"I’ve been taking lessons from Rhetta for over two years now. I spent the first year with her really finding my own voice and strengths. I used to be a competition with my band to be heard on stage. It had been a few years since a former bass player had heard me out, he could really notice a big difference right off the bat. Rhetta has also helped me get my head in a different place that has helped make me a better performer. I feel like she is my own personal music business consultant who has the experience to give you good advice. Good advice you’d not otherwise get, although well intentioned, by friends and family members who haven’t been there, nor done that. She is a great in the song writing process when I would struggle with choices or an approach to a line or lyric. I feel as though it’s her work that helped my band become the runner up at last years open mic madness competition at Smith’s Olde Bar, going up against several hundred bands. Not bad for a girl who was almost 5 month pregnant at the time!!! I can’t say enough good things about working with Rhetta, but mostly that she’s a great teacher and in it, someone who has become a good friend.
- Lexi Street
When I went to Rhetta I was 'only a guitar Player', trying to step into the lead role. She helped me gain the confidence and ability I needed to sing my own songs, as well as advice on networking and live performance. It really makes a difference when you're hearing it from someone who's been there!"
- Justin Cooper, myspace.com/jccguitars
"Rhetta Butler is unquestionably the best music teacher I’ve ever had. In the past I had a tendency to take various lessons for a few months and then quit. Something about Rhetta has really made me stick with music for the first time in my life. I was nervous at first that she might not 'get' my quirky songwriting style, but Rhetta can adapt to so many different styles. During the time I’ve spent with Rhetta, I went from a person who wrote songs but didn’t share them, to a person who’s working on putting together my first CD. She’s very good at helping you put the whole picture together. In addition to being a great voice coach, Rhetta is really good at helping songwriters tweak the chords and lyrics of their songs to make them more sing-able. She offers great advice based on her experience in the music industry, while respecting your individual style. In addition to being a great teacher, Rhetta is such a special person who is a joy to work with. I look forward to each lesson."
- Scarlet Peachey
I am so happy I found Rhetta Butler! For years as a professional vocalist, I searched for a way to learn piano both to expand my songwriting and to eventually accompany myself. I quickly realized how rare it is to find someone who really knows what they are doing, and yet teaches in a way that makes sense for immediate application in pop/rock music. As gifted and accomplished as Rhetta is as a musician, singer, and songwriter, perhaps her most amazing gift is her teaching ability. Rhetta is passionate about what she does, and naturally connects with her students in a very powerful way. After studying with Rhetta for just under a year, I have learned the basics of piano, my songwriting ability has grown remarkably, and I have found a wonderful resource for general guidance in the music industry. I enthusiastically recommend Rhetta Butler as a teacher and coach!
- Ryan Stuart
"Rhetta Butler's teaching skills are fantastic! After years as a songwriter and backing vocalist, I decided to take my music career to the next level. With Rhetta's guidance, I am now a successful lead vocalist who's fronting his own band. Moreover, our latest single has received national airplay, and the editors of Billboard Magazine have selected our band as one of the hottest new rock acts in the Southeast. Rhetta's passion, experience and love of music, combined with her dedication to the success of her students is unmatched in this indusrty. Whether you're an established artist who's looking for an edge, or a hopeful newcomer with a dream, Rhetta Butler will create an exciting, tailor made vocal program to help you acheive your needs."
- Wayne Vokovich, The ISSUES
"Where Do I Begin?
Let me first say that Rhetta Butler, thru Creative Loafing, has brought me so far along the road to being the vocalist I know I can become. There were certain first impressions that stood out to me about this lady:
- Just because you ask to take vocal lessons from her doesn't mean she will accept you (she will give you an opportunity), she's serious about her craft
- She doesn't tell you what you WANT to hear, but what she thinks and
- Her ability to facilitate.....I was impressed.
Being a musician and having been in it for so long, I wasn't sure if I would be able to grasp the vocal technique she teaches. Having studied music, I know that everyone arrmed with musical knowledge cannot convey it. At first it was difficult, but she somehow interfaced what I did with my trumpet with my voice. All of a sudden, I could see! I could always sing, but, I didn't know HOW TO sing. She has given me the confidence to walk into any place and get on the microphone with anyone or band, which I would not do before. Now I can sing anything from Barry White to Michael McDonald covers, and my vocal cords aren't under duress anymore, and this helped me to discover myself vocally. And the information I was given, I still have and I refer to it almost everyday, it's invaluable. "Don't limit yourself, step outside your box" was something Rhetta said to me often, and to this day, I still am. She's one of the BEST investments i've ever made in myself."
- Jesse Hall, singer/trumpeter/songwriter
"Some singers are great singers, but bad teachers. Rhetta is an excellent singer as well as an excellent teacher. She'll teach you how to fine tune your voice by introducing a broad spectrum of vocal manipulations in order to become an outstanding unique vocalist."
- Roz Morris, Retro Recording and Performance Artist/Writer
"It had been years since I had sung before a large crowd. So I decided to take a lesson to help me prepare for an upcoming solo. With the musical talent and relaxed atmosphere of Ms. Rhetta Butler…with one lesson, she was able to teach me how to reach deep within myself to find notes that I was searching for. I gained my confidence back in a S-N-A-P. Let me tell ya' my performance had my audience on their feet. I would definitely seek her direction again. I thank God first, but I couldn't have done it without Rhetta."
- Deneen Bass, Gospel Artist.
"Rhetta Butler has many talents and teaching is one of them. She has dramatically helped me improve my singing ability and stage presence, as well as my confidence. With her guidance, my sound is healthier and my range is better than I thought was possible for me."
- Suzanne Henderson, Pop Artist
"Studying with Rhetta was lots of serious fun. I felt really comfortable with her, and I believed that she actually knew what she was doing and understood what I needed and wanted to do. Under her guidance and energy, I overcame severe shyness and lack of confidence....Rhetta explained to me that one of my purposes was in giving my gift and myself to my audience. I no longer think my audience is thinking negative about my performance. I'm now concentrating on giving my best. I've come a long way!"
- Judy Hill, R&B and Jazz Artist
"Several of my band mates said how much my voice lessons are paying off. They love the work we did...Rhetta has a great energy and enthusiasm that tends to get her students fired up. She creates a comfortable and friendly atmosphere, the first time I met her, she hugs the student leaving before me and I knew right away that she was a teacher who not only wanted to teach, but truly invest in and really care for her students...my audience members have commented to me on how my voice and stage performance have really improved since I have been taking lessons with Rhetta. She pushes me where I need to be pushed. She addresses the full spectrum of not only singing, but also performing and constantly trying to improve in all areas. I grew more in one month with Rhetta than with other voice teachers. I have been taking lessons for four months and am really excited to discover what lies ahead. We always have fun as well, and to me that is what music should be about!"
- Annie Drexler, Alternative/Jazz Recording and Performing Artist/Writer with "The Drexlers"
(See www.thedrexlers.net )
"Ms. Butler is absolutely GREAT! I started in her vocal coaching program and within four months I felt more confident about my vocals. She teaches you to pull the music from your heart and soul and to use your natural vocal ability and personality to find your own sound. You won't find anyone out there better!"
- Von, R&B, Funk, Jazz Artist/Entertainer/Writer
"I have been studying with Rhetta for over a year, and my voice has leaped in range and power. She has taught me how to find my soul and express it through my song..."
- Haley Stewart, Country Recording Artist
"I'm a rocker and I needed more power and excitement in my vocals. All the guys in the band couldn't believe how much better I got when I studied with Rhetta."
- Rob Granite, Rock Artist
"I came to Rhetta to learn how to improvise in my vocals. She is amazingly creative and able to direct her energy into you to help you find your own creativity…"
- Roberta Stein, Jazz/Blues Artist
"I finally broke down to take lessons because I was having trouble with my voice in my performances. I'm a heavy metal rock singer, and my voice wasn't holding up on the road. Rhetta really showed me how to use my voice and not abuse it!"
- Anonymous, Heavy Metal Recording Artist
"What I was looking for was my own unique sound. I didn't want to sound like everybody else 'cause I wanted a record deal. Rhetta helped me to find myself and not sound like just another singer. She helped me write my material, and she helped to figure out how to go about getting that deal! I will always be grateful to her."
- Anonymous, R&B Recording Artist
"I have studied with a number of teachers, but none of them taught me as much or as quickly as Rhetta. She is able to communicate how to work your instrument. She turned me into the singer I wanted to be..."
- Anonymous, Country Recording Artist
"I am a good actress, but I needed to learn how to sing for the stage. I wanted to find my voice to expand my earning ability. Rhetta was wonderful and so full of information about music..."
- Anonymous, Theatre Performer
"I learned to play the piano when I was a child. I could read any piece of music, but I had no idea about music theory and chord progressions. Rhetta taught me to understand the inside of music. I have so much fun playing now without music."
- Norman Laur, Pianist
"I had never played piano before and did not have time to learn to read music. I wanted to write songs. Rhetta gave me a foundation about music, and I can play now to find the chords for my songs...and it was so much fun every week!"
- Marsha Bruce
"After releasing my first demo the comments were almost universal....'good songs, good music, and you have a voice but it is just not up to par with the music or the songs'. Fortunately through Annie and David Drexler, I found Rhetta Butler. I had taken voice lessons from two other teachers but it never really helped me. I was amazed when 5 minutes into the first session with Rhetta she was immediately diagnosing and correcting the physical problems that were holding my voice back. Every lesson is an intense education from someone who has been there, done it, studied it and corrected it before. I cannot put a value on the effect of Rhetta Butler’s teaching on the sound of my voice on my upcoming CD. Many people who have heard me before and after are amazed. I am amazed too. In the end, being a vocalist requires a great deal of hard work. With Rhetta Butler I feel that there have been no mis-steps along the way and that I have learned as much and as quickly as I could from any teacher."
- Gordon Stacey Cargal, singer/songwriter
lead vocalist of the band "the bAlter dirL"
"I have been singing publicly since childhood, and have had quite a few music and voice teachers over the years, and Rhetta is the best I've ever had. She treats you as if you are her only student, and puts her entire self into helping her students realize their own, unique potential. In the real world, I'm an attorney, and Rhetta fully understands the pressures of my life, and truly wants to help me to strike a balance between the cretaive person I really am, and the person who has to pay the bills. I came to Rhetta after having attended college on a music/voice scholarship. Prior to and during college, my vocal studies focused almost exclusively on classical training, or what Rhetta calls my "legit" sound. I had struggled over the entire course of my musical career to find my own voice, which I knew was not the operatic one I had cultivated. When I got to Atlanta, I joined a couple of bands as the lead vocalist, which helped force me to tone down my "legit" sound. After just a few lessons with Rhetta, my bandmates, as well as some regular audience goers, commented positively on how my voice had changed. I have always been a writer, but never had the confidence to share my songs with others. Rhetta has helped me learn not just how to write better, but how to craft a song. It is Rhetta who I credit with helping me to finally realize my lifelong dream of becoming not just a singer, but an artist.
- Holly Miller, singer/performer/songwriter
