Hi, everyone! I’m Jackie (she/they), and as the instructor at Voice Haven and on our YouTube channel, I thought I’d share a little about me.

I am trans myself, and my voice masculinized in response to testosterone. My voice, while certainly not the deepest, was far deeper than that of the average cis woman. My voice made me feel extremely alienated from traditional womanhood, and it was crucial to me that I feminize it. The techniques I share, whether on YouTube or in private lessons, are the same as those I use to feminize my voice. Learning to feminize my voice behaviorally, let alone develop the techniques into unconscious habits, is likely one of the hardest things I’ve done. I believe the process can be streamlined, and few things would make me happier than being able to do so for others.

I decided to become a voice instructor for several reasons — ever since I was a child, I found myself captivated by music and its emotional content. Later in life, that passion developed into an ear for sound and timbre. I’ve also had a love for teaching, and tutored throughout high school and college; I find that few joys in life compare to those of being able to help others.

I have had several lifelong interests, particularly in music, psychology, philosophy, art, nature, in addition to video games. I’m an advocate for the awareness of neurodivergence, especially considering how common it seems to be in trans women. I would love to see trans neurology continue to be researched, and I’m proud to contribute my anecdotal experience.

Lastly, I’d like to share some things about my vocal journey. Voice has always been a fundamental part of who I am; the pain and grief I experienced before I feminized my voice are indescribable. I believe I understand better than most how essential and urgent this process can be — my intention is to get you to your goal as efficiently as possible, and to minimize any potential distress or confusion. In my opinion, a good teacher is often the difference between a student reaching their goal, and being misled into a hopeless spiral.

Whether you’re a student of mine, found us on YouTube, or are simply curious, it’s lovely to have you here. The voice is quite powerful, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned.