When Crystalena Paquette began her teaching journey, she was driven by a desire to create a space where students could learn in a way that honored their individual learning styles. With a background steeped in music and a deep fascination with speech and laryngeal anatomy, Crystalena recognized early on that her calling lay at the intersection of music, voice science, and education.

She spent eight years teaching within Ottawa’s central private and public school systems before founding her own vocal studio, The Melody Lab – a space designed to go beyond traditional music lessons. Her focus is on empowering students through science-based, individualized learning plans that foster positive habits, self-expression, and long-term growth.

Crystalena has spent the past decade guiding aspiring musicians and artists, beginning her teaching career while studying music professionally. Her passion for voice, performance, and pedagogy has made her a respected figure in the Ottawa music education scene.

As a multifaceted artist – singer, songwriter, pianist, and dedicated vocal instructor, Crystalena brings a uniquely holistic and evidence-based approach to her work. She specializes in contemporary pop, jazz, soul, and musical theatre, drawing from advanced studies in vocal technique, vocal health, and speech science.

Her formal education includes a Professional Certificate for Vocal Teachers and Speech Therapists, in Vocal Pedagogy, Musical Theatre Voice and Speech Anatomy from the Berklee Conservatory of Music in Boston.After taking this certificate, where she studied speech anatomy and instructional techniques for vocal teachers, she found a deeper passion for vocal rehabilitation and SOVT Therapy Techniques. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Music and Vocal Performance from Carleton University, where she focused on jazz, folk, and classical vocal performance.

Following her studies, Crystalena toured internationally as a lead and harmony vocalist, performing at major festivals including the Burlington Jazz Festival (VT) and Ottawa Bluesfest, with her Soul & Fusion projects, as well as a hired instrumentalist on piano and harmony vocals. Her versatility spans genres including Jazz, Classical, Funk, Folk, R&B, Rock, and Hip-Hop.

In both studio and live performance settings, Crystalena has worked as a vocalist, producer, pianist, and collaborative artist. Her professional journey has been shaped by mentorship from leading vocalists and participation in elite masterclasses and organizing talent showcases with distinct performance preparation – all of which continue to uplift her distinct and dedicated coaching style.

At The Melody Lab, she merges her scientific expertise, performance experience, and personalized teaching methods to support singers at all levels. Whether you’re a beginner building your vocal foundation or a seasoned professional refining your technique, Crystalena provides a supportive, artist-centered environment focused on vocal wellness, creative freedom, and lasting artistic development.