Testimonials

Words of Appreciation

Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech Studio

I came to Sheila Dugan with a damaged singing voice. This came from torn habits I had learned as a child. My vocals sounded airy, and incredibly quiet after having taken lessons for years with other teachers who were not able to fix these problems
I have experienced a complete unpacking and rebuilding of my voice which has been wonderfully transformative. Ms. Dugan re-worked my audition songs and prepare the roles I have won with Fine Linen Theatre Company. These roles have Motel, the Tailor in Fiddler on the roof, and Albert in Newsies to name just two.
Ms. Dugan pinpoints direct problems with your vocal production and then solves them by tine-tuning your psychological and physical approach to singing. My first five lessons were revolutionary and I couldn't believe the rate of growth I was experiencing
It has been an absolute pleasure working with her and now I am able to sing with a clear and strong voice.
I recommend Ms. Dugan for professional, high standard, in-person and remote lessons I personally live two hours away and had no hesitation in making the drive every two weeks. I eventually changed to remote lessons without a change in the quality and excellence in the lessons given.

Drew McCluskey

Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech Studio

“Fine Linen Theatre was thrilled to host Vocal Coach Sheila Dugan for a Vocal Workshop and Masterclass in November, 2018. It was incredible the amount of information, practice and improvement that Ms. Dugan was able to include in short two-day workshop. Students were exceptionally impressed and excited about the experience and we’ve seen long-lasting and significant improvement in multiple areas of vocal proficiently.
The material was relevant to our Musical Theatre program and in a multi-faceted teaching style, Ms. Dugan was able to correct any bad habits, misconceptions, and ignorance. She quickly gave the students the understanding of concepts of anatomy, physics and art to apply to their music. Particularly impressive was the skill and speed in which Ms. Dugan was able, during Masterclass session, to identify and correct each student’s particular weakness and needs. Not only was this very beneficial for the individual, but the other students were able to see demonstrated and reinforced lessons and skills explained previously.

Kim Nisbitt

Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech Studio

If you are looking for some awesome, knowledgeable people to work with, these are the guys I highly recommend. Their friendliness and result-driven approach is what I love about them.

Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech Studio

I am in my late 60’s and have been studying voice with Sheila for several years now. She is an incredible person, as well as an incredible teacher. Her methods are different from any voice instructor I have had in the past, and it is the first time in my life that I feel I am making real progress and becoming more comfortable singing. I am also a physician (retired long ago), and Sheila has an impressive knowledge of anatomy as it applies to producing speech or music. Remotely or in person, she can figure out what you are doing with your breath, your face, your tongue, and most importantly, your brain, and tell you how to change that to produce more beautiful, natural-sounding music. Although I started lessons with Sheila in person, I have had no difficulty whatsoever in transitioning to remote lessons. She does it very well! She emails you recordings of practice exercises for the lessons, as well as several recordings of each new piece. I highly recommend Sheila for remote instruction in voice. I feel privileged to study with her!

Elsie Winstead, MD

Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech Studio

My 8-year-old son made The Muny Kids and I noticed he was straining a little when singing the higher notes. I asked for recommendations and was told, “well, if you want the best, it’s Sheila Dugan.” Sheila accepted him as a student at the age of 9. Michael has had the privilege of singing in principal roles at the Lyric Opera in Chicago, The Muny Opera in St. Louis, The Paramount Theatre in Aurora, The Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago, The Fabulous Fox in St. Louis as well as many other venues. Sheila is now guiding Michael through the change of his voice and helping him prepare for his college auditions. I’ve vigorously recommended her to others and feel so grateful that someone recommended her to me. I (we) love her! She’s brilliant, creative, determined and so loving. I’m a control freak but when it comes to voice training I can Let Go! And Let Sheila!

Mary Harp

Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech Studio

The choice to begin taking lessons with Sheila Dugan is absolutely THE best decision I have made for my vocal training. She has completely transformed my vocal ability, as well as my acting ability and my confidence in both. When I first started lessons with Sheila my voice was small, timid and airy. I noticed a significant change in my voice within only a few lessons with Sheila. Not only has she built my voice into a fuller, stronger, richer instrument, Sheila has equipped me with countless tools and techniques that I will use the rest of my life in order to keep my voice in top shape. On top of simply teaching vocal technique, Sheila has had a HUGE part in opening my ability to act through, understand, and to feel the character of each piece we’re working on. Through Sheila’s teaching, I have been able to play parts like Belle in Beauty and the Best, Jerusha Abbott in Daddy Long Legs and Katherine Plummer in Newsies (all with Fine Linen Theater). Sheila’s work with me on each of these parts not only gave me the ability to sing all of the music with strength, ease and excellent quality, but also to make sure the emotions and character were genuinely felt through the pieces. Sheila is an incredibly gifted vocal coach, she cares so genuinely about each of her students and works extremely hard to help them in any way she can.

Anna Nisbett

Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech Studio

I was referred to Sheila Dugan by another Executive Development Coach. When I told my wife that I had been referred to a voice coach, she informed me that Sheila Dugan is who she worked with concerning her singing voice a couple years back. Those two positive referrals gave me terrific confidence in Sheila’s abilities, but great reviews also set one up for high expectations. Well, my expectations were exceeded. I love that Sheila listens, asks pertinent questions, and then provides no-nonsense advice. I absolutely appreciate that attitude. We had four sessions and I will probably reach back out for a refresher in a month or so. She is fast, efficient, and an expert consultant that is task focused to get her clients where they need to be. I am an experienced, hard working professional that is difficult to impress. I love having a high quality resource like Sheila Dugan in my toolbelt. Thank you
Sheila!

William Frost

Founder/Inspector
www.evergreenpropertyinspectors.com

Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech Studio

Sheila Dugan successfully helped me identify areas of improvement and provided detailed imagery and exercises that I could apply immediately. She was laser focused and dedicated in pursuit of these improvements. Sheila has an intuitive sense of what your voice needs.

Daniel Estrin

International Correspondent
National Public Radio (NPR)

Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech Studio

I began working with Sheila recently to improve my public speaking and voice skills. My career is in sales and I felt I needed professional help to elevate my skills in these areas to stand apart and deliver better presentations.
Sheila is a PRO. It was clear at our first session that she fully understands the technical aspects of how to correctly use one's voice. As well, Sheila has an outstanding feel for what the audience needs from a presenter to deliver stand-out presentations. Sheila's approach is to the point (which I appreciate) while also encouraging. She is very good at quickly identifying technical and stylistic problems so that sessions are well spent on solutions and improvement.
My skills as a presenter have improved greatly as a result of Sheila's training. I also have a clear understanding of how my voice works and how to use it correctly.
There are few true experts in any field of work; Sheila is an expert!

David Branding

Managing Director
JLL St. Louis
https://www.us.jll.com/en/people/david-branding

Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech Studio

In my decade of experience as a professional musician, I have never found a teach and mentor with the expertise of Sheila Dugan. She gives each student the tools they need to explore and expand their vocal capacity and artistry. She is smart, dedicate and patient. She has an extensive knowledge of repertoire and is committed to excellence. Studying with her is a privilege and a transformative experience.

Diane Drollinger

Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech Studio

Working with Sheila is the best decision I have made for my business. When I first met with Sheila, she observed, listened, and made sure she understood what I was looking for. She was able to recognize the areas that I needed to improve on, and set out a plan that she and I have worked on since that first interaction. Sheila's abilities to understand the human voice, while working with her clients to achieve their individualized goals, is outstanding. In working with Sheila, I have been able to significantly improve the delivery of my presentations to business clients, and feel confident in myself, knowing that I have the knowledge and training from Sheila to be successful.

Craig Duckworth

https://www.veltatech.com

Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech Studio

Sheila Dugan provided extraordinary assistance in helping me to refine my accent and articulation. My native language is Spanish, but I have lived all over the world and acquired an unusual accent. Previous attempts to improve my articulation failed when the instructors were unable to discern the origin of my accent. Sheila’s method is highly personalized, so my unusual accent was not a problem for her. From the instant we met, she used her approach to help me clarify my goals and what I needed to do to achieve them. I was very impressed by the depth of her knowledge and her ability to communicate exactly what was needed. In addition to the personal coaching, she provided written materials that were very helpful. I teach at a university and my students noticed the changes in my articulation immediately. I had given up on clarifying my accent until I met Sheila. She is an amazing professional and I give her my highest
recommendation.

Lorenzo F Gonzalez

Author
To Return to Cuba
https://www.lorenzogonzalezcuba.com

Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech Studio

In just a handful of sessions, Sheila Dugan taught me more about my voice and presentation skills that I could have hoped for. I felt confident going into an important workshop presentation in Los Angeles, and lost my fear! Sheila teaches how to deliver an authentic talk that truly connects with the audience. Her level of experience, combined with her intuition about what works and what does not – is unparalleled. If you need to overcome nervousness around public speaking and wish to hone your skills, Sheila will guide you through her exceptional process!

Gretchen Schisla

Founder and Principle
Enrich Creative
www.enrichcreative.com

Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech Studio

Working with Sheila is an incredible privilege, and the best possible thing you can do for your voice. Sheila teaches in way that's entirety focused on health, and customizes each lesson to each specific student. She understands the physiology of voice backwards and forwards, but also comes up with imaginative ways to describe what's going on in a that best helps each student. She also is incredibly talented at helping with song interpretation, and often offers insights that might otherwise go unexplored.

On personal note, Sheila has truly become a member of the family, and I know many of her other students feel this way well. She cares so deeply about our successes and happiness, and does everything in her power to make sure we achieve our goals. I highly recommend Sheila. I am now a professional Musical Theatre Actor in NYC, and I owe it to the wonderful foundation developed together!

Gina Doyle

Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech Studio

Sheila Dugan is my secret weapon. I have lived in New York for almost eight years now, attended NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and still FaceTime my lessons with Sheila (from literally anywhere and everywhere!).

Sheila's knowledge of the voice is unparalleled. She tailors her teachings to her students to guide them to mastery of their instrument. Regardless of the genre, Sheila will help uncover and free your natural authentic voice.

Sheila is just plain and simple, the best. She is my therapist, my lite coach, my challenger, my advocate and my voice coach— all in one!

I am so grateful to have her in my life and as my coach. Not only has my voice improved, but I have improved and grown more aware of my instrument art my artistry.
I am so happy to be back studying with Sheila. My FaceTime lessons are just as fruitful and effective as my in-person lessons.

Wherever you are in the world or whatever level you are at vocally, Sheila can guide to your highest level of excellence and expression.

Alexandra Petrullo

Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech Studio

Sheila Dugan took the time to carefully prepare for the public speaking training she gave our participants so that she could really individualize her coaching to be as effective as possible. Her one-on-one coaching was extremely insightful and very powerful. Sheila pushed our participants to be their best and didn’t settle for less. Everyone said they received very useful advice that they will carry on with them for all their future public speaking engagements. We will definitely have her back. I would recommend Sheila to anyone wanting to hone their skills. We were lucky to find her!

Cici Tompkins

Community Outreach Manager
Children’s Education Alliance of Missouri
https://www.ceamteam.org

Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech Studio

Dear Sheila,

At CEAM’s August board meeting earlier this week I gave a report on our parent training that included a glowing section on you, your training and how you connected to our parents. In a nutshell, I told them how amazing you are. I must have really sold you because one of my board members, has asked for your contact information. This man is a great guy who has served on the CEAM board the whole six years I’ve been employed here.

So our board member is copied on this email and I hope you will both consider yourselves introduced.

Peter A. Franzen

Associate Executive Director
CEAM – Children’s Education Alliance of Missouri
https://www.ceamteam.org

Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech Studio

My sessions with Sheila gave me exactly what I was looking for: a true assessment of my vocal quality and how to use my voice more effectively. From anatomy lessons to breathing exercises to one on one training, Sheila proved her expertise at what she does.
Just like most of us, I use my voice to connect and convince, entertain and education on a g regular basis. Sheila’s training helped me understand how I may be perceived through the sound of my voice, and how to product the best vocal quality I have within me. And she worked with my personality, not against it. Sheila is a fabulous coach and I recommend her training for anyone.

Juila Milner

Creative Director

Sheila Dugan Voice & Speech Studio

Sheila Dugan knows her craft inside and out! In my 5 years studying with her, she transformed my voice into an instrument that brought me to Carnegie Mellon's Musical Theatre program, and then out into world as an Equity performer. Sheila teaches with images that makes sense, that are based on the real physiology behind healthy vocal production. Like any good music teacher, she is tough on students, so plan on bringing an open mind and a good work ethic. It are interested in pursuing a career
in vocal performance of any kind, Sheila is the person to whip you into shape!

Amanda Jerry