Lessons will be conducted via Signal when possible/preferable for students, to improve privacy and security. Lessons can also be conducted via Discord, or an alternative voice/video communication program upon request.

Signal offers end-to-end encryption (E2EE), meaning that the chat provider and other people/agencies never have access to message or call contents. Using a secure communication app with E2EE can reduce the likelihood of being identified or persecuted based on messages/calls. Discord supports E2EE for select features, such as voice/video calls (but not for text/direct messages).

Signal is a free, secure communication app that supports E2EE by default.

Please note: Signal requires a valid cell phone number to set up, but the phone number does not need to be provided. Signal can be accessed via phone or desktop client app.

Discord or other communication apps may be good options for students who do not have access to a working cell phone number.

Discord is a communication app which offers some secure communication features, but has also been associated with some vulnerabilities in the past. While Signal is encouraged, we can meet on Discord instead if those options don't work well for you. Voice lessons via Discord are reasonably secure, so Discord is still a viable option — but Signal is offered for students who prefer the higher degree of privacy and security that those options can provide.

Please feel free to get in touch if you have a preferred communication app that supports text and voice/video communications. Other communication apps can be used as needed, upon request.

Please do provide one of the following when scheduling a lesson:

• A) a Signal username (including the numbers, for example, ​username.1234)

• B) a Discord username (if you are not able or do not prefer to use Signal)

Please also provide a working email address that you will be able to access. Please consider registering using an anonymous/alternate email address. You will receive scheduling emails from Fluid Voice Studio at your provided email address as lesson reminders, or in case we run into any issues communicating via Signal and/or Discord.

All emails related to student scheduling will be automatically deleted from Fluid Voice Studio's mailbox after a short period of time.

When scheduling lessons on the Fluid Voice Studio scheduling site, you do not need to provide your full legal name, phone number, or any other personal identifying information. The scheduling platform asks for a first and last name and phone number, but you can register using any name you want (such as a pseudonym, alternate name, or only initials), and you can leave the phone number blank.

For your own privacy, please consider registering with an alternate name or pseudonym, first name with any random last name, or initials only, etc.