Becoming a Singer

In this lesson, we explore the ‘why' of your singing journey. This 'why' is your guiding compass, shaping your decisions, branding, and social media presence. Remembering your 'why,’ especially during challenging times, provides purpose and meaning to your musical journey.

This module explores the body as an instrument. Learn what makes every voice unique, the physical aspects of voice production, how to keep your voice healthy, and more.

Welcome to the world of sound science! This lesson will explore the mechanics of sound, its connection to your voice, and its value in helping you achieve your full potential as a singer.

Deepen your understanding of the breath in singing. Learn how your diaphragm and rib cage work together for optimal performance. Explore breathing techniques and breath control for sustained, expressive singing.

Explore the fascinating world of the vocal cords and their crucial role in singing. Learn about their vibration, the phrenic nerve system, and the importance of optimal abdominal tension and control. This lesson will help you understand the mechanics behind your voice and how to keep it healthy and strong.

This lesson offers an in-depth exploration of vocal resonation. You'll learn how the tongue, mouth, and pharyngeal cavity work together to create different colors of sound. This knowledge will enhance your vocal function and expand your artistic freedom, allowing you to sing and sound authentic in any musical style.

Ever wondered about the "break" in your singing voice? This lesson explains different voice registers and how to smoothly transition between them. Understand the importance of balanced muscle strength and flexibility, and practice exercises for better control.

Let's make the voice — this fascinating, invisible to the naked eye instrument — more visible. This lesson contains one of my favorite videos of the vocal folds in action. However, proceed with caution, as some may find this content to be quite graphic!

Find out why a good voice teacher is worth their weight in gold and the important questions you should be asking them.

Take a break from theory and get back to basics with this Whole Body Warm-Up for Singers. Designed by a professional voice teacher and NIA instructor, this routine can be done anywhere, fits any body type, and takes just 5-7 minutes. It's easy to memorize, focuses on key muscles, and helps enhance whole-body awareness. Perfect for both practice sessions and pre-performance preparation.

In this next series of lessons, you’ll learn about the different systems in your body and the role they play in how your voice functions. You’ll also find out what you can do to stay healthy, and the kinds of health practitioners that can support you when you’re struggling.

Discover the profound impact of sleep on a singer's performance, learning, and well-being. Understand how sleep deprivation affects vocal health, emotional balance, creativity, and the immune system. Learn practical tips to prioritize sleep and enhance your artistry.

Discover the importance of hydration for singers in this lesson. Learn what your vocal cords are made of, how dehydration affects them, and strategies to stay hydrated for optimal vocal performance.

Discover how to maintain vocal health and prevent issues before they start. Besides rest and hydration, there's a surprisingly effective method to keep germs at bay: proper hand hygiene. Yes, really! Learn how to avoid germs while traveling or performing, plus the two critical steps in hand-washing that are often overlooked.

Learn how to keep your singing voice healthy during flu season, deal with sickness, and decide when to cancel performances. Explore how illness can affect your vocal cords, lungs, and sinuses, and the impacts of common medications on your voice.

Check in! How are you doing? Feeling overwhelmed? Remember, perfection doesn't exist, but there are strategies to help your body handle daily life and the extraordinary pressures of a performing life. Plus, singing is good for you, so keep going! Only a few more lessons to go in this module!

Explore how your gastrointestinal, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems impact your singing. Understand the effects of stomach acid, hormones, thyroid health, and spine alignment. Learn prevention strategies and tips for optimal vocal health.

Discover the surprising truth: talking can be harder on your voice than singing! In this lesson, you’ll learn techniques for speaking that will safeguard your vocal cords in challenging environments and prevent vocal fatigue. Discover how to adjust your speaking pitch effectively, recover from voice strain, and keep your voice fresh, so you’re always ready for your next performance.

If your voice is strained from overuse, noisy environments, or illness, I have a vocal exercise for you! It's called the Siren, and you can use it to gently rehabilitate your vocal cords.

The life of a singer can be stressful. Late nights, performance anxiety, and constant travel all take their toll. However, there's a simple antidote we vocalists often overlook: Singing is good for you! This lesson highlights how singing enhances physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

We’ve covered a lot of territory in this module! Let’s do a quick recap so you can review what you’ve learned.

What is it about a song that draws you to it and makes it a powerful vehicle for communicating emotions and thoughts? This module will answer that question and deepen your connection to the songs you sing.

Explore the profound influence of music on our emotions and memories. Learn about the interaction between music and the brain and how rhythm, melody, and harmony evoke feelings. Discover how to apply this knowledge to enrich your singing.

Explore the power of song lyrics and their role in connecting with music. Learn how lyrics can refine a song's meaning and context, how to emotionally connect with them, and the importance of choosing songs that resonate with you.

Learn to make a song uniquely yours. Unpack a song's architecture, original key, and the composer's intentions. Learn how to choose a key that fits your voice and singing style and transpose songs to suit your vocal range. Start making your songs your own with stylistic choices.

Discover how to develop your own singing style. Learn to use stylistic tools like Vibrato & Vowel Color to sound authentic within any genre, from classical to pop. Develop an attitude of curiosity and think like a 'sound scientist' to expand your artistic capabilities.

In this lesson, we'll revisit the purpose of singing - to evoke emotion. We'll explore how to see songs as a whole, stepping into the song's character to authentically convey its story. Through a series of questions, you'll deepen your connection to the song, ultimately transforming your performance.

Ready to practice what you've learned? Download the eBook, print out the checklist, and reference it while watching and listening to videos of well-known singers performing the same song in different styles.

Like a relationship, your practice needs nurturing, commitment, and even a sense of play. In this module, you’ll learn tools to make practice sessions productive and fun, plus the mindset to sustain the joy in your practice, transforming it from a task into an enriching journey of musical growth.

Before we begin, take a moment to reflect on your current relationship with your singing practice. How would you like this relationship to change? What are two or three aspects of your practice that you hope will improve after completing this course?

In this lesson, we'll focus on the powerful role of mindset during singing practice. We'll explore how the body, mind, and emotions work together to refine singing skills. You'll also learn about the fascinating way your brain learns and how to use this knowledge to enhance your musical growth.

In this lesson, we’ll navigate the art of practice. You’ll learn why quality matters more than quantity and the power that consistent, daily practice holds. We'll also explore various strategies to make your practice sessions not just productive but enjoyable, too.

This lesson will walk you through a practice outline that integrates the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of practice covered in lesson two. Start by warming up your body and mind, then delve into strategies for learning songs, memorizing lyrics, and forming an emotional connection to your music.

In this lesson, we'll explore listening as vocal practice. We'll talk about imitating vocal models, drawing inspiration from different instruments, and building an emotional connection to songs. Additionally, you'll learn how to befriend your inner critic, transforming self-judgment into a tool for personal growth.

Discover how a Practice Planner can transform your singing journey. This lesson offers tools and techniques to plan your practice, track your progress, and document your vocal discoveries.

In this lesson, you'll learn to create a practice plan based on your musical values, transforming them into meaningful goals with a clear pathway to achievement for more purposeful and rewarding sessions.

You can use many helpful tools in your practice — apps to sing along with, record, transcribe, or even create charts. The possibilities are endless and overwhelming. Which ones will be worth your time and money?

In this lesson, I'm excited to share some of my favorites with you.

From the moment a song enters your life, it needs a place to live — somewhere you can access and share it easily. In this lesson, you’ll unleash your inner librarian and learn how to organize your gig book, sheet music, charts, and song list. Your inner singer will thank you!

Bravo on finishing the practice module! You've covered a lot of material, so take a moment to reflect on what you've learned and envision how you'll apply this knowledge moving forward. And keep in mind that revisiting these lessons will reinforce and strengthen your newly acquired skills.

In this module, we transition from solo practice to rehearsing with others, emphasizing the visual aspects of performance. We'll focus on body language for emotional connection and use video feedback for refinement. Prepare for a transformative journey into performance!

In this lesson, we’ll explore how to make rehearsals more fun and productive using mindset, preparation, communication, and practical tips. Discover how your enthusiasm can transform your rehearsals and create an atmosphere that sparks creativity and connection.

Step into the captivating world of visual communication in this lesson. Discover how your body language and facial expressions, backed by the intriguing science of mirror neurons, can transform your singing into an emotionally rich, unforgettable performance.

In this lesson, we'll examine facial expressions and their role in establishing genuine connections with an audience. We'll review several performances, discuss the pros and cons of closing your eyes while singing, and I’ll share some tips to enhance your stage presence.

In this lesson, we'll explore the art of body language in performance. We'll study how different body parts communicate emotions using musical elements like tempo, intensity, and dynamics. By analyzing iconic performances and experimenting with varying postures, you'll learn to elevate your stage presence, connect more deeply with your audience, and enhance your expressive skills.

Discover the transformative power of videotaping. Improve your stage presence as you learn to set up and review your performances, communicate your emotions through movement, and find your authentic performance style. Find inspiration from your favorite singers and use it to ignite the heart of your performance, making every moment you're on stage memorable.

Get ready to feel confident with the technical side of performing. In this lesson, singers learn the essentials that make shows run smoothly—from microphones, monitors, EQ, and effects to smart soundcheck habits. You’ll also learn how to create stage plots and plan set lists that support your voice and the emotional flow of your show.

Want your voice to feel easier and sound more like you on stage? Your microphone is your “other instrument,” and this lesson helps singers choose the right one with confidence: how mics shape your tone, dynamic vs. condenser (phantom power + feedback), when wireless is worth it, and how to test for clarity, comfort, and control—so you sing with less strain and more freedom.

Make your mic, stand, and cord feel like natural extensions of your voice. This lesson shows singers how grip, angle, and distance shape tone, how to find your mic “sweet spot,” and how to adjust, move, and manage a stand and cable smoothly—so you sound better, look more confident, and stay in control onstage.

Sound Systems 101 for singers: learn what’s in a PA (mixer, channels, monitors, EQ, effects), how to communicate with sound techs, and how to dial in monitors so you can actually hear yourself. You’ll explore wedges, in-ears, and hot spots—plus simple EQ moves that give your voice presence without pushing or strain.

Advance your show like a pro with a clear stage plot and rider. This lesson teaches singers what to include in a technical rider (mics, monitors, input lists, power, effects) and how to create simple stage plots that save time at load-in and soundcheck. You’ll also learn hospitality basics, expectations, and real-world tips for smoother gigs.

Sound check is where you set yourself up to sing with confidence. This lesson teaches you how to prepare before you arrive, what happens (and when) during soundcheck, and how to get a clear monitor mix using simple EQ. You’ll also learn respectful, effective communication with sound techs, plus what to prioritize when time is short.

Craft set lists that keep an audience hooked from the first note to the last. This lesson shows singers how to build flow with tension and release, vary tempo/feel/key, choose a strong opener, balance familiar songs with new material, and pace vocal demands. Includes tips for multi-set nights, encores, and organizing charts for smooth shows.