Singing Lessons with Lynna Hall
Welcome! My name is Lynna. I am the Singing and Songwriting Instructor at Bellingham Helps Access Music (BHAM), a new local nonprofit opening soon in Downtown Bellingham. Lessons are neurodivergent-friendly, queer-friendly, and senior-friendly (but not limited to those communities)! I offer a welcoming and cozy space for singers and songwriters of all levels. Please feel free to scroll for more details. :)
What I offer
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As life long singers, we need to treat our voices with love as they change. There are many reasons for voice change, including aging, or receiving gender affirming care. While I’m not a doctor or SLP, I know some helpful tools for treating your voice with care, navigating vocal breaks, and shifting registers. The key is not to force anything, but to practice healthy technique.
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If you are new to singing, and just learning the basics, feel free to sign up! Don’t be shy. Also, being truly “tone deaf” is a myth, it is very rare that someone can’t train their ear to hear pitch and I will show you. :)
If you are an intermediate or advanced singer wanting to learn contemporary stylistic tricks, riffs & runs, or just to polish up other aspects of your overall voice- I’d love to work with you.
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Being a musician can go far beyond the practicing we do at home, or in lessons. If you are wanting to explore your inner artistic persona and brand for social media and on stage, I can help you find what is truly authentic to you. If you are a shy performer and want to work on stage presence, I will teach you how and set you up with real life performing opportunities in Bellingham!
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If you are new to songwriting and looking for a new emotional outlet, or just going through writers block, please feel free to book a trial lesson. I will show you the foundational skills and exercises that will carry you through your lifelong songwriting journey, no matter what genre you are writing in.
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If you have been told you are tone deaf, do not fret! It is very rare. In most cases your ear can be trained and you can prove them all wrong. On the other hand, if you’re needing help learning how to harmonize confidently, I will teach you! Harmonies can be simple thirds, or complex and full of tension. Let’s explore the “pretty” and “crunchy” harmonies so you can have more freedom in your musical expression!
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I love working with seniors that are looking for recreational music activities such as dancing, singing, listening to nostalgic tunes from the 50s- 80s. There are tons of studies that show music as being wonderful for brain health. These lessons are open for loved ones or spouses to attend together!
Testimonials
Parent of Elementary Singing Student
“Lynna’s infectious love of music draws people of all ages. Their friendly, fun-loving demeanor keeps them around to “play” music of every sort.”
Adult Piano & Songwriting Student
“Learning piano with Lynna has been one of the best decisions I have made all year. Before lessons with Lynna I was reading very basic sheet music and now I am writing songs (lyrics and music), having fun improvising and singing.”
Adult Piano & Songwriting Student
“I always enjoy my voice lessons with Ms. Lynna Hall! She is a very talented singer-songwriter whose approach to teaching is relaxed, fun, as well as technique- based.”
Adult Piano Student
“I was nervous at first to start piano lessons as an adult, but Lynna’s enthusiasm and encouragement quickly made me feel very supported. Lynna always makes sure the lessons are set at my own pace, and that I feel I’m accomplishing my goals.”
Elementary Singing and Songwriting Student
“I’ve known Lynna my whole life. Once you get to know her she’s fun and is sweet. She’s very trustworthy and is always there for everyone. She’s talented and a great teacher. She also has an angelic voice. I wish I had lessons with her every day because I love spending time with her. Once you meet her you will never want to leave. She has never been mean to me because her heart is pure. She is the best teacher anyone could ask for. “
-Age 11
My Teaching Philosophy
Singing is just as much about knowledge and mastery as it is about identity and self-expression. Learning the anatomy and technique of the voice, or the structure of a song is just as important as creativity and emotion. I have been singing and writing music since childhood, and I know first-hand how much singing is about self-expression.
Music can get you through the hard times. As someone who has always felt “different”, my relationship to music has become a sort of friendship and way to process challenges in my life. Music is part of what makes us human. Mastery and skill do come from practice and technique, but singing from the heart and the dedication to music that keeps you practicing comes from love and not from an innate talent. That’s why I believe anyone can learn to sing no matter your age, background, or what people have told you in the past!
My lessons are are neurodivergent-friendly and gender-affirming. I want to offer this safety to these communities I also belong to, providing the kind of music lessons I wanted but couldn’t find. There is a myth that singing must be learned in childhood, and that is completely false. Anyone with a healthy speaking voice can sing, and I absolutely love working with adults and seniors!
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For more information about this local nonprofit and the resources we offer there, please visit our website: https://www.bellinghamhelpsaccessmusic.org/
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Lessons are located at Bellingham Helps Access Music at 1125 N Forest St. Suite A101, Bellingham, WA 98225. Entrance is in the alley.
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All of my offerings are neurodivergent affirming. I myself am neurodivergent, and I pay special attention to the sensory and emotional needs of my students, especially to those who disclose that they need accommodations or changes to the teaching environment. I will design the lesson according to student preferences and styles. I accept that students will learn in their own unique ways, and we can practice the songs they love.
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I primarily work with adults and seniors, but I have openings for a few younger students! If my lesson style seems like a great fit for your teenager or child, please do not hesitate to reach out.
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Yes! We can structure the lessons in order of priority for you. I am happy to split the lesson into different sections or schedule whole lessons for each skill. We will do what works best for you.
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No, I will meet you where you are at! I teach beginner singing, piano, and songwriting. If you are new to learning music, don’t be discouraged. Music is a learned ability that anyone can acquire with practice.
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Just come prepared with a notebook dedicated to music lessons!
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I understand music lesson nerves. It can feel a little vulnerable to work on your singing, piano, or songwriting skills when you may have experienced discouragement in the past. Everyone can improve their musical ability with consistent effort, and I can help facilitate that in a fun and low-pressure way!
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Yes, absolutely. I can get students ready for a recording session with an audio engineer at BHAM! https://www.bellinghamhelpsaccessmusic.org/record
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There will be opportunities to participate in recitals and to perform at BHAM’s open jams! https://www.bellinghamhelpsaccessmusic.org/events
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Yes I do, I can help you create your own DIY music video straight from your iPhone that is even cooler than you might expect!
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Visit the website Bellingham Helps Access Music to book a lesson with me and check for current rates.
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I teach from a contemporary perspective applicable to singing students who love genres such as singer-songwriter, rock, pop, indie, folk, musical theater, etc.
FAQs
About Lynna Hall
I’m Lynna (she/they), life-long singer and life-long Bellinghamster. I am a singer-songwriter and contemporary pop vocalist. I perform locally in a singing duo with my best friend Rachel. I am formally trained, and have been singing, songwriting and performing since childhood. I have been teaching private singing and songwriting lessons for several years. Most recently, I had the chance to train with the vocalist and indie celebrity “My Brightest Diamond”, a musical hero of mine. Outside of music and performing, I enjoy reading & writing, painting, thrifting, coffee shops, being outside, and having fun with people I love!
I draw from community-oriented work experience centering queer people, seniors, and people with disabilities. While completing my studies, I led a queer and neurodivergent support group with college students at the Disability Outreach Center at WWU, and provided peer support for over a year. As part of an independent study, I got to a weekly songwriting workshop with neurodivergent and queer students my former high school high school, Options. More recently, I helped develop Amy’s Place, a Dementia-friendly social hub in Bellis Fair Mall and started a music program there.
B.A. (2024), Dual Major. WWU.
Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies, “Phenomenological and Ethnographic Approaches to Neuroqueer Advocacy”
Anthropology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Lynna & Rachel
Email lynnahallmusic@gmail.com to book Lynna and Rachel, and follow @lynnahallmusic on Instagram to hear some live recordings.
Photos by Megan Anderson
Contact me at lynnahallmusic@gmail.com if you have any questions!
Select Testimonials
“Lynna was my teacher from 2018-2020 and during that time I was in a major stage of development. Lynna taught me how to harness that energy I had and disruption in my brain to music, she taught me how to sing to my emotions. We wrote songs and played covers whatever I needed to feel seen and heard. Especially during covid, I was able to use the tools she taught me in lessons to express my emotions. Now years later I still sing and play the piano to help me process my emotions, I am constantly singing or listening to music, though I don’t write songs anymore I still write lots of poetry. Lynna was the one to teach me about different types of poetry and how you can turn that into music. As a little kid it was so inspiring to see someone older them me writing and playing their own songs. Lynna is more than just a teacher to me she is a core memory and a key part of my childhood.”
“I first started working with Lynna to develop skills in song writing. I had a bit of experience a long time ago, but was lacking confidence and direction. Over the past several months, Lynna has helped me to find my voice and my process for song writing. Encouraging and challenging me every step of the way without ever leaving me feeling on my own. They have helped me trust my own creative process and guided me to completing and even recording a song of my own. Something about the whole experience has made me feel more like I am actually an artist and song writer! I find myself reaching for my guitar and notebook to express a feeling or process an experience. It can be so cathartic and refreshing to expressing what I’m experiencing! Lynna has helped me to relax into and trust the experience of music and songwriting as a tool to help engage with all that life throws at me.”