ABOUT THE STUDIO

​

AJ Music Studios, founded by Anita Joy (AJ) Martin, is the culmination of over two decades of teaching, performing, and producing- a studio born from a deep passion for helping singers discover their authentic voices through both technical mastery and creative freedom.

​

After studying Voice at University, Anita began teaching over 20 years ago using the Royal Conservatory of Music method. This time-tested system provided a strong technical foundation, teaching proper vocal technique and giving students the tools to sing safely and build longevity in their vocal careers. But while the method preserved vocal health, its repertoire was limited- focused mainly on classical arias and musical theatre pieces. Many of her students longed to sing the contemporary songs they heard on the radio. They craved the freedom to interpret and express themselves in a modern style, and Anita felt a strong pull to meet that need, to help each singer find their own voice while maintaining the integrity of proper technique.

​

Another aspect of the Royal Conservatory method that highlighted the need for a new approach was its rigid structure. Students were generally expected to select material from a narrow range of pre-set keys- labeled high, medium, or low- which often didn’t capture their unique vocal ranges or strengths. Tempos and phrasing were confined to strict interpretations, leaving little room for personal style or artistic exploration. While these classical guidelines provided an essential foundation, they often constrained creativity and individuality. This realization inspired Anita to reimagine modern vocal training- one that blends technical precision with artistic freedom- allowing each student to develop a healthy, versatile, and fully expressive voice that reflects who they are as an artist.

​

Driven by that vision, Anita returned to school to study Music Production, determined to bridge the gap between traditional technique and the modern studio experience. Her goal was to create a space where singers could experiment, record, and truly hear their own growth- where songs could be shaped to fit them, not the other way around. After completing her studies, she reopened her studio under a new name- AJ Music Studios- blending her vocal expertise with hands-on studio innovation. This transformation reshaped her teaching approach and attracted a vibrant community of students eager to explore their sound in a creative, supportive, and forward-thinking environment.

​

Today, AJ Music Studios stands as the realization of that vision- a modern, mobile, and online teaching studio that connects students across the globe. Whether in person or virtual, each lesson is designed to be immersive and performance-driven, combining professional vocal coaching with real studio tools such as microphones, EQ, compression, and reverb. This approach allows singers to not only develop their voices but also to feel the artistry of performing and recording in a true studio environment, building confidence and connection with every session.

​

Each year, students create four studio-quality recordings that capture their growth and showcase their evolving sound. They also have the opportunity to perform in an annual concert that celebrates their progress and artistry. At year’s end, every singer receives a personalized CD and digital EP—a keepsake of their journey and a reflection of how far they’ve come as artists.

 

To support each student’s growth and creative exploration, AJ Music Studios offers flexible lesson formats—whether in-person, online, or a hybrid combination designed to fit your schedule and goals.

​​

LESSON OPTIONS

​

In-Person Mobile Lessons​

 

Setup: Anita brings a professional mobile setup directly to students, including a portable piano, professional microphones, and speakers, as well as the software and effects used in a recording studio. The setup is quick to assemble and pack away, taking only about five minutes before and after the one-hour lesson, so the full hour is devoted entirely to instruction and practice. Students perform through microphones with live effects- compression, EQ, and reverb- hearing their voice as it would sound in a professional studio or on stage, while learning to control dynamics, protect their voice, and build performance confidence.

​

Technique Spotlight: Each lesson opens with a technique spotlight, highlighting a particular vocal skill. Students receive exercises and warm-ups related to that technique, which they practice ahead of time to maximize the session. During the lesson, they apply the skill to their songs, and afterward, the spotlight exercises are sent to them to reinforce learning and progress toward the next session.

​

Students are encouraged to warm up using these exercises before arriving at each lesson, allowing them to move directly into their songs while building a growing library of exercises and techniques over time.

​

Song Development: Students typically work on two songs at a time- one selected by Anita and one of the student’s choosing. Songs are developed over multiple lessons until they are performance-ready. Once a song reaches this stage, the student decides whether to record it for their annual EP/CD (up to four songs per year) or to move on to a new song without recording.

 

Recording Process: Recording sessions use Anita’s mobile studio equipment, including studio microphones, noise-cancellation screens, and pop filters. During recording, three tracks are captured, and the student actively participates in the editing process, auditioning 2–4 bar segments of each track in order to select the best sections for the final song. Afterwards, Anita professionally mixes and masters the song, which is included in the student’s final EP/CD.

​

This combination of technique-focused lessons, structured warm-ups, song development, and hands-on recording experience gives students an immersive studio-style learning environment that builds both vocal skills and performance confidence.

​​

Online Lessons

​

Online students enjoy the same one-hour personalized instruction as in-person mobile students, including targeted vocal lessons, guided warm-ups, and focused song work. Using a secure third-party recording platform, students record their tracks from home, which Anita then professionally edits, mixes, and masters. Just like in-person students, online students typically work on two songs at a time- one chosen by the student and one guided by Anita- and have the opportunity to select up to four songs per year for their final CD and digital EP. The online format delivers a full studio-quality experience, adapted for a remote setting, so students can develop their technique, artistry, and recording skills from anywhere in the world.  Students also have the option to participate in the annual year-end concert, giving them the opportunity to perform live and celebrate their progress.
 

Hybrid Lessons 

 

Students who are already enrolled in either standard in-person mobile or online lessons have the option to increase their instruction frequency with up to two additional one-hour online lessons per month, bringing the total to 48 lessons per year if desired. These additional lessons follow the same structured format as standard lessons, with targeted vocal instruction, warm-ups, and work on songs.

​

For students who normally take in-person mobile lessons, the hybrid lessons are delivered online, providing the same high-quality instruction in a virtual format- a flexible way to add lessons without the need for travel. For students already taking online lessons, the hybrid option simply adds more sessions of the same personalized online instruction.

 

LESSON SCHEDULE

​

To help students grow consistently, lessons are scheduled as one-hour sessions, delivered by either: 

 

~ Standard In-Person Mobile and Online Lessons: 24 lessons per year (two per month) OR

~ Hybrid Lessons: 48 lessons per year (four per month, combining in-person mobile and online sessions)

​

LESSON INCLUSIONS

​

All lessons include:

​

~ Personalized instruction tailored to the student’s voice and musical goals

~ Custom backing tracks for each song

~ Professional studio-quality warmup recordings and vocal technique exercises

~ Access to the annual year-end concert

~ 4 complimentary mixing and mastering studio production hours per year for their CD/EP song selections 

​​

RATES & BILLING

​

Monthly Fees:

​

To make lessons convenient and stress-free, we process monthly billing through PayPal PAD on the first of each month:

​

~ Standard Lessons (In-Person Mobile/Online): $120 USD/$160 CAD per month

~ Hybrid Lessons: Adjusted monthly fee based on the additional online lessons taken

​

*For convenience, monthly billing is divided into equal payments. While the number of lessons in any given month may vary slightly due to holidays or scheduling adjustments, every student will still receive the full total of 24 lessons per year for standard lessons, or 48 lessons per year for hybrid lessons—so you can focus on your growth without worrying about the calendar.

​

Concert & Music Fee:​

​

An annual one-time, non-refundable fee of $120 USD/$160 CAD secures each student’s spot for the year and covers essential music materials. This includes the purchase of legal sheet music and backup tracks registered specifically for each student, ensuring compliance with copyright laws. It also contributes to reserving the venue for the year-end concert, giving students the opportunity to perform their songs in a professional setting.

​

MAKE-UP LESSONS

​

If a student misses a lesson, one make-up lesson per month is available, based on scheduling availability.

​

COMMITMENT

​

Students are encouraged to commit to the full year whenever possible, to see their voices grow fully over time. One month’s notice is requested for withdrawals or long-term rescheduling, ensuring your spot and progress remain supported.

​

INQUIRIES

​

For questions, orientation requests, or to reserve a spot, please contact music@anitajoy.com

​

​