Atlanta Voice Teacher

Yes, you can sing! You just need a patient, skilled listener to guide you through understanding your voice.
(More about this on my blog)

My Mission Statement

The human voice is the greatest and most mysterious instrument for human expression,
whether it is used for speaking, noise making, or SINGING.
My mission is to provide a brave space for vocal discovery while facilitating a practical understanding
of the voice, how it functions, and how to apply technique to repertoire.
Vocal technique should free a singer to sing beautifully, expressively,
and sustainably with versatility for a variety of styles.
An understanding of function and style opens up a world of possibilities,
even for people who previously thought they couldn't sing!

Contact Me

What my students have to say:

Helena's Testimonial (Adult Student)

Jonathan immerses you into the world of singing in a way that takes you on a sort of journey — to developing your voice and to better understanding yourself.

Highly astute and perceptive, Jonathan can hear every single nuance of your voice. He recognizes every issue related to sight-reading, breath support, mouth shape, tongue placement, emotional authenticity, musical interpretation, and proper pronunciation of language.
He addresses all of these issues with great sensitivity, kindness, patience, humor — and precision.

Jonathan teaches many aspects of the study of voice, but he digs deep, too, when appropriate. He will consistently surprise you. From knowing how to pronounce Czech to explaining, in detail, the anatomy of vocal cords in relation to one’s “mixed” voice, I have often found myself thinking about our lessons long after they are over.

His instruction has taken my singing to new levels in a short time because of his superior knowledge and teaching ability combined with great care for his students.

In terms of which songs to sing, Jonathan welcomes you to take the lead, but he will also occasionally share a piece that he believes suits your voice or challenges you in a new way. In other words, he gives you space to become whom you’re trying to become (as a vocal artist) but he offers his own ideas, too.

While he is highly attuned to detail, Jonathan never loses sight of the emotional big picture of a song and what it’s really meant to convey. He will guide you in the musical interpretation with incredible honesty and encourage you to be emotionally honest in your singing.

As a busy mother, having the voice lessons take place online with a good microphone has worked out extremely well. With the online option, I see myself being able to continue the study of voice with Jonathan throughout the decade. This gives me so much hope.

Learning to sing from Jonathan continues to be one of the most significant and fulfilling endeavors of my life!

Mike's Testimonial (Adult Student)

Jonathan is a master of both the art and science of singing. Over the past two years, our work on vocal placement, tongue position and proper breathing techniques has helped this 68-year-old singer have a greater range, better tone and tighter vibrato. His solfege instruction has helped me be a better sight reader and learn the bass/baritone line in my church choir pieces more quickly. I’m also amazed at his expertise in proper pronunciation and singing of pieces in German and Italian, and his advice on how to approach a song artistically, whether it’s Broadway or Barber. I’ve been singing for over 10 years now, but can truthfully say that I have become a better, more confident performer through my study with Jonathan. Classes in both his physical and virtual studios are equally beneficial. The icing on the cake is that he makes it fun.

Brody's Testimonial (High School Student)

I’ve been with Dr. Jonathan Pilkington for nearly two years now- and I can VERY safely say it’s been the best investment I’ve ever made on myself. Wishing to pursue a career in the fields of performing arts, both taking care of and mastering your voice were essentially a necessity to me- and Jonathan helped me do just that. He’s remarkably wise and skilled when it comes to his practice, and he’s got an incredible talent for knowing exactly how to handle an issue and when. He is patient with his students, and knows how to identify and eliminate problems early on. He has 100% helped me find confidence in myself as a singer, as well as every other person who’s walked through that door. They don’t hand out doctorates for nothing!

Truman's Testimonial (Adult Student)

I've been studying voice with Jonathan for almost 3 years and I have noticed a big improvement in not only my voice quality, but in the way I approach singing. My tone has improved, I'm more in tune, and he's helped me find a way of singing that's healthy for me. Over the past three years I've received more positive feedback after vocal auditions and my voice feels much stronger thanks to his help. I also greatly appreciate the lesson notes he sends following an appointment. I would highly recommend studying with Jonathan if you want to improve your instrument, or if you just love singing.

What You Can Expect From Me:

Passion for great singing, regardless of the genre
Open and accepting teacher (you're safe here)
Honest and positive environment (intense and fun at the same time)
Lifelong learner (reading, attending workshops, webinars, etc.)
Active performer (I practice what I preach)
Constant, steady progress (real progress takes time)
Broad network of supportive colleagues (we keep each other inspired, informed, connected, etc.)
Travel experiences (small group trips to NYC, Europe, etc.)
Performance and competition opportunities
Inspired teaching. Read my blog here.

What I Expect From Students:

Positive attitude (NEVER say "I can't")
Patience (with yourself and with me)
Presence (physically, mentally, and emotionally)
Preparation (practice, have necessary materials, etc.)

Order Music Here!

Teaching Experience

Private teaching
Atlanta voice teacher, Jonathan Pilkington, has over 20 years of teaching experience in NY, NJ, CT and GA. His students have ranged in age from 8 to 80, their musical interests have varied widely, and they have won numerous awards.

Teaching Experience
2000-Present Independent Voice Teacher Private Studio & United Music Studios in Atlanta, GA
2022-Present Artist Affiliate Emory University, Atlanta, GA
2019-2020 Voice Instructor Georgia State University-Perimeter College
2014-2019 Assistant Professor of Music Piedmont College
2010-2014 Fellow in Music Piedmont College
2009-2010 Adjunct Voice Instructor Piedmont College
2009-2010 Adjunct Voice Instructor Shorter College
2000-2009 Freelance Voice Teacher New York, New Jersey, Connecticut

Education
Shorter College: Bachelor of Music Education
Westminster Choir College: Master of Music in Voice Pedagogy/Peformance
University of Georgia: Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice Performance

Continuing Educaiton
Somatic Voicework™️ Levels I-III (Jeanie Lovetri)
Soul Ingredients® (Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin)
One Body/One Voice (Penn State University)

Background and Philosophy

I am constantly amazed and inspired by the human voice and its range of expressive capabilities. Being raised in a musical family, this interest probably began at birth, but the passion was really sparked while in high school. My first voice teacher told me that I would be a good voice teacher one day because I am very analytical. In a very nice way, she also told me that I would be a good teacher because of the vocal issues that I had to overcome, and I believe she was right in both cases.

While my undergraduate degree is in Music Education, I took extra courses that were required for performance majors, including Voice Pedagogy. This led me to pursuing a Master of Music Degree in Voice Pedagogy/Performance at Westminster Choir College, where I studied with respected pedagogues Scott McCoy and Marvin Keenze. This opened up a new world of performing opportunities in school, as well as after graduation, when I moved to New York City.

During my time in New York, I worked with a few different teachers and coaches, who were very influential to my development as a performer. I also did a great deal of performing, from opera and operetta to recitals and oratorio, as well as professional choral singing. I also had private teaching studios in Connecticut and New Jersey.

Family, as well as a desire to teach on the college level, prompted my move back to Georgia. I began teaching at Piedmont College in 2009 and completed my DMA in Voice Performance in 2014. After 10 years of teaching at Piedmont College, I now teach at my home in Atlanta, at United Music Studios, and at the Lafayette Society for Performing Arts in LaGrange, GA. In 2017, I completed Levels I-III of Jeanie LoVetri's Somatic Voicework™️, and I apply those principles in my teaching and my singing. More recently, participated in Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin's Soul Ingredients: When Science Meets Soul, as well as One Body/One Voice at Penn State University.