Debra Byrd, the vocal coach for many, many American Idols (including Clay), along with being a backup singer to Barry Manilow in the 1970's, has died. Clay gives a great statement about her in this article.
https://deadline.com/2024/03/debra-byrd-dead-american-idol-the-voice-vocal-coach-was-72-obituary-1235848285/