Studying the Song - Audition & Music Preparation for Musical Theatre

Have you ever wondered how much movement is too much movement in an audition?   Have you struggled to find movement that feels authentic to you?   In this episode, Roger Ellis (@rogerellis), head of movement in the MFA Acting Program at Northwestern University, shares how he develops character, creates choreography, and develops a directorial vision through the lens of movement.  He pulls back the curtain on his creative process and reveals the specific tactics he uses to devise choreography, dig deeper into a show's themes, and how to bring out each actor's truest self. Roger Ellis (they/he) is a movement director and filmmaker investigating the mixed reality of Black-queer-aspec experience. Roger is the original director of Nikki Lynette's Get Out Alive (Steppenwolf, film adaptation, National Alliance for Musical Theatre). Current projects include the documusical series Unhappy Songs About Unhappy Things, sound installation Interstitial and the short film Emergency Contact. Ellis is an assistant professor and head of the movement area for the MFA Acting Program at Northwestern University. In this interview, we discuss: What does storytelling mean to you? What's your approach to storytelling through choreography? When you're starting to choreograph a new show, how do you begin? How do you approach the score?  What's your process? What's your take on movement in auditions?  How can actors utilize movement in auditions without it feeling fully choreographed? How can they best represent themselves in the movement? What are you looking for in callbacks that is different from auditions? I hope you enjoy this fascinating conversation! Xo, Korrie Find more about Roger Ellis at www.movementdesignchicago.com Check out www.korrieyamaoka.com to find info about FREE RESOURCES and AUDITION COACHING, and to sign up for my email list.   Korrie's Email List - Sign up for weekly resources about auditioning, information on new offerings, and the latest news from Studying the Song. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today! Contact Korrie at hello@korrieyamaoka.com.

Ever wonder what it's really like to work a National Tour of a Broadway musical? In this episode, April shares her journey as an actor in New York and how she booked the First National Tour of Mean Girls.  She also goes deep into the business side of things and shares very specific guidance in the following areas: The benefits of self tapes for actors with learning disabilities What to look for in an agent The difference between an agent and a manager How and when do you pay your agent and manager The audition and callback process for the First National Tour of Mean Girls How do contracts work for tours The rehearsal and maintenance process for long running tours How to be a life-long learner and discover new strengths in yourself April is based in Manhattan, and loves the art of storytelling in any and all forms. She grew up in sunny California, and had the opportunity to grow and work in many regional productions based there. To Name a few: La Jolla PlayHouse, Moonlight Stage Productions, Lambs Players Theater, La Mirada/McCoy Rigby Entertainment, 3-D Theatricals, Welk Resort Theater.  Other passions include teaching/ collaborating with budding artists (tiny tot to young adult)  in any way that furthers growth, safety and positivity in dance and the performing arts.  She has been on the road with the Broadway First National Tour, Mean Girls The Musical, since October 2021, playing Mrs. George, Mrs. Heron, and her favorite adult woman, Ms Norbury. She looks forward to working in and alongside the arts in the future as a beacon for hope, a catalyst for change, and rehabilitation in our world. Take a listen today! Xo, Korrie Find more about April at www.apriljosephinemedia.com Check out www.korrieyamaoka.com to find info about FREE RESOURCES and AUDITION COACHING, and to sign up for my email list. Korrie's Email List - Sign up for weekly resources about auditioning, information on new offerings, and the latest news from Studying the Song. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today! Contact Korrie at hello@korrieyamaoka.com.

A disarmingly honest conversation about career, loving yourself (ie your voice), and taking on the identity of "artist." In this episode, you'll hear Sasha talk about finding success in unexpected opportunities like workshops, readings, and cabaret shows.  She also shares her honest realizations about fighting her “type” and coming to terms with her voice (which she now loves, btw). Sasha received her MFA in Musical Theatre from San Diego State University and her BFA in Musical Theatre with emphasis in Acting and Vocal Repertoire from The Boston Conservatory.  Some of her favorite NY credits include: Jerry Springer the Opera (Carnegie Hall); Colette Collage (The York Theatre) I and Albert (York), The Grand Tour (York); and readings/workshops such as Carrie: the Musical (with Sutton Foster & Marin Mazzie, dir. Stafford Arima), Mister Hollands Opus: the Musical (with BD Wong), Dig Lenny Bruce (with Mario Cantone & Mary Testa, dir. Jerry Dixon), TV: ABC's What Would You Do? (“Ugly Americans in Paris”), Food Fighters (judge), and one-time game show winner on $100,000 Pyramid. Commercials: Jenny Craig nat'l (w/Mariah Carey).  Sasha wrote her thesis on “The Art and the Venue of Cabaret” and has written, produced, and performed her own cabarets in NYC, San Diego, and LA. Sasha has been a faculty member in the Musical Theatre programs at Pace University, Marymount Manhattan College, San Diego State University, and The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA)..   If you've ever questioned your own success or wondered if this was what you were “supposed” to be doing, then you'll want to hear this conversation. Find more about Sasha at www.sashaweiss.com Xo, Korrie Check out www.korrieyamaoka.com to find info about FREE RESOURCES and AUDITION COACHING, and to sign up for my email list. Korrie's Email List - Sign up for weekly resources about auditioning, information on new offerings, and the latest news from Studying the Song. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today! Contact Korrie at hello@korrieyamaoka.com.

Discover how training your brain and neurological system can instantly yield more freedom, control, and flexibility in your voice. You guys, I've seen Kimberly Moller's work first hand, and I have to say - it's like magic!   In this episode, I ask Kim all my questions about how neurology (all things nerves and nervous system) affects our voice.  How can we improve tone, resonance, and control so that we feel more freedom and ease as we sing.   We also talk about how we can calm our nervous system and anxiety before auditioning and performing with simple physical exercises.  Whether you're backstage before a gig or in the waiting room for an audition, you CAN improve your singing within just minutes of doing these drills. SPOILER: I've added these drills to my routine before I perform and before I record and am so happy with the results. Kimberly Moller is on the Board of The National Association of Teachers of Singing in San Diego and a member of The Musical Theatre Educators Alliance. Her mentors include: Singing Athlete creator Andrew Byrne, Laurinda Nikkel (SDSU), Mary Saunders Barton (Penn State/Bel Canto can Belto method) and master Z-Health trainer Missy Bunch. Kimberly is Z-Health Essentials, R-Phase and I-Phase certified to assist with drills and mobility that impacts vocal production at the speed of the nervous system. If you're looking for a new way to access freedom in your voice (something beyond breathing exercises and vocalises), then listen to this episode.   Then go check out Kim at www.vocalkinesthetics.com Let's get into it! Xo, Korrie Check out www.korrieyamaoka.com to find info about FREE RESOURCES and AUDITION COACHING, and to sign up for my email list. Korrie's Email List - Sign up for weekly resources about auditioning, information on new offerings, and the latest news from Studying the Song. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today! Contact me at hello@korrieyamaoka.com.

In this 2-part series, I'm going to tell you exactly how to mark your sheet music so that the accompanist has all the information they need to play well and in sync with YOUR version of the song. Today's episode covers how to mark the cuts inside your song, whether to use highlighters, what to do if you're changing lyrics, how to clearly mark your ending, and even a short tangent on Bruce Willis.  (So there's that.) Be sure to  listen to last week's episode (Episode 41) so that you get the full picture of how to prepare your sheet music so that you have successful experiences with every accompanist: EPISODE 41 Preparing Your Sheet Music PART 1: First Page of Your Cut & Binder Best Practices.  If you need a refresh on the industry standards for preparing your audition sheet music OR if you are completely new to this, then pull up a chair and press play!  Let's get into it! Xo, Korrie Be sure to grab the FREE PDF - 7 Ways to Create an Intro for your Audition Cut  Check out www.korrieyamaoka.com to find info about FREE RESOURCES and AUDITION COACHING, and to sign up for my email list. Korrie's Email List - Sign up for weekly resources about auditioning, information on new offerings, and the latest news from Studying the Song. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today!

Learn the 6 pieces of information that MUST be on the first page of your audition cut. Do you worry the accompanist won't play your song the right way? Well, worry no longer, friend. In this 2-part series, I'm going to tell you exactly how to mark your sheet music so that the accompanist has all the information they need to play well and in sync with YOUR version of the song. Today's episode is a detailed run-down of what needs to go on the first page of your audition cut.   For most of us, we're starting our song somewhere in the middle of the song, right?  Well, there's a ton of information that the accompanist needs to know that is ONLY ON THE FIRST PAGE of the music.   So, you need to transfer this information to the page you're starting on.   I'll also cover best practices surrounding binder choice and the age-old question: to use sheet protectors or not? If you need a refresh on the industry standards for preparing your audition sheet music OR if you are completely new to this, then pull up a chair and press play!  Let's get into it! Xo, Korrie Be sure to grab the FREE PDF - 7 Ways to Create an Intro for Your Audition Cut  Check out www.korrieyamaoka.com to find info about FREE RESOURCES and AUDITION COACHING, and to sign up for my email list. Korrie's Email List - Sign up for weekly resources about auditioning, information on new offerings, and the latest news from Studying the Song. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today!

Let's talk about 3 ways you can create contrast in your song choices and show your range of abilities and skills! So you've got an audition coming up and they want you to bring “two contrasting songs.”  What do you choose? Do you find yourself paralyzed by this question?   Or at a minimum, staring at your audition book with a dazed and confused look as you struggle to decide which two songs to sing? Well, let me help you out!   In this episode, I'm going to guide you through three different ways you want to show contrast when you're pairing a song.   Once you know these three categories of contrast, you can go back to your book and start pairing songs with confidence and (dare I say) excitement!  It'll be like each pair of songs is a mini one-person-show you get to put together for your audition.  Fun! Let's dive in!   xo, Korrie Be sure to grab the FREE PDF - Uplevel Your Audition Book Workbook Check out www.korrieyamaoka.com to find info about FREE RESOURCES and AUDITION COACHING, and to sign up for my email list. Korrie's Email List - Sign up for weekly resources about auditioning, information on new offerings, and the latest news from Studying the Song. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today!

Ever wonder what you should be writing into your sheet music during rehearsal?  When I'm music directing a show, I have a very specific list of things I want singers to write down in their score.  These are stylistic choices that go beyond what's written on the page, and when everyone performs them as a unified ensemble, the music elevates to another level of nuance and professionalism. But, what exactly are these “things” I'm telling them to write down? Friend, let me tell you! Today, I'm sharing nine essential music markings you should be writing in your score during every rehearsal!  Some of these markings are basic and others involve higher level musical analysis.  But, ALL of them are integral to helping you: Learn a song with precision and accuracy Perform musical phrases with consistent interpretation choices Sing in tune with other singers Elevate your ensemble singing skills And improve how you communicate with your music director and accompanists If you want to learn your music faster and with greater detail and nuance, then this episode is for you.  Grab a pen and paper, and let's go! Xo, Korrie Check out www.korrieyamaoka.com to find info about FREE RESOURCES and AUDITION COACHING, and to sign up for my email list. Korrie's Email List - Sign up for weekly resources about auditioning, information on new offerings, and the latest news from Studying the Song. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today! Contact me at hello@korrieyamaoka.com.

You guys, this episode is GOLD!!! I sat down with Jacole Kitchen, Casting Director for the La Jolla Playhouse (San Diego, CA), and asked her all the questions I've been dying to know about the casting process and what directors and casting directors are looking for in auditions.  And, boy did she deliver! We talked about: What is the role of a casting director? What place does “type” have in today's climate of color-bold casting, reimagining roles, and creating equity for actors of all backgrounds? What makes an actor stand out in the audition room? What is expected in a self-tape? And so much more! Jacole is incredibly generous and dropped truth bomb after truth bomb about what actors should be doing in their auditions.  Jacole's full bio: Jacole Kitchen is the Director of Arts Engagement and In-House Casting at La Jolla Playhouse, spearheading numerous community based programs. She works closely with our San Diego veterans and other communities underserved in theatre arts.  She is also the resident casting director working in tandem with NY casting offices for La Jolla Playhouse Productions including: six-show season, POP Tour, and various developmental workshops and readings.   In addition, Jacole is an educator and private coach for acting, auditions and professional development. Formerly, Jacole was a bicoastal talent agent at Kazarian/Spencer/Ruskin, specializing in professional theatre actors, directors and choreographers.  Directing credits include, Pick Me Last and Light Years Away (La Jolla Playhouse/Pop Tour), The Music Sounds Different to Me Now (La Jolla Playhouse/WOW Festival), Cardboard Piano (Diversionary Theatre), An Iliad (New Village Arts) and September and Her Sisters (Scripps Ranch Theatre/ OoaL New Play Festival).  Assistant/Associate directing credits include, Escape to Margaritaville, Tiger Style and Guards at the Taj (La Jolla Playhouse), HONKY, The Oldest Boy and Detroit (San Diego Repertory Theatre).   Get out a pad of paper for taking notes, and press play now! Xo, Korrie Check out www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES, AUDITION COACHING, and to sign up for my email list. Korrie's Email Community - Sign up for weekly resources about auditioning, information on new offerings, and the latest news from Studying the Song. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today! Contact me at hello@korrieyamaoka.com.

Hey friends, in today's episode we are talking repertoire suggestions from the rarely done (yet Pulitzer prize winning) musical, Fiorello! (1959).  From the writing team of Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (also Fiddler on the Roof and She Loves Me), this Golden Age show has a score that alternates between brassy, energetic uptempo numbers and string-driven bittersweet ballads.  Throughout all the songs, there is wit, humor, and emotional depth, and totally relatable POLITICAL COMMENTARY! I'll share the specific songs that you can pull out for audition material and cabaret shows as well as the ensemble numbers you can use with your college and high school students.  I hope this helps you find some Golden Age material that feels fresh and not overdone! Xo, Korrie Check out www.korrieyamaoka.com to find info about FREE RESOURCES and AUDITION COACHING, and to sign up for my email list. Korrie's Email List - Sign up for weekly resources about auditioning, information on new offerings, and the latest news from Studying the Song. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today! Contact me at hello@korrieyamaoka.com.

Friends, are you constantly worried you're singing a song that's overdone for auditions?  Do you worry you won't stand out from the crowd and that maybe, GASP, someone else will sing the same songs as you?!  OR, do you have this undiscovered gem of a song and you're not sure if it's a good choice for your audition? Well, first let me way:  There's a time and place for every song - both the well worn classic tune and the undiscovered gem.   In today's episode, I'm going to walk you through the pros and cons of each type of song - the Familiar song and the Lesser Known song - so that you can make your decision with confidence and go into your audition without any apprehension. Press play and let's get into it! Xo, Korrie Check out www.korrieyamaoka.com to find info about FREE RESOURCES and AUDITION COACHING, and to sign up for my email list. Korrie's Email List - Sign up for weekly resources about auditioning, information on new offerings, and the latest news from Studying the Song. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today! Contact me at hello@korrieyamaoka.com.

Hey friend, have you ever wondered “why does my version of this musical theatre song sound so plain in comparison to the cast recording?”  Or maybe you wondered, “how can I differentiate my performance from so-and-so's famous Broadway version?”  Well, I've got you covered, boo!  In this episode I walk you through a process I call “shaping a melody,” a skill that all singers MUST have.   Shaping a melody is about making choices about how to interpret your song beyond the instructions given on the page.  All those little black notes are just the beginning!  Shaping a melody is also the key to creating your own unique version of a song while staying aligned with the appropriate style and genre of the song.    Friend, press play now to learn the 3 specific ways you can shape your melody and transform your song from ho-hum to heavenly.   Xo, Korrie Check out www.korrieyamaoka.com to find info about FREE RESOURCES and AUDITION COACHING, and to sign up for my email list. Korrie's Email List - Sign up for weekly resources about auditioning, information on new offerings, and the latest news from Studying the Song. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today! Contact me at hello@studyingthesong.com.

Hey Friend! In today's episode I'm laying out the 3 tier system I use with clients to help them create a diverse and powerful audition book that also showcases their strengths and personality. I'm talking all about how you can show the creative team who you are both as an artist and as a PERSON, as well as making sure you cover your bases with a variety of music styles. If you've been needing to revamp your audition book and find songs that better reflect who you are right now and will actually help you book the shows you love, then you're going to want to listen to this episode. Grab a cup of tea and a notebook and let's go! Xo, Korrie Check out www.korrieyamaoka.com to find info about FREE RESOURCES and AUDITION COACHING, and to sign up for my email list. Download the Uplevel Your Audition Book Workbook on the resources page! Korrie's Email List - Sign up for weekly resources about auditioning, information on new offerings, and the latest news from Studying the Song. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today! Contact me at hello@studyingthesong.com.

Hey friends, it's been a minute since I posted a new episode!  In today's episode I'm pulling back the curtain and sharing why I had to put down my podcast for 5 months, why I'm back, and how I'll be moving forward with the show. If you're feeling burned out, overcommitted, or feel like time is slipping through your fingers, then this episode is for you.  You're not alone.  I was feeling all those things, and I didn't know how I was ever going to get on top of it all. The answer?   Taking a FULL STOP on my podcast.  It was super scary and I thought I would lose everything, BUT what actually happened over the next 5 months was truly transformational.   Tune in today to hear my story!  I hope it's an encouragement for you wherever you're at! Xo, Korrie Check out www.korrieyamaoka.com to find info about FREE RESOURCES and AUDITION COACHING, and to sign up for my email list. Korrie's Email List - Sign up for weekly resources about auditioning, information on new offerings, and the latest news from Studying the Song. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today! Contact me at hello@studyingthesong.com.

Whether you're a young actor or a Broadway veteran, chances are you've had a horrifying audition experience.  Ever had the accompanist stop playing in the middle of your audition?  Or did you show up late and nearly miss your audition appointment?  In this special episode, my fellow music director Kathryn Lounsbery and I share our own horror stories from behind the piano as well as submissions from listeners, including Broadway's Beth Malone (Fun Home, Angels in America).   You'll hear us talk about Sondheim mishaps, terrible dance calls, callback partners that botched the scene, and directors cutting you off multiple times on a song.   The stories are truly terrifyingly brutal and yet somehow also make us feel like we're not alone in this crazy theatre experience. If you're looking for a good laugh or you just want to know you're not the only one with a horrific audition experience, then take a listen to this episode! Listen to the whole episode now or use the time stamps below to navigate to specific stories.   1:00 Welcome/Kathryn's Russian Grad Schoo Horror Story 6:54 Korrie's Page-Turning Nightmare 9:29 Jessica's Mortifying New York Audition 15:44 Tyler's Improv Fail 19:05 Bryan's Frightening Callback Email 22:35 Mitzi's Sondheim Fiasco 24:25 Robert's Brutal Sondheim Audition 29:04 Melissa's “In the Heights” Disaster 35:04 Korrie's Dreadful Hemiola from “The Great Comet” 36:37 Tim's Ghastly “Annie” Audition with Martin Charnin! 44:44 Lauren's Grad School Professor from Hell 49:44 Kathryn's Kia Commercial Audition Humiliation 56:00 Beth Malone's Hellacious Lincoln Center Callback for South Pacifi   Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditioning, information on new offerings, and the latest news form Studying the Song. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today!

Charles Gilbert is an educator and author who has been training young performers and creating provocative original work for the musical stage for forty years.  He started the Musical Theater Program at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and headed it for nearly 20 years. He's the author of the book, The SAVI Singing Actor, and the creator of SAVI Cards, a unique training tool for singing actors and teachers. He's a founding member and Past President of the Musical Theatre Educators Alliance, and has taught workshops and master classes in America, the UK, Europe and Australia. Charles is a professional director and music director whose original works for the musical stage include Assassins, source of the idea for the Tony Award-winning musical of the same name. In this episode, I talk to Charles about his method for teaching how to be a singing actor.  He calls it being a SAVI singer – S-A-V-I, and he'll tell us what each of those letters stands for. What's so neat about his approach is that he has taken this overwhelming idea of storytelling through song and created very specific, bite-sized exercises that help you work on individual elements of technique. Press play, and let's dive in! Xo, Korrie Find Charles Gilbert's book, The Savi Singing Actor at www.savisingingactor.com! Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditioning, information on new offerings, and the latest news form Studying the Song. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today!

Learn seven different ways to create an introduction for your audition cut that will communicate the mood, tempo, and key of your song. Singers, this oft overlooked part of preparing your audition can actually be the key to your success! When your introduction is well crafted, you'll be able to launch into your performance with confidence knowing that all the elements of your song – key, tempo, and mood – are exactly as you intended them to be.  How good does that feel?!  So good. In this episode, I offer you 7 different methods of creating an introduction for your song, using segments of the accompaniment that's right on the page. If you want the tools to be able to communicate exactly the style and feel that you want to your coach or audition pianist, then press play and listen to this episode today! Xo, Korrie ps - Make sure you download the FREE PDF that goes with this episode: 7 Ways to Create an Intro for Your Audition Cut PDF. Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and artist branding. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today!

How do we perform folk music in the world of musical theatre?  That's the question I'm covering today with special guest, Madison Mae Williams. With folk musicals like Hadestown, Come from Away, and Bright Star being so popular right now, I've been getting a lot of questions from singers on where to find a folk song and how to perform it for their audition.  This category of musical can seem difficult to audition for because the music doesn't center on vocal virtuosity.  How do we show the auditors our vocal skill when the songs aren't especially range-y? Well, my guest today, Madison Mae Williams, is here to speak on exactly that.  Madison Mae Williams is a multidisciplinary artist and scholar based in San Diego.  She's a PhD candidate at UC San Diego and her dissertation project focuses on alienation in countercultural performances of the Long Sixties.  She received her BA concentrating in musical theatre, poetry, and Africana studies from Hampshire College. Her other research areas include American musical theatre, the Black Power/Arts movements, horror and the uncanny, performance for children, and the films of Stanley Kubrick and John Cassavetes. Maddie is passionate about theatre work that is accessible, radical, and increases visibility and representation for people of marginalized identities. She is a member of the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas and the Black Theatre Network. In this episode, we'll be diving into the following questions: What is folk music?   Where does it come from?   What kind of stories do folk songs tell?   And how do we perform it as authentically as possible in the world of musical theatre? If you're looking to deepen your interpretation of folk songs and step into the audition room with more confidence in this area, then this episode is for you! Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditioning, information on new offerings, and the latest news form Studying the Song. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today!

A breakdown of the creative team, production history, character arcs, and music styles of my favorite show, Little Shop of Horrors! This dark comedy sci-fi horror spoof by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken is a gem of show full of quirky characters and an effervescent score that perfectly intones the pop music styles of doo wop and rock ‘n roll in 1950's and 1960's. But just why does this show “work?”  What makes it tick?  In this episode, I discuss how each character's “want” drives the action of the show which plot points are musicalized the popular music artists each character is similar to SPECIFIC AUDITION SONG IDEAS for each character In depth score analysis of “Skid Row” and “Grow For Me” If you want to get a deeper understanding of how this ingenious show is put together, then press play now! Xo, Korrie MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Episode 27: Spotlight on Lyricist Howard Ashman & Bringing “I Want” Songs to Disney Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and music preparation for musical theatre. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today!

Learn the hallmarks of Ashman's lyric style and how he brought the dramatic conventions of musical theatre songs to Disney. Howard Ashman was playwright, lyricist, and director who wrote lyrics for some of my favorite shows: Smile, Little Shop of Horrors, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast.  His song lyrics feature delightful rhymes and incredibly specific imagery that enrich the world of the musical.  In this episode, I analyze lyrics from his hit shows and put a spotlight on how he uses songs to create more three-dimensional characters paint the specific world of the show and communicate a character's “want” through the “I want” song Songs we'll discuss include “Under the Sea,” “Be Our Guest,” “Part of Your World,” and “Somewhere that's Green,” and “Until Tomorrow Night.” If you're ready to get a deeper understanding of Ashman's lyrics that will, in turn, deepen your enjoyment of performing his songs, then press play now! Xo, Korrie Mentioned in this episode: Howard, a documentary about Howard Ashman available on Disney+. Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and artist branding. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today!  

Discover the 4 types of songs that should be on your practice session work list.  Do you look at your enormous repertoire book and wonder where to start when it's time for your at-home practice? Do you start practice warming up by singing through songs, only to find you haven't learned anything new or honed any skills by the end of the hour? If you've ever struggled with knowing what to work on during your at-home practice or felt like you weren't practicing with specific intention of honing a skill or pursuing a dream role, then this is the episode for you.  In this episode, I teach you how to create a TARGETED WORK LIST that will move you toward your performing goals.  Your work list will be full of songs specifically selected to improve your skills, prepare you for auditions, and move you toward your performance goals. Once you create this work list, you'll be able dive into your practice time with confidence.   You won't be stuck staring at a huge binder with a million songs in it and not knowing where to start.  And you won't be rehashing the same songs over and over.  If you're ready to create a practice plan specifically tailored to your performance goals, then press play now! Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and artist branding. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today!  

Broadway veteran and award-winning director, Thomas James O'Leary, lifts the veil and shares his journey to Broadway where he played title role in Phantom of the Opera for over 1,000 performances.   In this in-depth episode, Tom shares loads of lessons about rising through the ranks of some of the greatest mega musicals in history (Les Miserable, Chess, Miss Saigon) as well as the specific performance techniques that helped him break through to playing the lead role of the Phantom. If you're a megamusical history buff, a Phantom fan, or just looking for helpful tips about being a better performer, then this episode is for you!    Listen to the whole episode now, or use the time stamps below to navigate to specific topics. 1:00 Welcome/Intro 5:30 Early Years and Going to New York 9:34 His botched audition for Les Miserable 1st National Tour 15:28 Audition for Chess (Broadway), finding “Pity the Child” 19:27 Owning Your Niche – “intense” 22:24 Being a Swing on Les Mis 1st National Tour 27:02 Chess (1st National Tour) 31:03 Audition for Miss Saigon (Broadway), the Dance Call! 34:54 Rehearsal stories Miss Saigon, not getting understudy role of Chris 43:46 Journey to lead role of Phantom on Broadway and his acting transformation 1:04:25 Acting through song, learning your music, and audition tips 1:19:16 Korrie's Wrap Up   Xo, Korrie   Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditioning, information on new offerings, and the latest news form Studying the Song. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today!

Are you an Actor/Singer who wants more confidence in your singing voice?  Or are you a Singer/Actor who feels like your vocal technique goes out the window when you start acting more fully? In this episode, I reveal how acting gets in the way of singing with a beautiful tone.  Then I talk about 3 easy concepts to think about as you're singing that will give you more consistent resonance, better intonation, and more control over your vocal colors - all without sacrificing your acting intentions.   Once you implement these 3 vocal concepts, you'll have more control over your voice and can lean into singing and using the melody to help tell your story. If you're ready to gain confidence in your vocal tone and access more storytelling options for your songs, then press play now! Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and artist branding. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today!  

Are you constantly hitting a wall in the audition room?  You know you have what it takes to play the role, but the director just doesn't seem to get it?   What you need is to identify your niche. In this episode, we'll uncover the powerful concept of niche.  We'll discuss what niche is and how to identify your niche so that you can communicate clearly to the director the assets you bring to the table. Once you've defined your niche, you will communicate exactly who you are and how you fit into the show you're auditioning for, making it super easy for the director to envision you in their show and move you into the yes pile. If you're ready to find clarity about your strengths and start booking the gig, then press play today! Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and artist branding. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Please Rate, Review, and Subscribe today!

Learn how to unlock the secret of SONG FORM by analyzing common structural formulas of melodic form. Today's episode concludes our 3-part series on MELODY and how it tells a story.  We'll examine how to identify phrase lengths, how to discover the structural formula your phrases are following, and how a song's form emerges from phrase groups, more commonly called “song sections.” Once you understand the form of the song, you'll be able to trace your character's transformation throughout the song by identifying where the main sections of the song are.  Then you can create clear beat shifts for your character as the sections change.  I analyze song examples from Tin Pan Alley, the Golden Age, and contemporary musical theatre so you can see common song form formulas at work across several eras.   Plus, you'll finally know exactly where the numbers for 16 and 32 bar audition cuts come from! If you're ready to take your storytelling to the next level with practical score analysis, then press play now! Xo, Korrie Be sure to listen to Parts 1 and 2 of this series! Episode 19 How Does Melody Tell a Story? -- Part 1: Melodic Contour Episode 20 How Does Melody Tell a Story? -- Part 2: Motivic Development Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and all things vocal styling! Did you enjoy today's episode?  Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!

Want to refresh your audition book, but not sure where to start?  This episode gives you an easy 3-step exercise to jumpstart the process of cleaning out your book and finding the songs that will really move the needle in your career. I've been hearing from a lot of coaching clients that they want to work on their audition books.  They feel like they haven't changed the material in ages, they want new material that better fits them, something fresh, more contemporary feel – which I take to mean that it feels part of today's theatre world.  Not that they don't want classic or older material, but they want it feel fresh to them and like it will work for the shows that people are doing these days.  So, I thought I'd give you a little peek into how I approach working with a client to refresh their audition book.   These are the exact 3 questions I send out in preliminary emails to my clients. If you want a little jumpstart to get you energized about cleaning out your audition book, then press play today! Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and all things vocal styling! Did you enjoy today's episode?  Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!

Learn 6 different types of motivic development and how motives provide the architecture of a melody. Today's episode continues our 3-part series on MELODY and how it tells a story.  We'll examine what a motive is and how we can alter and develop them to create variation and interest throughout the melody.  Once you understand the logic of the architecture of the melody, you can make your own informed and personal choices about how you want to interpret a song.  You'll know when to stick to the ink (when the writing is genius as is – hello, Sondheim!), and you'll know when there's flexibility and room for you stylistic flair to be added. I'll cover a range of song examples from jazz standards to Golden Age classics, from Sondheim to contemporary Disney movie musicals.  ALL songs are comprised of motives and utilize motivic development! If you're ready to reach a new level of understanding and interpreting your songs, then press play now! Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and all things vocal styling! Did you enjoy today's episode?  Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!

In this 3-part series, I'm dissecting melodic composition and how it impacts storytelling in song.  I'll be answering the questions: What is melody?  How is it constructed?  And most importantly, how does melody tell a story of its own?  This episode zeroes in on melodic contour and how it can elevate your interpretation of lyrics.  I walk you through specific song examples while I discuss conjunct and disjunct motion, melodic focal points, and a melody's inner landscape of hills and valleys.  When you learn these building blocks of melodic construction, you'll be able to analyze a melody for yourself, communicate better with the music director, and make personal choices about how you want to interpret the melody. If you want to feel more empowered to make unique interpretive choices for your song, then press play now! Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and all things vocal styling! Did you enjoy today's episode?  Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!

My experience with reading deprivation and giving up social media for a week.   In this episode I get personal as I share my journey of reading The Artist's Way and doing one particular exercise -- READING DEPRIVATION.  Sound scary?   Hate the idea immediately?  Well, If your brain is feeling fried or like you've got constant static going on, then it might be exactly what you need. After just 5 days, I've experienced clarity and peace that I didn't even know was missing from my mind! I also do a check in with you about the podcast and where it's heading.  And, I reveal a few things my intuition told me I needed that were not expected! If you're ready for some REAL TALK about what it's like to have a podcast, run a business, AND preserve your artistic soul, then press play, and let's get into it. Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and all things vocal styling! Did you enjoy today's episode?  Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen! Let me know what you're interested in hearing more about!  Email me at studyingthesong@gmail.com Instagram: @korrieyamaoka @studyingthesong

Learn five advanced techniques for clarifying your storytelling and improving your vocal performance.  Spoiler alert: these aren't the things everyone talks about!  I'm going to lay out the 5 MOST COMMON MISTAKES I see singers make when interpreting their songs in an audition.   I'll also discuss WHY they're so important and HOW YOU CAN FIX these mistakes.  Once you learn these advanced techniques, you'll never worry about blending in with the rest of the crowd again.  Your detailed, nuanced performance will show you for the superstar you are.   Ready to stand out from the rest?  Then press play, and let's get into it. Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and all things vocal styling! Did you enjoy today's episode?  Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!

Master voice teacher and operatic tenor, Enrique Toral, shares his refreshingly organic approach to interpreting a song and singing it with YOUR true voice. Have you ever struggled to find your unique voice? Or, maybe you’ve worried that you don’t sound as good as your favorite singer or cast recording? Enrique Toral, a performing artist who has won acclaim across the United States and Europe, pulls back the curtain on his own vocal pedagogy and how he works with singers to find their true voice by singing the truth of the song. He talks about the time he lost his voice because he was hearing someone else’s voice in his head.  He also lets us into his own process of preparing music, with many of his rehearsal habits involving mind work and not vocal work. I also picked his brain in particular about falsetto – especially, how men can access falsetto in a healthy way – as we start to see shows like Hadestown make more demand of this technique on actors.   If you’re looking for your true voice, the one that ONLY YOU can produce, then press play, and take a listen to this episode TODAY. Xo, Korrie   Connect with Enrique at www.enriquetoral.com for information on voice lessons and his upcoming performances. Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and all things vocal styling! Did you enjoy today’s episode?  Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!

Today, I’m talking about the power of CREATING CONTEXT for your audition song, and how it trumps all the high notes and vocal gymnastics you could ever sing. Join me as I talk about “the moment before,” plot conflict, what your character desires, and how your character changes over the course of a show – all in the name of creating a beautiful, three-dimensional character who is on a JOURNEY in your audition song. My friend, your audition is NOT about the high notes.  It’s not even about YOUR VOICE.  It’s about telling a STORY.   The story comes first, the character’s journey comes first.  That is the reason you are on stage in a musical.  And if you can do that, then you will move the creative team and have them in the palm of your hand. If you’re ready to take your audition to the next level with the power of CONTEXT, then press play, and let’s get into it. Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and all things vocal styling! Did you enjoy today’s episode?  Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen SUBSCRIBE on Apple Podcasts and leave a review! FOLLOW me on Instagram @studyingthesong for daily vocal and audition coaching resources. EMAIL - For coaching services or questions about the podcast, email me at studyingthesong@gmail.com.

Here are the 10 things I’m listening for when I’m looking for a great audition song. As a musical theatre singer, you are constantly in the process of auditioning and putting yourself in front of creatives.  You’re looking at audition notices to find out what to bring for the music portion of the audition, and even though they may be pretty specific about what you should bring (e.g. 16 bars from musical theatre post 1960 or 80’s pop song not from a theatre show), you can still be left wondering what the best song choice from your book fits that description. Enter, THE LIST.  When I’m helping a singer pick out the best song for their audition, I have a list of things I’m listening for – 10 traits that I think make a great audition song, specifically a great song for the specific show their going out for.  The secret?  It’s all about helping the creative them envision YOU in their show.  Help them see that you can sing the score, play the character, and tell the story that they’re telling. Ready to get the inside scoop on the THE LIST that will help the creative team envision YOU in their show.  Press play, and let’s get into it. Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and all things vocal styling! Interested in working together?  Visit my website for pricing and booking information.  I’d love to meet you! Did you enjoy today’s episode?  Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!

Start tuning into your INTUITION and figuring out what your heart, body, and spirit need in order to get back into the creative flow. Have you ever procrastinated on a project or gotten anxiety about pushing record on your self-tape?  Maybe you're  crippled by thoughts like “why is this so hard?,” “maybe I’m not meant to do this?,” and “maybe I’m not good enough."  Are the things that usually to bring you joy suddenly burdensome? In today’s episode, I share my own story of facing anxiety and resistance.  I talk about how I was afraid to sit down to record this podcast episode and how I overcame that anxiety by asking the simple question - why are you resisting this? When you ask this question, you start tuning into your INTUITION and figuring out what your heart, body, and spirit need to in order to get back into the creative flow. If you want to get out of your own way and start tuning into your intuition TODAY, then press play right now. Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and all things vocal styling! Did you enjoy today’s episode?  Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!

Do these 3 things and you WILL instantly sound like a better singer.  EVEN IF your range has decreased, even if you’re feeling out of shape physically, these 3 techniques will have you sounding more professional immediately. I’ve been hearing from so many singers that they are having anxiety about “getting back out there” in the audition scene and on the stage.  Not only are they feeling that their voices are rusty and have lost range, but they’re not sure they can handle the scrutiny and stress of going to auditions, being judged, the constant trying to prove themselves. This last year has been a welcome relief for many people, a time when they were able to put down the constant low-level anxiety they felt about auditioning and trying to “make it” as a performer.  It’s been nice not to have that insecurity insistently buzzing inside of us at all times.  But, now that we’re seeing audition notices going up and you might be thinking to yourself, “do I want to pick that up again??”  I’m guessing, no, you don’t want to pick anxiety back up.  But, if you want to perform, you do need to pick up your daily practice back up.  You need to start singing again. So, let’s get you some easy wins right off the bat.  That’s what today’s show is about. Let’s give you a few things you can remind yourself of that will INSTANTLY make you sing better and sound better and feel closer to the singer you were before this pandemic.  Yes, three super easy things to implement right when you start singing your songs again.  And NONE of them relate to your range or how high you can belt or how long of a phrase you can sing.  Those things require stamina that is built over time.    Today’s techniques can be done by ANYONE any level of singing.  And, they are three things that we all need to be consistently doing in our singing and can be reminded of, even if you’re an experienced singer. Ready for a few easy wins?  Then press play, and let’s get into it. Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and all things vocal styling! Did you enjoy today’s episode?  Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!

If you’re interested in auditioning for Hadestown or being on the creative team for a future production, then check this episode out.  I break down the musical score, talk about each character and their vocal requirements, give you a list of artists to look at for audition material, talk through a summary of the show, and give a little background on the creative team. Whether you’ve listened to the cast album already or are just hearing about this show for the first time , today’s breakdown will deepen your insight into what this show is about and what the creative is looking for when casting. I’ve also created PDF called Hadestown Show Breakdown Sheet for you to print out and use as you look for music and prepare for the show.  Just visit the resources page on my website, and you can download it for free. Press play and let’s dive into the magical, mythical world of Hadestown! Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and all things vocal styling! Did you enjoy today’s episode?  Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!

From being a self-described ‘cancer’ happy just doing her own thing to a piano-playing comedienne headlining at The Comedy Store, Kathryn walks us through how she created a career for herself where there was no established path to follow.  In this interview, Kathryn reveals the quotes that changed her approach to creativity, how to craft a cabaret show that is completely unique to YOU, what she’s looking for from vocalists in auditions, and the overarching importance of authenticity in your performance. Kathryn is incredibly insightful and generous and she dropped some amazing truth bombs during this interview that had me ready to get out my OWN notebook and do THE WORK. If you’re not sure how to combine all your interests, skills, and talents into one beautiful, aligned career, then press play and take a listen to this episode!   Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and all things vocal styling! Did you enjoy today’s episode?  Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!

Can every song in your audition book pass this 5-Question test?  If not, your book might actually be stopping you from booking gigs.  That is NOT what you want! Today, we’re going to RESET your audition book so that it is working FOR you and not AGAINST you.  I’m going to walk you through 5 questions that you must ask of every song in your book.  If you can answer all YES’s, then you can keep the song.  If not, you’ll pull it out of your book so you can replace it with a song that will be all YES answers. You might be thinking, I spent SO long collecting these songs, I don’t want to just get rid of them.  Don’t worry!  You won’t have to.  I understand that your audition songs are the result of lots of research and painstaking practice.  But, do you really want to keep them in your book if they’re not moving you toward your goals?  NO! You want a book where every song is chosen for a specific purpose and is helping you book the work you want to book. In this episode, I’m going to help you completely reset your book and get yourself on track to start auditioning again WITH PURPOSE.   This may be a little painful at first, but I promise you that, when your book is full of songs that only say YES to these questions, you are going to be more confident in your auditions, and you’re going to start booking work that is more fulfilling to you as an artist. Press play and let’s RESET your audition book Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song EMAIL LIST for weekly resources about auditions and all things vocal styling! Did you enjoy today’s episode?  Leave us a RATING and REVIEW on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!

Learn how to pick out the most important moments in your pop song so that you’re telling a compelling story and showing your vocal range. At first, it can seem like there are infinite options and how do you figure out the best one for your audition. But, once you know the song forms, you’ll discover that there are really just a few options to pick from and the whole process is really quite simple. In this show, I’ll dissect the 4 basic song sections - Verse, Chorus, Bridge, and Prechorus – and tell you how they function lyrically and musically in the song. I’ll also tell you how you can implement them for a 16 bar cut and a 32 bar cut, and we’ll look at specific song examples to illustrate it in action. My goal is for you  to be able to make your own cut of your pop song WITHOUT an accompanist, creating a storytelling arc that features range and hits the bigger vocal moments of the song that listeners expect.  You’ll save loads of coaching hours and money, if you’re able to do this BEFORE your coaching sessions.  Then, you can use your time together to double check the cut and finesse any transitions.  And then actually WORK on singing the song! Press play and let’s start creating your ideal pop audition cut! Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and all things vocal styling! Did you enjoy today’s episode?  Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!

In this episode, I share the 6 Main Attitudes of Rock Music that should form the foundation of your rock auditions.  Ever wonder why your rock auditions are missing the mark?  You’ve got the right song, the right cut, the right range, the right pop “isms,” but there’s still something that’s “off.”  I see this all the time in students, and it can be super frustrating for them because they seem to have it ALL TOGETHER. What’s that certain something that is missing?  I call it ATTITUDE. More than just being “angsty” or “sexy” or “groovy,” ATTITUDE grows from something much deeper.  Attitude is your world view.  How you walk through life everyday.  Your demeanor, your disposition, the ways you interact with the world. That banner that you raise up high and say, “this is what I stand for.”  That’s attitude. In rock music, performers’ attitudes and world views can be boiled down to 6 main archetypes - the Rebel, the Seductress, the Life of the Party, the Sage, the Epic, and the Confessor. Join me as I discuss each of these archetypes in depth and give you the exact inner monologues you can use in your own audition. Press play and let’s discover which archetype you are most aligned with! Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and all things vocal styling! Did you enjoy today’s episode?  Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!

Today’s episode is the first Show Breakdown on the podcast.  I’m going to walk you through a musical the same way I would walk through it as a coach looking for material for students.  This is one of my favorite things to do in life, so I’m excited to bring it to you here on the podcast. We’ll talk about the creative team, give a brief summary of the show, and then dive into the characters and the score of the show, exploring the music genres and particular vocal requirements and styles for each character.  I’ll also give you lots of artists to listen to for audition material. As you can see from the title of the episode, we’re going to be talking about Six: The Musical, which is a pop musical originally produced in the UK, and was set to open on Broadway in 2020 after previews in February and early March. But, on the day of it’s opening, all of Broadway shut down due to the pandemic. So, the show is now in the waiting game of when it will reopen on Broadway, as are the other shows that were supposed to premiere last year.  What’s so interesting though, is that this show is being produced all over the world already in Australia and the UK and on cruiselines. They’re also already working on casting the first national tour.  So, regardless of when the Broadway run will resume, there is opportunity to audition for this show NOW. Press play and let’s dive into this vibrant and cheeky pop musical! Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and all things vocal styling! Did you enjoy today’s episode?  Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!

For the past year, theatre artists’ livelihoods have been stripped away.  We’ve been cut off from the work that feeds our soul, that we’ve been trained to do, and artists have had to find new ways of supporting themselves by building new businesses or getting other jobs.  As 2021 gets underway, we’re hoping we’ll be able to begin our work again this year. While we may not have a definitive return date, we are seeing theaters start to mount shows and performances again. Opportunities are starting to emerge, and we need to be ready if we want to book work again. My question to you today is:  How are you preparing to come back to theatre in 2021?  Have you been keeping your skills sharp this past year? Or have you taken a break from practicing and instead are using this opportunity to release some pressure and restore yourself? Or maybe you’ve been battling loneliness and depression and performing has moved way down your priority list and you haven’t looked at your book in a year. However you’ve coped this past year is fine.  It’s the way it has unfolded for you.  There is NO judgement. But, it’s time. It’s time to start preparing. All you have to do is begin. Begin your daily practice again. Begin being an artist again.  Everyday.  Take up your craft.  Start nurturing it.  Water it.  Feed it.  Allow it to start having a life again and having a hope again.  It’s time to take up your daily practice again. Xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and sign up for the Studying the Song Email List for weekly resources about auditions and all things vocal styling! Did you enjoy today’s episode?  Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen!

What specific things do you do with your voice to create a particular vocal style?  How do you sound authentic in a given music genre?  From musical theatre singers who want to sound more "rock" to pop singers who want to sing contemporary musical theatre, I walk you through the 3 simple keys to creating vocal style so you'll sound "right" in every genre.  Press play and let's dive in! xo, Korrie Visit www.korrieyamaoka.com for FREE RESOURCES and to sign up for the Studying the Song Email List. Did you enjoy today's episode?  Leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! 

Part 2 of our discussion about the 10 audition song categories you need to have in your book.  This episode covers categories 4-10, including the exact shows and composers that fit into each category.  There's even a BONUS CATEGORY that I think many of you will benefit from having. FREE CHECKLIST available on the resources page over at korrieyamaoka.com!

An in depth look at the 10 audition song categories you need in your book, including which shows and composers fit into each category.   FREE CHECKLIST available on the resources page at korrieyamaoka.com/resources.

Welcome!  In this episode I share why I wanted to start this podcast and who this podcast is for.  It all goes back to the one superpower I wish I had!