Hila (Ella) Tako
About
Hello there, musical friends!
I’m Hila. I have been a performing musician (singer and songwriter) since I was 15, recording and touring my own songs - as well as jazz standards. Originally from Israel, I got my Associate's Degree in Vocal Jazz Performance at The Center For Jazz Studies in Tel Aviv Conservatory in 2015, and went on to immerse myself in everything from rock to pop to folk on my own.
I gave my first voice lesson about a decade ago, and even after thousands of teaching hours under my belt now, it feels just as exciting and invigorating.
In 2020, in pursuit of becoming an even better teacher, I got my Voice Teacher Training Certification from NYVC, led by master Justin Stoney.
These days, I release music under the name Ella Mar and perform wherever the music takes me, from NYC venues like Cassette and Threes Brewing, to Canadian Music Week festival in Toronto and various jazz and indie music venues back home in Tel Aviv.
Teaching Style
Over the past decade, I’ve had the joy of working with singers of all ages and backgrounds—complete beginners to professionals, from actors and cantors to scientists and lawyers. No matter where they started, they were all asking for the same thing in different ways: the tools to fully express themselves through music.
I believe that every singer is unique—you have ideas, instincts, and a voice that no one else has—and my job is to help you find and refine your sound, not just through technique but through true artistic exploration. Our lessons will be built around your needs, focusing on:
✔️ Vocal registers & breath control
✔️ Phrasing, vocal style & different genres
✔️ Riffing & belting
✔️ Interpretation & text connection
I teach and perform jazz, pop, rock, R&B, folk, and more—so wherever your musical interests lie, I’m ready to explore with you. Most importantly, this is a safe, encouraging space where all ideas are welcome, and all identities are celebrated. I especially love working with LGBTQ+ folks and helping people of all gender identities find and embrace their voices.
If you’re a songwriter (or want to be!), I’d love to guide you in discovering and shaping your artistic voice. In our songwriting lessons, we’ll explore different aspects of the craft—chord progressions, melody building, musical structure, storytelling, metaphor, tone, and more—all depending on your needs and creative goals.
Curriculum
Hila is an amazing voice teacher to work with. She is very patient, kind, and encouraging, and truly takes the time to go over the basics of proper breathing and voice technique. Hila is so generous with sharing her tips for producing the biggest and most beautiful sounds possible — I was having some trouble with my overall breath management while singing, and now I’ve been encountering fewer difficulties in that department after consciously practicing with Hila’s guidance in mind about breathing as deeply as possible and keeping my stomach and rib cage expanded while delivering my lines. I highly recommend Hila and encourage singers of all levels to book a lesson with her!
- Emma
Working with Hila has been an utmost joy. Hila is very knowledgeable, talented and patient. She pushes you to meet your goals, but is ready to pivot if you are overwhelmed or discouraged in any way.
Hila always starts off with customized vocal exercises that help me achieve the vocal quality needed for my song of choice. During my time with her, we've worked on a plethora of genres - pop, folk, r&b, jazz and Christian Contemporary Music.
She always has another tip to help you get where you need to be. I cannot speak more highly of her as a voice instructor and as a human being.
-Squadra
Working with Hila is always a joy. She works with where you are and helps discover and grow the skills necessary to get to where you want to go. Give you perfect amount of information that is needed to further your education. She's super encouraging and make class super fun. I always end up being excited for class. I will be working with Hila for as long as I can.
-Niles
Songwriting can be a difficult subject to approach, as so much of it involves your own vulnerability and emotional openness. Hila not only provided a safe space to approach my ideas, but also offered the structure to put them together into songs. She has a great understanding of music, and communicated it easily with me. Our lessons had clear goals, and gave me tools I continue to use when writing to this day.
If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, informed, empathetic teacher, I recommend reaching out!
-Mackenzie
Hila created a class designed to strengthen my weaknesses while gaining confidence. She made me feel very comfortable and answered every question and concern with a personal and professional perspective. And the best thing is every class is so much fun.
-Michal
I love taking voice lessons with Hila!! For years I had wanted to learn how to belt in my higher ranges. Through gentle coaching, useful exercises and consistency, Hila has helped me strengthen my chest voice, expand my range, and approach belting in a safe and effective way. I look forward to our lessons every week!
-Caroline
Hila is not only exceptionally professional and knowledgeable, but also a great mentor. She’s been helping me take my vocal abilities to the next level and develop my own unique singing style.
I would recommend Hila to anyone looking to become a better singer.
-Danielle
Hila is amazing - I can already hear improvement in my voice after only 3 lessons. I love singing, and I have so much fun doing it. I look forward to my lessons because: 1. I feel challenged, 2. I learn something new every lesson, 3. It’s not all exercises; we work on songs, 4. I receive honest and valuable feedback.
-Frankie
Credentials & Affiliations
-Associate's Degree in Vocal Performance, The Center For Jazz Studies in Tel Aviv Conservatory, 2015
-Voice Teacher Training Certification, New York Vocal Coaching, 2020
