WORKSHOPS
& CLINICS
Teaching Highlights:
WORKSHOPS
Hi, thanks for visiting! My name is Tiffany Austin and I’m a classically trained Vocalist, Composer and Educator who holds a Juris Doctorate from Berkeley Law. My music performance career spans two+ decades and two continents: the 5+ years Iived in Tokyo, and the 15+ years I’ve lived in SF Bay Area (I’m originally from Los Angeles). I’m so grateful to have played in some pretty prestigious places with some pretty illustrious people (see my music page).
From my experience and musical education (both in the classroom and onstage) I’ve developed a somatic vocal coaching approach based in anatomy, psychology, and cultural/historical study that is tailored to elicit the greatest ease in my vocal students. I’m also a big fan of fun and improvisation!
I offer group classes that get a better grasp of your own vocal instrument, and give you the skills and confidence to lead your own band, improvise, and deepen your musical storytelling abilities. My workshops address vocal technique, ear training, band leading, interpretation and more.
These workshops are typically accompanied by a pianist or trio (piano, bass & drums) and are a great opportunity to sharpen your band leading skills in a safe, supportive, and adventurous environment!
Workshop Dates
Keep an eye out here for future workshop offerings here. In the meantime, subscribe to the newsletter for early access!
CLINICS & MUSIC CAMPS
My workshops and clinics place African Diasporic musical art forms (including jazz, soul, the blues, & R&B) in cultural context, and encourage connection, community, and empathy. Some of my teaching/clinic highlights include SF Conservatory of Music, Stanford Jazz Workshop Summer Camp, Jazz Camp West Cazadero Music & Arts Camp, as well as series sponsored by SFJAZZ, Stern Grove, San Jose State University, and an appearance with the Thelonious Monk Institute Jazz Ensemble (now The Herbie Hancock Institute). In addition, I’ve had the joy of serving as Musical Director and Arranger for the Healdsburg Jazz Festival Choir from 2020 to the present.
I am available for clinics at the junior high, high school or collegiate level, from small group to big band settings. I specialize in Black musical art forms with an emphasis on jazz, blues, soul, and roots music (e.g. spirituals, ring shouts).
Please contact me via the form below for booking.
ARTIST DEVELOPMENT COACHING
Interested in developing your vocal music career? I am an award winning Vocalist and Juris Doctor available for one-one one music career counseling. You will receive weekly 1 hour meetings and real world experience building skills in the following areas:
Jam Session Preparation
Electronic Press Kit (EPK)
Repertoire Selection
Performance Materials
Building Contacts
Business Entity Formation
Performance Booking
Reading Contracts
Business Negotiation
Music Business Best Practices
*Monthly packages start at $1500*
Contact Tiffany Austin
Please use this form for inquiries about lessons, workshops, or any other educational inquiries. Looking forward to hearing from you!
TESTIMONIALS
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“Love, love, love Tiffany’s workshops! I have taken multiple of Tiffany’s workshops and always walk away with a new skill attained or new tools towards reaching a goal. Tiffany’s energetic teaching style and approachable personality makes these workshops super fun and dynamic. Can’t wait for the next one!”
Thaïs Z.
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“Tiffany has helped me get out of my head which has allowed me to better connect my inner voice not just to what I sing but also to what I play on piano. This was my first breakthrough and no other teacher has ever been able to really help me with that.”
Mark R.
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“Tiffany Austin shares her brilliance as a musician (jazz and more vocalist) with students in a way that builds on each singer's strengths while helping singers expand their toolkits. She develops exercises that are fun and accessible even though they are rooted in both a deep knowledge of theory and a deep feeling especially for all forms of Black music. Group settings are fun and supportive but the takeaways are individualized. Sometimes those who can do can also teach. (And if you want to see a boss at work, catch one of her gigs!)”
Monique H.
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"Tiffany is my first-ever vocal teacher, and working with her has been an incredibly positive experience. She creates such an inspiring and supportive energy in every lesson. While she teaches solid vocal technique, she always emphasizes honoring the natural character of your voice. Our lessons feel like a joyful exploration of sound, and I’m excited to continue discovering my voice and growing as a singer with her."
Nhi D.
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"Tiffany is an extraordinary teacher and performer. She knows how to encourage students who need confidence, and challenges students who need to get to the next level with their singing. Her methods are not traditional, they’re more effective than the typical approaches. She has a seemingly endless bag of tools to pull from. I’ve seen her students make tremendous progress, and come out of her classes producing effortless sound. She teaches how to get the music in your body. She got me unstuck on learning improv, and unlocked my ability to use my ears in a way that no other teacher had done. Her performances are always inspiring, and always entertaining, never boring. "
Sam Z.
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As a vocalist seeking to learn the art of vocal jazz, I sought out Tiffany as my instructor. Two years later, as I approach new horizons, I will always keep in mind that I have her to thank for helping me open these doors. She not only teaches how to sing jazz, but how to embody the music so that the songs sing themselves. She upholds the importance of training the mind to program the necessary skillsets as second nature, without diminishing the significance of the art as a spiritual practice and as a continued tradition of Black American music. Her thoughtful, well rounded curriculum is just as focused on the mind as it is the body and soul. Her holistic, somatic approach to the art and mechanics of being a vocalist has drastically shifted my personal approach to my craft. She places much emphasis on balancing the aspects of technique and somatics in singing as well as the spiritual aspects and the storytelling. Her craftsmanship demonstrates authentic embodiment of what she knows to be true of this art form, and she is mindful about creating a safe space for students where she can embrace them where they are at and also push them to new heights without discouraging them. The presence that she maintains in her own life allows her to attune to a student’s wants and needs and assist them in developing their craft further. She is truly a mentor in the way she teaches and breathes eternal life into the legacies that came before her and lights a fire in the generations to come.
Ash S.