Meet the Founder 🤍

Hi! I’m Hannah Strong—the voice teacher, performer, and arts administrator behind HVOCALS. My work lives at the intersection of music, education, and community, and it’s always been rooted in one core belief: singing should feel good—supported, sustainable, and empowering.

I earned my Bachelor of Music from Maryville College, where I balanced life as a student with teaching voice lessons, singing in multiple choirs, working as a Fine Arts work-study student, and waiting tables to make ends meet. That season shaped my work ethic and planted the seeds for my passion for both teaching and arts leadership.

I’m currently completing my Master of Education at Carson-Newman University while staying active in the field as a teacher, choir director, worship musician, performer, and administrative assistant. Being able to apply what I’m learning in real time—whether in a classroom, rehearsal room, or behind the scenes—has deeply shaped my approach to education and leadership.

Along the way, I’ve had the joy of performing professionally, including singing with a Christmas choral ensemble at Dollywood and serving as Music Director for the Bijou Theatre summer musical theatre education programs. I’ve also spent years supporting arts organizations through administrative work, event planning, data analysis, and audience engagement.

HVOCALS brings all of those experiences together—performance, pedagogy, wellness, and organization—into a space where singers can grow with confidence and care. Whether I’m teaching, planning, performing, or mentoring, my goal is always the same: to create music spaces that feel human, joyful, and rooted in connection.

They say, "those who can't do, teach..."

I'm here to tell you that those who do SHOULD teach!

What better way to engage and educate students than using your own experiences to enlighten and grow a new generation of performers?

When teaching, my main goal is for students to connect their bodies with their natural voices. We do this by applying tone and styling choices through various breathing and vocal exercises, then we add small physical movements, like stretches and imagery, for kinesthetic learning. I have successfully connected "classical technique" foundations with creative and fun physical exercises. My hope in working these styles of teaching together is for students to understand, accept, and build confidence in their natural sounds. I want them to understand the "why and how" of their voice, but, more importantly, I want them to love what they are doing! I'm proud to have based the mission of this studio on this philosophy; a holistic approach to singing. 

Our first lesson together would be going over the basics, listening to the students sing, and then discussing what THEY want to get out of our time together. While I feel it is essential for my students to have fun and enjoy the learning process, I also think that both student and teacher get the most out of their time together when routine practice at home is utilized. I will always send my students home with a goal or assignment that should be reached or completed by the next lesson. Materials will be suggested based on the students' age, experience, and goals.