An interactive salon exploring art's healing power in uncertain times. Discover how creativity moves us from fear to freedom.

Ready to create a unique stage look that matches your music? From finding affordable style inspiration to building a sustainable performance wardrobe, this guide cuts through the fashion confusion. Drawing from decades of experience (and plenty of questionable outfit choices), I'll show you how to craft an authentic stage presence that feels true to your artistry.

In the rush of show prep, it's easy to forget one crucial thing: you need to show up as the singer, too. While "self-care" might sound like just another wellness buzzword, it's essential for vocalists. From sleep strategies to stress management, these singer-tested tips will help you navigate the week before your show, so you can step onto that stage energized and ready to perform.

Transform your performances through the art of set list creation. Learn to craft a captivating musical journey, balance familiar and new material, preserve your voice, and strategically pace your show. Discover how a well-designed set list can enhance your performance and deepen your connection with listeners.

Discover the art of the sound check with this expert guide. From preparation to execution, learn how to navigate this crucial pre-show ritual with confidence and professionalism. Whether you're performing at a small club or a major festival, this blog post offers practical tips to ensure you sound your best on stage. Learn how to communicate effectively with sound technicians, optimize your monitor mix, and gracefully handle unexpected challenges. With Valerie's 30-plus years of experience, you'll gain invaluable insights to elevate your live performances and connect more deeply with your audience.

Enhance your live performances with expertly crafted stage plots and riders. Learn essential tips for creating professional documents that communicate your needs clearly, ensuring smoother shows and better experiences for you and your audience.

Discover your voice's perfect match in this comprehensive guide to microphones. Explore types of microphones and their impact on your vocal performance. Learn how to choose the perfect microphone to amplify your artistry, protect your vocal health, and enhance your joy of performing.

Learn how to find the best key to sing a song in — one that will suit your voice, create the emotion you want to communicate, and add to the song’s interpretation without feeling like you’re cheating or being inauthentic.

Giving — another way to “spark joy.”

No matter how many days, months, or years you’ve been practicing, approaching it with renewed anticipation and love every day is challenging. It’s easy to lose sight of the forest for the trees. Seeing the task at hand with a beginner’s mind — no preconceptions and an open mind, is one way to keep your vocal practice fresh.

How often should you rehearse, and for how long? It depends.

This quick overview outlines how often musicians typically rehearse and how much rehearsal time you’ll need for different types of performances. It’s by no means an exhaustive list, but it’ll at least give you an idea of what kind of time is usually required. But every situation is unique, so I’ve also included a simple formula for calculating your rehearsal time.

What if rehearsals were something you looked forward to? What if they gave you energy rather than depleting it? What if they had the same potential as performance for creating connection and community? What if they were actually fun?

From mindset to preparation, communication to practical tips, here’s what will make your rehearsals the best they can be.

Auditioning is an important skill to have. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare can make all the difference — not only in how well you perform, but in the kind of experience you have and remember.

Enter guest blogger Josh Spink. Josh is a classical singer and writer. He’s had to audition —a LOT. So I asked him what advice he would give to singers who have upcoming auditions and could use some help.

I love what he’s written, and know you will too!

In this recent written conversation, Chris Dunmire, founder of Creativity Portal, asked some great questions that prompted me to dive deep for answers about creativity, career, and how to live a sustainable life as a singer.

Five vocalist/teachers share their top three tips for singing practice — during a pandemic.

How a short 10-minute talk by Elizabeth Gilbert finally clarified my troubled relationship with music and the music business and why what I learned might be helpful to you too.

From the moment a song enters your life, it needs a place to live — somewhere you can access and share it easily.
In this blog post, you’ll learn what a gig book is, and how to keep your lyric sheets, charts, and sheet music organized. Your inner librarian will thank you for the help, and you can get back to singing!

Discover how you can learn to listen more deeply to other singers, the world around you, and your own voice.