Kelli Morgan McHugh

Kelli Morgan McHugh, a gender affirming voice educator, is a teaching artist based in Evanston, IL. Kelli is currently an Associate Professor of Musical Theatre Voice at Northwestern University. Kelli graduated from Berry College with a degree in Music Education and Theatre before earning her master’s in Vocal Performance from Northwestern University, where she worked with world-famous baritone Sherrill Milnes.  Performance credits include: Persuasion (Elizabeth Elliot) and The Sound of Music (Elsa) at Chicago Chamber Opera, Sugar (Dolores) and Boys from Syracuse (Seeress) at Drury Lane Oakbrook; Aladdin at Marriott Lincolnshire; It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas (Doris Walker), Knute Rockne, All-American (Margaurete - world premiere), La Cage aux Folles (Angelique), Scrooge (Mary), and Hello Dolly! at Theatre at the Centre; Jerry Springer, the Opera (Andrea) at Bailiwick Repertory Theatre; Three Musketeers and Seussical at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; Frogs at Pegasus Players; Snow White (Snow White), and Seussical (Mayzie la Bird) at Emerald City Theatre; and Fiorello! at Timeline Theatre Company.  An alumna and former faculty member of Sherrill Milnes’ V.O.I.C.E.xperience program, Kelli was invited to perform in masterclasses with notable figures including Tony Randall, Samuel Ramey, Tito Cappobianco, and Fabrizio Milano. Kelli’s proudest professional experience is performing with the USO touring group OnStage, with whom she completed two tours entertaining United States troops stationed in Egypt, Turkey, Italy, France, and Spain. 

Kelli currently works with singers of all levels, specializing in college auditions, vocal stamina for professionals, and gender affirming voice care. Kelli’s research, study, and training of gender affirming voice is ongoing, in a pursuit to create a safe space for artists to cultivate their authentic voice.

https://chicagoreader.com/music/trans-masc-testosterone-hrt-singer-voice/

Education

Testimonials 

“Working with Kelli has unleashed new dimensions to my voice, I am happy to credit her with one of the compliments I receive - that my voice is seamless. I tell everyone that will listen, That's all thanks to Kelli! She's a joy to work with, the way she talks about technique and repertoire are enlightening (and fun!). Unlike other teachers of voice she appreciates the actors perspective and understands that the storytelling of a piece is the thing that's going to get you the job.”

“I came to Kelli off the recommendation of a trusted colleague who lauded her as the best working voice teacher in Chicagoland. Kelli did not disappoint. During our time together, Kelli has opened up my voice in a way a slew of teachers before her had not been able to. By taking an active approach to the voice that includes both Stanislavski-based acting and technical singing into consideration, Kelli was able to: 1) maximize my repertoire of audition songs, 2) hone in on the skills I had already mastered, and 3) introduce new techniques that made me a better vocalist and a more confident actor. More importantly, though, Kelli created a safe space for me to explore my voice and be honest about my shortcomings and fears, and then gave me a foundation from which to build my technique. She is concise, constructive, and compassionate, and I feel lucky to have met her. Since working with Kelli, I have worked with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The House Theatre of Chicago, Greenhouse Theatre, and signed with my current agents at Gray Talent Group.”

“Kelli is actually one of the best vocal teachers I've ever had--not even exaggerating. She has an impressive knowledge of the human voice and how to safely stretch and strengthen through breathe, alignment, and specific vocal exercises. Not only does she understand the vocal mechanics, but as a performer herself, she understands how to combine technique with intention. Her studio always has a nurturing and warm energy. It's easy to forget that she has multiple students, because she puts every ounce of her focus on you during vocal sessions. If you are ever in need of a vocal coach, I highly recommend.”

“I have found Kelli to be the perfect blend between teacher, mentor, and friend. She has been absolutely invaluable in the development of my voice and has been instrumental as my growth as a performer. She's been brilliant in coaching me through all types of material and genres of music and has never failed to challenge me and expose me to new styles and techniques. Kelli's personal approach always puts the artist first and places her students on the path to recognizing their full potential.”

“I don’t know what I would’ve done without Kelli. Not only is she an amazing voice teacher (and got my voice to do crazy things that I didn’t think possible), but she is a pillar of support. Her positive energy and sense of humor got me through the most stressful of times, and no matter how badly I thought my voice was doing on any given day, she was always there to snap me out of it and to get me going again. She played such a huge part in getting me to where I am today and she never stopped believing in me. Honestly, beyond expertise in technique and repertoire, I believe that a voice teacher needs to be someone you can trust. Kelli is all of the above, and (added bonus) does it with STYLE.”