Ballard Music Studio - Indianapolis, Indiana

V. T.

I have recently become serious about studying singing and I could not have found a better teacher than Jeffrey Ballard. I have been taking bi-weekly lessons from Jeff for under a year and can see that my voice is improving and that I am gaining more confidence. Jeff is able to identify my strengths and weaknesses much better than I can. If I ever walk into a lesson feeling self-critical and discouraged about my progress (because to sing well is challenging!) Jeff not only offers encouragement and analysis as to why I'm discouraged, but he also provides specific vocal exercises that get me back on track. I always leave my lessons feeling great! He is an accomplished pianist which makes singing lessons all the more enjoyable. Jeff also offers small group workshops which are educational and fun. I highly recommend Dr. Jeffrey Ballard to anyone regardless of age or level of experience.

Janet H.

Would you throw a javelin without practicing and finding a teacher? The same principle holds for singing. I had always been told I had a terrible voice and not to sing. I have taken voice lessons with Jeff for nearly 5 years now. I learnt anyone can sing – some of us do it naturally. Others, like me, need guidance and practice! I have gone from singing 3 notes with no sense of pitch to being able to sing in choirs, and spend my summers traveling to voice workshops in the UK, Italy and Canada to enjoy singing with others, or as a soloist. Singing can take you places! Through creative exercises and a wide range of songs, Jeff helps his students discover their most beautiful sounds, and to accept the voice they have (it changes constantly as one gets more experienced). He is an accomplished pianist, so all voice lessons are taught singing with the piano. Jeff offers interesting voice workshops, excellent Master classes and, in the late Spring, a concert that gives his students a chance to sing as soloists or in duets or ensembles, and to meet each other. When I started, I had recently retired. The next student was also new; a young gymnast of 13. We are both still taking lessons! Jeff teaches all ages, and people from all walks of life. I highly recommend him whether your dream is to be a professional musician, have a musical career or just experience the sheer joy of singing as an amateur musician.

Anthony O.

Jeff Ballard is an outstanding, attentive, and encouraging voice teacher. He is always reading up on ways to get a more beautiful, confident sound out of his students, and I appreciate his continual efforts to improve. I enjoy the vocalization exercises he does with me at the beginning of each lesson; he always varies them to keep things fresh. I also enjoy the time we spend each lesson working on repertoire. You can either choose the songs you want to work on, or he can suggest repertoire for you. I do a combination: If I have a performance coming up, we'll work on my songs for that performance; and if not, I'll generally ask Jeff for suggestions of what to work on.

Jeff is well-connected in the musical community and can help you find opportunities to perform. Through him, I found out about Harmonie Opera, where I now perform several times a year. He also puts on studio recitals that are lovely. Definitely worth your time and investment!

Lisa D.

Jeffrey Ballard truly provides exceptional voice training. I am an older singer who went to Jeffrey a little over 2 years ago. I had experienced voice changes after singing. Jeffrey evaluated my voice and has tailored lessons to meet my needs. He also makes lessons fun. My vocal range has improved, singing is so much more enjoyable and if I am faced with a challenge in a piece I have the tools to meet the challenge. I highly recommend Dr. Ballard to anyone who wishes to improve their voice, maintain vocal health and enjoy the process!

B. J. D.

Jeff Ballard’s training, experience, and education (Doctorate Degree in Musical Arts) will get ya singing if you take the time to train with him on a regular basis and apply what you’ve learned in between vocal training sessions (voice lessons).

With at least 3 venues (2 in Indy and 1 in Muncie), and with an organized current calendar of availability, it has been easy enough to schedule lessons to accommodate even my busiest weekly calendars.

Jeff loves what he does and works with singers of all abilities. I definitely could not sing, nor did I even know how to properly sing, when I first met with Jeff. I figured I was tone deaf or something.

It turns out that tone deafness is quite rare. Many people that believe they are physically incapable of singing would benefit from vocal lessons with Jeff.

Jeff’s credentials, experience, and results speak volumes on their own. But when also considering his current number of students, where his past and present students have performed, his passion, and his sincere caring personality it was a no-brainer to write this review, which was not even requested.

I wish Jeff the continued success he truly deserves!!!

Michelle K.

Dr. Ballard is an amazing instructor that will start exactly at your competency level in music and voice and move you forward with meticulous guidance personalized to you. Whether you are an advanced singer or just beginning, I would certainly consider enrolling. My daughter has been taking vocal lessons at Ballard’s Studio for 5 years and has gained enough skill that she will be auditioning to attend music school in college. Beyond that, her love for a variety of genres of music and her interest and competency in language has developed immensely. Definitely consider trying it out.

Joy D.

I am 61 years old and have been taking voice lessons from a number of teachers since age 14. Jeff is the FINEST voice teacher I have ever had (and I went to IU School of Music!). He is always positive and encouraging as well as always open to any type of music and genre you may wish to study. Not only is a wonderful one-on-one teacher, he periodically gives fabulous vocal workshops. In addition, he has an uncanny knack of explaining techniques and approaches to your music in a way that you best process them -- whether it be through visualization or demonstration, etc. -- he just has a way of communicating with you that is BEST for you! Whatever your age or ability, I would highly recommend Jeff as your teacher!!

Shannon M.

Jeff has been a wonderful teacher. I am so happy I ran into someone who is a student of his and made the recommendation.

I've been a student of his for about two years. My voice has grown incredibly since I started working with him. He has a great deal of experience working with all styles of singing, and that experience has helped me really identify the songs and arias that work best for me. I appreciate his honesty when my technique is incorrect as well as his encouragement when I'm doing well.

When I first started with him, I had some previous experience but still didn't quite know where my voice fit in the world. Now I'm able to identify repitoire that will fit well with my fach and feel things clicking into place much more easily.