What People are Saying:
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"He didn’t just focus on my voice, he worked with me on the fears that were stopping me from moving forward."
I have always wanted to sing. But hearing myself sound like a cat being tortured made me shy away. Eventually, mustering up the courage to have a vocal lesson, I found Justin through his great reviews, and boy am I glad I did.
Expecting to be told after 1 lesson that I was tone-deaf and “maybe I should look for a new hobby,” he actually told me that I was better than I thought I was. The one thing that really surprised me about Justin’s style of teaching is he didn’t just focus on my voice, he worked with me on the fears that were stopping me from moving forward. Justin is incredibly patient and, even when you feel like the lesson is just not going your way, he will work with you until you walk away feeling like you achieved something.
From hearing my recording on my very first day, to my recording 1 year later – this man deserves a medal. Or the Nobel Peace Prize. You decide.
— Reisha Taylor
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"What I got was so much more."
I have been in the music industry for 25+ years but never focused on learning how to use my voice correctly. I decided to try Justin's studio with the hopes of expanding my vocal range and what I got was so much more. Justin Pollinger's approach to vocal technique really helps me internalize what needs to happen with my body in order to produce a wide range of vocal timbres and colors.
I have been studying with Justin for close to a year and he has helped me to break down and explore many of the concerns I had regarding my voice. For instance, I have noticed a drastic change in how I feel vocally AFTER a gig and this is due to the knowledge I gained in the few short months we spent on reducing vocal fatigue. We've also worked extensively on resonance, projection, and many other wonderful nuggets you'll have to find out for yourself.
I highly recommend Justin Pollinger's studio, you won't regret it!
— Sean-David Cunningham
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"I haven’t lost my voice since..."
I work in a field that requires me to use my voice exhaustively 5-6 days a week. Over time, I began to find myself unable to sing well and losing my voice frequently.
Luckily I found Justin! He taught me some better breathing techniques and with practice, I haven’t lost my voice since and find myself recognizing and enjoying the timbre in my voice more often.
Still much to learn and I’m thankful that I’ve gotten to do it with Justin so far!
— Jonathan Batchelor
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"I find him to be an empowering, positive mentor!"
Justin is a friendly and engaging coach who focuses on muscle groups of the face and body and things like posture while singing. We also practice technical aspects such as warming up and projection. He has helped me expand my range and find my voice overall. As a standup comedian and law student, I have benefited greatly from his tips and tricks in our sessions.
Above all, Justin has helped me envision how I want to solidify my voice and find my center so that my expression as a singer is more authentic. Justin is an encouraging and thoughtful teacher with a sparkling personality. He teaches confidence and in that way I find him to be an empowering, positive mentor!
— Molly O’Brien
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"His greatest strength is his empathy and his understanding of how psychological issues can affect singing."
Justin is a teacher unlike any that I've worked with previously. In my opinion, his greatest strength is his empathy and his understanding of how psychological issues can affect singing. He is an expert on singing and singing techniques due to his background, yet he somehow finds ways to explain singing concepts in the most simplistic and clear way possible. He's also extremely encouraging overall, and he can be quite inspiring when it comes to singing. He's very accommodating when it comes to my own personal singing goals as well which I appreciate very much. He's everything I was looking for in a teacher, and I feel lucky that I found him.
Thanks for everything, Justin!
— Daniel Lee
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"Justin's studio is relaxed and nurturing..."
Justin has helped me to rediscover a sound that I was afraid I'd lost through years of touring and being forced to vocalize outside of my range. He is patient and thoughtful, always offering a technique tailored specifically to his student's voices and learning preferences.
Justin's studio is relaxed and nurturing (a perfect learning environment), while also projecting a modern, professional decor.
I'm so pleased to have found Justin's studio, and thrilled to have my coloratura soprano range back!
Excellent studio, excellent vocal teacher.
— Kimberly Michelle Thomas
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"Justin’s ability to inspire and tailor his coaching to my needs truly gave me that boost of self-confidence..."
Justin will do what it takes for you to succeed. I have had the pleasure of calling on Justin’s expertise and high standard of excellence as a vocal coach in key moments over the last 5 years. I truly appreciate his flexibility with regard to everything! He handles each interaction with grace, a level of excellence, and attention to detail. He is truly committed to your best. Justin made himself available to do some last-minute “laser coaching” over FaceTime as I sat in my car in the parking lot about to walk into various auditions. Justin’s ability to inspire and tailor his coaching to my needs truly gave me that boost of self-confidence to sing my heart out at musical theatre auditions. Book sessions with Justin Pollinger and you will only improve your skills and feel more self-assured of your performance needs and abilities!
— Amytza Maskati
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"Without Justin’s help I would not be as far along on the singer’s journey where I so gratefully find myself today."
I began taking singing lessons with Justin back in the early spring of 2015. From our very first conversation over the phone, I knew that Justin was for sure a very wise and conscientious instructor.
He not only helped me develop my ear but also helped me discover my full voice in the higher registers. Without Justin’s help, I would not be as far along on the singer’s journey where I so gratefully find myself today.
Another distinct and critical skill that Justin taught me is how to learn to sing a song: simple, I know. To many people, this may be common sense but for me, it was not. For a long time before taking lessons with Justin I went about this process all wrong and suffered for it.
Justin taught me how to sit down, focus and sing along with a record and match the pitches. And he taught me to follow up by singing over a karaoke track to test myself. Now, being that I am a working musician in a cover band, this is an absolutely essential skill that I will be use and exercise throughout my career.
I am very grateful to have worked with Justin. I plan to continue working with him as a friend and mentor. I would highly recommend Justin as a singing teacher to anyone who is eager to learn.
— Adam Allibone
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"I live in Delaware and am willing to travel 3 hours to see him."
Working with Justin has been an experience! When I first started lessons with him I had prior experience from other instructors but with his teachings, I was able to break old habits and create better and new habits. He likes to get to know his students and I feel that is what makes his teachings more enjoyable. His own experiences are reflected based on what he teaches and the results that have come out have bettered me vocally and personally. My goal is to be on Broadway and I feel he will help me get there. I live in Delaware and am willing to travel 3 hours to see him. That is how good he is as a vocal instructor. Highly recommend working with him.
— William Steele
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"Justin recognized where I was at and we started from there. ."
I have been a full-time musician for three years now and I finally decided to work on my main instrument: the voice.
Justin recognized where I was at and we started from there. He always gets right to the point. Since the first one, I have taken roughly 8 more lessons with Justin, walking away with a cool technique/thought/approach each time. We'd always work on a song that was challenging me for my next gig at the end of class, and with clear and concise direction, I'd be able to bring it to the next level!!
Highly recommend!
— James Calleo
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"I have gone through several instructors for numerous years and no one could tell me how to actually find my own voice. Justin was able to do that immediately and I was sold!"
Justin Pollinger has been a miracle worker with my vocal development. I have been an entertainer on stage for several years with my band, but I've never had successful vocal training. On our very 1st session, within about 15 minutes he discovered that I wasn't using my "true" singing voice, which caused me to not hit notes comfortably and not sing with power. I have gone through several instructors for numerous years and no one could tell me how to actually find my own voice. Justin was able to do that immediately and I was sold! Since then it has been a gratifying experience with our weekly lessons. His visualization techniques for extending my vocal range and singing fuller were a new language to me. I was shocked at how easy they could be implemented and quickly I saw the results. Knowing I have Justin's techniques in my arsenal of tools makes me a much more confident artist on stage. I can't thank him enough! Also, my advanced singer friends have gained tremendous value from him as well, and keep training with him. I highly recommend him for whatever stage of singing you are at!
— King Raj Singh
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"Working with Justin has given me utmost confidence in my singing."
Working with Justin has given me the utmost confidence in my singing. He has taught me invaluable vocal techniques that previous coaches never taught me. I've been studying with Justin since 2009. He is patient and takes his time with warm-ups and song choices. My voice has become so much stronger and it still continues to grow! I would recommend Justin to anyone for vocal instruction. Great, effective lessons!
— Jessica Musolino
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"Mr. Pollinger and JTP Vocal Studio have both earned my unconditional endorsement and my unconditional recommendation."
My name is Robert Cotnoir and I have a twenty-plus-year career as an award-winning professional motion picture music editor. I am a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Hollywood Film Editors Local 700, on which I served on the board of directors for six years, and I have an MFA from the Yale School of Drama. I am the producer behind the musical act “Grapefruit Sound Lab”, and I am a native New Yorker.
I had the distinct pleasure and unique honor of making the acquaintance of Justin Taylor Pollinger first as a friend, and then as a professional colleague, where Justin, in his capacity as a vocal coach, recording engineer, audio editor, and vocal producer, helped bring my next project to life.
Bringing this directly to the point: Mr. Pollinger and JTP Vocal Studio have both earned my unconditional endorsement and my unconditional recommendation.
— Robert Cotnoir
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"A teacher who does anything within his power to calm, coach, and inspire is a rare thing..."
In all honesty, I'm a horrible vocal student. As a musical theatre actor, I've had vocal training most of my adult life - yet I still get very uncomfortable in a "lesson" setting and I am forever getting in my own head. Justin Pollinger not only put me at ease (a Herculean task), he provided me with several helpful hints, tips, and exercises. When I can get to Jersey City, I'm there; he makes it even more convenient by meeting students in Manhattan if travel is an issue. Feeling vulnerable and exposed in a vocal lesson is common; a teacher who does anything within his power to calm, coach, and inspire is a rare thing, especially at his rates (which I appreciate even though he could be charging more than he does).
— Vincent DiGeronimo
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"You will hear a difference on the first day."
Justin helped me prepare for Icon 2017 (a vocal competition) I had never really taken voice lessons before, yet Justin helped me in just 3 lessons improve significantly! I was extremely happy with the results. He is great at explaining what you need to adjust and is very patient. You will hear a difference on the first day.
— Melanie Belonis
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“Justin offered techniques as well as perspective that I hadn’t previously come across.”
Excellent! I’ve been working with Justin for approximately 6 months and have experienced rapid development in my voice. I have previous experience with vocal coaching and Justin offered techniques as well as perspective that I hadn’t previously come across. As a hobby singer, I came to Justin with numerous bad habits. Habits and muscle memory can be tricky to unlearn and retrain but Justin was able to guide me to proper techniques in easy-to-understand concepts and simple techniques. In our time working together, my range has expanded and my voice has opened. Justin has really helped build my confidence and let go of the fears I have when connecting to what I am singing. I highly recommend working with Justin.
— Jannelle O'Shaughnessy
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"Justin is great!"
Justin is great! I take voice lessons as well as beginner piano lessons. He's very flexible about his availability and works with you on what you're looking to achieve. He's not pushy or mean, but can definitely tell when you don't practice, and gives you a nice but firm "but if you just practiced, you'd be so much better!"😉 Not to mention that his studio is really near me (and easy to get to via public transportation), so add convenience to those positives!
— Gina Tolentino
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"In just one or two lessons I progressed in ways I never thought I could..."
Working with Justin has helped me make enormous strides musically! Our lessons have transformed my voice, prepared me for the competitive world of singing, and given me the confidence and knowledge needed to succeed. In just one or two lessons I progressed in ways I never thought I could and opened up to different techniques that I did not even know existed. Justin is fun and easy to work with. His encouragement and spirit will push you to reach new heights and truly refine your vocal technique. I wish I could give him a 10-star rating! Highly recommended for any singer looking to take their technique to the next level, and for those just starting out, as well!
— Alison Gibbons
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"Justin is compassionate, professional, informed, patient and present."
Justin is compassionate, professional, informed, patient, and present. It was valuable and fun working with him. I felt considered and attended to and noticed the change his instruction had on my vocal quality and comfort. If you need to be coached into shape, hit him up!
— Rowin Khan
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"Brilliant."
Justin is amazing. He throws gold nuggets of info all session long. My band loves having him over and teaching us in a group setting. He is taking our harmonies to the next level.
Brilliant.
— Vic Gutierrez
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"Professional and warm."
Justin was the voice teacher on-site for a recording session I did and he was incredible! His feedback was thoughtful and very helpful. He’s professional and warm. And now I want to book a lesson!
— Sarah Naughton
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"His knowledge and love for helping the professional vocalist has been such a gift to me."
I LOVE working with Justin as a vocal coach! You know how when you’re in a lesson, you’re super aware of your weaknesses? Well, he just gives you the confidence to work through them and shows you how to improve instantly. He inspires you! As a vocal coach myself, it is difficult to find a teacher who can truly help you get out of your own “coaching head” and his knowledge and love for helping the professional vocalist have been such a gift to me. I highly recommend Justin.
— Bridget Larson Cacopardo
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"Knowledgeable, easy to work with, and free with encouragement and honesty."
I have been singing for over twenty years. For the last 5 years, I’ve experienced pain and major vocal fatigue which lead me to stop singing almost completely. I decided to start voice lessons and asked a student of mine who was heavily into theater arts for the name of his instructor. He highly recommended Justin so I started right away.
After just a few weeks I noticed a vast difference. Using techniques that Justin taught me, the strain on my voice was quickly diminishing and I could sing comfortably again. This is all that I was hoping to gain from his coaching, but I found that I was learning a lot that I hadn’t picked up over my many years of singing.
I found Justin to be very knowledgeable, easy to work with, and free with encouragement and honesty. It was refreshing to find a young vocal coach like him. I would highly recommend him to anyone, young or old, experienced or beginner.
— Toni Dalessandro
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"Justin was an excellent teacher to work with..."
I started taking voice lessons with Justin Pollinger in November of 2012 in preparation for my Westminster Choir College audition. The audition was scheduled for February 2013; I was panicked and worried that three short months wouldn’t be enough time to successfully prepare and get into the college of my dreams. I only started singing in my junior year of high school and was certainly not at the level I believed a Westminster Choir College hopeful should be. Luckily, Justin was an excellent teacher to work with, especially for someone that has anxiety about auditioning as I do. During those three months, my tone, intonation, and breath support improved vastly and I actually felt much more secure about my singing voice. In addition tips to for the technical aspect of singing, Justin gave me amazing audition tips to help deal with my anxiety. A few weeks after my audition, I got my letter from Westminster and to my surprise, it was a letter of acceptance! In just three months, Justin had taken me from an okay singinger to a singer with a fuller sound, warmer tone and much better inontation. With his instruction, I was accepting into the top school for music education in the country.
— Rob Saverio Firkser
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"Aside from his talent as a voice teacher, he is also just a beautiful person."
Justin is such an intelligent vocal coach. The few times I’ve worked with him were such a pleasure and so helpful. In the masterclass I did with him, it was wonderful to watch how he carefully identified the best methods for each individual voice. Aside from his talent as a voice teacher, he is also just a beautiful person.
— Rachel Phelan
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"Justin is open to different genres and works with students’ personal interests in mind."
Justin focuses on the fundamentals and expresses them in ways that students can easily grasp. Singing never seemed natural to me. (Not to mention my breathing techniques were horrendous!) Justin was able to pinpoint my weaknesses and provide pragmatic solutions in fixing them. There were even some instances where Justin revisited previously taught techniques as soon as he felt my fundamentals slipping.
In addition, I personally love how Justin is open to different genres and works with students’ personal interests in mind. Justin, for instance, has helped me with songs/compositions that were from the Indian Classical genre.
My singing has come a long way since learning from Justin and I now feel I am much closer to finding my own singing voice. Highly recommended!
— Khemraj Singh
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"I’ve become so much more confident in my singing, more than I’ve ever been in my life."
I’ve always had a passion for singing however, I had concerns regarding my voice and how to use it to its full potential. Working with Justin has been amazing! I’ve learned so much in such a small amount of time. One thing that Justin has been able to instill in me is confidence. After working with him I’ve become so much more confident in my singing, more than I’ve ever been in my life. I have been able to integrate all the breathing techniques and knowledge into my recording sessions.
Justin has been a great teacher. I always leave each lesson with more knowledge regarding my voice. If you need a vocal instructor I highly recommend JTP Vocal Studio; I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. Even the best singers need a vocal teacher!
— Jayden Stevens
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"Justin helps singers to feel confident enough to let themselves be heard."
Justin helps singers to feel confident enough to let themselves be heard. His approach is patient and affirming.
He cares about how a singer feels about their voice and trains the whole artist—not just the voice itself.
— Alison Mingle
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"He is incredibly approachable, kind, and generous."
Justin has improved my technique and confidence tremendously. He is incredibly approachable, kind, and generous. He takes the time to ensure you understand what he is doing and the reasons behind it. I have always had questions about how my voice works and what makes sense for mixing and belting and Justin has been incredibly patient, knowledgeable, and exploratory as he helps me find my most natural voice. While he provides great recommendations for songs to help with your growth, he is also open to any options that singers suggest. I wholly recommend Justin as a fantastic vocal coach who can help with any improvement at all levels.
— Cristy Miler
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"He seemed to have just the right vocal exercises I needed for whatever we were working on"
Justin and I met 11 years ago, and I was so glad to reconnect with him last year. While I have extensive classical training, after having a baby, I needed help readjusting my support and fine-tuning my technique. Justin was patient, and always listened earnestly to my concerns. He seemed to have just the right vocal exercises I needed for whatever we were working on, and his knowledge of opera and classical music is very impressive. I was asked to be part of a concert series this past fall, and with Justin’s help and unwavering encouragement, the program was a success! Thank you for everything!
— Rebecca Dias
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"He is great at helping his students identify what technical and mental aspects are holding them back, then coaching them over those roadblocks."
Justin is such a fantastic teacher! He really understands how to meet people where they are, both in terms of ability and mindset. He is great at helping his students identify what technical and mental aspects are holding them back, then coaching them over those roadblocks. He is patient, kind, knowledgeable, and personable. I’ve walked out of every lesson feeling good, even after sessions when I struggled, because he has shown me that I can keeping growing and improving. I am so thankful to get to work with him!
— Sarah Tate