I began voice lessons with no background other than a love of singing and a desire to find comfort and confidence in my voice. Through training with Diana, I have been able to ingrain vocal techniques into my body in a way that has allowed me to find that confidence. It has been amazing to experience how much opens up with building a good technical foundation and I have found that singing has brought so much more joy than I could have imagined. As my skills improve, my current focus is taking it to the next level - gaining more confidence while performing in front of an audience. I recently sang at my first ever open mic and am looking forward to the next! What began as a love for music and a desire to see what I was capable of vocally, has turned into one of the most powerful ways I have shown up for myself.

Mark Andrew, a folksy/bluesy singer/songwriter, writes and performs songs that cross genres and generations. His strong, soulful vocals together with lyrics that approach the poetic create a musicality that is thoughtful yet familiar and pleasing to the ear. He understands a good ‘hook’ and will take little time reeling in the audience with his refreshing sound and well-written songs. I had the pleasure of coaching Mark’s preparation for his performances on The Voice. He is a kind, down-to-earth, hard-working and talented guy with a soulful sound and I enjoyed working with him in Minneapolis in between his many trips to LA to work with The Voice crew.

Lyric Soprano

I began taking singing lessons at the age of eight and have studied voice for a total of about five years. During my teenage years, I frequently studied with Diana Grasselli and was also a member of the Minnetonka Girls Choir. Over the years I’ve performed both solo and in group settings. I have also taken several acting classes. Currently, I’m an active member of my local theater and pursue roles whenever I have the opportunity. Outside of theater, I’m a fine art photographer who focuses on conceptual portraiture. I also enjoy figurative drawing and watercolor painting. In addition, I’m a historical fiction writer currently working on my first book.

Ben Lohrberg has been seen as a performing singer/actor at the Guthrie Theater, Ten Thousand Things Theater Company, the Playwrights’ Center, Trademark Theater, Teatro Del Pueblo, Park Square Theatre, History Theatre, Titan Theatre Company, Hope Repertory Theatre, Interlochen Shakespeare Festival, and with the National 24 Hour Musicals Festival. As a director, he is specifically interested in emerging texts that empower young voices. He has have recently directed works at the University of Minnesota / Guthrie Theater B. F. A. Actor Training Program, Hope Repertory Theatre, Bryant Lake Theatre, Interlochen Arts Camp, and Pillsbury House & Theatre’s Chicago Avenue Project, including several world premieres.

Born in 1998, Jonah Marais is Why Don't We's eldest member. Like some of his bandmates, Marais found his ticket to fame on social media, particularly on the live-streaming site YouNow. "I was singing, like, in my room a bunch and stuff and then, like, I just started performing because I don't know, some tours wanted me to come with them ... so that's how it went down." Jonah came to work with me through friends of his musician father and we focused on some foundational vocal and performance techniques for the work he would soon undertake in the pop music world with his breakout band, Why Don’t We.

Music has been a constant in my life for as long as I can remember. I am a lyricist, vocalist and a lifelong music student. Music and singing have carried me through moments of uncertainty, helped me find confidence when I didn’t have it, and given me a way to express what I couldn’t always put into words. Over time, my musical journey has grown from something deeply personal into a source of strength, connection, and creativity. It continues to challenge me, ground me, and remind me that growth, both as a singer and as a person, is always possible. I am currently working with Diana to expand resonance and improve my breath technique.

Megan is a vocalist using The Vertical Voice Method and coaching with Diana Grasselli to strengthen her singing in a band based in Minneapolis. She is also preparing for community musical theater auditions while continuing to perform in meaningful community settings, including churches and funerals. Having learned to sing in the church, her primary goal is expanding to other more contemporary genres—one of Diana’s specialties.

Contralto

Tatyana (Tanya) was a gifted singer/songwriter, athlete, writer, photographer and world traveler. I had the wonderful opportunity to mentor her beginning at age 14 and continuing through her travel years, working remotely all over the world. The tragic news of the unfortunate cycling accident that claimed Tanya’s life at age 28 was a devastating and life-altering event for us all. She continues to sing in all the hearts who were blessed to have known her and her unstoppable spirit.

Roger Shaver is a Twin Cities-based vocalist with a passion for acoustic performance that began in 2017. A previous student of Chanson Voice & Music Academy, Roger honed his vocal craft under the guidance of renowned voice instructor Diana Grasselli, developing a versatile sound rooted in Americana and popular music. Roger is currently performing as one half of the acoustic duo Hurrey and Waite, performing beloved classics and Americana-flavored originals.

Jimmy Sheehy is a songwriter from St. Louis Park, Minnesota, who has used The Vertical Voice and Diana Grasselli’s tutelage to elevate his vocals when recording his songs.  Jimmy’s love for music started in the 1960s and early 1970s when the irresistible songs of The Beatles and other hitmakers embedded in him, spawning the desire to play and create music.  Since 1978 Jimmy has been playing guitar and more recently has focused on singing, writing and recording. Jimmy plays guitars, bass, and keyboards, and with songs underway, he is working on completing his second record.

Singer/Writer/Director, Jacob Warren is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker and multifaceted professional whose experience spans all phases of film production. Directly assisting executive producers, directors, and A-list talent, Jake has worked alongside industry giants like Netflix, 20th Century Studios, Amazon Prime, and HBO Max. Jake came to me as a student with a gorgeous, buttery, baritone voice and through our work over the years, became very good friends and colleagues.