SUCCESS STORIES FROM SINGERS AND ARTISTS AROUND THE WORLD
See How Artists Found Their Voice, Freedom, and Flow
The singers and artists I work with transform dreams into reality. Wondering what your Creative Voice journey could look like?
Real Stories of Transformation in Voice and Creativity
“Katja approaches my out of the box ideas as something unique and positive, and that helps me to embrace myself as the artist that I am.
I have gained confidence, faith and courage in my work, vocal stability, as well as more structure in my songwriting work. Katja really does her best to help you move forward, she does this with dedication and out of a genuine desire to see you grow and get better. She does it from her heart, you just feel it. I have loved working with her, and felt safe, seen and heard. Her tips and tricks are professional, and for me: life changing. Because of her, I look differently at my voice, my body and my art.”
Nephtalie Van der Borght, singer-songwriter at Ly Belle
“If you are looking for a place to get back in connection with your art & creativity, this is the place to be!
Working with Katja has helped me to place focus on myself, my voice and my creative work again in a playful way, check in with my voice and work daily, and to find joy again in working on my own voice next to a full teaching load. It has offered me a change of perspective on my own singing in sound, embodiment and storytelling. I got back in connection with voice work, found focus and tools to balance teaching and creative work, and was able to dive deeper in my creative message.”
Saskia Bak, singer-songwriter AT SASSY AND THE RHYTHM BOYS & SINGER AT THE TIME TRAVELERS
“I’m now adding new songs to my repertoire with much more confidence, I know that I can do it!
I’ve studied classical singing, had voice lessons at a musical theatre school, and at the conservatory for popular music. With the techniques I studied before, including the musical theatre studies, I still couldn’t access all the sounds I wanted to produce. Some teachers told me: “These sounds are not healthy”, and others said “It’s this singers’ personality that makes them sound like this, you are different”. And of course, I have my own personality too, but what if I want to make that sound? I knew it must be possible for a human voice to do so, because I was hearing it! So hearing it wasn’t possible, made me feel very frustrated. I tried on my own, and I was close to sounding like I wanted to, but it didn’t feel comfortable yet.
I joined Katja’s online classroom Sing Everything, and it was amazing! Now it’s easier and faster to find out what I have to do in order to sound in a specific way. And the results are right there! You don’t have to wait six weeks to hear results, it’s right there!”
Ayelen Insua, singer at The Storytellers Duo, VENUE MUSICIAN AT CELEBRITY CRUISES, INC. and singing teacher at Alambique Lab
Client highlight: Judith’s story
“My creative flow exploded — I ended up writing not just one, but TWO albums.”
Read Judith’s story.
“Before I started working with Katja, I felt stuck, needing to realign. I had a desire to record an album, and wanted to get my voice back in shape. Despite being technically skilled through studies in many vocal methodologies, I didn’t know how I wanted to sound anymore. I was looking for a sound that was more connected – reflecting more of me. I was also suffering from imposter syndrome, which was holding me back both in my singing and teaching.
Through working with Katja in 1:1 coaching and in her program Sing From The Source, things started shifting on many levels. I reconnected with playfulness, and that spread out to areas in my whole life. My singing became gentler, more expressive and dynamic. I found my own sound that was aligned with the stories I wanted to tell. My vocal range expanded, and singing started feeling much easier and more connected.
My creative flow exploded and I ended up writing not just one, but TWO albums, that I now feel confident bringing to the recording studio! Through the coaching, I learned to fully embrace my identity as a rock and metal vocalist, which helped me expand my artistry, and let go of my limiting beliefs around teaching. There were also a lot of money blocks that got cleared, and right now my income has doubled, while I’m doing way less than before!”
JUDITH WESTERVELD, SINGER-SONGWRITER AT SIGNS OF STILLNESS, COACH AND TRAINER AT JUDITH WESTERVELD COACHING
Client highlight: Josie’s story
“Coaching with Katja is one of the best decisions I ever made. The combination of working on the mental side as a creator as well as the technique of singing have completely turned my life around. I was given the tools to overcome the obstacles & (unknown to me at the time) limiting beliefs. I truly believe I would not have released my first single if it hadn’t been for Katja and I feel confident in continuing on my course of growth. Katja provides not only guidance & knowledge, but also the opportunity to share true thoughts & feelings without fear of being vulnerable. She is an expert in her field & helps you connect to the joy and opportunities as a creative.”
JOSIE AKERS, SINGER-SONGWRITER AT AKERS MUSIC
Josie’s journey & story is so powerful and inspiring! Here you can watch a chat about: her journey from idea to single release, project planning, mindset & limiting beliefs, energy – and how vocal & artist coaching has supported her on the journey and helped her make her creative ideas become tangible artistic products.
Vocal Freedom
“When I had to sing 4-5 gigs in a week, or do a recording session, I was always struggling with muscle tension. I wanted to sing with power, but without all the struggle. Working with Katja in Sing Everything, I learned using my support muscles, and became aware of how to make very powerful sounds without any discomfort whatsoever. The results were immediate, and it was really great to hear the results in other singers’ voices too. “
NICO TABARRACCI, singer at THE STORYTELLERS DUO, VENUE MUSICIAN AT CELEBRITY CRUISES, INC. and singing teacher at Alambique Lab
“I used to regularly become hoarse, especially after speaking for long periods of time, after a busy choir rehearsal or a long teaching day. My voice always had this weak link – until I worked with Katja. Since I started taking lessons with her, my voice can handle much more! I can teach long days, speak and sing: I’ve never lost my voice again! What’s great about Katja is her broad knowledge that goes beyond Complete Vocal Technique, as well as her very personal coaching style. She always finds a way to teach me in a way that I learn the best.”
FELICE VAN DER SANDE, SINGER AT KRULMUZIEK, EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC EDUCATOR
Artistic Freedom
“I’ve performed and recorded for years. At some point I noticed I started putting songs in lower keys, because it felt more comfortable for my voice. Working with Katja in Sing Everything has made me ready to make full use of my vocal range. Now I have more control, especially over the use of the whole wide spectrum of tone colors that my voice is capable of. Not only do I have a better understanding of my instrument, but also more possibilities for musical expression.”
ESTRELLA ACOSTA, singer at Estrella Acosta & Esquina 25
“I still can’t believe what I was (and am) able to achieve.”
Read Mandy’s story
“I have a Bachelor of Music in classical voice and have been a vocal performance coach and professional singer myself for about fifteen years, so I know my way around my voice (and voices in general) in many ways. However I had a few lingering bad habits in my own singing that I’d never addressed and techniques I’d never solidified from when I first started formal singing training as a teenager that I felt were really holding me back, especially as I started work on a fairly ambitious original vocal project.
I sought Katja’s help to re-establish the basics and to explore the limits of my vocal capabilities. It was really clear that she knew her stuff, both vocally and musically – it was really important to me that she understood where I was coming from with a classical background but also the direction I’m going in, which is much more focused on a science-based technique to employ a range of popular stylistic elements, explore the different vocal modes and my range possibilities within them.
I got SO much out of my work with Katja – my sessions with her were the highlight of my week. I was able to identify and fix some really simple breathing and support problems that I can see in my students but that I couldn’t see or address in myself which, as all singers know, forms the basis for everything you do with the voice. I also really dived deep into using my voice high and loud (what some might call ‘belting’) in all its different forms (the CVT vocal modes) – something that has always been a hang up for me as a classical singer. I still can’t believe what I am able to achieve. We also worked on resonance through overtone singing which has really added a shimmer to my sound (and is super fun!).
Katja blows me away with her breadth of knowledge not only of the voice itself, but also a variety of vocal pedagogies. I can’t imagine a situation where she wouldn’t be able to meet a learner at their individual point of need, as she draws on a very extensive range of experience and can reframe concepts in different ways until it sinks in. I really can’t recommend Katja highly enough!”
Mandy van Zanen, singer, musician, songwriter
“To me, singing is a lifetime study project and even after ten years of professional gigs I have heard many ideas, concepts and practice methods in Katja’s class that I’d never even thought of before!”
JOHN
“Before working with Katja, I was restricting my natural voice, getting stuck in a box and trying too hard to control the voice.
Now I am really excited to trust my voice and to explore new parts of my voice with compassion. I am approaching singing with more curiosity instead of fear. I am enjoying singing again!“
BONNIE
“Working with Katja in Sing Everything helped me to identify and classify the parts of my voice from numerous perspectives and has given me practical tools to get more out of my singing practice and performance.
I can now zero in on any particular aspect of the voice and use my practice sessions to work on this. It’s a much more targeted approach than I had used previously, and I now get more out of my practice sessions. I now have power, better onsets, ability to change the vocal dynamics to fit the song and my artistic expression.”
JAMES
Creative Alignment & Momentum
“I Stopped Just Surviving as an Artist and Started Building a Flourishing Future.”
“I had much creative flow and inspiration, but lacked insight and courage in creating systems that worked to create momentum and build a sustainable, flourishing foundation for my creative work and life. Katja helped me see how I was capable of creating doable step by step action to create space for movement, clarity and nervous system balanced focus.
The avoiding, surviving, overwhelm fog lifted, and created space for what gives energy. Now I am pro-active when I feel worry, and turn ideas into to-do steps and take action. At the end of the week, I am amazed by what I already moved, faced, and turned as I want it, instead of waiting, hoping or postponing.
It’s as if I for the first time really decided on being an entrepreneur, instead of just having to deal with it because I got rolled into it through my work as an artist. I am framing non-negotial things and building helpful systems for my money, building for the future and getting to know what I really need, instead of what I thought I could get.”
Leela May Stokholm, MULTIDISCIPLINARY ARTIST AND EDUCATOR
“I have started listening to the person behind all the work, and creating space in my days. That has been transformative.”
“I wanted to get into flow for my artistry. I wanted to write songs, but I couldn’t find the focus or flow to actually write my own music and feel happy with it. Through coaching with Katja, I began a songwriting journey, and started sharing my songs online.
I also made changes to my schedule, building in peaceful moments and cutting down on screen time, so I can be more present and calm my nervous system. I’ve outlined the near future more clearly, so I know in which direction I want to grow – both in teaching songwriting and in my own artistry.
Most importantly, I’ve started listening more to the person behind all the work. I’ve opened my ears to my inner flow, and I see that as long as I follow that, my creativity finds a way automatically. I’ve begun to show myself as a singer again, to explore my voice more deeply.
For me, mindset has been the root of inner change – it opened pathways for both my voice and my artistry. I’ve learned to calm myself down, to create space in my days to pick up an instrument and just play and sing. That space has been transformative, helping me reconnect with my artistry in a new way.”
SIMONE SCHUTTEN, singer, MUSICIAN songwriter AT SWOON, TEACHER & DIRECTOR AT POPSCHOOL WESTLAND
“Strategic Support That Brought Me Clarity, Relaxation, and High-Energy Clients”
“After 5,5 years of being an entrepreneur as a vocal coach, I wanted to have guidance on how I strategically can change and improve my business on different facets.
Working with Katja has helped me energetically release overwhelm and resistance to change. I am now receiving more space in my schedule for rest and high(er) energy clients, and experiencing more relaxation in body & mind.
I like having Katja as a strategical overviewer, giving assignments to keep looking at the bigger picture and what small changes will make long lasting change.”
SaSKIA BAK, SINGER, SONGWRITER & VOCAL COACH
Client highlight: Tamara’s story
“I learned saying no to people and projects that don’t feel aligned!”
Click to read Tamara’s story
“Katja helped me grow into my identity as a business owner and to see business as part of my artist life. I used to think: “Yes! I’m an artist! (…and I also have to do business…aaaarrrgggh…)” Now I can connect those two elements.
I had so many plans on how I wanted to evolve my services as a singing teacher, but did not have a clear vision about who I actually want to work with. I only felt that some collaborations didn’t feel right anymore, but I didn’t know how to deal with that and how to get out of this. Working with Katja I identified who I want to work with, and learned saying no to people and projects that don’t feel aligned!
I learned to prioritize better in my daily life, so I could create more space for the things that matter the most. Also, I learned to design offers from the heart, to trust myself more, and gained confidence to talk about my teaching offers.
Katja really helps you to grow your artist business in a way that fits your artist identity. She’s not putting some ‘cookie-cutter-product’ into your head, but she’s really into your ideas and develops the business-side of your teaching and artistry with you. She’s not only great at helping you talk through your ideas, but also in helping you reconnect to your ‘Why’ and to your energy in the moments when you feel lost.”
TAMARA PIENTKA, SINGER & VOCAL COACH
How would you describe Katja as a coach?
This is how they answered:
“As a coach, Katja is enthusiastic, encouraging and present. She lets you look at what is with open eyes, and clearly see what needs realigning. Not only that, she has an amazing focus in finding doable and exact next steps. I highly recommend her!”
“Katja blows me away with her breadth of knowledge not only of the voice itself, but also a variety of vocal pedagogies. I can’t imagine a situation where she wouldn’t be able to meet a learner at their individual point of need, as she draws on a very extensive range of experience and can reframe concepts in different ways until it sinks in. I really can’t recommend Katja highly enough!”
“As a coach, Katja is present, intuitive, knowledgeable, supportive, kind and thoughtful. She creates a healthy and safe environment, and any singer looking to develop with a brilliant and compassionate teacher would benefit from working with her.”
“A breath of fresh air! Katja has a lovely positive temperament. Very holistic in her approach.”
“I would say (and already did to some people) that Katja has a lot of interesting content for artists. She gives attention to themes that are deeper than theories, and she helps you with reflecting and giving direction. And that she is not just a coach, but one with a shitload of knowledge so come and get some apples from that tree!!”
“Katja is a great and enthusiastic teacher, with deep and detailed knowledge of the voice and how it works. I find her lessons inspirational and I recommend her strongly. She’s the kind of teacher that makes you sing the songs you never dared to sing and has solutions for every ‘problem’ along the way. Inspiring!”
“Katja is an intuitive coach with a bird’s eye for strategically improving your artist life & business holistically, and working with her will help you stay aligned, get clarity, release negativity and create space for change!”
“Katja is a very spirited, knowledgeable and fun teacher/coach. Great teaching style! Love the combination of woo-woo, technique, embodiment, storytelling and (life) coaching. Diving deep, serious work and fun all in one session!”
“Katja is a fountain of knowledge on all things related to the voice, from vocal pedagogy to focused practice sessions.”
Start your own journey to vocal freedom and creative alignment.
©2025 Katja Maria Slotte | Creative Voice