Nicole Gress, the Founder and CEO of Undead Voice, is revolutionizing the way trans and gender-diverse individuals explore and affirm their voices. Speaking at the Creating Change Conference in Las Vegas, Nicole shared the inspiring journey of creating a global platform that aligns voices with identities and builds a supportive community in the process.
A Mission Born from Experience
Nicole began her career as a licensed speech-language pathologist over 12 years ago, specializing in voice work. For the first five years, she worked in traditional healthcare settings in the San Francisco Bay Area. However, she quickly realized the limitations of these systems in serving the trans and gender-diverse community effectively.
“Unfortunately, traditional healthcare isn’t the best setup to serve our community,” Nicole explained. “The techniques don’t work very well, and the environment often isn’t safe or inclusive.”
Determined to create a better solution, Nicole founded Undead Voice six years ago. What began as a passion project has since grown into a global, virtual program with over 80,000 members from more than 20 countries.
What is Undead Voice?
At its core, Undead Voice is a trans voice company dedicated to helping trans and gender-diverse individuals modify their physical voices to align with their authentic selves. The organization’s offerings include:
- Undead Voice Lab: The flagship program is a comprehensive curriculum providing lifetime membership, unlimited voice coaching, and access to a vibrant community of peers. The program costs $1000—a fraction of the typical cost for traditional voice training.
- Jump Start Your Voice Transition: A free, three-week masterclass designed to help individuals begin exploring voice training in a safe and supportive environment. Participants receive individual practice plans and a $1000 tuition credit if they decide to join the full program.
“We strongly believe that community is the basis for all voice training,” Nicole said. “Being surrounded by others who are also transitioning their voices is crucial for motivation, accountability, and seeing what’s possible.”
A Unique Approach
One of the most remarkable aspects of Undead Voice is its inclusive and non-binary approach to voice training.
“A lot of times when people talk about trans work, they frame it in binary terms, like feminizing or masculinizing the voice,” Nicole explained. “We don’t use gendered language because it recreates a binary within a non-binary space. Instead, we ask clients: Do you want a higher, brighter, lighter voice? Or something darker and deeper? Or something fluid? It’s about empowering individuals to make choices that feel right for them.”
This approach has made Undead Voice the only company to offer curriculum tracks tailored to all identities. Nicole emphasized that the work is not only about achieving a particular sound but also about creating a safe, affirming space for exploration and growth.
A Global and Accessible Community
Undead Voice operates entirely online, making it accessible to individuals around the world. The program’s curriculum is designed to be inclusive across languages and cultures. While vocal instruction is conducted in English, the act of changing one’s voice relies more on exercises and sound demonstrations than language proficiency.
Participants from over 20 countries often translate the program’s materials into their native languages and share them within the community. Additionally, the platform offers closed captions to enhance accessibility.
The program’s affordability is another key feature. “Traditional voice training can cost upwards of $30,000 over several years,” Nicole noted. “Our program costs between $1000 and $2000, and that includes lifetime access to all resources. We also offer tuition assistance and accept FSA or HSA accounts.”
Results and Community Impact
The Undead Voice curriculum is designed to produce significant changes within six months, with most participants seeing the biggest shifts in the first four months. However, the program’s lifetime membership allows individuals to progress at their own pace.
“Life happens,” Nicole acknowledged. “We want our community to feel like they can take a break if they need to without worrying about falling behind or losing access. Lifetime membership gives them the space to breathe and focus on their goals when they’re ready.”
Undead Voice’s impact extends beyond voice training. Many members remain active in the community long after achieving their affirming voices, participating in daily events and forming lasting friendships. “Eighty-five percent of our members stay involved because they find value in the connections they’ve built here,” Nicole said.
Barriers in Traditional Healthcare
Nicole’s decision to create a private, de-medicalized model for Undead Voice was intentional. While her background as a licensed speech-language pathologist provides valuable expertise, she chose not to work under her licensure within this program. This allows Undead Voice to operate outside the constraints of insurance systems, which often dictate the scope and frequency of care.
“Insurance rarely covers voice training for trans individuals, and in states with care bans, it’s completely inaccessible,” Nicole explained. “By de-medicalizing the program, we’ve been able to make it more affordable and accessible than a typical co-pay.”
A Gift to the Community
In response to the recent election and its implications for the LGBTQ+ community, Undead Voice is offering the Jump Start Your Voice Transition program completely free throughout the year. Nicole emphasized the importance of making resources available during challenging times.
“This is a way for us to give back and ensure that every trans and gender-diverse person has the opportunity to explore their voice,” she said. “We’re running 20 sessions of the program this year, so there will always be one open for registration.”
How to Get Involved
Undead Voice is more than a voice training program; it’s a movement to create affirming spaces and empower individuals to find their authentic voices. Whether you’re looking to begin your voice journey or want to join a supportive community, you can visit undeadvoice.com for more information.
For those ready to take the first step, the Jump Start Your Voice Transition program is available at undeadvoice.com/joinjumpstart. With unlimited resources, a welcoming community, and a mission to make voice training accessible to all, Undead Voice is paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.