Singer and vocal coach Inna Hamman, known earlier in her career as Inna Yukhimchuk, understands the importance of the voice in music. Vocals are integral in touching the emotion of listeners around the globe. Her musical path has proven just that, through both her performances and her vocal training program, Vocals On. It blends traditional technique with recording-studio precision. It’s designed to give singers a scientific yet personal approach to unlocking a stronger, more versatile voice. At the same time, Inna has been pursuing her own artistic path, with her solo album A Stands for Able now in preparation, a deeply personal work about resilience and growth.
With a career that spans from iconic Los Angeles venues celebrated for launching the careers of major artists to leading Shanghai’s PepperhedZ and performing at festivals in Paris, Inna has carved out a space where performance and pedagogy meet.
Inna, thank you for joining us. Your latest project, Vocals On, takes a very modern approach to vocal training. What made you want to create it?
I felt that in pop and jazz, vocal education was often missing something. A lot of methods are based on scientifically unproven concepts, or they stay too abstract. I wanted to give singers tools they can actually use, something practical and measurable. That’s why I built Vocals On around both traditional exercises and recording-studio analysis.
When you see your voice on screen: how the tonal system interacts with pitch, how breath control affects resonance, it changes everything. You’re not just guessing anymore; you can literally see and hear progress. For me, that scientific layer doesn’t kill the magic; it makes singers freer, because they understand their own instrument better.
That’s such a fresh angle. Did this come from your own experience as a performer, perhaps even back in your early years as Inna Yukhimchuk, before you began developing the Vocals On method?
Definitely. Over the years, I studied not only music but also anatomy, psychology, even physics. Anything that helped me understand how the body and voice work together. Performing worldwide, on stage, I often met singers, sometimes incredibly talented ones, who still struggled with intonation. It wasn’t a lack of talent; they just didn´t have a clear, structured system for mastering pitch.
During my master’s studies and research, I became fascinated by how the ear, body, and brain work together to create perfect intonation. I realized singers needed more than just exercises in a major scale, which, trust me, is about 90% of vocal training even today. They needed a system that combined science, psychology, and artistry; one that would help singers understand the structure, style, and harmony of the song they perform, because only through that awareness can they truly hit the right note and sing with precision and depth.
Then came autotune, which initially was a corrective tool but started to be relied on as a crutch. Technology can polish, but it can't replace real vocal control and artistry. The emotional depth of a perfectly bent note, that’s something no software can replicate.
That’s how Vocals On was born. At first, it was just a set of exercises for my students, but once I saw how transformative it was, I knew I had to shape it into a course that could reach singers everywhere.
You’ve taught over 500 students across more than 10 countries, that’s incredible! What makes Vocals On stand out from other vocal programs?
Its uniqueness lies in how it combines science, technology, and hands-on practice. While many programs stick to exercises or “by ear” training, my course goes deeper. We use professional studio equipment to record and analyze performances so students can see and hear real-time changes in pitch, vibrato, and tone.
At the core is something I call Neurovocal training, which focuses on how the brain, body, and ears work together. This sensory-motor approach helps singers truly understand and control their voice, rather than just mimic exercises. By combining technology, theory, and body-ear coordination, the course gives both precision and expressive freedom, something rare in other programs.
The concept of Neurovocal is fascinating. Can you explain more?
Absolutely. One of the key elements of Neurovocal training is realizing that vocal development goes far beyond just mastering major scales. When we stick to one mode, like the major scale, we’re limiting both our vocal expression and the potential of our voice. Alternative scales open up entirely new opportunities for vocal growth because they carry different emotions and pitch challenges.
That’s interesting! Could you give a concrete example of how an alternative scale changes the way singers train?
Take the blues scale. It involves bending notes, creating microtonal inflections that the ear perceives differently from the fixed pitches of a standard major or minor scale. Working with these variations pushes the brain and body to collaborate in more complex ways, making the ear more flexible and improving overall intonation. That’s where Neurovocal becomes essential: it guides singers through the complexity of alternative scales and helps them connect more deeply with both body and mind.
So once singers step into these alternative scales, where does technology make the biggest difference?
That’s the game-changer. I use professional studio equipment so students can see and hear their performance in real time. The instant feedback shows how even small changes in pitch, vibrato, or tone affect the overall sound. By combining Neurovocal principles with technology, singers can confidently tackle alternative scales and expand their range in ways traditional exercises can’t match. It’s all about strengthening the connection between the body, the ear, the mind, and vocal control, which is the foundation of both pitch accuracy and emotional expression.
Who are some singers you admire and who have influenced your vocal approach?
It all started with Alicia Keys. I remember listening to one of her live performances and realizing something powerful. Her notes weren’t always perfectly on pitch. They were slightly in between, but the emotion and soul she poured into the performance were so much more important than perfect pitch. That raw, honest feeling made me think: how can we capture that soulfulness, those little imperfections, without relying on technology to fix it?
The name Vocals On actually comes from something very familiar in the world of recording. When you’re in a pro studio, there’s this crucial moment when you hit that button to record like you’re "switching on" something true, the part that gives the song its soul. It's the point where you find your true voice and let it come through, unfiltered and raw. For me, it's not just about hitting the right notes; it's about owning your sound, feeling the emotion, and expressing something real. That’s the essence of my method, teaching singers to connect with their voice authentically and freely. So, when I named my course, it just felt right. Vocals On is all about unlocking that power within, bringing out the real you.
You teach both in-person and online. How has digital media influenced your growth?
With my brand growing, I’ve gotten so many requests for in-person workshops worldwide. While I love teaching face-to-face, it’s impossible to be everywhere at once, though I’m certainly trying. That’s why creating a digital program has been such a game-changer. It’s allowed me to help far more singers, no matter where they’re located.
But I always tell my students, the real work comes from them. Every artist is the architect of their own voice. While guidance is crucial, self-practice and discipline are what lead to true mastery. My method encourages artists to take ownership of their journey, and the more they put in, the stronger and more consistent their voice becomes.
What’s next for you and the Vocals On method?
For me, it's all about finishing my solo album A Stands for Able. It’s been a long time coming, and every track is a reflection of everything I’ve experienced, the highs, the lows, and the moments of pure connection. It's a message of hope, and I can’t wait for the world to hear it and connect with it on a deeper level.
As for Vocals On, I’m excited to bring it live to Europe. I’ve got some workshops planned in a few cities, and I can’t wait to meet more of my students in person. Asia has been amazing, but it’s time for the next chapter. I’m also eyeing the USA next year. My online students have been waiting for this, and I can feel the energy building. I’m ready to bring the method, the vibe, and the whole experience face-to-face. It’s going to be a game-changer for everyone.
Lastly, what would you like to tell your fans and students?
First of all, I want to express my gratitude for the love and the trust. Be sure that all the dreams you have can come true, and strive for a high level of achievement in everything you do. Music is a way of changing someone's life, and you can realize any of your talents with focus and passion. Continue to sing, continue to learn, and always keep your love for music in your hearts. Remember, all the different experiences you go through are necessary for your artistic maturity.
Connect with Inna Hamman: INSTAGRAM
