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Forte Vocal Performance Academy Forte Vocal Performance Academy is trying to prepare nice singers. We concentrate on the three main supports of a performer:

Voice:
Vocal Technique, Vocal Stretch & Strength, Style, Foundation, Open Throat, Focus, Clarity, Cord, Foundation, Support, and many more voice tools.

Character:
Subtext, Character Depth, Emotion, Embodiment, Translation of Lyrics, Thought Formulation, Timing Choice, Strength of Silence and much more character tools.

Performance:
Stage Presence, Microphone Technique, Energy Movement, Audience Involvement, Body Movement, Physical Poses, Entrance & Exit Style and lots of others performance tools.
Served areas
  • Indio, Palm Desert, Coachella Valley, Cathedral City, Palm Springs, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Bermuda Dunes
Highlights and features
  • Singing Lessons
  • Voice Coach
  • Vocal Teacher
  • Acting Lessons
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Services
Want to sing better, but don't know where to start? Our professional vocal coaches will guide you step by step with a custom tailored private voice lesson. Come hang out and sing along with Audrey! This group membership includes monthly Master Classes, Singing Events, and even Feedback Fridays! Have a specific problem with your voice?
In your lessons we'll pick out the perfect audition song, perfect your voice, stage presence, charater and even a few tricks to help you stand out! I was completely untrained vocally and insecure about singing in front of anyone. In a matter of only a few months, my knowledge, control, range and confidence have increased dramatically.
Get the motivation you need to set your week right with our Goal Shout Outs and motivational posts. You are not alone in this. Let the group encourage you! Vote on your top singing issue. The problem with the most votes gets covered in a live vocal warmup by Audrey later that week! Our monthly Masterclass is truly the highlight of the whole community.
Breathe in a sigh of relief knowing that these vocal drills are going to help you breathe a little better. In this lesson we'll go over what it feels like to run out of breath while singing and what vocal drills to focus on to fix this issue. No more pushing from the depths to reach those high notes.
For over 16 years, I have been a private vocal coach, both in-person and online. In addition to teaching, I've worked with clients all over the world-writing and recording songs, jingles, commercials, and even musicals. I've taught folks of all ages, with all kinds of vocal challenges, and I've helped countless individuals improve their singing skills and gain confidence in the process.
People
Audrey McDonald
Audrey McDonald
Head Vocal Coach
Audrey McDonald grew up in Northern California where her talent helped lead to the development of the Harbor Select Jazz Ensemble. At 15, Audrey's skill was well beyond any other student thus proving the requirement for special funding to create the Ensemble.
During the next five years Audrey honed her skill with a long training at Aptos Academy of Music and countless local vocal competitions and performances. She even traveled to Taiwan where she spent time performing daily at Le Fu Amusement Park. Once back at the Aptos Academy she felt the need to broaden her learning and, at the age of twenty, moved to Los Angeles where she enrolled at the Los Angeles Academy of Music.
Once Audrey finished her training at L.A.M.A. she stayed in the fast-moving city to perform with several bands, attend red carpet events and live the glamor of Hollywood. This life soon became negative to Audrey's love of the simple beauty of life. During a short visit in Palm Springs with her family, and admittedly, escape the cutthroat feel of Hollywood, she discovered the desert kindness, straightforward lifestyles, and art-filled beauty of day-to-day desert living. She had packed for three days and ended up never leaving.
She has gladly continued to perform locally in such venues as The Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival Nightly Musical, Cabaret Theater West and local operas such as Cosi Fan Tutti. During these performances, while bonding with her fellow cast members, Audrey found herself naturally drawn to encourage and help the artists around her. I started teaching knowing that's what was needed so badly in the valley. I just wanted to help every singer out there who was hurting their voice. I felt so connected to all of them. Hearing their first taste of vocal freedom after lessons with me makes me just as excited for them as they are for themselves! It's hard for me to call teaching work when I love it so much!
Audrey's efforts to simply give vocal help led to multiple cast member requests for personal lessons. Audrey realized that her wish to help others grow, learn and love the vocal arts is actually a true gift of teaching. She genuinely hopes that she can use her talent and training to reach many students here in the Coachella valley.
Reviews (21)
Write a Review
Rhodes Kimmell
Jun 28, 2020
My experience has been great! I never thought of online lessons until I started watching Audrey on YouTube. After a year of watching and then i I found her Facebook group with students from all over the world. I'm very pleased with her techniques and how she can tell you in a couple minutes what you are doing incorrectly with showing you how to practice. I'm continuing with her as she dedicates a lot of time to her students.
K. Hammer
May 11, 2020
Audrey is great and my daughter has always enjoyed working with her.
Samantha Hogan
Feb 28, 2020
Audrey is awesome! She is so kind and such a good teacher. We had no trouble with lessons online through skype. I learned a lot after a few months of her teaching me, i think im a much better singer now. She was always flexible if i couldnt make a lesson and she was always a delight to talk to. I would highly reccomend her lessons.
Daniel R.
Feb 01, 2020
I've been taking vocal lessons with Audrey and she's a wonderful teacher. Knowledgeable, encouraging and inspiring. Everything you want from someone helping you with your musical journey. The Skype lessons are super helpful as she takes video and the ability to watch and listen back to your exercises is incredibly valuable. I'm a drummer who is adding vocals to my repertoire and her assistance has been invaluable! I highly recommend!
Marlana Sugar
Jun 24, 2017
I've only worked with Audrey once and I already feel like I'm learning a lot. I've been to a few other singing classes in the Santa Cruz area and Forte is definitely the best in regards to the teaching methods as well as the teachers themselves. Highly recommended. :
Mikayla Tom
Feb 04, 2017
Vocal Forte Academy had me feeling more confident about my voice within the first couple of lessons. Its a great place to help people of any age master their singing abilities in a safe environment.
Mikayla T.
Jul 02, 2016
Vocal Forte is a great place to master your singing skills and learn new techniques. After my first lesson, I had already learned many new breathing techniques and vocal exercises to help strengthen my vocal chords. Much better than my previous vocal instructor's!
Kayla J.
Apr 08, 2016
Would like to start out with this is a really nice place. The people are friendly and are good at what they do, however the way they charge are flawed and they recently raised prices. If you visit their site under their private lessons it states "discounts are given to monthly members" so I became a "monthly member" until the price change. I stated this would be my last month with them and I was promptly charged every month just like every other month.

My class fell on a Thursday and this month had an extra Thursday, I went to the school only to find no one was there, no email, no phone call, nothingness. he even said he "posted it and not my problem you didn't see it" and when I asked for him to take a photo of the sign he said "it's been erased" at this point I'm upset. THIS IS A WARNING in their eyes "a month is only 4 weeks" so if you have an extra class that month, even though you paid to be a "monthly member", you don't get that day.

They admitted that the wording wasn't the greatest, "monthly member", because of that flaw. Again, nothing against them as people or coaches, this is just a WARNING or REMINDER to the people that attend this school. You are NOT paying to be a "monthly member" you are just paying 4 weeks upfront at a discount rate, this way they know you will show up and can better plan their time which is VERY important.

To everyone. After having this conversation with them and finding out that it is a "system error" and that's the only way their system operates makes me feel I should say something. I was told "I'm the only one complaining" which makes me wonder how many people don't know.
JoAn Chace
Nov 30, 2015
My experience comes through my granddaughter, 10 years old, who just completed her first public performance in a Forte showcase. The occasion was arranged informally, in a restaurant with performance space. The performers ranged in age from my granddaughter's age to the mid-sixties. Everyone had been well prepared with an appropriate song. Every performance had been carefully developed.

Yet the atmosphere was spontaneous and easy-going. Performers and audience enjoyed themselves. My granddaughter has improved her ability to hold a note, to style a song, to sing out with joyous energy, and to pronounce lyrics clearly. The people at Forte give excellent training and impart a love of popular music.
Linda S.
Jul 27, 2015
Forte is the best! We have been taking our 11 year old daughter for private lessons with Rachel Rohe, and she is such an excellent teacher! Everyone at Forte lives what they do and their passion is evident by the happy faces of the adults and kids they work with. The self esteem our child has gained is amazing.
Tom D.
Jul 26, 2015
I've been taking lessons from Forte for the past several months, after having sung for many years in choirs without any formal instruction. The improvement in my vocal skills since I started at Forte has been very noticeable and I feel much more confident about performing solo. Both Audrey and Rachel are very adept in finding very subtle areas in enunciation, breathing and posture that all contribute to the overall quality of the voice, which I never would have grasped on my own.

They are both very knowledgeable about vocal techniques, and music overall, plus they keep the lessons fun and engaging. I highly recommend their services for anyone who wants to improve their singing skills.
Kami Woods Yager
Jul 23, 2015
I highly recommend Forte Vocal Academy it's great! Very kid friendly and positive atmosphere.
Jennifer S.
May 14, 2015
I LOVE Forte Vocal Academy! I originally started taking voice lessons just to learn better breath and vocal control but have gone on to learn far more. I've not only gained the confidence and ability to sing and perform in public but have had the most amazing fun learning to explore my individual capabilities under Audrey's excellent guidance.

Being able to enjoy participating in their performance events and audition preparation that their studio offers has me even considering the possibility of being able to try out for some local theatre! All ages and levels will thrive Here
Bryan L.
May 08, 2015
We are thrilled with Forte. Our daughter has developed her passion for singing, and acquired skills and performance training. The instruction is highly supportive but includes enough real expectations and constructive criticism to make sure progress continues. Highly recommend!
Cheryl Ganly
Mar 26, 2015
Forte Vocal academy is great place to have your self or your kids to sing. My daughter is in private lesson and she has gotten so my better and only been there two months. Audrey is a great teacher I really recommend her if you want private or group lesson.
Sarah G.
Mar 09, 2015
I have seen so much improvement in just three months of training, Audrey is an amazingly skilled teacher with great lessons to teach how to use your vocal chords correctly and getting you sounding professional! I am now a released artist : Gabriela Heart and have released a track on iTunes https://soundcloud.com/chaosthedj/chaos-feat-gabriela-heart-big-fat-bass Check my music page. https://www.facebook.com/PurrtEcat Don't think about it twice Audrey is the best vocal coach in the area!
Renee S.
Dec 02, 2013
I just had my first lesson with Audrey last week, and I can't wait to go back! Not only is she totally awesome as a person, but she is a great teacher too! I was so stoked that she gave me sheet music and an MP3 of the song I wanted to work on, and she even gave me a copy of my lesson on DVD so I can keep practicing until the next one. I'm really looking forward to seeing what Audrey will teach me next time, since she taught me a lot about my voice in the first lesson. Forte/Audrey rocks!
Jessie M.
Nov 27, 2013
I have had the pleasure of working with Audrey in shows and voice lessons. She is an incredibly talented teacher and performer with excellent skills in communicating vocal technique. Her dedication to her students is incredible. She is full of patience and makes lessons fun! I definitley reccommend Her!
Ryan M.
Nov 23, 2013
I used to drive up to San Francisco to take my son to vocal classes. Not anymore! Audrey knows her stuff, has an amazing way with students of all levels and has prepared my kid for auditions and performances better than teachers twice the price and 10x the distance. We've since moved to SoCal and miss the 1:1 attention we used to get at Forte. Can we do lessons over Skype?;
Dawn Layne Rodgers
Forte Vocals is the best! My daughter has been taking private voice lessons with Audrey for almost a year now and she has loved every minute of it! She has gone from being a very shy and quiet little singer to a "there's no stopping me" ROCKSTAR!!!
Marlana Claire
I've only worked with Audrey twice and I already feel like I'm learning a lot. I've been to a few other singing classes in the Santa Cruz area and Forte is definitely the best in regards to the teaching methods as well as the teachers themselves. Highly recommended.