Todd is the kind of teacher every student with a strong, dedicated interest in vocal performance needs. Having worked with him for six years, I not only developed prime technique from his precise teaching, but a firm core in healthy voice production. That groundwork allowed me to explore a vast array of vocal styles and genres, everything from German Art Song to Jazz to Contemporary Musical Theatre. Todd was always encouraging of exploring a variety of performance opportunities and venues, expanding my comfort and versatility as a singer. Now that I am pursuing an education and later career in musical theatre, I feel comfortable with the groundwork laid during my years with Todd and feel confident knowing my healthy singing habits and technique can take me far.

 -Cole Winston, former student who now attending Indiana University for Musical Theater.  2nd Place Winner of The Great American Songbook Competition 2017, Winner-High School Boys Musical Theater Division -Wisconsin NATS 2015,2016

I had Todd as voice teacher for a year in college well my current voice teacher was on sabbatical and he was amazing. Before I worked with Todd I was really struggling with nasality and focused a lot of my time and lessons on trying to fix it. It wasn't till I started taking lessons with Todd when things started to click. He really took the time to break things down and explain exactly how the body works and how you need to use your whole body to sing. He always pushed me to do my best and always picked me up when I felt down. He has helped me so much in my journey of being the best singer I can be and I will forever be grateful for that. 

-Jackie Labbe, college student

While my singing skills increased dramatically by having Todd as my teacher, our lessons went beyond just singing. For people like me, singing is more than just making music with my mouth. It’s a way that I express myself. Todd saw that in me the second he started working with me. He knew what he was working with, and just how much I was struggling to believe in myself. Todd wasn’t just my teacher, he was my mentor. He gave me tools that didn’t just help me sing better, but that also helped me believe that I could get better and that I was on the right path to doing so. We related to each other in more ways than one, and he knew how to help me see the passion and talent I had for singing. His teachings also filled my life with so much more meaning. I walked out of every lesson having learned something new. I remember his wisdom and energy to this day, and I know that I’ll never forget it.

-Jackson Calhoun, former student now attending University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. 2nd Place Winner -High School Boys Musical Theater Division-Wisconsin NATS 2016, Finalist -High School Boys Musical Theater Division-Wisconsin NATS 2015; Tommy Award for Best Actor in a Musical 2017

When I came to Todd, I was truly lost. I was really struggling vocally but my passion for singing made me want to study with him. It was a lot of hard work undoing bad vocal habits. Thru thick and thin, he was patient guiding me to uncover my real voice. I went from people saying,” You sing really loud” to “ you have a beautiful voice.” In 3 years time, I never thought I would ever get where I am today. Working with Todd over the years has been a fantastic experience. I have become more confident in myself as a singer and as a person overall.

-Vivian Powers, current student. WSMA State Solo and Ensemble, Cosette in Les Miserable.

I credit my time studying with Todd for a vast percentage of the successes I had in future performance endeavors. He acted as a trustworthy advisor and a reliable resource. Above all, obviously, was his vocal instruction. With him I was able to go from an untrained kid whose voice had just dropped to someone who is very confident in vocal ability, possesses a strong repertoire as well as an understanding of music and technique, and who has had many opportunities as a result of Todd’s training. Without him I wouldn’t be where I am today, and I would recommend him as an instructor to anyone with a love of singing and a passion to learn.

- Nicholas Hollenbeck, Winner-High School Musical Theater Division TTB- Wisconsin NATS 2020, attending Northwestern University Fall 2021

"Todd has been on my radar for a number of years after hearing the work that he did with students he sent to UWM's voice program. He is a caring teacher who works on developing the whole student. Todd incorporates solid technical principles as well as practical skills into his work with students, leading to solid singers who can work within multiple genres. I recommend him whenever possible to work with young musicians!"

- Tanya Kruse-Ruck, Professor of Voice and Voice Chair, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

I will never be able to adequately express my gratitude for all he’s  done for my daughter. When she came to him, she was doing damage to her voice because I had put my faith in the wrong teacher. He had to undo all that damage and in the process, my daughter gained so much confidence and ability working with him. That was three years ago. This past February,  My husband and I couldn’t believe that was our daughter onstage as Cosette in Les Miserable. It was a completely different voice. He is truly a gifted teacher who values the whole student. His ability to communicate and motivate is very rare and I will always be grateful we found him.

- Terri Powers, parent

Todd is an amazing vocal coach for whom I give the highest endorsement possible to.  Our son has been with him for all four years of high school and he has been able to make him the best he can be.  He will be attending the contemporary music school of his choice in the fall and he would not have been able to do so without Todd’s watchful and caring nature.  He is honest, yet encouraging and positive, with the students and challenges them to always strive to be better while carefully paying attention to the subtle changes in a young persons voice to ensure against strain or damage.  His professional training and coaching experience has made him an excellent choice for anyone looking to take their training to the next level while also bringing out confidence and growth in any child vocally.

-Tonya Nienhaus, parent. Berklee College of Music

Working with Todd for only a few months brought more improvements to my singing than years of previous work. I’ve learned how to be more in touch with my body and voice in ways I never had never been able to experience before, all thanks to Todd coaching the necessary coordinations for singing with grace and kindness. He employs a direct approach to keep the analytical voice inside your head at bay, helping you sing free and unhindered, without overbearing thoughts of posture, breathing, or tension. While some teachers might have one approach for 20 students, Todd has 20 approaches for one student. He will listen for what makes your voice authentic and unique and then work with you to bring it out with confidence. I can safely say that I would not be where I am vocally it is weren’t for Todd’s guidance.

-Eric Bergendahl, tenor