The Living Voice
By Cari Cole / Holistic Vocal Coach of Grammy winners, Music Mentor.
This is for the serious singer, songwriter, musician. Who wants to sing with all of their heart.
Forty years in the room with singers. This is where I write their stories. Welcome, join the conversation...ABOUT
Forty years ago, I walked into my first voice lesson carrying a question that no one could quite answer: what does the voice know that we don’t?
I’ve spent four decades finding out.
In my studio in New York City, I’ve worked with Grammy winners, Broadway leads, recording artists, and singers who simply want to stop losing their voice every time they perform. My lineage traces through Dr. Edward J. Dwyer to Manuel García and the Metropolitan Opera tradition but my lessons don’t make you sound like one. My method is built on what that tradition doesn’t teach: that the voice is never just a technical instrument. It carries everything.
My Blog is where I write about the technical voice. Here on Substack, The Living Voice is the place where I write the stories of the thousands of artists who have graced my studio. From legendary rock stars to Grammy winners and finalists on The Voice to thousands of independent artists, each one taught me something.
These are real stories from the studio — anonymized, but true. The singer who hadn’t been able to sustain a phrase since her mother died. The man who was told at seven years old that he couldn’t sing, and never really got over it. The Grammy artist who still flinches on the high note she’s hit a hundred times.
The voice is never just about the voice. It’s about identity, memory, courage, age, grief, breath. I’ve spent a career sitting across from singers at the exact intersection of all of that.
Here’s where I tell you what I actually see.
Subscribe — it’s free. One post every two weeks, directly to your inbox. No noise. Just the work and the stories.
More for paid subscribers coming. I am honored you are here. Look forward to the journey with you.
To your vocal freedom,
Cari Cole
caricole.com / Work with me
This Substack was created on April 17, 2026.
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Uplevel to paid and get access to:
The Full Story — Plus What’s Behind It. Every story I publish goes deep. But paid subscribers get to go deeper. At the end of each piece, I pull back the curtain on what was actually happening in the room — what I noticed in a singer’s voice, what we worked through together, the moments that never make it into interviews or press. Forty years of listening gives you a different kind of hearing. This is where I share it.
Voice Notes Once a month, a short, personal reflection — something I’ve been thinking about, a memory that surfaced, something a singer said that stayed with me. Not a lesson. Not a newsletter. Just me, off the record.
Direct Access — Ask Me Anything Paid subscribers get access to a private monthly thread where you can ask me anything. About the artists. About the voice. About what it really takes. I’ve spent four decades in the room with some of the greatest singers alive. This is your chance to ask the questions you’ve always wanted answered.
This is where the real conversation happens. Come inside.
“For years, I have admired Cari’s work of equipping artists and helping them reach higher levels in their career. I’ve shared her resources and advice across numerous articles I’ve written for Billboard, ASCAP, and Music Think Tank. Each time, she continues to delight and surprise her clients. For those familiar with my work in the music industry know that I am quite reserved when it comes to personally recommending folks who offer services. However, I have no reservation with recommending Cari. She’s sharp, extremely skilled, compassionate, and is everything that an artist needs.”
~ Simon Tam
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“When it comes to coaches in music, Cari Cole is without a doubt the best in the business. Not only is she a master, she has an uncanny intuitive talent when it comes to seeing into the heart of every artist she works with and bringing out the unique essence that makes them so special. On top of that, she is one of the kindest and most genuine women I’ve ever met in this business - and I believe it’s the combination of her amazing knowledge and who she is as a person that makes her students so extraordinary. Seriously, whether you are just beginning your career or are a seasoned recording artist, Cari will take you to the next level (and then some) as a singer, artist and songwriter. She is a rock star - and hands down one of the greatest gifts to the music industry today.”
Cindy Warden, Former A&R Director at a music label
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“I have had the pleasure of working with Cari for a couple of years now and I can’t say enough about how much I respect her. She is always professional and time efficient, with a vast amount of knowledge in many different fields about working with artists. Whenever we work on a project together, I am always impressed with her time management skills, communication abilities and capability to convey and explain her point of view to me; she makes my job easy! Additionally, she is extremely calming but energetic, self-motivated, and able to swiftly build and absorb data and information to make thoughtful decisions. I have been inspired and impressed with her actions. I hear her words when she speaks to her clients and business colleagues and it is always positive. She brings a rare combination of seasoned music industry executive, vocal coach, and mental coach, with unique perspectives and listening skills.”
~ Joyce Dollinger ESQ
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