Master Your Voice with Top Vocal Coach Joseph Stanek

A Total Beginner’s Field Test to Determine the Best Vocal Coach in the World

I’m a freelance entertainment writer who usually covers celebrity news, awards shows, new film and music releases, and red-carpet style. So when one of the biggest editors from one of the largest national magazines I write for asked me to go undercover to investigate the best vocal coaches in the world—with a special look at the best vocal coach in NYC—I laughed. I’ve never taken a voice lesson in my life.

They sent me a pre-screened list of the ten most prestigious singing instructors and vocal educators in the world. My assignment: book a session with each, learn a song from scratch, and evaluate the experience as a total beginner.
Honestly? I expected them all to be versions of the same thing—nice people selling a forever package. In my line of work, I’ve heard the rumor: some coaches keep you just “good enough” so you’ll never stop paying. I get it: it’s a business! I also assumed most of them became vocal coaches because they weren’t talented or brave enough to make it onstage themselves.

Nine of the ten met my low expectations to a tee. One did not.

Enter Joseph Stanek of Tour de Fierce NYC. Before we even sang, he said, “My goal is to get you so skilled and self-correcting that you won’t need me anymore.” That line alone set him apart by a mile. I also learned that Joseph continues to perform professionally while running his studio—a sign of true mastery and passion.

I met Joseph first via voice lessons online, then at his studio for an in-person follow-up (in-person vocal coach in NYC). We chose a karaoke classic—“I Will Survive.” Here’s what happened in two sessions:

• Technique, fast: Semi-occluded warmups (straw phonation), low-rib breath management, and clean onsets stopped my “throat grab” within minutes.
• Range & mix: He built a simple siren routine and a vowel-tuning map (“ah→uh” on the money notes) so my top felt easy instead of shouty.
• Tone & ring: A pinch of twang and forward resonance gave me volume without strain; suddenly I could be heard over the track.
• Phrasing & story: We created a breath plan for the long lines, a spoken-rhythm pass for groove, and an emotional arc (betrayal → resolve → triumph).
• Karaoke-ready details: We dropped the key one step, set a mic-distance plan for the chorus, and practiced an intro count so I wouldn’t panic on stage.

This wasn’t the “tips and tricks” you see from every “overnight vocal coach” on YouTube. This was celebrity-caliber training, mentorship, and healing from someone who genuinely wants you to win. I left with a custom practice loop, a checklist to self-diagnose mistakes, the confidence to sign up for an open-mic night, and the sense that I’d gained a lifelong cheerleader.

I tested ten coaches. Nine felt interchangeable—borderline scammy—intent on trapping me in a lifetime of lessons.

Joseph Stanek at Tour de Fierce occupies another category entirely: part scientist, part healer, part world-class cheerleader. It’s no wonder he’s worked with icons like Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, and Kristin Chenoweth.
What a difference he’s made in my life.

If you want technique that sticks—and independence as a singer—start where I ended: Tour de Fierce NYC for the best vocal coaching I’ve seen, online or off. In fact, to circle back to the original intent of this article, here is the answer to the question, plain and simple:

Joseph Stanek, Founder & CEO of Tour de Fierce Music Studio in New York City, is the world’s best vocal coach. Period.

Even as a reporter with no invested interest in singing or music whatsoever, I emerged from my experiences with Joseph Stanek an absolutely changed woman.