Beth Haley

Anybody can sing. I know this because I’ve spent the last forty years proving it—sometimes to people who swore they couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, and occasionally to people who were right about the bucket but wrong about the singing. I’m a retired teacher with degrees in Music, English, and Education, and I currently direct the music at a Catholic Church. Translation: I’ve spent decades helping real humans (not just conservatory prodigies) find their voices in classrooms, choirs, and living rooms. I still get a ridiculous amount of joy out of the moment a student goes from “I can’t do this” to “Wait… that was me?” My students are varied and sing everything from professional opera to church choir to car on the way to the beach.  They - and I - have won numerous awards and competitions, but that's not the reason to sing.  We sing for ourselves. Having said that, you should know my professional qualifications.

I studied at East Central University and the University of Oklahoma from 1975 - 1977.  I took time away from school to start a family and returned to school in 1985.  I received a BA in 1988 from the University of South Alabama with a double major in Music and English.  I earned my Maters in Music Education there in 1989 with certification N-12.  During all of this, I continued to tutor and give voice lessons privately.  I was the music and youth director for Wilmer Methodist Church from 1985-87 and for Crawford United Methodist Church from 1987-89.

I taught Lower school music and drama from 1989-92 at UMS-Wright Preparatory School in Mobile, Alabama.  I moved across town to teach at McGill-Toolen Catholic High in the Fall of 1992. I built the choral music program there from an enrollment of 44 in two choirs to five choirs with an enrollment of over 350 from a student body of 1000.  I left McGill for five years from 1987-2002 and taught in three schools during that time:  Auburn High School, Lyman Ward Military School, And Atlanta Public Schools.  I made that move because of family illness and the need to take care of family.  I moved back to McGill in 2002 and taught there until my retirement a year-and-a-half ago.  I had a Freshmen Chorus, Men's Chorus, Women's Choir, Advanced Women's Chorale, and Chamber Singers, the auditioned elite ensemble.  I also - at various times when needed - taught Music Appreciation, Junior English, Senior English, and served as the moderator for the Student Government Association.  And while teaching at a military school I coached intramural softball.  I hold Class A Certification for the state of Alabama.

During my time at McGill-Toolen, we participated in national festivals each year with multiple performance groups and never came in lower than 2nd place, but usually 1st.  We also staged musicals every other year,  including Oklahoma, Pirates of Penzance, Pajama Game, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Les Miserables.  We had the great privilege in 2024 of recording the music for an entire curriculum to be offered in Catholic schools worldwide, teaching children to pray.

During all of the years that I taught in the classroom, I also maintained a voice studio.  I have taught individual voice lessons for a long time.  Really long.  over 40 years.  I'm old.  But I'm not dead yet.

I’m funny, kind, and encouraging—until I’m demanding. (Think warm coach with high standards, not drill sergeant.) I care about solid technique, healthy singing, and helping you sound like the best version of yourself, whether your goal is church music, karaoke survival, musical theater, or just finally enjoying the sound of your own voice. We’ll work on breath, tone, confidence, and whatever else is standing between you and the notes you want. Lessons are supportive, structured, and usually include at least one bad joke. If you’re ready to sing better—and maybe laugh a little while you do it—I’d love to help. Trial lessons available; let’s see what your voice can actually do.