Testimonials

  • “I first met Nicole as a friend in 2014 and we later reunited at Yale School of Music in 2019 where she taught Secondary Voice Classes. I had the privilege of studying Schubert lieder and English folk songs under her guidance. As a pianist, I have always been aware of the importance of singing, since beautiful piano playing is so closely connected to the singing voice. Nicole helped me develop a more expressive yet natural vocal sound. Through her thoughtful and encouraging teaching, I was able to overcome my fear of high notes… [she] completely changed my perspective and made singing feel much more free and effortless. Nicole is an insightful, patient, and inspiring teacher, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have learned from her.”

    (Nayoung K., professional pianist and singer)

  • "I've had the pleasure of working alongside Tayte Mitchell, and I can confidently say he is one of the most talented and thoughtful directors and educators I've encountered. He pairs his artistic vision and creativity with genuine respect, collaboration, and a deep commitment to the people with whom he works. As a director, Tayte has a remarkable ability to inspire trust and bring a team together around a shared purpose. He creates an environment where artists feel supported, challenged, and empowered to do their best work. He is generous with his knowledge, encouraging in his approach, and deeply invested in the growth and success of other artists. I admire his ability to balance high standards with kindness and empathy. Whether in rehearsal, the classroom, or behind the scenes, he leads with integrity, professionalism, and enthusiasm. Any organization or creative team would be fortunate to work with him."

    (Andrea G., Lecturer, Vocal Coach, Voice and Opera Division at University of British Columbia and Director, Resident Artist Program at The Glimmerglass Festival)

  • “I wanted to send an email to thank you [Nicole] for teaching me how to sing, as well as recommending a song that I have grown to love singing. Tomorrow, as of the time I am writing this, I am attending the audition that we prepared over the months of classes we had. I feel confident and ready to have fun, thanks to your excellent instruction. Now I truly love to sing, and I’m sure I will pursue singing for fun and for future opportunities…I couldn’t be more thankful to you for being my teacher.

    (Xavier C., singer)

  • “Tayte Mitchell’s direction made Giulio Cesare feel like a painting come to life, rich in detail, beauty, and purpose. Every element on stage, from the grandest tableau to the smallest gesture, was imbued with meaning and served the storytelling. His thoughtful staging created a series of striking visual compositions, making the production consistently beautiful to watch. His deep understanding of performers, coupled with his enthusiasm, generosity, and collaborative spirit in the rehearsal room, fosters an environment where artists feel supported, empowered, and able to produce their finest work.”

    (Caroline V., UBC Opera Student)

  • “Nicole’s gentleness immediately put my vocal students at ease. They benefited from her expert technical knowledge of the voice and her wealth of creative teaching strategies.”

    (Alice M., Head of Music at Havergal College)

  • “I worked with Tayte on a production of Handel’s Giulio Cesare with UBC Opera this past spring. His interaction with the students was always professional, respectful and supportive. His experience as a professional singer is apparent from his practical and informed approach to working with singers. His kindly manner and good humour make him a pleasure to work with. I look forward to the next opportunity to collaborate with Tayte!”

    (Leslie D., Music Director of the Vancouver Bach Choir, Associate Conductor and Chorus Director of Vancouver Opera and Music Director of the Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra).

  • “Nicole was a fantastic teacher. Being new to singing lessons and classical music in general, she helped me feel comfortable and achieve more than I ever thought I could. I would recommend Nicole to anyone who is interested in improving their singing.”

    (Ana C., singer)

  • “Working with Tayte Mitchell on The Barber of Seville was an incredibly rewarding experience. His directing style fostered a supportive environment where I felt comfortable taking artistic risks and fully exploring my character.. His leadership renewed my passion for opera, encouraged meaningful artistic exchange, and resulted in performances that felt both cohesive and authentic. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with him and would gladly do so again.”

    (Matthew G., professional baritone and cast member of The Barber of Seville at Burnaby Lyric Opera)

  • “I genuinely cannot recommend Nicole enough. I’m extremely self conscious about singing and it’s probably the most vulnerable I ever feel, but Nicole not only helped me understand why things helped with the technical, but also made me feel comfortable and safe. She pushed me to try things that seemed scary but that I really wanted to do, and I always walked out of her lessons feeling like the strongest/happiest version of myself.”

    (Sarah B., singer)