HOUSTON — A Houston couple has been turning singers into stars for decades, including some big names who have gone on to win Grammys.
Collen and Tom McKinney started in the world of musical theater.
“I’ve done 60 musicals and Colleen at least 40," Tom said.
After that career ended, they began giving voice lessons.
“It's what we know," Colleen said. "It's what we do best, what we love. It's our passion. So that's been very rewarding for us."
When they started decades ago, little did they know they’d give lessons to some of the biggest names in music.
“Beyonce, Solange, Demi Lovato, Ray J, Mario, Scott Hoying,” Tom said.
They’ve given lessons to some up-and-coming artists as well, but by far, their most famous student is Beyonce.
"It’s very rewarding,” Tom said.
Like some of his current students who were enrolled by their parents to take voice lessons, Beyonce’s dad contacted Tim in the 90s.
"He called me up and said, ‘Hey, I want you to come teach my daughter.’ I said, ‘great, who's your daughter?’ He said ‘Beyonce.’ I said ‘Beyonce, who?’ I didn't know who she was," Tom said.
Starting as a young girl with a dream, Beyonce now has the most Grammys ever.
"She was really good," Tom said. I didn't have a whole lot to do, you know. A nod here and a tweak there, and same thing with Solange. You know, we did the same thing with Demi Lovato."
Whether they want to become performers or not, one thing all their students have in common is their love for music.
"If they have a love for music, we'll help them get there. We'll help them, you know, fulfill that niche, because music is universal and it speaks to everyone's soul,” Colleen said.
Their advice for aspiring artists is that it takes talent, dedication, and lots of practice.
"A lot of people have dreams and watch the award programs and say, I want to do that someday, but they don't know what it takes to get there," Colleen said.
They want to continue inspiring people from all walks of life that you can have music as a hobby or a career.
Tom said because he’s been in the industry so many years, he gets calls from producers at American Idol, The Voice, and America’s Got Talent to send in his best students.
To sign up for voice lessons with Tom and Collen, click here.