Scholarships
At Once Upon a Voice, we believe every artist deserves a beginning as bold, imaginative, and personal as the stories they long to tell through music. Our scholarship program expands access to trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming music education while preserving the care, creativity, and professional standards that define our studio. These awards support adults building sustainable artistic lives, as well as children and teens developing their voices across different stages of musical growth. We offer both partial and full scholarships, each serving a distinct purpose within our community. Partial scholarships are need-based and designed to honor the dignity and agency of our students and families. Because we recognize that the current financial climate and the hidden costs of living are not always reflected on a tax return, we do not require financial documentation or personal statements for these awards. Instead, we trust you to select the tier—covering 25%, 50%, or 75% of tuition—that best reflects your actual household capacity. This trust-based model allows for sustainable participation across all our services. For adults ages 18 and older, these awards apply to Masterclass and coaching pathways, while for children and teens, they support early childhood classes, weekly workshops, and private lessons. Full scholarships remain merit-based and are awarded exclusively to private lesson students ages 6 through 18. These are awarded each year to one student per age group based on artistic readiness and a demonstrated commitment to intensive study. Each scholarship is named in honor of a music educator who profoundly shaped our founder, Marcellé. These teachers modeled excellence, care, and creative integrity, and their influence lives on through the students who receive support in their names. The tributes below share their stories and the values they passed on—values that continue to guide how Once Upon a Voice nurtures artists across ages, identities, and stages of development. To receive a partial scholarship, simply start the booking process for your chosen service. During the thorough intake form, you will be able to select the scholarship tier that fits your life and apply the corresponding discount code directly to your registration. We review all intakes to ensure our expertise is the right instructional fit for the student's creative goals. If you are interested in a full scholarship, click or tap the apply button below! Scholarship enrollments are accepted year-round and reviewed on a rolling basis.
The Saint Mercedes Scholarships
The partial scholarships for adults 18 years and older are named after Saint Mercedes, the vocal artist and coach who helped Marcellé begin reconnecting with her voice at a time when the music industry made it difficult to hear herself. These need-based scholarships are immediately available to adults seeking access to Once Upon a Voice’s services. To utilize this support, please begin the booking process for your desired service; you will select your scholarship tier within the mandatory intake form and apply the corresponding discount code at checkout to adjust your tuition instantly. Depending on financial need and availability, these awards may cover up to 75% of the tuition cost for Masterclass Only, Masterclass with Asynchronous Coaching, or Masterclass with Live One-on-One Coaching. These scholarships support adult singers and songwriters who are building their skills while learning to stay rooted in their own artistic identity. Working musicians, emerging artists, and adults studying contemporary music in college often feel pressure to meet industry expectations, reach milestones quickly, or mold themselves into what they believe they “should” sound like. The Saint Mercedes Scholarships create space for high-level training that does not sacrifice emotional clarity or internal grounding. The masterclasses at Once Upon a Voice offer a rigorous, professional curriculum in singing, songwriting, piano, and music production, while also honoring the lived experiences many adults carry with them—including trauma histories, neurodivergent needs, and the complex emotional landscapes that shape creative expression. Students refine their sound, strengthen their craft, and develop a vocal, lyrical, or compositional style that reflects who they truly are, not who they feel pressured to be. Saint Mercedes is a New Orleans–based vocal artist and international vocal coach whose teaching is shaped by profound resilience. After surviving thyroid cancer and awakening from surgery with a paralyzed vocal fold, she relearned how to express music with asymmetrical anatomy. That experience transformed her approach to teaching, blending technical mastery with emotional and spiritual depth and reminding artists that the voice is inseparable from thought, feeling, and personal truth. Her work centers purpose, alignment, and the healing capacity of sound, and through projects like Medicinal Harmony, she cultivates intergenerational spaces for musical connection. As full-time faculty at Loyola University New Orleans, she guides students with the same mixture of precision, introspection, and artistic anchoring that defines her performances. Marcellé began studying with Saint Mercedes after graduating from Loyola, during the early years of her professional life and while training in graduate-level music therapy. Their time together was brief, but the shift it created was lasting. “I was so focused on the industry—on what I was supposed to achieve, on what my career should look like—that I lost track of singing for joy,” Marcellé shares. “Mercedes made me curious again. She helped me notice what was happening inside my voice, inside my body, inside my emotions.” Although reconnecting with her voice would become a longer journey—one she would later deepen through additional mentors and trauma therapies—Mercedes opened the path by teaching her that a voice is not a ladder to success; it is something to honor, protect, and understand. “She helped me start finding my voice again. And I want every adult who studies with me to feel that same sense of reconnection, whether they express themselves through singing, songwriting, or a blend of both.” These scholarships honor Saint Mercedes’s example by supporting adults not only in strengthening technique, but in staying anchored in themselves as they navigate a demanding industry. Her approach reaches beyond perfectionism and external validation, showing musicians that mastery and meaning are inseparable. At Once Upon a Voice, adult services reflect those same values. We offer professional-level training in voice, songwriting, piano, and producing while also supporting the inner clarity needed to sustain an authentic musical life. Rather than pushing artists toward an image of success that disconnects them from their own sound, we help them refine their craft in ways that remain embodied, self-aligned, and sustainable.
The Steven Boyd Scholarships
The partial scholarships for ages 0–5 are named after Marcellé’s father, Steven Boyd. These need-based scholarships are immediately available to families seeking access to early childhood music instruction at Once Upon a Voice. To utilize this support, please begin the booking process for your desired service; you will select your scholarship tier within the mandatory intake form and apply the corresponding discount code at checkout to adjust your tuition instantly. Depending on financial need and availability, these awards may cover up to 75% of tuition. These scholarships support our youngest students by making gentle, developmentally appropriate music experiences accessible during the earliest stages of life. Early childhood classes welcome little ones into the world of music through joyful play rather than formal instruction. With a focus on sound, movement, rhythm, and early language, the Steven Boyd Scholarships help families lay a strong musical foundation—long before technique, performance, or structured study begins. Group classes at Once Upon a Voice are trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming, giving each child space to grow at their own pace and in rhythm with their development. Steven Boyd was a gifted music director, songwriter, producer, singer, and pianist whose career spanned genres, generations, and continents. He worked with artists including Chaka Khan, Natalie Cole, The Four Tops, and Lola Falana, toured internationally, and performed at the White House for President Clinton. His original albums—Another Level, Nightmoods, Destiny, and Focus—reflected both his technical skill and personal vision. In addition to performing and producing, he taught music in schools and community organizations, led worship in a variety of churches, and authored his own music book. He studied both classical and jazz piano in college and left a legacy that lives on in the musicians he mentored, including his daughter, Marcellé. He passed away when she was twelve. For Marcellé, music began before memory. “There are photos of me at the piano as a baby, a toddler, a preschooler, and a kindergartener,” she shares. “My father immersed me in music from birth.” She played drums in his studio, recorded vocals in his booth, danced to tracks during playtime, and woke up to his piano playing. When she was four, he attempted to teach her piano formally, gifting her a keyboard and beginner exercises. But it quickly became clear that something was not working. Undiagnosed neurodevelopmental challenges made fine motor coordination difficult, and formal practice became frustrating for both of them. Instead of pushing, her father stepped back. “He let me be a kid again,” she recalls. “He gave me space to explore reading, writing, and storytelling—and those skills ended up serving me deeply in music later on.” In elementary school, classroom-based music instruction helped Marcellé build foundational skills in a way that felt accessible. At age ten, she began writing songs, and her father immediately began producing tracks for her first album. Although the project was never completed, the experience left a lasting imprint. “He is the reason my brain was wired for music,” she says. “He surrounded me with it from the beginning—without pressure or shame. Just sound, love, and freedom.” These scholarships honor that beginning. In group classes for ages 0–5, music is not taught—it is shared. Through singing, rhythm games, guided movement, and language-rich play, children explore music in ways that align with natural curiosity and developmental readiness. Infants and toddlers are introduced to simple American Sign Language (ASL) signs to support musical participation and early expressive skills. In preschool and kindergarten, phonics-based activities strengthen rhythm, phrasing, and melodic awareness—foundational skills for future singing, songwriting, and musicianship. While these tools also support early communication and reading readiness, the focus remains firmly on musical growth. There is no expectation of performance—only the invitation to experience music as a language children already understand.
The Day'nah Cooper-Evans Scholarships
The partial scholarships for ages 6–9 are named after Day’nah Cooper-Evans, Marcellé’s former vocal producer. These need-based scholarships are immediately available to families seeking access to Once Upon a Voice’s services for this age group, including both beginner weekly workshops and private lessons. To utilize this support, please begin the booking process for your desired service; you will select your scholarship tier within the mandatory intake form and apply the corresponding discount code at checkout to adjust your tuition instantly. Awards may cover up to 75% of tuition, depending on financial need. This age range represents a powerful turning point in a young musician’s development—when phonics, breath, rhythm, and early musical structure begin to blend into storytelling and self-expression. The Day’nah Cooper-Evans Scholarships support students at this foundational stage, offering access to structured, expressive, and empowering instruction that honors both technique and imagination. All services at Once Upon a Voice are trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming, designed to create space for play, emotional safety, and artistry to coexist. Day’nah Cooper-Evans is a multi-hyphenate artist and talent coach whose career spans voice, dance, acting, and production. A graduate of Hampton University, she is a proud member of both SAG-AFTRA and The Recording Academy, and received an NAACP Image Award in 2018 for her vocal production work on The New Edition Story on BET. She has coached and produced vocals for artists including Mary J. Blige, Brandy, Janelle Monáe, Queen Latifah, and Magic!, contributed tour vocal content for Janet Jackson, and worked as a vocal producer on the FOX series Star. She continues to develop projects with Queen Latifah and has performed as a background vocalist and dancer with major artists across music and film. Her acting credits include roles on Disney’s Shake It Up, A.N.T. Farm, Kickin’ It, The Fresh Beat Band, and a recurring role on AMC’s Sherman’s Showcase. For Marcellé, Day’nah’s impact has been both professional and transformational. “She and her husband produced my gender-based violence awareness project,” Marcellé shares, “and through that process, I connected with my voice in a way I did not know was possible. I used to think my voice was only meant for soft, pretty lines—but Day’nah helped me discover that belting, rapping, and using my voice in a wide range of ways were just as beautiful.” She credits Day’nah with teaching her to imitate many vocal sounds, a skill she now begins cultivating in students as soon as formal training starts. That shift led to deeper healing, both musically and emotionally. “Working on chest voice was triggering at times, so recording with her encouraged me to pursue trauma therapies like EMDR and Parts and Memory Therapy. That was the beginning of fully reclaiming my voice.” The project required deep trust and emotional attunement. “We were working on something heavy,” she explains. “Everyone on that team had to be present, respectful, and sincere. Day’nah set that tone. She made sure the work was professional and grounded—because without that, the message would not have come through.” That same care is essential in our work with young students. “When you are creating with others—even at six or nine years old—you need a space where you feel safe being heard. That is something I learned directly through working with her.” These scholarships honor Day’nah’s belief that children deserve high-quality, industry-aware arts training from the very beginning. Her work blends performance with precision, empowering artists to master their craft while expressing their truth. That same spirit guides instruction for ages 6–9 at Once Upon a Voice. Singing and songwriting are offered through both weekly workshops and private lessons, depending on the student’s needs and learning style. Singing instruction introduces breath-supported chest voice and healthy tone production, while songwriting focuses on song structure, rhyme, and lyrical phrasing. Rap is introduced as a creative and communicative tool across settings, supporting rhythm, language development, and expressive confidence.
The Betsy Uschkrat Scholarship
The full scholarship for ages 6–9 is named in honor of Marcellé’s first voice teacher, Betsy Uschkrat. Each year, one student is selected for a full, merit-based scholarship covering 100% of the tuition cost for singing lessons, songwriting lessons, or both. This scholarship is awarded to a student whose curiosity, commitment, and readiness for formal study demonstrate exceptional potential at this stage of development. While musical exploration begins earlier at Once Upon a Voice, age 6 marks the transition from exploratory learning to formal training. This is when students take their first steps in learning how to breathe for singing, shape sound with intention, and turn creative impulses into structured songs. These early lessons form the foundation of each student’s vocal and songwriting journey. The Betsy Uschkrat Scholarship ensures that this important chapter remains accessible to students who are ready to engage deeply with the work—regardless of financial circumstance. A celebrated soprano known for her powerful voice and remarkable versatility, Dr. Uschkrat has captivated audiences across the United States in operatic, theatrical, and symphonic performances. Her roles have ranged from Pamina in Die Zauberflöte to Julie Jordan in Carousel, and her artistry has been praised by The Times-Picayune as that of a “vocal powerhouse.” A two-time Metropolitan Opera National Council Regional Finalist and the winner of several major vocal competitions, she has performed with companies such as New Orleans Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Idaho, and The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Beyond the stage, Dr. Uschkrat is a dedicated voice professor at Loyola University New Orleans. Known for her cross-genre expertise, she trains students in everything from art song to musical theatre to contemporary vocal performance. Her former students now work professionally across the country—as performers, educators, and board-certified music therapists—carrying her impact far beyond the classroom and into the next generation of musical leadership. For Marcellé, Dr. Uschkrat’s influence was not only professional but deeply personal. “I was behind every other singer in the program,” Marcellé reflects. “But she was patient. She gave me room to explore, to write, and to begin again.” Even when trauma and undiagnosed neurodivergence made retention difficult, what did take root became the foundation for everything that followed. When financial circumstances later interrupted Marcellé’s access to private voice instruction, the absence of early technical support became clear—shaping her deep belief in beginning formal training with care and intention. Dr. Uschkrat’s ability to balance structure with freedom, and rigor with trust, ultimately shaped how Marcellé now supports beginners at Once Upon a Voice. This scholarship honors that legacy by recognizing young students who are ready to take that first step into focused musical study. Just as Dr. Uschkrat introduced Marcellé to the International Phonetic Alphabet, multiple musical genres, and the discipline of vocal technique, Once Upon a Voice students ages 6–9 who receive this scholarship are invited to build a strong and joyful foundation. Through private lessons in singing or songwriting, they learn the basics of breath management, resonance, and diction, with space to explore musical styles in developmentally appropriate ways—including classical, musical theatre, jazz, and popular genres.
The Sandra Youmans Scholarships
The partial scholarships for ages 9–12 are named after Sandra Youmans, Marcellé’s middle school choir and handbells teacher. These need-based scholarships are immediately available to families seeking access to Once Upon a Voice’s services for this age group, including both intermediate weekly workshops and private lessons. To utilize this support, please begin the booking process for your desired service; you will select your scholarship tier within the mandatory intake form and apply the corresponding discount code at checkout to adjust your tuition instantly. Awards may cover up to 75% of tuition, depending on financial need. This developmental stage is about more than musical growth—it is a time when students begin discovering who they are in community. The Sandra Youmans Scholarships support young musicians as they learn collaboration, ensemble trust, and creative courage, offering access to instruction that values both musical skill and relational connection. All services at Once Upon a Voice are trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming, and that commitment is reflected not only through education, but through the emotional care and sense of belonging students experience together. Sandra Youmans—affectionately known as Mrs. Youmans or Big Y—was a devoted Christian, a lifelong educator, and a woman whose love of music was inseparable from her love of people. She taught for decades at Faith Lutheran Middle & High School, directed choirs in her church and community, and found joy in service, whether volunteering locally at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve or participating in outreach programs that uplifted others around the world. She passed away from angiosarcoma cancer in January 2025. Her presence is deeply missed, but her impact continues to shape the lives of those she taught and loved. For Marcellé, Mrs. Youmans was far more than a teacher. “She was strict—but in a motherly way,” Marcellé shares. “We always knew it came from love. She demanded our best, and now I see just how hard she worked to teach us.” After transferring to Faith Lutheran in sixth grade and joining Mrs. Youmans’s choir, Marcellé remembers initially failing her music elective. “She was the first teacher to push my musicianship and music theory skills to a truly intermediate level. I pulled my grades up in time for report cards—but it took work. She did not believe in underestimating kids, and I respect her deeply for that.” Music also became a source of comfort during a time of profound loss. “Before my dad died, I started practicing our choir and handchime pieces on the piano at home. One day, I told her I really liked the piece ‘Morning Has Broken.’ Her face lit up and she said, ‘It’s such a beautiful piece, isn’t it?’ I asked if I could take it home to practice, and she said yes.” Marcellé’s mother would call her father, who was ill in the hospital, so he could listen to her practice. “He got to hear me play before he died. That happened because of her.” In the months that followed, Mrs. Youmans became a quiet protector. “It felt like she and my counselor, Mrs. Washington, were gently working together to support me. One day I was called out of choir for grief counseling. Another day I was asked to play piano for her after school. Then suddenly, I was the pianist for the middle school praise band.” At the time, Marcellé was still building consistency and confidence as a player, especially in leadership roles. “She gave me that position anyway. Not because I was the obvious choice, but because she saw something in me. She gave me a place to belong while I found my footing. She did not just help me grow—she watched over me.” One moment remains especially meaningful. “My mom sang a gospel duet with Mrs. Washington during my school’s chapel service. I do not know if Mrs. Youmans helped plan it, but afterward she told me how much she loved hearing my mom sing. That meant so much.” Even after Marcellé transferred to Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, their relationship endured. “She looked sad when I told her I was leaving, but she kept checking in—encouraging me, celebrating my wins, making sure I was okay.” When Mrs. Youmans passed away, Marcellé sang in a large choir of former students who loved her deeply. “She was my guardian angel on earth during those years, and I believe she is one of my guardian angels in heaven now.” These scholarships honor the strength, care, and trust that Mrs. Youmans gave so freely. They invite students ages 9–12 to develop their voices not only through technique, but through connection—to peers, to mentors, and to themselves. Just as choir became a second family for Marcellé during her preteen years, instruction at Once Upon a Voice is designed to foster that same sense of safety, laughter, and belonging. Some of the friendships formed during those years remain in her life today. These scholarships help nurture that kind of lasting support system.
The Janice Seeley Scholarship
The full scholarship for ages 9–12 is named in honor of Marcellé’s high school piano teacher, Janice Seeley. Each year, one student is selected for a full, merit-based scholarship covering 100% of the tuition cost for singing lessons, songwriting lessons, or both. This scholarship is awarded to a student whose artistic curiosity, engagement, and readiness for intermediate study reflect exceptional potential at this stage of development. These years mark an important shift in a young musician’s journey. Students begin stretching beyond the basics, refining technique, exploring intermediate skills in voice and songwriting, and learning how to shape ideas with greater intention. Musical choices begin to matter more, and a stronger sense of creative voice emerges. The Janice Seeley Scholarship supports young artists during this turning point—when curiosity deepens and the craft of music-making becomes more deliberate. Lessons at Once Upon a Voice are trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming, offering students the space to grow as individuals while building the versatile musicianship that bridges foundational study and advanced training. Janice Seeley led the piano program at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts for many years, helping shape one of the most respected high school music departments in the country. A passionate teacher and music historian, she introduced students to a wide range of repertoire—from classical to contemporary—and emphasized the importance of both solo and ensemble playing. She also employed Steven Boyd, Marcellé’s father, as her assistant during his lifetime and considered him family. After retiring from LVA, she continued teaching music to children throughout Las Vegas, always believing in the value of early and sustained music education. For Marcellé, Mrs. Seeley’s impact extended far beyond piano instruction. “I did not like classical training at first,” she recalls, “but through composing and performing classical music, I learned how to make instruments speak.” Mrs. Seeley’s teaching revealed how sounds support one another—how melody can be framed, contrasted, or echoed by the instruments around it. “I had heard my dad do that in his music, but it clicked under her guidance,” Marcellé shares. “By the time I turned eighteen, I was no longer just writing lyrics and melodies—I was writing full arrangements for my songs.” That understanding now shapes how she teaches voice and songwriting: as interconnected tools for storytelling, with many musical layers working in harmony. This scholarship honors Mrs. Seeley’s belief that musicianship strengthens storytelling—and that young artists deserve the space to discover how they think and create. At Once Upon a Voice, students ages 9–12 who receive this scholarship engage in individualized instruction in singing or songwriting, guided by their learning style, emotional needs, and creative instincts. Singers develop tone control, expressive delivery, and musical sensitivity, while songwriters explore lyric structure, melodic development, and approaches to arranging that support their ideas. Across both paths, students learn that songs are not simply written or sung—they are crafted with care.
The Xylo Aria Scholarships
The partial scholarships for ages 12–15 are named after Xylo Aria, Marcellé’s most influential teacher in music production and engineering. These need-based scholarships are immediately available to families seeking access to Once Upon a Voice’s services for this age group, including both advanced weekly workshops and private lessons. To utilize this support, please begin the booking process for your desired service; you will select your scholarship tier within the mandatory intake form and apply the corresponding discount code at checkout to adjust your tuition instantly. Awards may cover up to 75% of tuition, depending on financial need and availability. This stage represents a shift from foundational learning into focused, disciplined artistry. Students ages 12–15 begin refining technique, strengthening creative and technical foundations, and working in Ableton Live Suite—the professional digital audio workstation they will continue mastering at ages 15–18. Whether in workshops or private instruction, students deepen their understanding of how voice, songwriting, and production intersect. Singers learn to record and produce their vocals with intention, while songwriters develop arranging and production skills that support their musical ideas. The Xylo Aria Scholarships support students as they build the focus, independence, and resilience that sustained artistry requires. Xylo Aria is a singer, producer, entrepreneur, and visionary leader in music education. Born in India and residing in Australia, she brings a global perspective to everything she creates. Her musical journey began with traditional Indian Carnatic music introduced by her grandmother—an influence that sparked her curiosity and led her to begin writing original songs at age twelve and collaborating with Melbourne-based producers soon after. Her debut EP Arrow and follow-up single Paradigm received coverage from Australian outlets including Tone Deaf, Music Talks, and Australian Music Scene, along with airplay on PBS and Triple R radio. In 2017, Xylo chose to produce her own music, releasing her first self-produced single, Pig—a haunting ambient piece described by Pilerats as “a haunting slice of downtempo electronica dealing with some heady issues.” That release marked the beginning of her distinctive production aesthetic and her evolution as a self-sufficient artist. After facing repeated barriers as a woman in a male-dominated production landscape, she founded Music Production for Women (MPW) in 2019—an international education platform empowering women and gender-diverse musicians to enter and excel in music technology. MPW quickly became a global movement, supported by industry leaders like Ableton, featured in academic research, and recognized for creating accessible pathways into production. “It is time we started empowering ourselves and each other,” Xylo says. “If we wait for others to provide the stepping stone, we will be waiting forever.” Xylo’s production and engineering program was transformative for Marcellé. “When I released my first project, the praise for my songwriting and production was overshadowed by mistakes I did not yet know how to fix,” she shares. “Even after working with GRAMMY winners and platinum-selling collaborators, I believed I would always have to rely on others to protect my work from criticism.” That belief shifted over the course of a year. “After learning from Xylo and the other instructors at MPW, my producing and engineering skills changed dramatically. I can finally create music that matches the quality of the work I admired growing up—something I dreamed about as a child, recording in my dad’s studio.” These scholarships honor Xylo’s commitment to creative independence, inclusion, and high-quality music creation. At Once Upon a Voice, students ages 12–15 receive trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming instruction that deepens musicianship while strengthening technical confidence. Through both weekly workshops and private lessons, students learn to produce their work using professional tools, collaborate effectively, and communicate creatively within a shared musical process.
The Elle Holiday Scholarship
The full scholarship for ages 12–15 is named in honor of Elle Holiday, creator and instructor of the Vocal Educator Toolkit (VET) singing teacher certification completed by Marcellé. Each year, one student is selected for a full, merit-based scholarship covering 100% of the tuition cost for singing lessons, songwriting lessons, or both. This scholarship is awarded to a student whose readiness for advanced study, commitment to growth, and engagement with the learning process demonstrate exceptional potential at this stage of development. These years mark a time of refinement and expansion. Developing artists move beyond the basics of vocal technique and songwriting structure into deeper mastery—strengthening control, coordination, and expressive clarity. The Elle Holiday Scholarship supports students who are ready to engage with this level of focus, ensuring access to trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming instruction that prepares them for the professional-level exploration of style and artistry that follows at ages 15–18. Elle Holiday is a licensed speech-language pathologist, professional singer, and educator whose work bridges clinical voice science and contemporary vocal artistry. As the founder of VocaLab and creator of the VET, she has redefined how singers, teachers, and clinicians around the world understand and train the voice. Her programs demystify vocal anatomy while honoring the artistry at the heart of singing, empowering professionals and performers alike to use evidence-based tools without sacrificing creativity or individuality. As a neurodivergent singer herself, Elle brings deep empathy and insight to her teaching, recognizing that every singer’s voice, nervous system, and learning process are unique. Elle’s journey into voice education began through lived experience. After developing vocal fold nodules early in her career, she navigated the disconnect between medical and performance worlds that often speak different languages. Rather than letting that experience silence her, Elle transformed it into purpose—earning her degree in speech-language pathology while continuing to sing and teach. She went on to create the VET, an online certification that blends clinical science and pedagogy to help singing teachers understand how the voice truly works. Her work through VocaLab continues to evolve, offering voice therapy, gender-affirming care, and education that prioritizes both knowledge and self-compassion. Marcellé shares, “Although I had years of vocal training, I realized there was more to understand about voice science. My students were developing beautifully—reaching levels of control and resonance that revealed where my own understanding could expand. Elle’s certification program was exactly what I needed. It combined speech-language pathology principles with contemporary technique in a way that made everything click. With my background in music therapy and applied behavioral analysis, I was immediately drawn to her trauma-informed, science-grounded approach. It prepared me to work with singers of all neurotypes, experiences, and abilities.” This scholarship honors Elle’s commitment to voice pedagogy, voice science, and artist wellness. At Once Upon a Voice, students ages 12–15 who receive this scholarship engage in instruction that meets them where they are—whether they are navigating voice changes, sensory sensitivity, or new forms of self-expression. Singing lessons focus on building sustainable technique and expressive control, while songwriting offers an additional pathway for mastery, particularly for students who prefer augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) or nontraditional modes of creation.
The Kate Duncan Scholarships
The partial scholarships for ages 15–18 are named after Kate Duncan, Marcellé’s longtime mentor. These need-based scholarships are immediately available to families seeking access to Once Upon a Voice’s services for this age group, including both professional weekly workshops and private lessons. To utilize this support, please begin the booking process for your desired service; you will select your scholarship tier within the mandatory intake form and apply the corresponding discount code at checkout to adjust your tuition instantly. Awards may cover up to 75% of tuition, depending on financial need. This stage represents the most advanced level of study at Once Upon a Voice, where teens engage deeply with the realities of working in music. Students refine professional-level vocal technique, strengthen songwriting craft, and develop the communication skills required for collaboration in rehearsals, sessions, and creative teams. Whether students are shaping a personal artistic identity, learning to advocate for themselves in musical spaces, or practicing how to collaborate with confidence, the Kate Duncan Scholarships support the kind of growth that prepares young artists to enter the broader music world with skill, clarity, and self-awareness. All services at Once Upon a Voice are trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming, and that commitment is reflected not only through instruction, but through the trust and mutual respect students build with one another. Kate Duncan directs Loyola University New Orleans’ School of Music and Theatre Professions and holds the Conrad Hilton Endowed Chair in Music Industry Studies. She also serves as an Assistant Professor in Loyola’s Popular & Commercial Music program—the same program Marcellé graduated from. At Loyola, she teaches private voice, leads two vocal jazz ensembles—Crescent Collective and Quarter Tones—and instructs courses in professional development, artist wellness, and capstone preparation. She co-directs Loyola’s Paris study-abroad program and frequently lectures nationwide as a performing musician, arranger, and clinician whose work spans jazz, funk, pop, opera, and country. Beyond her classroom and administrative roles, Kate serves as faculty advisor to Full-Tilt Marketing, a student-run entrepreneurial group, and contributes actively to initiatives that support gender equity in music, including Girl’s Jazz Day, Women in Music, and the Not Your Mother’s Lecture Series. Her leadership encourages students to approach music as both an artistic and professional calling—one that requires integrity, self-knowledge, and care for others. For Marcellé, Kate’s influence extended far beyond academics. “She was my vocal ensemble professor, one of my songwriting professors, and my academic advisor,” Marcellé shares. “When she learned I was a survivor of gender-based violence, she made space for me to talk—not as a therapist, but as someone who believed me and wanted me to be okay. That mattered.” Kate’s presence helped Marcellé imagine a future where support, advocacy, and creativity could coexist. “Her strength and compassion are part of why I started Voicelore.” These scholarships honor Kate’s example by supporting teens as they learn not only how to sing and write songs, but how to navigate the music industry with resilience and intention. At Once Upon a Voice, students ages 15–18 engage in professional-level study through both workshops and private lessons, depending on their needs and goals. They are encouraged to think critically, collaborate respectfully, and care for their mental and emotional wellbeing while pursuing artistic excellence. Whether refining complex harmonies, revising lyrics for clarity and word economy, or preparing for future study and careers in music, students are met where they are—with structure, honesty, and care.
The Jazmin Crumley Scholarship
The full scholarship for ages 15–18 is named in honor of Jazmin Crumley, the vocal coach who helped Marcellé integrate years of training into embodied mastery of her voice. Each year, one student is selected for a full, merit-based scholarship covering 100% of the tuition cost for singing lessons, songwriting lessons, or both. This scholarship is awarded to a teen whose artistic readiness, depth of engagement, and commitment to growth reflect exceptional potential at this advanced stage of development. These years mark a pivotal turning point. Developing artists refine advanced technique, solidify creative identity, and begin professional-level training that prepares them for life beyond student study. The Jazmin Crumley Scholarship supports teens who are ready to step fully into this phase of artistry—whether they are preparing to record original music, build a portfolio for a contemporary music college program, or pursue industry opportunities. All instruction at Once Upon a Voice is trauma-informed and neurodiversity-affirming, supporting students as they integrate technique, expression, and identity in ways that reflect their unique voice and story. Jazmin Crumley is a renowned vocal coach, director, and mentor whose career spans live performance, studio sessions, television, and nationally recognized music events. Raised in Ellenwood, Georgia, she developed into a powerhouse performer trained in classical voice, deeply rooted in gospel and soul, and guided by her faith. As a background vocalist, she has performed with artists including Stevie Wonder, PJ Morton, Fantasia, Kirk Franklin, and The Clark Sisters. Her work has appeared on networks such as BET and OWN, and her vocal direction has shaped award-winning productions including Greenleaf, Kingdom Business, and Robin Roberts Presents: MAHALIA. Her arrangements have elevated the GRAMMY Premiere Show, the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, and other high-profile televised performances. In 2014, Jazmin founded The Outlet for Vocal Expression, a vocal contracting company that connects professional singers with high-level opportunities across the music industry. Through The Outlet, she has assembled vocal talent for nationally televised events, award shows, studio recordings, and live productions, including the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Urban One Honors, and projects for BET and the OWN Network. While she now focuses primarily on directing and contracting, her background as a coach and educator continues to shape how she leads, collaborates, and advocates for artists. For Marcellé, working with Jazmin marked a shift from intellectual understanding to embodied practice. After completing a singing-teacher certification that blended contemporary vocal technique with principles from speech-language pathology, Jazmin evaluated her voice and identified areas where the techniques Marcellé taught were not yet fully integrated into her own singing. “She encouraged me to build those skills for myself,” Marcellé shares, “so I could present them to students with confidence and clarity.” That process bridged the gap between knowledge and embodiment, reinforcing Marcellé’s belief that sustainable technique must feel as good as it sounds. This scholarship honors Jazmin’s commitment to vocal health, creative freedom, and artist care. At Once Upon a Voice, students ages 15–18 who receive this scholarship engage in professional-level study designed to prepare them for the realities of contemporary music-making. Whether developing advanced vocal technique, refining original material, or learning to sing and write in the styles they love, students are guided toward sustainable, joyful artistry grounded in self-awareness and integrity.