About Us
We are a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness on vocal health and helping singers prevent voice disorders and take advantage of the instrument inside them. By incorporating a medical and scientific perspective, we strive to increase enthusiasm in the science of singing and vocal health for professional voice users.
VOCO Founder
Karly Chan
Karly Chan started VOCO during the summer after her sophomore year of high school. Her interest in vocal anatomy and disorders drove her to launch VOCO to educate singers about vocology.
Karly was a Voice Major at The Juilliard School Pre-College, and she also studied voice at the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College for two years. Now, Karly is a student at Harvard University majoring in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology and minoring in Computer Science. Karly has always been very interested in medicine and science, and has been fascinated by courses on voice disorders and vocal anatomy and physiology. Her love of singing, science, and medicine sparked her passion in learning about the science of singing and vocal health, and inspired her to spark this enthusiasm in other singers as well. Karly is particularly interested in the mechanics of singing and wants to transform knowledge on the anatomy of the vocal structures to practical information; she hopes to help singers better utilize their voices and raise awareness on voice disorders to help singers prevent damage to their vocal cords.
In addition to VOCO, Karly founded the STEM for FEM NY Chapter, a branch of a non-profit organization geared towards providing free science education to girls in elementary and middle school. In her free time, Karly enjoys rock climbing, song-writing, and playing tennis.
VOCO Clinical Advisor
Katelyn Swiader
Katelyn Swiader, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) driven by a deep passion for both vocal health and performance. This unique combination fuels her approach to providing comprehensive voice care for singers and speakers. Her expertise shines through her work at Sound Waves Voice & Communication www.soundwavesvc.com, where she offers virtual and online vocal coaching and educational resources. Katelyn founded Sound Waves VC with the intention to provide the unique opportunity for individuals to hone in on their voice with a blended approach through voice science and artistry. At Eastern Virginia Medical School's Ear, Nose, and Throat Center, she has had the privilege of helping to build and establish the EVMS Voice Center and plays a vital role in patient care. Katelyn conducts evaluations and treatment for all voice disorders, with a particular focus on professional voice users, including singers and speakers. Katelyn is a seasoned performer with experience on both local and international stages, having performed as a soloist and in ensembles across various genres, from opera and rock to contemporary music and musical theater.
Director of Outreach
Lauren Kim
Soprano and collaborative musician Lauren Kim is heartened by music’s ability to be a vessel for human expression. She believes that our art is a reflection of our own stories, and hopes for her audiences to be inspired by the unifying power of each performance and project she pursues.
An enthusiast of all classical genres, Lauren has performed in various productions, including Così fan tutte (Dorabella, 2022), The Merry Widow (Valencienne, 2020), Die Fledermaus (featured soloist, 2019), and Le Nozze di Figaro (children’s choir, 2015). Her performances also include vocal and piano solo recitals at Steinway Hall and the Riverside Church in Manhattan, along with a virtual recital in collaboration with The Juilliard School & Nord Anglia.
As an aspiring conductor, Lauren works closely with her colleagues in Baltimore to bring vocal ensemble repertoire of all genres to life. She currently serves as the assistant conductor of the New Choir of Mt. Vernon, a volunteer ensemble focused on new, secular choral works, and dedicated to the enrichment of its local community.
Director of Fundraising
Megan Chan
Megan Chan is a first-year at Yale University studying chemical engineering. She loves exploring how science and art meet through the human voice, performing spoken word poetry at open mics and organizing play festivals that bring people together through storytelling. Megan is also passionate about how engineering can support environmental sustainability and advocacy. As an EngineerGirl Ambassador under the National Academy of Engineering, she has led several in-person and online STEM workshops to inspire younger students. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, solving sudokus, and hiking.
