Testimonials

"One of the most important elements in singing is TRUSTING your voice, and in order to achieve that trust, you must have confidence in your "instrument." Working with Stephen on my vocal technique has enabled that level of trust. Now when I go into an audition or a performance, I know I have the ability to get the job done. My technique allows me the freedom to trust in my voice, knowing I CAN hit "that note" and I CAN sing "in that" genre or style. With Stephen's guidance, I was able to land my first Broadway gig, making my debut as an original company member of Disney's Tarzan, understudying the principal role of KALA."

Natalie Silverlieb
Disney's Tarzan
Wild Women of Planet Wongo NYMF
The Last New Yorker (Indi feature)
1st National Tour of MY WAY Tribute to Frank Sinatra
Bat Boy, Gypsy, The Wiz Weathervane Rep

"Working with Stephen has not only built my confidence as a "dancer who sings," I have been able to gage real progress in my voice through the process as well. He has a way of connecting the voice with your body and personalizing each person's learning process. His technique is extraordinary and his methods are easy to understand and apply. He is a real master of his craft, which makes me strive for the same. And affordable! In Stephen, you get a teacher and a coach all in one. In this business, you can compare Stephen to finding the perfect Manhattan apartment. They're out there. You just have to know where to find them."

Cody Smith
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Brigadoon, Marriott, Lincolnshire
Beauty and the Beast, Montreal Company

"Stephen has worked wonders on my voice. He saved me from a voice teacher who used to say to me, 'Sing louder just kinda yell on pitch. Trust me.' Through assistance with breath management and placement, Stephen has helped to free my voice. Yes, I sing "louder" now, but I am not doing anything unhealthy, and I always understand what I am doing with my instrument. I am belting F's now thanks to him! Plus, he is really good at helping to coach materials and has a vast understanding of all genres: pop, rock, musical theatre, opera, country. He is the best deal in town, and I have no idea why I keep telling people to go to him. I really should be keeping him to myself!

Jennie Eisenhower
Actress/Singer
"Adrift in Macao" by Chris Durang (Original company)
"Suburb" at the York Theatre Off Broadway
Barrymore Award Winner for Best Supporting Actress (Kate in "The Wild Party")

"Studying with Steve has been awesome. He's young so he's easy to relate to, but at the same time you always get the sense that he really knows what he's talking about. As an actor himself, he knows first hand what is expected of today's music theater performer. He has experience in both the classical and pop worlds and helps his students transition between the two different styles. I recommend Steve to all of my friends as I think he is an excellent teacher who helps his students develop the tools needed to be competitive as singers/actors. I've personally gotten three jobs in 3 months I've studied with Steve and performed in two concerts."

Maurice Parent
Guys and Dolls Northern Stage
HAIR Barrington Stage
THE GOOD WAR York Theater
RAGTIME Music Theater of Wichita, Fulton Opera House, Skirball Center of the Arts
Ain't Misbehavin' KL, Malaysia

"I first met Stephen in a musical theatre class we were both taking. I was in the class because I was already a pretty strong actor but I was looking to learn how to support that acting with my singing in musical theatre songs. Stephen was in class for the opposite reason. He already had a killer voice and he was looking to improve his acting while singing musical theatre."

"When I first heard Stephen sing, I was stunned. I mean, he was only 24 years old at the time and sounded like he'd been singing for 40 years. He could sing legit and pop/ rock? It felt like he could sing anything. Have you ever heard someone sing and you were uncomfortable because you didn't know if they could sing everything freely? Have you ever been nervous for someone on stage? You're scared for them because you know that their voice can't support the song that they are attempting to sing. Well, with Stephen, you are put at ease. When listening and watching Stephen, you're never nervous or uncomfortable, because he's got it. He's got it because of years of great teachers, passion, and a genuine love for singing and music."

Stephen watched me perform a song that my technique (or lack there of) could not support. He also watched another guy in class who was having difficulty. He mentioned to that person that he might be able to help him a little?I quickly leaned over and asked him if he could help me too. He mentioned that we should talk after class.

I went with Stephen for pizza that night and that night would forever change my life. Stephen asked me to talk about my voice and the journey I'd had. He asked me what problems were coming up for me? He didn't speak. He listened to the whole story (which was long and emotional). When I was done he started talking about how he had gone through similar problems and that he believed he could help me. He mentioned he was starting a vocal studio and that I should come take a lesson with him. He said, take one lesson and if you like it, we'll continue. I must admit, I was hesitant only because he was so young and I thought to myself, he can't know that much about the voice, he's only 2 years younger than me. But, I went anyway because I saw a glimmer of hope when I listened to how he wanted to teach me.

I showed up at his apartment and we began. Stephen took my voice apart and put it back together gently and without stress. He didn't say "use your diaphragm". He showed me how to use my diaphragm. Stephen began to show me that I didn't have to "find" my voice. My voice was already there. We just had to reveal it and get rid of old habits so that my voice could grow.

There are so many good things I could say about Stephen Horst. I could talk about him as an amazing singer/actor. I could talk about his passion for all kinds of music as well as musical theatre. I could talk about his undying devotion to continued education and exploration of his voice and the voice in general. I could talk about his never-ending desire to improve and express with his voice. But I won't. I will talk about Stephen Horst as the best teacher I have ever had.

I've had many teachers. Not just voice teachers, although I've had 5 voice teachers in my lifetime. But none of these teachers compared to Stephen for various reasons. I needed someone who knew how to understand where I was in the journey of my own voice. I needed a teacher who could then understand my voice and cater to its needs. I needed someone who knew the voice so intricately that he could then explain what was going on. I needed help singing musical theatre songs as well as pop and legit songs. And, to top it all off, I needed someone who knew how to communicate all of the above to me.

I have often found that most of my past teachers wanted the same thing Stephen wanted from me but had no idea how to communicate. Those teachers didn't know how to understand where I was and didn't know how to teach me how to get where I wanted to go. I wanted trust in a teacher. I had to trust that my teacher would shoe me the way if you will. I had to know it was okay to fail and sound bad in order to get where I wanted to go. Stephen creates a safe environment. He wants you to experiment and fail so that you can grow. He has the ability to be your master and show you the way.

I'll never forget that I had to sing a song in front of an audience that I just had no right singing. I didn't have the technique to do it. I had two lessons with Stephen before the performance and he said to me, "you're going to crash and burn tomorrow night, but that's okay because this is the beginning of your growth". He was right, I crashed and burned. I cracked and went into falsetto when I should have been full voice. But, he said he was proud of me. He said that it was the foundation of my vocal training. I had to relinquish control to set my voice free and Stephen has given me the tools to continue to do just that.

I trust Stephen as a teacher. I know that he won't let me down. I know that he has the training, the passion and the wealth of knowledge to guide me. I trust him with my voice and to help me sing freely. Stephen Horst helped me find my voice and he could do the same for you. Below are just a few points where I think Stephen outdoes all the teachers that I've ever had:

Stephen understands the voice and all its complexities. He's a student of the voice and he has had many unbelievable teachers and is now passing on that knowledge.
Stephen has an unbelievable ability to know exactly where you are in your journey with your voice. He caters each lesson to where you are and where you want to be.
He is passionate about the voice and music in general. He is always learning more and working on his own technique. He is forever a student of the voice.
He takes it upon himself to make you a better singer. He wants his students to succeed. When I was on tour with Tom Sawyer we spoke on the phone about my voice and I'd send him tapes so that we could talk about my progress and he could show me what I needed to improve on.
He loves teaching and he loves the voice! He is always ready to answer any questions you have over the phone or email. He wants you to improve!
He has a huge body of knowledge when it comes to musical theater. Not only does Stephen teach you how to sing technically, he teaches you how to approach a song. And, on top of that, he coaches you on acting the song because they go hand and hand.
Stephen teaches that you learn through listening as well. He had me listening to many different singers. We would talk through when the singers were reaching their bridge and what they were doing in each song.
Stephen is patient and you never feel like you have to impress him. There is no pressure in his lessons because he knows that the voice takes time and nourishment to improve.
Stephen, in conjunction with speech level singing, believes that there is no break in the voice; that the voice should be seamless and that it should go from the very bottom to the very top of your range without any breaks. He taught me that it was possible and I'm forever grateful
I enjoy singing with Stephen. He helps you find the joy and the effortlessness in singing. I hated singing for a longtime because it hurt and I got hoarse afterwards. Now, I love to sing and I thank Stephen Horst for igniting my passion again.

Walker Clark
Justice, Co-star David McNally/ Fox
ER, Co-star Bob Wells/ NBC
Veronica Mars, Co-star Nick Marck/ CW
Guilty or Innocent, Guest Star Aion Velie/ Episodic Discovery Channel
"Tom Sawyer" Tour
Co Star on the Discovery Channel's "Guilty or Innocent"
Feature "That Game of Chess"
NYC Theatre: Blue Man Group Workshop, Rock Show, The Very Best Valentine's Day Special
Regional: City of Angels, Sweet Charity, A Chorus Line
LA Theatre: The Dreamer Examines His Pillow, Summer and Smoke, Body Count