Today we’d like to introduce you to Mikayla Batschi.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My love for music started early – when I was eight years old, I saw Phantom of the Opera in theaters and immediately begged for voice lessons. From that moment on, I was hooked. All through high school I trained, sang in choirs, performed in theater -anything that let me grow as a singer. After graduation, I turned down a scholarship to the University of Utah because I wanted to “follow my dream” and attend Brigham Young University, only to face the disappointment of not getting into the vocal performance program I had hoped for. That experience, though humbling, helped shape the resilience I would need later as both a performer and entrepreneur. I ended up majoring in mental health, with the intention of becoming a marriage and family therapist.
I graduated from college in 2018. I continued to work in a treatment center for a year post-graduation. While I loved the work, and learned so much, I realized I needed to do something else. So in 2019, I opened my own voice studio. It began with a simple vision: to create a place where students could discover their voices, grow in confidence, and find the same joy in music that had carried me through my own journey. What started small has grown beyond what I imagined. Today, we have a storefront in American Fork, a team of three dedicated teachers, and over 50 students who walk through our doors each week.
For me, it’s about more than teaching technique—it’s about building a supportive community where music and personal growth go hand in hand. Watching students step into their confidence, find their sound, and even discover their own resilience has been the most rewarding part of this journey.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. At 18, I suffered a traumatic brain injury that caused a decline in both my academics and my mental health. Around that same time, I was declined admission – twice – to the vocal performance program at BYU. I stopped singing altogether, convinced I had nothing left to give, and for years I was embarrassed to use the very voice I had once loved.
After graduation, I expected to start a family, only to learn that I was infertile and later diagnosed with PCOS. That realization was devastating because my entire purpose at the time was wrapped up in becoming a mom. Out of that pain, I made the decision to do something for myself – I opened my voice studio. I didn’t have a degree, I didn’t have a business plan; I had just a hope and a prayer that it would give me something to live for.
Even after launching the studio, challenges continued. After finally becoming pregnant through fertility treatments, we tragically lost our first baby to a full-term stillbirth. I took months off to heal, not knowing if my business would survive. But to my surprise and gratitude, my students stood by me and returned when I was ready. Almost exactly a year later, our second son was born with a congenital heart defect. His birth was traumatic, and at only four days old he underwent open-heart surgery. We spent six weeks in Primary Children’s Hospital before bringing him home. Again, I wasn’t sure if my business could continue – but once more, my students rallied around me, and the studio kept growing.
Through it all, my studio – and my students – have saved me. They gave me something to live for in the midst of losing a child and navigating the fear of another child’s heart defect. Those experiences taught me that even in the hardest moments, purpose can be found by creating something that lifts others. My studio has become that place, and I feel stronger than ever about continuing to grow it—not just as a business, but as a community where music and resilience go hand in hand.
We’ve been impressed with Batschi Vocals, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Batschi Vocals, we’re more than just a place to take voice lessons – we’re a community built on growth, confidence, and connection. We specialize in helping singers of all ages and skill levels find and develop their unique voice, whether they’re preparing for auditions, performing on stage, or simply wanting to sing for the joy of it.
What truly sets us apart is our approach. Because of my degree in mental health, we intentionally integrate mental wellness into our teaching. Singing is vulnerable, and we believe that fostering confidence, emotional resilience, and self-expression is just as important as building vocal technique. On top of that, our certification in The Singing Athlete Methodology allows us to use a neurological approach, training the brain and body together to create healthier, stronger, and more sustainable voices.
Today, our studio has grown into a storefront in American Fork with three incredible teachers and over 50 active students. I’m most proud of the supportive, science-informed environment we’ve built—one where students feel seen, encouraged, and celebrated not just for their talent, but for their growth as individuals.
For readers, I want them to know that our brand is about more than lessons—it’s about belonging. We create a safe, uplifting space where students can step into their confidence, connect with others, and find joy in their own voice. That’s what makes our studio unique, and that’s what keeps me passionate about what we do.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5–10 years, I think the voice and performing arts industry will continue moving away from the old-school idea that there’s only one right way to teach singing. Too often, methods are simply regurgitated from teacher to teacher without much scientific grounding, and students are expected to fit into a rigid mold. My hope is that we’ll see more emphasis on individualized, science-informed approaches – drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and physiology – so that teaching becomes about finding what works best for each student and each teacher, rather than following a formula.
At the same time, I believe we’re seeing a cultural shift toward accessibility and community. With the rise of online lessons, workshops, and digital platforms, learning is no longer limited by geography. Students can connect with teachers and methods that truly fit them, and teachers can collaborate rather than compete. In my studio, we don’t host competitions or even advertise them, because I don’t believe singing should be about winning. It’s about expression, growth, and connection. That’s the future I want to help create – one where voice teachers and students alike cheer each other on, because the point of singing isn’t rivalry. It’s connection.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.batschivocals.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/batschi.vocals/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BatschiVocals/
