Explore the intersection of creativity and motherhood in this encore episode of Living A Vocal Life. Hear how vocalists navigate performances, postpartum depression, and family life while maintaining their creative spirit and embracing parenthood.

On this episode of Living A Vocal Life, we're diving into the world of microphones, exploring how the right mic can amplify your artistry and protect your vocal health. You'll also get a peek at the latest module of my course, Becoming A Singer, where we take a look at the art of rehearsing and the power of body language. And finally, I share a personal announcement about the future of the podcast. Tune in for an episode filled with valuable tips and tools to live your best vocal life.

In this episode, Jess Baldwin, a voice specialist, creativity coach, and indie singer-songwriter, discusses her journey as a singer and teacher. We explore artist-led coaching, authenticity as an artist, and Inner Family Systems Therapy (IFS). Jess emphasizes how understanding our internal 'parts' can greatly benefit our lives as singers and highlights the transformative power of play and delight in fostering creativity.

Discover Rosi Amador's journey from a bilingual singer and percussionist to a voiceover talent. Learn about her life-changing trip to Nicaragua, her transition into voiceover work, and how she balances motherhood and a demanding music career. Be inspired by an artist who prioritizes authenticity and connection.

In this episode, you'll hear the voice of Whitney Jones, a remarkable musician, songwriter, and singer. Her journey began with singing gospel call and response with her mother during bath time and blossomed into a passion for music and songwriting. Despite facing challenges and adversity, including becoming a single mother at the age of 16, Whitney's determination led her to attend the Berklee School of Music. In this conversation, we discuss her experiences with stage fright and imposter syndrome and how her personal journey and traumas have influenced her musical expression. Join us as we delve into Whitney's life as a music therapist, her blended family of six children, and her unwavering passion for music. Whitney Jones - a testament to the power of resilience, talent, and a love for music.

Welcome to a special two-part series of Living A Vocal Life, where you’ll hear how 11 singers navigate the challenges and rewards of creativity and motherhood.

Welcome to a special two-part series of Living A Vocal Life, where you’ll hear how 11 singers navigate the challenges and rewards of creativity and motherhood.

From her beginnings competing on Ed McMahon's Star Search to her current success as a thriving show band leader and singer, Danielle's story is an inspiring tale of perseverance and personal growth. Throughout our conversation, we discussed the importance of embracing vulnerability and standing up for oneself in the face of adversity and the need to prioritize emotional well-being in the pursuit of success.

In this episode of Living A Vocal Life, I talk with N'Kenge, a Broadway singer with a 5-octave range and 11 languages under her belt. The woman can sing ANYTHING. Motown founder Barry Gordy calls her "The most versatile artist I know." Get ready to be inspired.

In this season of Living A Vocal Life, I'll be interviewing singers dedicated to teaching the next generation of vocalists.

As a culture, we often undervalue the profession of teaching. There's a saying that goes, "Those who can't do, teach," but I've learned that teaching is a skill of its own. It involves deep listening, effective communication, and the ability to discern what students want and need to learn. I'll also share insights from my own journey as a teacher, sharing practical tools to help singers live their best, most authentic vocal life.

This month’s guest is China Forbes, whose voice is heard around the world. She’s the lead vocalist for the globe-trotting band Pink Martini.

My guest this month has been called a poet of the vocal cords and "the Queen of Cabarets." Karen Mason originated the role of Tanya in the Broadway production of Mamma Mia and has had starring roles in Wonderland, Hairspray, Sunset Boulevard, and the first U.S. tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies. She's shared concert stages with Michael Feinstein, Jerry Herman, Chita Rivera, Luciano Pavarotti, Rosemary Clooney, Liza Minnelli, and John Kander & Fred Ebb, among others. Karen's performed with major symphony orchestras and headlined Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and London's Royal Albert Hall.

A 14-time Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs Award-winner, she received the MAC Award for Major Female Vocalist of the Year for six consecutive years and was honored with the MAC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.

Her television appearances include the hit dramas “Ed,” “Law & Order: SVU,” and, most recently, an appearance in the Netflix series Halston starring Ewan McGregor.

In our conversation, Karen talks about what the differences are between cabaret and Broadway and pushes back against those who claim that Broadway is the superior of the two. She also shares how she prepares for both types of performances and finds the story in a song. We discuss how to handle hecklers and how she works on patter - the talking that goes before and after songs.

We talk about our crush on Ewan McGregor and what it was like to work with him on the series Halston, her new album of songs, Let The Music Play, and much more.

Karen is an accomplished vocalist and actor and a delightful person. She's smart, thoughtful, kind, and laughs easily — the kind of person you'd love to have for a friend. I'm grateful for the time she shared with me and now, you.

My guest this month is an accomplished solo artist, backup singer, and songwriter, Tabitha Fair. You’ve probably heard her voice before and didn’t know it. Tabitha’s been 20 feet from stardom her entire career. Sting, Amy Grant, Sam Moore, Michael McDonald, U2, Rosanne Cash are just a few of the household names with whom she’s performed. She's also been a regular on the Jimmy Fallon Show, America’s Got Talent, and the Kennedy Center Honors.

In our conversation, you’ll hear about her life as the daughter of a Chickasaw preacher and musician mother in Arkansas and her journey from Nashville to New York City. Plus, we look at life behind the curtain with her practical advice for singers on practicing and rehearsing for performances.

Tabitha is a delightful human being. Talking with her, I could see why she’s been one of the go-to backup singers for all the heavy-hitters with whom she’s performed. She’s got a strong work ethic and a voice that can sing anything, but she also knows how to take her bright light and shine it on others, supporting them both musically and energetically. I think you’re going to love her and our conversation.

I’ve known Stephanie so long I can’t even remember when or where we met! But what is embedded in my memories of Stephanie are our conversations — they’re always wide-ranging, inspiring, and fun. In this one, we talk about her career trajectory, her new album, what it’s like to stand up for yourself in difficult situations, and the joys and challenges of combining a creative career with parenting. We also dive into some deeper waters — and talk about why coming to terms with failure in one’s creativity and career is essential to living one’s life as an artist.

Lachi is a force of nature — a whirling Diva with non-stop energy who sings, writes, produces, acts, and is visually impaired.

As she says in her YouTube series, Off Beat: "I'm a black girl, going blind, just trying to stay fabulous. I'm here to motivate. I'm here to educate." And that she does.

In our conversation, we talk about how Lachi made the leap from a day job at The Army Corp of Engineers to making music full-time, the importance of a manager, mentor, and your team in the music business, and how she came out of the disability closet to become one of the leading advocates for disability inclusion in the music and recording industry.

Lachi is going to rock your world.

Josh Breckinridge is a triple threat, a singer, dancer, and actor, and he excels at all three. He's best known for his standout roles on Broadway and appearances on hit TV shows the Blacklist, Bluebloods, and FBI. Currently, he's a part of the award-winning Broadway hit, Come From Away. In our conversation, you'll hear how a production of the musical Annie changed the trajectory of Jay's life from troubled kid to focused, driven, musical theater performer. He also shares how the Cincinnati School of the Arts prepared him for a competitive performing life, the relationships essential to show business, and the importance of mental health for performers.

In this episode you’ll learn all about the tools you need to make your rehearsals the best they can be. With an enthusiastic mindset, thoughtful preparation, and a few practical tips, you’ll be more productive, have more fun, and deepen the connection to the music you make and the people you make music with.

Ara Lee James sings in a way that is not only powerful and tender, but transcendent. Her story is about a voice lost and found — the rebirth of a singer’s soul that, along with her voice, will take your breath away.

The guest on this month’s episode of the podcast is Jeanette Jurado — one of the members of the multiplatinum-selling group Exposé.

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.

As a songwriter, Los Battey’s career has been extraordinary; he’s penned hits for artists like Madonna, Justin Bieber, and Bruno Mars. But he was a singer first and has recently pivoted to writing and recording for his voice. In our conversation, Los generously shares his story — the love that inspired him to follow his dreams and made him resilient in the face of life’s most difficult challenges.

In this solo podcast episode, Why Learning How To Listen Will Make You A Better Singer, you’ll discover how you can learn to listen more deeply to other singers, the world around you, and your own voice as a part of your vocal practice.

Duffy’s humble nature belies the fact that she’s won a bevy of blues awards. She was named Best Female Vocalist and Entertainer of the Year by the Northwest Area Music Association and the Washington Blues Society. The Cascade Blues Association named her Best Female Vocalist for five consecutive years, eventually renaming the award “The Duffy Bishop Female Vocalist Award.” She’s a member of the Washington Blues Society Hall of Fame, the Cascade Blues Association Hall of Fame, and the Oregon Hall of Fame.

My relationship with practicing is a love/hate kind of thing. I’ve tried a gazillion strategies over the years and tested some of them with my students.

Here’s what I’ve learned about staying connected to why I practice in the first place and nine strategies for finding the time to do it.

In this episode, jazz singer and song writer Karla Harris talks about how she supports her “jazz habit,” the mind/body connection in singing and emotional vulnerability, how she approaches writing and learning songs, and more.

In this episode, we’re going to take a look at the elements of style in singing with a focus on vibrato.

In this episode of Living A Vocal Life, Bill Wadhams, from the 80s group Animotion, talks about relationships with the members of your band and the importance of trusting your instincts.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to make your musical life more manageable by using Google Sheets in the cloud.

In this episode of Living A Vocal Life, multi-genre singer and looping goddess, Holly Pyle, talks about what she does to overcome rejection in performance and marketing and the connection between her inner life and creative process.