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Online Voice Courses & Singing Lessons from Susan Hanlon
Learn More about Susan at www.susanhanlonvocalstudio.com

CEO

Susan Hanlon
Voice Coach

MA, BA

Susan Hanlon Ferrer, MA, is the CEO of Flameleaf Vocal Academy and the owner of Susan Hanlon Vocal Studio in McKinney, Texas. A respected voice educator, performer, and creative entrepreneur, she brings more than 20 years of experience training commercial, pop, jazz, and musical theatre singers. She has taught thousands of students across her private studio, her decade as Professor of Commercial Voice at Collin College, and her work preparing singers for recording sessions, tours, stage productions, and televised performances. Susan holds a Master of Arts in Music from the University of North Texas, where she focused her graduate research on commercial vocal pedagogy and evidence-based contemporary voice training.

Voice Teaching Philosophy

Susan’s teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that every singer—professional or avocational—can expand their vocal abilities with the right tools, curiosity, and encouragement. Her lessons are collaborative, student-led, and built on exploration, play, and practical skill-building. She equips singers with techniques to adjust vocal tone, range, style, and control while developing the kinesthetic awareness needed for healthy, independent troubleshooting. Her commitment to supportive, non-intimidating instruction is shaped by her own early journey navigating perfectionism and fear of failure; rediscovering artistic freedom now fuels her passion for creating lessons where students feel safe, empowered, and expressive.

Voice Teaching Career

Throughout her career, Susan has helped singers achieve significant milestones, including acceptance to top university music and theatre programs such as Berklee College of Music, NYU Steinhardt, UCLA, Boston Conservatory, the University of Miami, Belmont University, Vanderbilt, CalArts, Oklahoma City University, Baldwin Wallace, SMU, the University of Texas, and many more. Her students have also secured industry gigs, national performances, independent releases, and major audition successes.
Online Voice Courses & Singing Lessons from Susan Hanlon
An accomplished performer and recording artist, Susan has released two jazz albums—most notably Louder Every Minute, which she co-produced and features several original compositions. Her professional experience across stage, studio, and commercial settings informs her teaching with practical insight into the demands modern singers face.

Susan’s Professional Credentials & Ongoing Expertise

Susan previously served as the Dallas Teaching Associate for renowned vocal coach Tom McKinney, whose clients include Solange, Scott Hoying, Mario, Beyoncé, Demi Lovato, and Madeline The Person. She is an active member of ASCAP, the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), the Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA), and The Speakeasy Cooperative.

She has presented for North Texas PAVA, Texoma NATS, the North Texas Vocal Arts Exchange, and university programs at TWU, LSU, and UMKC, and has adjudicated for Radda Rise, NATS, TMEA, and UIL.

Dedicated to continual growth, Susan actively engages in current research, ongoing training, and emerging trends in vocal pedagogy and contemporary music. Her teaching centers on developing confident, autonomous singers who understand their own voices and can apply technique with clarity, artistry, and freedom.