Endorsements

“Susan has developed one of the most unique voice training programs in the music industry. My daughter is a student of Susan's and I have watched her develop into an amazing singer. With Susan's understanding of voice, creative methods to reach higher levels of proficiency and her abundant knowledge of the performing arts, I have watched my daughter mature from a shy wallflower to being selected to perform with the All-State choir. I would recommend Susan to anyone, child or adult, who has a desire to reach new levels in training your voice as an amazing instrument.”

Mike Cathell

“My wife and I are very pleased at the progress [Daniel] is making with your instructional class. Daniel is very enthusiastic about going to your lessons and everytime he comes back from his lesson he seems eager to learn more. He says he hears music differently and he approaches his music with more passion. We think that your teaching method is perfect for Daniel, he seems to absorb and remember all the instruction you give him. I hope that Daniel is meeting his obligations and expectations, although it is his desire to learn more without our prodding, this is what he wants. Anyway, I just thought that you would like to hear our thoughts. Thanks Again.”

Regards,
Michael Drysdale

“In August 2005, I started private lessons with a teacher who taught the traditional style of singing known as classical. We worked a lot on breathing, support and push from the diaphragm and focusing all of the sound in the head. After approximately a year and a half of private instruction using the classical style, I was extremely dissatisfied with my sound. My low end was a rich, deep sound and my high end was airy and soft and it lacked power. I had no vibrato. I had great difficulty trying to make the switch from a low note to a high note. What I had were two different voices. What I wanted to have was the same tone to my voice whether singing low or high, and I wanted to have power. I knew I needed something else to unleash the voice within me. I began doing research on the internet and came across speech level singing. The more I read the more I was convinced this was what I needed. I searched for teachers in my area and found Mary Walkley's Floridasings website. I telephoned Mary. We spoke briefly and she then gave me a contact name and telephone number. This is how I came to Advanced Mentor Pro Voice Studios and Susan Niekamp. In February 2007, I began lessons with Susan. I am learning and doing funky exercises that REALLY WORK! I have discovered my mixed voice and am singing high notes I have never sung before and with the same tone. No more two different voices. I found I have natural vibrato that sounds prettier than my produced vibrato. I'm learning rhythms and sight singing — all tools that go hand-in-hand along with The Connected Voice technique. Words cannot express my sincere appreciation for Susan. She is a teacher in every sense of the meaning of the word. She understands the frustrations of her voice students as she, too, has been there. She is patient and honest. Susan focuses on the positives but also points out the wrong-doings to help correct problem areas. From my own personal experience, I know it bring Susan's great satisfaction seeing each of her student's progress. I've made wonderful progress in a short time frame and although I know there is more ahead on my journey, there is no other place for me than Advanced Mentor Pro Voice Studios!”

Samantha "Sam" Carmello
North Port, FL

“Susan Niekamp is a hardworking, creative, artistic person. She is dedicated to growing as an artist and as a teacher, and to making her Studios at Advanced Mentor Arts Academy the best they can possibly be. She has enthusiastically embraced my voice technique and is incorporating it into her teaching, encouraging her students and employees to use it as well. Thirsty for more knowledge, Susan takes lessons whenever she can and does whatever it takes to get me to Fort Myers so she can learn even more. If every voice teacher had Susan's attitude and determination, we could really make a difference. We are certainly making a big difference now in Fort Myers.”

- Mary Walkley

Mary Walkley - Florida Sings; Listed Who's Who in American Teachers; Included in Who's Who of American Women; musical theatre students are leads on Broadway! Pop/R&B consultant Busch Gardens Entertainment; Achieved Level V in Seth Riggs' Speech Level Singing International.

“The Advanced Mentor Arts Academy is a wonderful place for students of the arts to take private lessons. Susan and her staff are currently teaching several of my chorus students with more to come! For years I have searched for a quality resource for my students. The work of the Arts Academy with the community and schools, belief in music and what it does for our kids provides such a nurturing resource. My students enjoy their weekly lessons and have greatly improved as musicians. The philosophy of Advanced Mentor Arts Academy supports our goal in keeping music alive in Lee County.”

- Jim Knecht Choir & Orchestra Director at Three Oaks Middle