OUR HISTORY
The Voice Lab is a space where folks can be themselves, can love themselves, and be accepted as themselves. We try to cultivate this by encouraging and uplifting each other's voices. TVL is a place where grown-ups can play and explore their creativity, and where our queer family can find beauty within themselves and catharsis by sharing that beauty with the world. We don't take ourselves too seriously--except when it comes to the way we love what we do!
2014
The Voice Lab was founded in August of 2014 under the original name of Jackson Voice Lab. Our budding community rented a church basement in Lakeview by the hour to teach our first lessons. While the studio quickly outgrew the basement, we established lasting relationships with the local community.
2015
The Voice Lab (still Jackson Voice Lab) opened the first storefront location - 2017 W Irving Park Road. These two lesson rooms would serve many students and witness countless hours of music for the next five years.
2016
Our first Band Camp workshop launched in the Spring of 2016 showcasing our students performing both original and cover songs. The performances were held at an intimate cabaret studio in Chicago. We also launched one of our group voice programs, Loquacious Ladies, for trans fem voice students.
2017
Students and faculty joined to produce and perform a fully bespoke production of The Magic Flute in German and English. Our talented students ranged in age from 11 to 75 years young, and featured a pre-T trans masc student in the lead tenor role of Tamino.
2018
The Singing Teacher’s Guide to Transgender Voices and One Weird Trick: A User's Guide to Transgender Voice were authored and published by Liz Jackson Hearns. These two books provide the basis for the methodology for providing gender-affirming voice care at The Voice Lab.
2019
In January of 2019, we expanded to open the Myrold Studio on Irving Park in Chicago. Technically, our 4th location! Our physical studio evolved several times in the first 5 years and we have always been excited to welcome new members to the TVL fam!
2020
Through everything, our community embodies human experiences connected by voice and music. Our community has become a “vessel of transcendence” out of quarantine and into meaningful togetherness. And even in a pandemic, we found ways to come together and share virtual space. We gathered for regular lessons; shared creativity in a songwriting camp; got dressed up for open mics and recitals, and loudly cheered each other on with big-time love, Voice Lab style!
2024
We are enjoying more in-person lessons and activities in addition to our continued remote lessons and events. The Voice Lab also partners with Green Shirt Studio to host monthly, in-person Community Salons for our Chicago-based fam. We're leaning into our professional development offers for fellow voice teachers offering workshops, trainings, and courses. In 2024, keep an eye out for group classes (the return of TVL band camp for grown ups!) and a humanity-first professional conference for voice teachers.
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