Why I'm Building an AI Vocal Coach

Music has always been a constant in my life. From a young age, singing became not just a passion, but a space where I could truly be myself. I remember those early moments — singing alone in my room, recording myself on my phone, and replaying it just to catch what went right and what didn’t. But no matter how dedicated I was, something was always missing: structured guidance. Growing up in Indonesia, it wasn’t easy to find accessible vocal coaching that felt relevant, affordable, or flexible. Most programs were centralized in big cities, expensive, and often taught using one-size-fits-all methods that didn’t honor cultural or individual expression.

As I grew older, I pursued my studies in IT and became immersed in the world of technology — particularly AI. And the more I learned, the more I began to connect the dots between my two worlds: tech and music. I started asking myself: what if we could democratize vocal education? What if feedback, training, and encouragement weren’t limited by where you live or how much you can pay?

That question became the seed for VocaRise, an AI-powered vocal coaching platform I'm building — not just as a project, but as a personal mission.

VocaRise is designed for people like me — self-taught singers who love music but may not have the privilege of formal training. Using real-time pitch detection, vocal feedback, and personalized suggestions, it’s a tool that listens, adapts, and encourages. And beyond that, I want it to include content that reflects different cultural styles and vocal traditions — because good singing doesn't all sound the same, and shouldn't be measured by a single standard.

I’m not building this to replace vocal teachers. In fact, I deeply respect their role. But I believe there’s a gap — and technology can help fill it. It can support the practice in between lessons. It can empower those who can’t access lessons at all. It can create a safe space to grow, experiment, and learn without shame.

As someone who’s both a singer and a technologist, this feels like the most honest way I can contribute. I’m still early in the journey — currently developing the prototype, collecting feedback, and learning from both vocalists and AI practitioners. But the vision is clear: a world where more people can access the joy and confidence that comes from discovering their voice.

Because everyone deserves to rise — and I believe that starts with being heard.