So you want to be a Singer.

Now what?

Welcome to Living a Vocal Life!

Here you’ll find a set of in-depth, life-changing courses and resources for singers — all designed to help you create an authentic, sustainable, and inspired path in music.

Brought to you by Grammy-nominated musician and educator, Valerie Day.

A vintage microphone on a stand against a blurred background with warm lighting.

All you want to do is sing…

… and make music your career. You not only want to sing well, but also feel confident on stage and communicate authentically with your audience.

But what’s the next step?

There's too much information and advice out there promising to help you "level up,” claiming you can make a living in music in "8 Easy Steps."

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I am here to tell you that there are no shortcuts.

Creating a strong foundation for your life as a singer takes time, energy, and commitment.

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A woman with curly hair holding a microphone, wearing a colorful sequined top with purple lighting.

Do you…

  • Feel called to make singing your life’s work?

  • Know for sure that there's nothing else that would make you feel as fulfilled and alive?

  • Trust your commitment to taking your dreams and turning them into action?

Then you’re in the right place.
And I’m here to help.

An elderly woman with short gray hair, wearing teal round glasses, a black scarf, and earrings, sitting on an orange couch with yellow pillows, smiling and holding a white mug in a bright room with framed pictures on the wall.

Hello, I’m Valerie.

My journey as a musician and educator began more than 30 years ago. It’s taken me from smoky little clubs to packed arenas, from performing in obscurity to making hit records and receiving a Grammy nomination.

I know firsthand that a career in music isn’t a straight line. There is no point A to point B. I know how to fail. Pivot. Get up and start again. I’ve also spent years in the trenches as a voice teacher, working with students of all levels of singing experience with different dreams and goals. I don’t teach privately anymore, but education is still a part of my life.

My online course, Becoming A Singer, is the answer to years of conversations I’ve had with singers about their struggles.

An abstract illustration featuring a vintage-style microphone, a black gloved hand reaching out, and abstract shapes and lines on a beige background.

My favorite part?

Witnessing transformation. The Aha! moments. The hard work’s payoff.

Few things bring me more joy than seeing my students successfully achieve a practice or performance goal. I love figuring out how different people learn and watching them grow.

The biggest lesson?

Most struggles in a singer’s life have nothing to do with their voice.

Every week, students would come to their lessons with questions about practicing, performance, and their music careers. Together, we found practical solutions to their problems.

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Over time, I learned that it’s equally essential for singers to cultivate a kind of mindset — one that enables them to maintain and fuel their love for music.

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A woman with short gray hair and red glasses smiling while standing in front of a microphone in a cozy, decorated room.

✧ THE COURSE ✧

Becoming a Singer

Dive into lessons about everything you need to know as a singer besides how to sing!

  • Creative Exercises

  • Performance Psychology

  • Neuroscience

… and more. Becoming A Singer prepares you to step out on stage with confidence and a new sense of purpose, ready to share your authentic voice with the world.

Learn more →

More Ways to Explore, Discover, or Be Inspired.

  • A collage featuring a vintage microphone, a white flower, and a black hand sculpture against abstract background shapes in beige, red, and yellow.

    Listen

    Be inspired by the voices and stories of singers who’ve lived a life in music. In the Living A Vocal Life podcast, you’ll hear from vocalists of all genres and stages, including some who’ve been on the Billboard charts.

    Podcast →
  • A stack of old books with an open book on top, a black and white photograph of a barn owl perched on the open book, and a colorful abstract background with green and yellow shapes.

    Read

    Love to read? Lose yourself in articles about all things singing. On the Vocal Blog, you’ll find practical advice to keep your body and voice healthy, tools for developing your artistry, and practices to reclaim and nourish your inner singer.

    Vocal Blog →
  • An elephant standing on a globe with a film reel and film strip below on a geometric background.

    Explore

    This page is chock-full of resources for singers. Recommended reading includes books on music, songwriting, and creativity. You’ll find links to voice teachers, free downloadable discovery sheets, and more.

    Resources →
A woman with blonde hair and blue eyes sitting outdoors on a wooden railing, wearing a black top and pants, with a cloudy sky and water in the background.

Valerie taught me that my voice was worth finding.

“I came to Valerie for voice training after years of not singing, with little confidence and no clue where to begin finding my voice again. Valerie taught me vocal technique, but more than that, she taught me that my voice was worth finding.

I am now a full-time singer and voice coach, and it is not an overstatement to say it is because of Valerie Day. You will not find a more present, knowledgeable, or giving human to help you discover the song you were born to sing.”

—Ara Lee James: Singer, Songwriter, Vocal Coach

More Kind Words From Students →