Akela Franklin
Soprano
Voice Teacher
Progressive Performing Artist
Private Voice Studio
Hey there!
My name is Akela (Uh-Kay-Luh) and my pronouns are she/they (no preference as to which one you use!). I am a classically trained singer, vocal pedagogue, music educator, and arts administrator (among other things). I'm originally from the California Bay Area, and now I live and work in Boston, Massachusetts. I have experience working with a variety of student age groups and musical styles and I'm passionate about helping all humans fall in love with singing, no matter where one finds themselves on their musical journey.
For a more formal description of my teaching experience, keep reading!
Teaching Bio
Akela Franklin is a classically trained soprano and voice teacher, with additional background in musical theatre, jazz, pop/contemporary, and instrumental music. She has been teaching privately for over 7 years, and her students run the gamut in terms of age, vocal goals, and musical interests. Akela has been on the voice faculty of Brookline Music School (BMS) since 2022 where she boasts a bustling studio of students of all ages and diverse musical interests. She has been the Voice Department Chair at BMS since fall 2024 where she programs a variety of events for the student body, the most recent highlight being a musical theatre student recital entitled An Evening with Rodgers & Hammerstein...and Friends! In addition to her work at BMS, Akela also teaches two days a week for The Franklin Studio through Bloch Performing Arts. Other local organizations she has taught for include Community Music Center of Boston, Boston City Singers, Children’s Music Center of Jamaica Plain, and First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton.
Akela is passionate about fully integrating student-led, social and emotional learning into her teaching practice, as well as creating an equitable, inclusive, and trauma informed educational environment. She has received extensive professional development training in these areas from Teaching Artists Training Institute (2022-23 cohort), Play USA with Carnegie Hall (2022-23 cohort), SPEAC: Supporting the Processing of Experiences through the Arts (2021), Berklee’s ABLE Assembly: Arts Better the Lives of Everyone (2020), and more. In 2021, she was awarded the Marilla MacDill Prize for Teaching Excellence and Community Service by Community Music Center of Boston.
In addition to her career in music education, Akela is pursuing (and is nearly finished with) a teaching certification in the Alexander Technique at Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She defines the technique (named for its founder F.M. Alexander) as a “holistic practice that tends to the human mind-body connection as it relates to the personal use of oneself… that can provide pathways to benefits such as the freedom to change habitual patterns, the expansion of choice in response to sensory input and stimuli, the exploration of balance and ease, and heightened perception of the world around and within us.” Akela incorporates a little Alexander Technique (AT) in her singing, teaching practice, and everyday life. She finds that AT informed vocal pedagogy can result in consistent free phonation, maximized ease of posture and breath, greater body awareness, heightened confidence and stage presence, the ability to move on from unhelpful habits quickly, and just generally happier and more well rounded singers. If you have questions, feel free to ask her about AT or visit Alexander Technique International’s website.
Akela holds a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) from University of Puget Sound and a Master of Music (M.M.) from Longy School of Music of Bard College, both in vocal performance. She studies with Carol Mastrodomenico.
Teaching Philosophy
I strive to empower my students and help them achieve their vocal goals via healthy, free phonation. I teach a science-based vocal technique with a theatrical flair, meaning I use tools such as creative imagery, observation of sensation, and experimentation. Emotional expression helps students grasp and execute concepts. I do my utmost to meet every student where they are and tailor my instructional approach to complement individual learning needs (in my book, one method never fits all). Above all, I aim to elevate the pursuit of joy, levity, and ease in every lesson.
Testimonials
Noa F.
13 year old student
I went into singing lessons with very low expectations. I had never been very confident about my singing voice and performance ability until I met Akela. With her I was able to learn new things about my singing voice and new things about myself! Every week I look forward to my singing lessons because it is a place where I feel an escape from everyday life with a person who helps me reach my goals. Akela is more than just a singing teacher. She is an emotionally thoughtful and inspiring person and I am so happy and privileged that I have been working with her the past few years.
Sara R.
Parent of a 10 year old student
In just one year of working with Akela, we’ve seen incredible growth in our son - not only in his voice, but in his confidence as a performer. He now feels comfortable on stage and truly loves performing. Each performance amazes us more than the last, often bringing us to tears, because we never realized just how much talent was there waiting to be unlocked, and it's all thanks to Akela. We are so grateful for the guidance, encouragement, and skill Akela has helped our son discover!
Molly L.
Adult Student
When I first moved to Boston, I felt unmotivated by online singing courses and wanted in-person guidance. Akela struck me as a talented and supportive teacher. Over the past two years, she has helped me grow at my own pace through musical theater, jazz, and classical opera.
In the beginning I struggled with breathing, but now I can confidently hit high notes. I would highly recommend Akela to anyone of any age looking to improve their singing!
Marisa A.
Parent of a 9 year old student
Our daughter has been singing with Akela since she was 5. Now at age 9, her skills have grown tremendously and she looks forward to voice lessons with Akela as one of her most favorite activities! We have seen her confidence grow in her commitment to musical theater, her dedication to practice, and her recognition of her abilities. Akela is a wonderful mentor and technical instructor. We have witnessed our daughter’s passion for singing soar in response to Akela’s kind and thoughtful guidance and support - it is truly a gift to have her as a teacher! Thank you Akela!
My Commitment to Equity
I firmly believe that access to a high quality music education should be an unalienable right. Music is an art form that has the power to unite people from all types of backgrounds. However, here in the US, arts education is underfunded and undervalued pretty much across the board. That means that the majority of those who have access to that education are (you guessed it) white people with money.
I refuse to be complicit in the systematic exclusion of Black, Brown, Indigenous, and other POC individuals from the pursuit of music education. I refuse to accept the inherent elitism and racism that corrodes my industry, particularly the classical music world. That's why from now until forever, I'm instituting this special offer for anyone who qualifies.
Disclaimer
This studio does not tolerate racism, xenophobia, anti-semitism, islamophobia, sexism, classism, homophobia, transphobia, fat phobia, rape apologists, prejudice, or hate speech of any kind. While we are all imperfect and no space is completely free from bias, my expectations for myself and my studio community include acknowledging privilege, doing our part to help further equity and inclusivity in the arts, and to treat each other with empathy and respect. #blacklivesmatter
*The acronym BIPOC refers to black, indigenous, and other people of color.
Enroll in Lessons
The Akela Franklin Voice Studio is no longer accepting new students. If you are a prospective BIPOC student, please email Akela or click the "Redeem" button in the section above to set up a free trial lesson.
Starting June 10th, 2024, all new / prospective students can sign up for lessons with The Franklin Voice Studio through Bloch Performing Arts (BPA) Those who are redeeming the BIPOC student offer can sign up following the trial lesson. Please contact Akela or the BPA gmail for guidance.