"I can't believe the sounds that are coming out of my own face!"

- Chanelle F. (pop, R&B)

”PERSONAL PROGRESS

I am a singer and songwriter from Texas, and wish I could give this review 100 stars! Bulent’s knowledge, expertise and in-depth teaching style surpass that of any teacher I have ever worked with in my previous years, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have found him. Bulent has helped me restore vocal damage & eliminate bad habits from previous teachers (no more voice cracks and throat discomfort while singing). My voice now sounds stronger, has more resonance and clarity, my range is increasing with ease, and for the first time I have learned proper breathing technique to sustain a strong, well-rounded sound.

He is such a kind and wonderfully positive human being and will offer you SO much more than just “singing exercises”. Bulent will – if you’re interested - teach you ideal nutrition, healthy lifestyle habits and positive attitude about life to make you a healthy, well-rounded singer inside and out. Whether you are a novice singer or an established professional, please give Bulent a try! 

LESSON CONTENT

Bulent will teach you about the body’s anatomy in great detail and demonstrate where and how sound is generated. A singer heavily relies on internal “feelings” and “sensations” when trying to sing correctly. A skilled teacher needs to be able to explain what those correct internal sensations should feel like. Bulent is an expert in that! His exercises are unlike anything I have tried before – he isn’t just your average “sing up and down the scales” kind of teacher. Everything he teaches has a distinct purpose, and he does it with a lot of patience, kindness and compassion!

ONLINE LESSONS:

Because Bulent and I live in different states we do our lessons online. I receive a video recording of each lesson, that I can keep and review indefinitely. I save a lot of time not having to drive anywhere and I know that no matter where I travel or live, I can keep on learning with Bulent, which is wonderful!

VOCATHLETIC SYSTEM:

Bulent has a precise, written-down strategy for how to get you from point A to point B in your vocal journey (details on his website). Most other teachers will simply throw random exercises at you or worse, not give you any exercises and simply have you sing up and down the scale, emphasize singing higher and higher notes, regardless of using correct vocal technique, and whether or not it suits your vocal range. I’ve been there and nearly damaged my voice in the process! In Bulent’s view a singer is nothing less than an athlete predominantly using the muscles surrounding the vocal cords and lower abs to perform (though overall the entire body and mind are engaged). A runner – also an athlete – trains and uses his leg muscles etc. As a singer we are no different besides focusing on a different subset of muscles, and athletes need a proper training plan and regimen, which is exactly what Bulent’s Vocathletic System encompasses. You will realize that proper nutrition and lifestyle choices also affect performance and Bulent provides countless resources, pointers and information for these areas as well. Lastly, it was important to me to find a teacher who has had a professional singing career and knows how to keep your voice healthy and strong for repeated back-to-back performances. It’s a long review, but his well-rounded teachings deserve every word of it, and I am immensely grateful for Bulent’s knowledge and ability to finally shed light on so many “vocal mysteries” for me! I cannot wait to see where our continued vocal journey takes us – Thank you Bulent!”

- Neona Ray

REACTIONS TO FIRST LESSONS

"I wish I could give this review 100 stars!.. Bulent is the whole package! His knowledge, expertise and in-depth teaching style surpass that of any teacher I have ever worked with and I couldn’t be more grateful to have found him. In one lesson with Bulent I have already learned more than I had learned after almost 3 years with 4 other teachers!!!..."

- Della L., Texas (pop, R&B, jazz)

"I had my first lesson with Bulent and I am hooked. Within the first lesson I had improvements in speaking, especially the use of breath and conceptually understanding where I might be straining my throat. I look forward to working with him! Now we are three lessons in and it seems I get better every time (with some practice, of course!)"

-Shobhit Chugh, Massachusetts (speech)

"Thank you Bulent, I so enjoyed my introductory lesson with you! I learned a lot of valuable information in the short time we spent together- about my body and mechanics, intention, pressure, vibration and sound. You are a very skilled and efficient teacher. I totally recommend your introductory lesson to anyone who uses their voice- your system of teaching is unique and eye opening."

- Rebecca B., Massachusetts

"...I thought that 25 years would put me in a position of feeling like I knew something about vocalizing, but one lesson with Bulent has demonstrated to me how much about singing I still don't know."

- Luciano R., Massachusetts (pop) 

"Bulent is an amazing and well seasoned teacher. From just two lessons I learned more about the mechanisms of singing than I had in 15 years or so of amateur singing... Thank you Bulent!"

- Kim R., Massachusetts (pop, R&B)

"Amazing! Simply amazing! I've taken lessons before, but none have ever stood out as much as this first one... Can't wait for the next one!" 

- Nestor C., Texas (R&B)

"My first lesson with Bulent was truly eye-opening."

- Quang H., Massachusetts (classical, opera)

"I’ve been singing all my life and I never met such an amazing coach... I learned so much in one session and I cannot wait to learn more."   

- Yasmine K., Massachusetts (jazz, R&B)

"I've learned so much in 90 minutes, it's completely unbelievable."

- Paul C., Nevada (pop, rock)

"Bulent is a true professional. He exemplifies what I was looking for in a teacher. Not only is he clearly a powerful vocalist in his own right, he is also gracious and considerate as a teacher."

- De K., Massachusetts (voice / speech) 

"Bulent is unlike any other vocal coach, as his method is unique, and his knowledge is down to the science and it allows one to deeper understand what is happening while you are singing... After the introductory lesson I was able to significantly improve. Online vocal lessons with Bulent are unbelievable."  

- Rajveer S., Texas (pop, rock)

"After just one lesson I noticed a huge difference in my voice. My voice sounded stronger, better supported and had depth and resonance that I had not been able to produce in years!!"

- Rocco I., Massachusetts (opera)

"The reviews on Bulent's website are nothing short of unbelievable, which is to say, I literally did not believe them at first. But after my first lesson, it became clear to me where those reviews came from..." 

- Alan L., Massachusetts (jazz)

"Bulent worked with me - a total stranger - with great care, deep knowledge, and a gentle desire to see me improve. And this is all the FIRST LESSON... I give my highest recommendation." 

- Geoff L., Tennessee (pop)

"It has taken me a moment to describe my first voice lesson with Bulent. I have had other voice teachers and I believe that now I have experienced one of the best lessons of my life... If the first lesson is any indication, I will realize all of my personal singing goals with his expertise."

- Trynna B. Tennessee (classical)

                                                             FULL REVIEWS

5 April 2024

Letter from Kenan to Bülent

One year!

“I didn’t know that a simple Google search on 5 April 2023 would change my life completely. After beginning my singing journey in August 2022, I felt that I was making little to no vocal progress, often experiencing strain and fatigue after rehearsals with my college a cappella group. I didn’t know what direction to take. In the singing world, there are thousands of vocal teachers with their individual vocal theories and techniques, one after the other, often entirely contradictory. I was eager to find the truth about vocalization and discover my true voice. 

At first, I was skeptical when browsing through Bülent’s studio webpage. It talked of debunking longstanding and widespread technical dogmas, and disputed much of the vocal advice that I had heard previously from online videos, friends, and other teachers. However in my introductory online lesson on 6 April 2023, all my doubts were clarified. Büent delivered positive results almost immediately. By the end of the first lesson, equipped with a preliminary understanding of the Vocathletic system, I sang the high C with ease. From that moment on I didn’t look back. After five months of online lessons, we did our first in-studio lesson on 10 September. After several months we switched back to online lessons as I traveled to Europe, where I still am. In just one year of weekly lessons and consistent practice, I experienced vocal growth that I would never have dreamt of before. Far surpassing my expectations, I recently auditioned for, and was accepted to the Lanzarote Opera Summer Academy and Festival in Spain. 

However, for me and many other students,  Bülent’s impact on our lives reaches far beyond vocal technique. Since we met on 6 April, he has sparked in me a newfound passion for opera and classical singing, pivoted me towards a more raw plant diet than the vegan diet I already enjoyed, introduced me to an effective body-weight functional training routine, and presented me with a new perspective on spirituality. Probably most of the help and advice that I’ve received from Bülent took place outside of voice lessons, because Bülent is not motivated by money, and his interactions with his students are not confined to lesson times. Yes, Bülent is my voice teacher, but he is also my mentor and friend. 

Bülent, I cannot emphasize enough how grateful I am for all the time, energy, and love you have dedicated to me and all your other students, and I look forward to yet another year of great moments and hard work."

Thank you,

Kenan

“Today marks the one-year anniversary of my son’s vocal training with Bülent. Having given all his energy and passion to rowing during his high school years and the first year of college, at the beginning of his second year of college, Kenan decided to try something new. He auditioned for one of the a cappella groups at his college and got accepted! He was extremely excited about it but soon realized that his voice tired quickly during the rehearsal sessions and despite working hard he felt that he was making little to no progress. 

I vividly remember him calling me one day with amazing news - he found a perfect vocal coach Bülent Güneralp! I was very excited for Kenan, but little did I know that his work with Bülent would bring this outstanding progress to his vocal development and that this would happen so quickly. It is difficult to describe how much I enjoy hearing him sing with ease many of my favorite classical pieces such as Maria by Leonard Bernstein, Mamma by Cesare Andrea Bixio, and Bach/Gounod's famous Ave Maria, just to name a few. 

However, Bülent did not only help Kenan with his vocal performance but with his growth as an individual through dietary, spiritual, and overall healthy approach to life coaching. Over the past year Bülent attended many of Kenan’s performances at Tufts, helped Kenan answer many of his questions on a daily basis and advised him regarding his vocal career and beyond. Bülent’s guidance has been extremely valuable to us, and I am extremely grateful for all that he has done for Kenan’s vocal career and beyond! 

Bülent, this past year has been an outstanding experience for all of us. Thank you so much for all your hard work and dedication to your students!”

Maja Oktay

"Over the past 6 years, I have performed more than 600 concerts worldwide. Bulent helped me to lay the groundwork for a voice that is well-prepared to take on the rigors of the road as well as the discipline to expect the best out of myself each night. From warming up and warming down, to lifestyle and technique, Bulent's instruction has encouraged, motivated, and prepared me to maximize my singing career."  

- Jon Ricci, Lansdowne (rock)

"Bulent is a true professional. He exemplifies what I was looking for in a teacher. Not only is he clearly a powerful vocalist in his own right, he is also gracious and considerate as a teacher. His method is simple, direct, and effective. His ability to present material is clear, and inspires the student to do the work required to develop naturally! I would recommend his guidance to anyone looking to benefit from his years of experience, as well as his caring approach to coaching."  

- De K. (Voice/Speech)

"The reviews on Bulent's website are nothing short of unbelievable, which is to say, I literally did not believe them at first. But after my first lesson, it became clear to me where those reviews came from. Bulent takes a very scientific, direct, and fundamental approach to teaching voice. This helped me to understand my body in a way I had never understood it before."

- Alan L. (jazz)

"It has taken me a moment to describe my first voice lesson with Bulent. I have had other voice teachers and I believe that now I have experienced one of the best lessons of my life. I am glad that I chose to complete the 90 min lesson because he described in detail how the voice works from the inside of your body to produce an amazing sound. He recommend music literature that will help me learn to sight read and work on the techniques he taught me in our lesson. He also allowed me to record the video to use for practice. I am truly looking forward to this opportunity to work with Bulent’s Voice Studio. If the first lesson is any indication, I will realize all of my personal singing goals with his expertise."

- Trynna B., Tennessee (classical)

"Bulent is great to work with! He really knows how to improve your voice! I also study with Skype from Tennessee and the lessons go just as good as in person. He's paying just as much attention to you as if you were in the same room. I look forward to improving with his help."

- Brandon L., Tennessee (pop, R&B)

"Everything about studying with Bulent is amazing! He is an excellent teacher, extremely knowledgeable, so much fun to work with. I am so grateful that I found him."  

- Jennifer G. (classical, musical theater) 

"Bulent is an exceptional and unique teacher. Blending great clarity, passion, knowledge and warmth, he has provided me with the tools to dramatically enhance my vocal talents. Whether breathing, posture, legato, tone, control, phrasing or otherwise, Bulent is remarkably attentive, engaging and effective. As layers of insight and achievement are unlocked, his vocal wisdom and musicianship contributes to my ever-deepening understanding. In a profound way, Bulent teaches me to "not-do", to get out of the way and let my body do what it naturally wants to do; although this may sound like a blithe Zen epiphany it is anything but... it requires extensive explanations and refined explanations, often attempting one sound many dozens of times before the smallest breakthrough. It requires great patience and caring on the part of the teacher. I unequivocally recommend Bulent and earnestly thank him." 

- Jack Volpe, The Jack Volpe Project (jazz, American Songbook)

"Amazing! Simply amazing! I've taken lessons before, but none have ever stood out as much as this first one. Over the last 2 years I've built up bad habits that have left my voice strained after singing just one song, but with Bulent's guidance and knowledge, I was able to immediately feel the difference in my vocal stamina and range. Furthermore, Bulent emphasized the importance of proper breath control with simple but effective techniques - something that I essentially lacked. It was overall a wonderful experience!! Can't wait for the next one!"

 - Nestor C. studying online from Texas (R&B)

"My son, Adam, feels extremely lucky to have connected with Bulent and become his student. Adam started working with Bulent after he was cast in a lead role in his school’s musical. We live in Charlotte, North Carolina, and therefore Adam works virtually with Bulent via Skype. During each lesson, Bulent purposefully and clearly teaches Adam vocal techniques and fundamentals that literally change the way he is able to sing. Every lesson is so rich with information and practice. Bulent is extremely attentive, preparing for the lessons beforehand with the music Adam needs to review, and he is very focused on helping Adam achieve his goals during each session. Adam’s performance as Michael Banks in Mary Poppins was a huge success. He sang beautifully, and with confidence. We look forward to continuing to work with Bulent." 

- Carolyn S. online from North Carolina

"My first lesson with Bulent was truly eye-opening. He started with a thorough introduction of the mechanics of producing sounds, rather than jumping straight into singing. We went through where the resonance came from, where the pitches were made, where the sounds were focused during singing and much more. It was a refreshing experience, and a useful one since it helped me being conscious about getting the correct muscles to be engaged. A very enthusiastic and supportive teacher, who is willing to discuss various topics, including choosing the appropriate set of repertoires and even how to improve one's quality of speech."

- Quang H. (classical, musical theater)

"Online singing lessons are always something I have been very skeptical of, like many other people. Bulent’s fantastic recognition, reviews and experience made me decide to contact him. In doing so I made one of the best decisions ever. I was nervous leading up to his introductory lesson, but he is very nice and easy to talk to, making it a very pleasant experience. Bulent is unlike any other vocal coach, as his method is unique, and his knowledge is down to the science and it allows one to deeper understand what is happening while you are singing. He is always happy to answer any questions and does so effectively. If one consistently practices his method you are bound to show improvement. After the introductory lesson I was able to significantly improve. Online vocal lessons with Bulent are unbelievable." 

- Rajveer S. studying online from Texas (pop, rock)

"Bulent is an amazing and well seasoned teacher. From just two lessons I learned more about the mechanisms of singing than I had in 15 years or so of amateur singing... To this day, what I've learned from him is still invaluable to my vocal technique. I would thoroughly recommend him to any singer who is looking to gain full control over their voice. Thank you Bulent!"

- Kim R. (pop, R&B)

"Easily one of the best vocal teachers in New England. Bulent provides succinct, compassionate criticism, surrounded by a genuine enthusiasm and desire to see his students grow. His lessons have been so important to my sense of confidence in myself, not just in my voice. He's thorough, supportive, and so attentive. Couldn't recommend him enough!"  

- Jonathan T. (broadway)

"What an amazing teacher. You should only work with Mr. Guneralp if you want to have a great experience, top notch instruction, and serious learning every encounter. He is so professional, knowledgable, and yet has a great sense of humor: the perfect blend of everything you want in an instructor. 

He has gone above and beyond to accommodate my needs as I recover from a serious health issue. I was very unsure as to my readiness to begin formal voice training, but he has helped to calm every fear and keep me inspired and motivated to learn. His love for teaching others and vocal music shines through every single lesson."  

- Isaac W. studying online from Arizona

"I’ve been singing all my life and I never met such an amazing coach. On top of teaching great vocal techniques, he makes sure you understand the fundamentals of singing and how your heart, mind and body have to be connected when singing. I learned so much in one session and I cannot wait to learn more. I definitely recommend him."  

- Yasmine K. (pop, R&B, jazz)

"I am a scientist who loves singing. I found Bulent Guneralp three years ago after moving to Boston for my PhD and searching for singing teachers online. His website detailing his experience and all the positive reviews made me consider him, and I am really happy that I did so. Mr. Guneralp is a unique teacher and human being. He is multi-talented yet very down-to-earth, he is very encouraging yet expects the best from you, constantly improves himself and his teaching methods, and is overall fun to work with. He doesn't only teach but also performs, so he knows what it is like to perform live and the expectations of stage life. 

I first started taking voice lessons 10 years ago, continued on and off, but did not perform in public until studying with Mr. Guneralp, who helped me overcome my stage fright and sing solo in a concert for the first time in 2016! His scientific teaching method which also uses certain visualizations helped me better understand and use my body as a vocal instrument. I believe not only my technical progress but my overall development as a singer gave me the confidence to sing in public. 

We have been working on arias and art songs in Italian, German, French, English and Turkish! My diction in these different languages has improved. I also learned a great deal of sight-singing, music theory and ear-training, areas in which I was not educated in the past. 

I recently moved to Maryland, yet continue taking lessons from him remotely via Skype / FaceTime. I strongly recommend Mr. Guneralp to anyone, professional or amateur, interested in developing their vocal and musical skills." 

- Sila T. studying online from Maryland (classical)

"Bulent worked with me - a total stranger - with great care, deep knowledge, and a gentle desire to see me improve. And this is all the FIRST LESSON. I sing live a good bit in a popular style - but need better techniques to keep my voice healthy and improve my longevity per gig. Bulent understood this. I give my highest recommendation. I will work with him again soon."   

- Geoff L. studying online from Tennessee (pop)

"What can I say about Bulent... As a tenor, I had no idea how to sing the high notes. When I sang, they used to come out, but sounded tight, so I never got a part in an opera. Well, just in one lesson I vocalized to high C with the knowledge he gave me. I actually, for the first time, knew how I did it. It was incredible. I was so happy that for the first time in years of voice training in upstate New York, 10 years in Manhattan New York City, studying with teachers who sang at New York City Opera and the Metropolitan Opera Company, and not one of them, was able to teach me what Bulent taught me in one lesson. He is very clear in his teachings. He taught me how to breathe and use my abdominal muscles. AMAZING. I'm so excited to have found Bulent. I've never given up on my dream, at times I wanted to, but now Bulent has given me a new hope that hopefully within a year I can actually audition for a part in a opera. Now I can actually call myself a tenor. A Dream Come True. Thank you, Bulent."   

- Fausto Di I. (opera, classical)

"As someone who has little to no singing experience, I have greatly enjoyed and appreciated Bulent's lessons. While his merit speaks for itself, skills are useless if they cannot be easily understood by the student. This is what I believe Bulent does remarkably well. His lessons are structured; however, you can see the cogs turning in his brain as he quickly adapts his teachings to your needs. All this and he somehow balances the significance of the teaching with a fun, easy going environment. For these reasons, I am happy to recommend Bulent to both aspiring and experienced vocalists."  

- Matt T.

"I basically asked Bulent to do a miracle, and he did it! I wanted to sing a song at my best friend's wedding, but have a terrible intonation and basically no former musical education. In a few lessons Bulent explained me the basics of singing and helped me to prepare the song. The result was great! I had so much fun that after this experience, I think I will keep taking classes with Bulent. Absolutely 5 stars!"  

- Davide M. (pop)

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to learn from Bulent. I have no prior experience in music and decided to take voice coaching lessons so I can begin singing in my church. Bulent clearly has a vast knowledge of music and patiently taught me the fundamentals which I found very valuable for a beginner like me. I learned so much from the first lesson and was so motivated I immediately signed up for weekly sessions. Despite his many accomplishments and impressive music career, Bulent was down to earth, patient and friendly which made for a session where I felt more comfortable and more receptive to learn. I am very excited and optimistic to see how my voice improves over time!"  

- Abiola F. (sacred, contemporary)

"Bulent is an excellent vocal teacher, and so much more too. Many aspects of my life were changed for the better after working with Mr. Guneralp. Not only will he help you bring out the best of your musical potential, but he can offer great insight on how to live a healthier and more wholesome life. I'm honored to call this man a mentor, and a friend. Thanks Bulent!!"  

- Harrison U. (classical, pop)

"Bulent is a meticulous, astute, and compassionate teacher. I approached Bulent to develop my abilities as a bass and aspiring soloist in my vocal group. Over the course of a year, Bulent extended my upper range well into consistent high baritone, dramatically improved my understanding of my voice, and helped me realize I could sing a broader range of music than I’d originally thought.

From my first lesson, Bulent began steadily eliminating unhealthy habits, aided by his immense patience and an uncanny ability to detect even the slightest amount of strain. He taught me to recognize when and how my voice grew tired, and to trust my body to produce sound naturally, not to force it to sound like particular vocalists. Bulent also helped me see how aspects of my lifestyle influenced my voice. The progress we made has allowed me to cover low bass to high baritone with greatly-reduced tension, leading my group to choose me for a wide range of solos.

Bulent brought intense focus and great patience to every voice lesson, always paying close attention to tone, pronunciation, and pitch. He set his expectations high on all these fronts while exuding nothing but warmth and encouragement – I enjoyed striving to rise to the challenge.

I can credit my dramatically-improved confidence as a singer to Bulent, and continue to apply lessons from our time together in my rehearsals and performances with my vocal group." 

- Shreyas R. (classical, pop, a cappella ensemble)

"I am a singer/songwriter/guitarist out of the Boston area who currently plays in two local bands. I had worked with a few vocal teachers before finding Bulent. Although I received good instruction from these other teachers, I must say that it was with Bulent where I began to really feel a noticeable difference in not only how I sounded but in how it felt to sing. Bulent picked up on and corrected numerous bad habits. His methodology is systematic and rooted in scaffolding. He knows how to push and is quite astute in his observations. His knowledge of singing is vast and wide ranging. He also provided helpful critique on the delivery of my songs touching on phrasing, articulation, and dynamics. He is somebody who cares not only about your singing but also about you. This care he offers with a generous and sincere heart. It is because of this that I consider Bulent not only my vocal teacher but a friend." 

- Michael L. (songwriter, rock)

"Bulent Guneralp is an outstanding voice teacher!!!! He is kind, patient, and totally proficient. I thoroughly enjoy my hours with him. If you're looking for a voice teacher, you can't do better!!" 

- Myrna T. (choral, pop)

"Bulent is a dedicated teacher who puts his heart and full attention into his lessons. He truly cares about his students and gives them his time even outside of the lessons. After the first few weeks with him, I could already hear and, most importantly, feel the improvement in my voice. Through his concise explanations on breath control, vocal technique and body alignment, and instructions on how to make certain hand movements to aid the voice through the visualization of air flow or the precise movements of the cricoid cartilage in the larynx, I am quickly learning the correct singing technique. I also find the ear training and music theory aspects of the lessons helpful.

Bulent asked me what genres I was interested in singing, and after telling him jazz and opera, he introduced me to some pieces I had never known before. I ended up adoring them, especially Lullaby of Birdland. My repertoire is now getting richer in classical and jazz repertoire, and my cultural knowledge of important jazz and opera singers of the past and present-day is also increasing. I am learning how to interpret pieces from different genres and sing them with the same, natural technique. He has taught me to only place vocal ornaments where they have meaning so as to have an authentic delivery and pure sound. 

I began lessons with him because I wanted to improve my technique after becoming the vocalist in my college band (I had never sung seriously before), but I would recommend Bulent to anyone at any level of singing because of his patience, warmth, experience, undivided attention and professionalism."  

- Lisa F. (classical, American Songbook)

"My daughter has been studying voice with Bulent for over two years, and has made tremendous progress. The series of exercises and music she has mastered have given her a strong foundation. She is learning to read music, develop proper technique so as not damage her vocal chords—even to sing in Italian! While focused, Bulent always makes lessons fun, mixing more formal exercises with light hearted Broadway tunes. He also always seems to be attune to her mood, adjusting the lessons to her energy level so that she gets the most out of each session, which is an important skill when working with younger students. Jane has started taking piano as well with Bulent this past year and is really enjoying it. I have nothing but praise for Bulent — he is a gifted teacher."

- Amy Paradis

"My daughter has been a student of Bulent's for the past four and a half years. During this time, she has developed from a shy six year old to a confident eleven year old, who has no problem performing solos on stage in front of an audience. In fact, she has won talent competitions performing songs that Bulent has taught her. With Bulent's never ending patience, and kind manner she continues to perfect and expand her musical repertoire. 

Bulent is a master in his craft, who takes great pleasure in sharing his knowledge and love of music. He starts each lesson with breathing techniques, and stretches. He is very careful to teach how not to damage the vocal cords. Bulent is very encouraging, and motivates my daughter to try new approaches to singing. My daughter is very proud to be able to sing in Italian, and is looking forward to working on a German song soon. Bulent is also very accommodating and willing to work around schedules. 

I would highly recommend Bulent Guneralp."  

- Mary Ann M. (classical, musical theater)

"Great experience and highly recommend! 

I studied with Bulent for about eight months while I lived in Boston, and was able to remotely study with him after I moved away. This is the first formal voice training I have had. I was immediately impressed by Bulent's deep knowledge and passion for music. My first class was quite unique, in that he spent a lot of time going over the anatomy of all the organs that are used when one is singing. I found that foundation very useful when working on different aspects of my voice. The classes consist of two parts -- fundamental training and repertoire building. Bulent observes the student and gives instruction based on performance. He will also assign exercises for the student to do while at home; these are important because they are helping to train the relevant muscles. Bulent's instructions are very detailed and personalized, and most importantly they come from a place of love; it is rare to see a teacher so in love with both the field of music as well as the people he encounters. This love provided an exceptional setting for being able to focus on learning the truths of music, without fear of judgement or ridicule. Not only did I improve my vocal abilities while training with Bulent, my awareness as a singer also grew tremendously. That awareness allows me to help myself improve while I practice on my own."  

- Nikka G. (classical, American Songbook)

"I'm a singer / songwriter and bassist who has been playing in original and cover projects for the better part of two decades in the Boston area. I've studied on and off with other voice teachers over the years, but I never worked with anyone who improved my overall musicianship as much as Bulent. 

I was on a plateau for years and really didn't understand what I didn't know and more importantly what I didn't hear. I was confident going in to my lessons that my vocal ability would improve, but I didn't anticipate the larger influence these lessons would have. I've been so very pleased to see my training having a positive impact across my musical experience. My abilities to transcribe new repertoire on other instruments, recognize chord structures and improvise have all improved. Bulent taught me how to effectively work on bettering my overall musical craft, how to listen and how to practice. The tools and wisdom he provided each week have permeated all aspects of my musical journey. And yes, his knowledge of, and ability to teach vocal technique have helped me get out of my own way to unlock my internal instrument. 

Working with Bulent truly helped me move off that plateau and opened up a wider musical world. I would highly recommend studying with him."  

- John M. (songwriter, rock)

"I'm a retired senior who loves music, especially classical. I always wanted to learn to sing, but thought I didn't have much talent. I wanted to find a voice teacher who teaches wholeheartedly, and who can work on a varied repertoire ranging from opera to pop. After I met Bulent and took his introductory lesson, I'm very glad to say that I found my teacher!

Bulent is very friendly. The introductory lesson is very comprehensive, and covers all the fundamentals in detail. His teaching method is very well-designed and complete. The first lesson had a very positive influence on me, and gave me lots of confidence. Just in one hour, I started to see the improvement in my voice and singing, and I realized that the progress will continue. I started to believe in my ability, and take my voice seriously. Only a true teacher can have this kind of an impact on a student.

I like the cozy studio too. It's a very musical environment, surrounded by instruments, and full of energy. I'm very excited and looking forward!"  

- Ching C. (classical)

"I studied with Bulent for 3 months this past summer. Bulent is a fantastic teacher and every single lesson I noticed a prominent increase in my vocal talents, including my range and my breathing. He helped me do exactly what I wanted with my voice and was able to emphasize how I should be practicing to work on certain parts of my voice. He was always very effective and excited about teaching and I had a lot of fun learning from him. I was really grateful to have Bulent as a teacher and if I had the chance I would learn from him again!"  

- Alex C. (pop)

"I am a singer / songwriter and I have been studying voice with Bulent for 6 years.

I was an extremely anxious and unskilled performer when I started. I lacked confidence, my pronunciation was terrible and I had no idea how to style my writing vocally.

Bulent is very thorough with the basics - body posture, breathing, focus. As time goes on and you get better vocally, he also works on performance skills and style. He is an excellent performer himself and knows what it takes to perform in different genres whether it's opera, rock, pop or musical theater. He is also phenomenal at pronunciation training. Especially in regard to the English repertoire, I believe he is way better than any native voice teachers, because he had to go through this training himself to perform in operas and musicals.

After a couple of years of practicing I started gaining confidence and getting positive feedback from people on my performances. I gained a crucial understanding on how to make a song work lyrically and vocally in an artistic way. My training with Bulent transformed the way I view music and performance. I have had some voice coaches before I met Bulent, but I decided to stay with him, because he is very focused, attentive, skilled and on point EVERY time we have a lesson. He is also a very nice person, always smiling and polite - a rare individual in the music scene. 

I highly recommend him."  

- Oleg S., singer, pianist, songwriter (songwriter, jazz, rock)

"I've started out my formal vocal training with Bulent from scratch just a little over a year ago. In just 8 months I've started out participating in professional opera productions, such as Commonwealth lyric theater, Lowell House Opera, etc.

What attracted me the most was the discipline, structure and passion that are always present in Bulent's teaching approach. He helped me to discover my operatic voice, helped to strengthen it and find ways to make it more like belcanto style. Through the solid groundwork and constant encouragement, he taught me how to breathe, how to use diaphragm muscles, how to avoid tension in vocal chords. Bulent radically changed my perception on what human voice is, and how it's connected with body, mind, and overall well-being."  

- Mikhail Z. (opera, classical)

"Five stars to Bulent, hands down! I've taken piano and voice lessons from him for over a year and I've never met someone more passionate and genuinely interested in teaching. He took the pain to really drill down the fundamentals into me. And makes sure I always keep an eye on the basics of technique. I was under confident about my piano talent and self-critical, but Bulent made me see what I was doing right just as what I was doing wrong. I am now confident in piano and am working towards building that confidence in voice too. More than anything, I value two things about him the most: 1. he gives genuine feedback on performance and that builds trust 2. it's amazing how much attention he pays to every minute detail! He inspires a student to work towards perfection.

Unlike many other teachers that I've learnt under, Bulent is not driven by the money or is not constrained by time. This is very unique to him. You can easily tell that he is passionate about teaching and since he gives it his personal best, he brings out the best in the student too.

Bulent made me believe in myself and I'd recommend Bulent to anyone who wants to learn music. He's warm, kind, compassionate, extremely wise, and truly genuine. It's rare to find someone so talented to be so down to earth and also passionate about teaching."  

- Pragna K. (classical)

"I was looking for a teacher who could introduce my elementary-school-age daughters to basic music fundamentals, and Bulent exceeded my expectations! He created a lesson plan that combined vocal work with piano study, and tailored it to my girls' respective ages. Both girls worked with a standard piano method book and the Concone sight-singing book, developing both their piano technique as well as their knowledge and use of solfege. In addition, Bulent helped the girls build a strong musical vocabulary (with correct pronunciation!) along with a solid understanding of rhythm and meter. As they got older, my daughters became interested in learning different instruments, and they were able to transfer so much of what they learned from Bulent to their new studies. Bulent nurtured an appreciation and understanding of music that will stay with my girls throughout their lives, no matter what they choose to do. We were very lucky to find him!"  

- Jessica F. (early education, classical)

"I wanted to see if an old dog could learn some new tricks. With an open mind but a creaky voice, I sought help from Bulent in hopes of improving my singing voice so that I could better enjoy the choral group in which I was singing. I spent about 1 year studying with Bulent and found that he helped me immensely - both in terms of vocal quality but also in terms of nurturing a better understanding of the relationships between breathing, muscle tone and a visualization of what was actually happening inside my head as sound is produced. While my range is still limited, he managed to improve both my singing and speaking voice. Bulent has a wonderful presence in terms of understanding the material in front of him -- whether it be an old dog like me or a young person with brimming talent -- and adapting his own style to that person. The effect is that he is working with you on your team rather than imposing a moral order that one most obey. I highly recommend Bulent as a voice teacher."  

- John W. (American Songbook, choral)