Laurie Winckel and Functional Nutrition Founder, Andrea Nakayama @ FNLP Connect Retreat, Colorado Springs,
July 2026!
My health story and why nutrition and holistic health are part of my vocal studio.
I've always taken health and vocal health seriously — certifying in aerobics, kickboxing, and Pilates back in the early 2000s while caregiving for my father. But starting in 2019, a string of injuries and illnesses changed everything: a severe ankle sprain, plantar fasciitis, a dislocating kneecap, a broken ankle, and nursing my husband through a diabetic health crisis while managing my own mild Covid case. I stopped exercising, gained 40 pounds, and developed unexplained vocal hoarseness that lasted nearly a year.
Recovering from that broken ankle put me on a path back to health. I lost 50 pounds, the inflammation eased, my voice cleared, and I could finally perform pain-free again.
Around the same time, students began coming to lessons with issues beyond typical vocal complaints — autoimmune conditions, gut issues, unexplained allergies and hormonal imbalances — all affecting their voices with no clear answers. That search for root causes led me to Functional Nutrition Alliance, where I trained under founder Andrea Nakayama and earned my CFNC certification in January 2025. I'm now completing their FNLP program and am a Board Certified member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners.
Today, I help singers uncover the root causes behind their health and vocal issues through nutrition and lifestyle changes that support lasting wellness. I believe vocal health starts with a healthy body — and I'm committed to helping students connect those dots so they can perform, feel, and live better.
Interested in adding health and wellness coaching to your vocal training? Let's get started.
Discover Our New Programs Here!
-Clear Voice Method™ - Vocal Health Course for Singers - BETA STUDENTS NEEDED! Course includes finding the root cause to vocal problems, vocal technique training, vocal health and healthy lifestyle training for singers.
-Laurie Winckel Wellness Program - Root Cause/Functional Nutrition program for non singers and singers alike (no vocal pedagogy).
-Vocal Health Mastery™ - Course for Voice Teachers, Health Practitioners to attain your Functional Vocal Health Practitioner™ (FVHP™) Board Certification. (coming soon). BETA STUDENTS NEEDED!
Nutrition Counseling is unique to each person. We are looking for the root cause(s) for health issues and will work towards healing at a cellular level, through nutrition. Functional Nutrition Counselors/Coaches often act as a liaison between a patient and their health care professional and we work to bring you back to health and healing by addressing any root causes affecting you.
As my client, you are welcome and encouraged to take anything we discuss to your doctor. We take the time to look at many factors causing your health issues that could affect not only your voice, but your life. My ultimate goal is to help you take responsibility for your own health and make the changes necessary to live and perform your best.
At Vocal Edge Studio, we believe that vocal health begins with full body health. Many singers have no idea why they are having vocal health issues and most of the time, they are left to figure things out on their own. I am excited and committed to helping you finding and addressing your root causes. In a safe and nurturing environment, I will listen to you and meet you where you are. We can take this at your pace. If you are interested in working with me on your health/nutrition for optimal living, performance and vocal health, then email me to book your FREE 15 MINUTE CONSULTATION.
To book a coaching session, please read the program steps, policies and check the pricing below. Currently, clients enrolled in vocal lessons get a price break! General public clients are more than welcome to join for counseling, and I am happy to help you too. I also offer package deals for everyone to get you started! I'd love to work with you if you are ready!
Disclaimer: I am a certified functional nutrition counselor and I have the ability to discuss your health issues and order testing, recommend supplementation and help you track your progress. However, I am NOT a dietician or a physician and I cannot prescribe certain meal plans, medications or make any dignoses. Everything we discuss is confidential and only a recommendation. We can certainly work with your health care providers. If you have any concerns, you should ALWAYS discuss them with your doctor. (April 9, 2026)
Nutrition Session Policies
Be Prompt
My nutrition clients will be meeting within the same day and hours as my vocal clients, so it is important to be on time to your sessions because I will need to keep on a tight schedule. I want make sure I take the time to value you, your time and your needs. I will listen without judgment to you and your concerns and address them in a caring way so I want to make the most of each session together.
Pay in Advance/No Refunds
Please pay for your session in advance online or at your prior session, or you can save some money and buy a package deal. (see below). There are no refunds, but you can use your payment as credit anytime in the calendar year.
24-hour Cancellation Policy
Just like my voice studio, I have the same 24 hour cancellation policy and I charge a full price for a missed session or a last-minute cancellation, because I will be unable to reschedule that time with short notice. Please email me at vocaledgestudio@gmail.com, if you have any issues and need to reschedule. (Current students, please contact me through email for nutrition spots, and use the online calendar for voice lessons only). Once again, there are no refunds. If you cannot make a session for whatever reason, and give 24 hours notice, we can reschedule. You have until the end of that calendar year to rebook.
Confidentiality Promise
I will keep everything we discuss in your health sessions confidential. Voice students are free to tie in health concerns in their voice lessons because I want your health goals to relate to your singing goals. With that in mind, please keep in mind that I will probably be working with vocal clients or health clients when you arrive, so please come no earlier than 5 minutes prior to your session so the person ahead of you has privacy. My studio and my health session are a judgement free zone and you will be treated with the utmost care.
Your payment means you agree to the terms below!
Session Outlines
This is an example of how we might schedule your sessions, however, this may vary by individual.
Free 15 min call
This is an introductory call so we can visit to get basic information on what it is you are needing to address from a functional nutrition standpoint. We will chat and see if we are comfortable with moving forward together. If so, you will be send the link and/or password to the "client intake form" and potentially another form or two so we can gather as much info as possible before our first meeting. Please return the forms to me asap, so that we can schedule your next meeting.
Timeline Session
This is a one-hour session. We will walk through all different facets, including triggering events, lifestyle influences and personal and family health history that has influenced how you are feeling today. This gives me the information I need to do some research and prepare for our next session together. While I will have homework from this session, there may be more homework I need from you as well, like supplement trackers and food/mood/poop journal, etc. These will be needed at the next session.
Action Session
This is a one-hour session. We will discuss your health as a whole and come up with a suggested action plan for healing. We will take it at your own place as your comfort level is important to me. We may also look into tracking symptoms, supplements, recommending testing, or working with a health partner, etc.
Additional Sessions
These may be one-hour or thirty-minute sessions, depending on the severity of health issues. We may use them for tracking symptoms, journaling, discussing testing results and adding, subtracting nutrients, lifestyle changes, habits, etc. We will discuss your needs and our solutions this as we go. When we hit the point of getting into a maintenance pattern, we will decide how often we will meet.
HEALTH FORMS - Legal, Intake Forms, Health Coaching Forms, etc.
PROGRAM PRICING - Program info and Request a consultation
Testimonials
Laurie has worked hard to obtain the knowledge and the certification she has, but it is readily evident how much she loves the work and understands the connections between different body systems and the food we eat. She starts heirloom seeds in her greenhouse and then transplants them outdoors to eliminate many of the contaminants from commercial growers. She grows her own herbs in addition to growing and canning vegetables. She is always positive and encouraging and understands the great need for this work. She is patient, professional and kind. She is an excellent listener and a great communicator. Laurie never does anything halfway–she is an "all-in" type of person who has the energy, determination, and desire to help others.
-Margaret
Prior to working with Laurie, the Endocrinologist had wanted me to start Metformin because she was concerned re: Prediabetic. After reading about the drug and it's side effects, there was no way I wanted to take Metformin–it essentially described a slow death. After working with Laurie and getting my "prediabetic" labs within normal limits it gave me ammunition to push back and tell the doctor that I was following an AIP diet and had seen great results with it. She couldn't argue with the objective data telling the story. The numbers have also been an inspiration to me to continue working with Laurie and following AIP (Autoimmune Plan)
I completed program paperwork for Laurie (medical history, food digest, medications I was on, etc.) She reviewed it with me, and I shared my lab work with her. She explained everything in a way I was able to easily understand and make connections to what was going on in my body. She started me out on a sugar free, gluten free diet and introduced me to the auto-immune protocol diet. At first, I was focusing on all the foods I couldn't have, and that made it very hard, but Laurie helped me to look at it differently–to look at all the things I can have. I ordered an Paleo Cookbook from Amazon that was amazing and has helped me tremendously.