is that voice lessons will change your sound. The truth is the more range you have available, the more notes you have to style with. The vocal technique I teach frees up your voice so that you have access to notes high, low, and in the middle of your voice, which makes singing very fun. You don't have to worry about the quality of your voice changing when singing a song, and the melody suddenly goes higher. I build the connection from the singer's chest to the voice so that there isn't a break, flip, or strain in the middle range. This means the entire range is connected, smooth and balanced. I build in the middle range with exercises tailored to the singer's voice so that they can sing from one register to the next without any changes in quality. The singer who only has the lower-end voice worked out is limited in stylistic options. As a singer, you want to know that in the studio or performing live, you can sing whatever note you want to with power, freedom, and ease. You want to know the ins and outs of your voice and the choices you have for the longevity of your voice. Your style is your style; I just make all the notes available.
Your teaching method was originally created by your father, Seth Riggs. How has he inspired you to become the person you are today?
I'm endlessly grateful for all of my learning with my dad. He has inspired me to have a strong work ethic, a relentless passion for vocal truth, and to help singers of all genres of music. I am a stronger teacher and singer today because of him. What he taught me is the foundation of what I teach, a starting point from which I've built on top—the theory doesn't change.
You’ve worked with artists such as Dua Lipa, Madison Beer, and Saweetie. How have these experiences impacted you?
I have been so lucky to have always been met with a humble attitude and grace by any artist I've worked with. I've been surrounded by celebrities all my life because of growing up in the business, but I've discovered that we're all just humans, some of us living more in the public eye than others. Singing is vulnerable, and I feel lucky that each of them has trusted me to properly guide them. It's been an absolute joy to witness their maturing in voice and career. I'm so honored that I can share what I do with them and that it immediately makes a difference in how they use their instruments.
You’ve developed an international following of students. Can you tell us a little bit about your experience teaching online?
Yes! I love teaching online. It really is just the next best-case scenario to in-person teaching. The singer must have a good ear enough to follow the scale patterns, but even still, I can break the scale patterns down, and it works. All that's needed is great Wi-Fi, the singer, and figuring out a time that works for both of us. Music is an international language, so it doesn't matter if we don't speak the same tongue. Also, Skype, Zoom, and FaceTime have made it incredibly easy to do what we do when traveling isn't an option. When artists are out of town, on tour, or home with family, we can still work. I connect with singers from all over the world at the click of a button. How awesome is that?!
What are some tips you give your clients on gaining confidence and avoiding burnout as a creative?
I advise a client that's burnt out to beef up their self-care. Balance is key. Try to have a good work-play regimen. If the client is on tour and has the time, I suggest doing a yoga class, a meditation class, or a breathwork class. Get a massage, nap, watch a silly movie, or listen to a fun podcast. Go to the beach, put on random music, and dance. Just continue to breathe because life shifts. Hard moments pass, and we just live one day at a time. Future tripping can be paralyzing, so just focus on the day you're in. For confidence, I would say to remember why you started. Meditation—and just doing it—will make you feel stronger. Confidence is built by doing the things you're scared of. JUST DO IT! You will be so proud of yourself on the other side that you walked through the seemingly uncomfortable, only to find it's pretty fun. □
Article Credits
Katie’s Instagram: @katieriggsmusic
Katie’s Facebook: kathleenmriggs
Katie’s Website: www.kathleenriggs.com
Photo Credits: Shayan Asgharnia (@shayan.asgharnia), Sarah Skyann (@sarahskyann), Josh Fingerhut (@josh_fingerhut_photography)
