The Happy Singer

Hi Singers!    It's about time we had another podcast episode, huh? Things have been crazy over here with keeping up a totally virtual singing studio and my on-going struggle with ADHD... it has gotten so much worse during this pandemic, ya'll. (more on this soon.) I actually recorded this episode back in November and it took me this long to sit down and edit it. Such a shame to keep such great content all to myself, but FINALLY, it is all yours. :)  Here is our lovely guest. Give her a follow on all the socials: https://www.instagram.com/kellyhoppinjams/ https://www.kellyhoppenjans.com/home https://open.spotify.com/track/7cHA06sHB2yhsr08htrFzN?si=9992c54a9b814a02 https://open.spotify.com/artist/109JFJprhfxiGV3dT3QXwZ?si=62IEvABLQpeBDh95HWrM4Q   Kelly Hoppenjans has been teaching voice in the Nashville area for the past seven years. She is an adjunct instructor at Belmont University in Commercial Voice, teaching private commercial voice lessons, vocal styles, and commercial vocal ensembles. She specializes in working with singer-songwriters and unique voices, and her Master's thesis was focused on determining the connection between vocal qualities and songwriting in female singer-songwriters. Kelly is also an accomplished singer-songwriter, and released her full-length album OK, I Feel Better Now in October of 2019. The album received airplay in numerous AAA and independent radio stations across the country, and was featured in publications like NPR's All Songs Considered and World Cafe, The Alternative, Ghettoblaster, and American Songwriter.    Kelly wrote this fantastic article: "Cross-Voice Influence: The Relationship Between the Singing Voice and the Songwriting Voice" in the Journal of Singing that you can find here:  https://www.nats.org/cgi/page.cgi/_subscription.html?cmd=dl&file=5ED8qhfwgvNSgDS0LhVqg9NIAa6F_21J-yu2a3hpaKI Let me know if that links doesn't work for you! I can PDF it or maybe Kelly can!  We talk about this article, teaching, songwriting, vocal exercises, and so much more.  Thank you so much, Kelly! And also, I apologize for the wait.  Hope everyone is safe and finding some little form of happiness. Hugs,  Kristy 

Happy December, Singers! I am so proud to present this interview with some of the founder's of Music-For-Change! This is an incredible organization in its first year of life. One of my amazing students, Piper Wallace, is apart of it and once I heard what it was - I knew they just had to come onto the podcast to talk about what they have created. If you are interested in helping them grow, please visit their website:  www.music-for-change.org  They could use your help and there are a number of ways to help them.  Happy holiday season! Remember to think of others this time of year. I hope you enjoy this episode! 

Hello, All!  It is so good to be back making episodes. I have been trying to find stories of hope, resilience, and strength during these times and I really think you're going to like this one. My friend and colleague from New York Vocal Coaching, Arbender Robinson, has been making the most of his down time to continue to still work on his craft and stay healthy and happy with "Early Morning Vocals." Check out his Instagram to hear for yourself: @arbender2 Listen to this episode and start thinking about a routine you can get into to help stay afloat during this crazy year! Thank you so much, Arbender, for coming on and inspiring people. You do so much good for this world. Thank you.     Find out more about Arbender here: https://www.arbender.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXmIRP1PcnY&feature=youtu.be   Arbender Robinson (Actor) Broadway:  In Transit, Shuffle Along (revival), Les Miserables (revival), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Disney's The Lion King, Book Of Mormon, Hair, Ragtime (revival), Disney's The Little Mermaid, Hairspray. T.V.: The Last O.G., Nurse Jackie, Little Voice, Tony Awards, Good Morning America, The Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning.  He made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award winning production of Hairspray; where he covered the role of Seaweed. In the original cast of Disney's The Little Mermaid he covered the role of Prince Eric. He also served as the Dance Captain and Swing for the Broadway revival of Hair and was seen in the Broadway revival of Ragtime. His Broadway credits continue with Disney's The Lion King, Broadway's 6th longest running and all time highest grossing show. Since then he was in the original cast of Beautiful The Carole King Musical and the 2014 of Les Miserables and is the cover for Marius. He is also the first African American to ever play Marius on Broadway. Arbender starred in the 2016 hit music Shuffle Along alongside many Broadway Legends including Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Billy Porter, Brandon Victor Dixon and Joshua Henry. The show was Directed by Tony Award Winner George C Wolfe and Choreographed by Savionne Glover.   Prior to moving to NYC, Arbender was a featured Vocalist with Royal Caribbean Cruises as well as an actor and vocalist for numerous Disney productions at Walt Disney World. He spent 4 years as a studio session Vocalist for the Disney Organization and can be heard in various parades and attractions worldwide. Arbender also performed extensively in Regional Theater in the US as well as numerous shows abroad including: Smokey Joe's Cafe, Five Guys Named Moe, Sweeney Todd, Jesus Christ Superstar, Aida, Ragtime, Secret Garden, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Songs for a New World, Parade, Miss Saigon and Into the Woods. When asked to describe the vocal ability of Arbender, one critic said “clear, effective, killer range of death...and that is a good thing. Look out Billy Porter, Arbender has arrived“ As a teaching artist, Arbender has worked with many organizations around the country and has a very unique teaching style that's accessible to all ages and talent levels. He also works significantly at bringing arts awareness to programs all over the country as well as serving as a huge advocate for Autism awareness and research. You can find more information here by following the link for "Teaching" or you can visit him at the New York Vocal Coaching Studio in Manhattan.  www.NewYorkVocalcoaching.com Arbender also mentioned a few things to keep his mom happy: “I am a huge advocate for education, the thirst for knowledge, and believing in the power of your dreams. Dream big because sometimes these things can come true. I studied theater, music, dance, and management at Viterbo University in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. I have lived and or worked professionally in more states than I can ever recall and I now consider NYC and The Great White Way my home”

Wow, it has been a while! Thank you so much for being patient while I am navigating and juggling a lot of work and life. This is an interview/chat with the wonderfully kind, Jamila Ford. Jamila is the host of "The Working Singer Podcast." This convo goes all the way back to October, I believe. Like I said, life has been crazy. Sometimes a very good crazy.  You can find out more by checking out Jamila's website: https://jamilaford.com/home Jazz/soul singer/songwriter Jamila Ford has garnered attention for her sizable singing chops. Her slight frame belies a bewitchingly powerful yet smooth mezzo-soprano voice that gets your attention and demands a second listen.   Majoring in music with an emphasis in vocal performance, Jamila attended the University of California Riverside, graduating with her BA in 2001. Since then, she has performed around the world as a solo artist and as a backing vocalist, lending her talent to the projects of artists such as Seal, Angelo (Fishbone), Melody Gardot, Spiritualized (Coachella Festival), and Bonnie Pointer (The Pointer Sisters). Drawing influences from jazz to R&B to pop, she can give you a history of 50 years of American popular music during one of her sets, with her sultry voice providing the linchpin.    Jamila released her debut EP, the breezy Traces of the Day, in January of 2001; the funky ‘70s R&B-inspired Fabulous EP in 2003; and her first full-length album, the soulful and revealing Enough (a nominee for Independent Music Awards best Soul/R&B album), in October 2010.   Her latest EP, the critically-acclaimed The Deep End, was released in September 2014. A collection of reinterpreted standards and an original composition. Jamila's smoky, sophisticated, and self-assured vocals breathe new life into “All Blues,” “Gentle Rain,” “Sugar,” and “Wild Is the Wind.” Her original composition, “Silencio,” is a strutting Latin-jazz tinged ode to the unspoken connection between lovers.  Says Jamila, "I love music and I love to sing. Music is my genuine path in life. It is the best way for me to give of myself to this world. I sacrifice for it in a way that I do for nothing else. I feel most whole and most connected when I'm on stage singing."    The Deep End was included in the first round of ballots for three GRAMMYs for Best Jazz Vocal Album, Best New Artist and Best Engineered Album and earned raves from critics, who hailed her as "...an exquisite song stylist validating an impressive artistic repertoire with economy and style" (CJ Bond, jazmuzic.com) and proclaimed "Ford is ready to take her place among the elite of sophisticated jazz vocalists" (Paul Freeman, Pop Culture Classics).    An active member of West Coast Songwriters (WCS), Jamila was awarded Hollywood Songwriter of the Year for her song “Not Exactly Perfect” in 2007. She went on to compete at the grand finals alongside the year's other regional winners at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, CA.   Jamila has played to enthusiastic and supportive audiences at L.A.'s Café Cordiale, Room 5, First and Hope Supper Club, Pips, and Genghis Cohen, and is also excited about her recent foray into performing at house concerts, which gives her a chance to connect with her audience on a more intimate level.   Host Jamila's acoustic duo for a house concert! It's easy and fun! Find out more here.    Here's to happy singing!  Kristy :)

Bonus episode for this week!  I am getting all fired up over here over the climate change and young activist, Greta Thunberg, being amazing. Have you heard this girl speak yet?  Hope this reaches you when you need it. I think we all have great power to make a difference. Big or small - it counts.  Hugs, K 

Hi again, Friends!  Here is an episode all about my trip to this really cool museum located in Memphis, Tennessee. I really hope you get to go someday because it really meant a lot to me as a musician. When you are there, you are engulfed in history about where our music came from and its whole journey. Very humbling.  Here is a link to find out more information on it:  https://www.memphisrocknsoul.org/ There are so many artists that we have forgotten about. I hope this week's episode will encourage you to take the time to buy some old records and let these artists live again. Many of the artists you know and love today were influenced by the forgotten, so be cool and do some investigating of your own. :)  I will be posting some pictures of the museum on the Facebook group (The Happy Singer Discussion Group) so you can see some of the jukebox's, costumes, instruments, and records I talk about. Thanks, as always, for listening to the podcast. : ) K 

Welcome back to The Happy Singer! Sorry about my long break for vacation! It was much needed and I am back with an interview for you! I hope you like it! Erwan Noblet is a French voice teacher, singer, improviser, and songwriter with an adventurous spirit. He is currently pursuing a master in voice pedagogy in contemporary commercial music (CCM) at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia. His main focus of research is enhancing creativity in academic settings by Circlesinging. He recently participated in Bobby McFerrin's workshop, "Circlesinging: It's all about us," at the Omega Institute in Rhineback, New York. Free vocal improvisation means a lot to him because people can express their inner music while exploring with vulnerability in a safe environment. He encourages people to move beyond their comfort zone to increase their self-consciousness and express their creativity.  Here is a link to see the institute that Erwan attended this summer with Bobby McFerrin! It looks so amazing. https://www.eomega.org/videos/circlesongs#! Thank you so much, Erwan, for being apart of our little singing community. Have a great week, everyone! :) K 

What's up, Singers?  This week I wanted to blab some more about songwriting for all the beginners out there. This episode is also for those that are advanced but simply haven't used electronics to make music. Perhaps you are all acoustic and you are thinking about adding some synths into your sound? This episode is for you. I talk about "DAW's" (Digital Audio Workstations) and a cool device that I have started to use to make music of my very own. Here is a link to that fun toy: https://roli.com/products/blocks/songmaker-kit Let me know what kind of help you need in creating your music. I am here to help. I am planning on having guests on in the field of music production in the near future so that we could go further into this topic.  Also, if you are in need of some vocal exercises and more assistance from me other than just the weekly episode; I have created a patreon page! Go ahead and check it out!  https://www.patreon.com/thehappysingerpodcast The podcast will remain free! This is just an option for people that need more or if you are just feeling generous. Thank you so much as always and don't forget to join our FB group: The Happy Singer Discussion Group! I am here to help!  K

Hi, Friend!  How's it going? Have you been thinking about writing music but you have no idea how to start? Maybe you have a melody in your head and it sounds good! You just don't know how to get it into a full blown song. This episode is for you! I talk about basic music theory stuff and how you can read sheet music or guitar tabs to make something you could show to a producer or friend that plays an instrument!  I plan on doing more of these but this is just to see where people are at. Make sure to join our Facebook group: The Happy Singer Discussion Group so that you can tell us if this helped you out or if you need more specific help! I can structure another episode on those thoughts you have!  Remember, I am here to help!  Thank you so much for all your support and happy singing!  Kristy :)

Hey, Singers!  Welcome back for another episode about songwriting with an old friend of mine, Ben Mackel! Threadbare (Ben Mackel) grew up near Asheville, NC and is also a member of the harmony driven trio, The Blue Eyed Bettys. Apart from his high energy shows with The Bettys, this solo project gives Ben a chance to delve further into his love of simple, bittersweet songs that are prone to pulling your heartstrings.  The name Threadbare is derived from the minimalistic lyrics and simple melodies being weathered and woven into a fabric just strong enough to make a  song that's full of sentiment and comfort - much like your favorite hoodie. Website: threadbaresongs.com Facbook: facebook.com/ThreadbareSongs/ Instagram: @ThreadbareSongs Twitter: @ThreadbareSongs Youtube: https://youtu.be/F64A_ygJj6Q   Streaming Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2CegzmMhHNX8RAYwFfRhKV?si=5jOt6-zZTfWJrVERn5l2NA Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/artists/B001123OB8?ref=dm_sh_H1T6ncgT31YKtKklV8GDcUsrH  Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/m/Bqlfx6selkohvhlgnzkqdg7cjji?t=The_Morning Sound Cloud: https://soundcloud.com/threadbaresongs Band Camp: https://threadbaresongs.bandcamp.com/releases  Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/threadbare/19517785 Thanks, AS ALWAYS, for being apart of this community. Knowing that I am helping even ONE person outside of my work hours at New York Vocal Coaching gives me great comfort and worth. I hope you know that you are loved and needed on this earth. Our time is short here - make it count. Make that music no matter what your evil ego tells you. Let me know how I can help. Join our facebook group for more support. Bless all of you. You're the best.  K

Hello, FINALLY!  The last two weeks have been so busy but I am BACK with an episode on the beautiful (haha) Carole King! I saw "Beautiful: The Musical" on Broadway with two of my students two weeks ago starring Vanessa Carlton. I was very thrilled to see that Vanessa Carlton can act as well! She is so talented. I thought since there are probably a lot of people that can't afford to see Broadway shows all the time or even just for people that are too far away that MAYBE an episode like this would help!  Sadly, they announced YESTERDAY that "Beautiful" will be closing on October 27th, 2019! So, if you are in the NYC area before then I really recommend you see this. It is such an amazing story of a kind, hopeful, driven, and talented woman and all the cool people in her life. I was very touched by the whole experience. GO SEE IT!  In this episode I discuss the performance as well as Carole King's background and history. It is brief so if you want to know way more I recommend you watch her discussion at the JFK Library on YouTube or read/listen to her memoir: "Natural Woman." I have have a recording slipped into the middle of us at intermission talking about what happened thus far.   Hope you have a beautiful day! :) K

Hello, Singer!  Glad you found us. This episode is a short one but packed with a few things that you NEED to hear. We can get really hard on ourselves and it can be so damaging to the learning process as a singer. This episode is just me telling you to shift your negative thoughts and turn them around.  Stop saying: "I can't do this." "That is WAY too high." "I will never be able to sing this song." "My body doesn't do that."  You guys know what I am talking about?!  Be kind to yourself today and know that music is for YOU! It is for all of us. Don't give up on it and it won't give up on you.  Be well!  K

Welcome to The Happy Singer Podcast! Think this is one of my favorite episodes so far. Meet our guest for this week: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stephen Gritzan is the founder of Iris Records, a multi-faceted music business that has been serving up vinyl & compact discs to the New York area since the summer of 1996. Stephen attended American University in Washington DC, majoring in communications/economics and graduating in 1982. After briefly writing for NBC Radio, he joined the wild world of Wall Street, working for Merrill Lynch for 8 years in the turbulent late 80s. After being spit out of that profession with not much more than his records in tow, Gritzan started his retail vinyl shop, Iris Records on Brunswick Street in Jersey City, initially being open just one day a week (Friday, for the curious). Time flew by! 25 years later, he closed the original Iris Records on February 16th, 2019 to great fanfare. "Le Petit Iris" opened across the street from the original shop a few months later and is back to being open just one day a week (yes, Friday, 2-7 PM) Iris sells outdoors around 100 times a year: in Jersey City, at street fairs in Manhattan & Brooklyn, at the Upper West Side's Grand Bazaar NYC many Sundays during the year. His company Record Riots also hosts popular collectible record shows in 8 different markets several times a year, including New Haven CT, Albany NY, and Jersey City (of course). Gritzan hails from Roselle Park, NJ. His mother Tamara was one of New Jersey's Teachers Of The Year in 1985.  Stephen's other passions include writing, his girlfriend Genevieve in Montreal, swimming laps and rooting against the New York Mets on the radio. He turns 60 in January and can't wait. The Iris website is www.irisrecordsjc.com and features pertinent information about the company's doings all year long. Keep in touch! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Make sure to follow Iris on Instagram as well! @irisrecords Thank you so much for listening and I hope to hear from you on our "The Happy Singer Discussion Group" on FB!  K :) 

Welcome back!  Alison Hughey, MT-BC is a music therapist, music teacher and performer. Her private practice, Carolina Music Therapy, serves clients across the lifespan but focuses on older adults with dementia. She performs as a soloist (vocals and ukulele/guitar), freelance flutist, and as a member of the Afterschool Special. She, her husband, and their rescue dog live in the metropolis of Cowpens, SC (sarcastic joke- it's a very small town, in between Greenville, SC and Charlotte, NC). Follow her on Instagram: @aliflute @carolinamusictherapy  And on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AlisonMTBC/ Happy Singing, Ya'll! :) Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and on Kristy's Instagram, @kristybissell 

Welcome back for another episode with The Happy Singer Podcast!  This weeks guest, Kathleen Bell, is a total gem of a person, singer, and teacher. Listen to her musical journey as well as her expertise knowledge on Acid Reflux in singers and afterwards be sure to come join our "The Happy Singer Dicussion Group" on Facebook with all your questions!  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Soprano Kathleen Bell has traveled extensively, performing voice recitals of classical voice and musical theatre repertoire in Denmark, Germany, Austria, Australia and Italy. Her stage performance credits include the La Contessa in “Le Nozze di Figaro,” Adele in “Die Fledermaus,” Miss Warbelwell in “The Impresario” and Mother Superior in “The Sound of Music.” Bell has been a featured soloist with the Miami Symphony, the Miami Civic Chorale, the Miami Oratorio Society, the Hispanic Lyric Theatre, the Middle Saxony Orchestra in Germany, the Amalfi Coast Music Festival in Maiori, Italy, and the Rome Festival Orchestra. Bell has been teaching for over 25 years privately and at the high school and college level. While maintaining a private studio, Bell is currently a voice instructor at Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy, a visiting artist instructor in musical theatre at the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts and adjunct voice instructor at Mary Baldwin University. Kathleen Bell holds bachelor's and master's degrees in voice performance and is a certified teacher in levels I, II and III of Somatic Voicework™, the LoVetri Method and a National Center for Voice and Speech Certified Vocologist. She is currently a doctoral candidate in voice pedagogy at Shenandoah University with specializations in vocal health and contemporary commercial music styles. Bell's research interests include voice habilitation, collaboration with various body modalities and the effects of acid reflux on the voice. She has been a faculty and workshop presenter at Virginia National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), the Pan-American Vocology Association Conferences in Toronto and Seattle, Mary Baldwin University and at the International Symposium of the Voice Foundation in Philadelphia. Her former students are currently singing in national musical tours, on Broadway and in A-level opera houses, as well as teaching in secondary and collegiate settings. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you so much for listening! If you feel so inclined, please, rate and review! Bless UP!  Kristy :)     

Hey there, Singer!  Today's episode is all on the lovely vocal register Head/Falsetto Voice! This can tend to be the vocal register that people "poo poo" on because it is "easy." I am a huge fan of head dominant singing. I find it very relaxing and reflective. What about you?  We get into the anatomical/pedagogical stuff but also talk about how it can be used effectively!  As a supplemental add on to this episode I have made playlists so that you can listen to successful artists sing in these registers! Please go to iTunes or Spotify and follow the playlists I made for Head Dominant Voices and Chest Dominant Voices! I'm having trouble adding the links here for some reason, but you can find them if you join our Facebook group: The Happy Singer Discussion Group!   Hope you are feeling blessed and well. Remember, you are worthy and belong here on this earth. It is a miracle that you are here. I listened to a song recently by John Craigie (a FANTASTIC songwriter) and his lyrics say: "You're doing it wrong. Dissecting the bird. Trying to find the song... It's a miracle you're here at all." He goes on to say: "So when the candle flickers, when the days get dark They call them first world problems but they still break your heart The universe feels like it's against you Just take a minute to realize, all it Took to make you Your parents had to meet, as random as that was And hang out long enough at least, To make some love And make a baby And give it your name And ALL your ancestors had to do the same exponentially backwards To the start of life So much had to happen, just exactly right Sparks had to catch, oceans had to freeze, billions of cells had to survive, Endless disease, civilizations had to crumble, wars had to be fought, Bad presidents had to get elected, Good presidents had to get shot, People had to leave, hearts had to get broken, People had to die, Just so your eyes could open The Universe is not against you The Universe is not against you, it went through a lot Just to give you a chance, it must have wanted you, Pretty bad." There is a reason you are here. Hugs. -Kristy      

Welcome back for another episode of The Happy Singer Podcast! I am so happy you are here! This week we have my lovely new friend, Cassandra Claude, on to chat with us about performance tips, vocal technique, but most importantly - the heart of singing!   Go ahead and check her out at: http://cassandraclaude.com/#home An accomplished and in-demand voice teacher, Cassandra has become a staple and representation of fine vocal technique to emerging singers today. In addition to upholding a thriving vocal studio, she is currently a voice professor at the University of Miami, Frost School of Music and is a leader in promoting cultural and artistic awareness through vocal instruction. Her voice lessons remarkably not only educate, but also enrich and enlighten people of all ages therefore nourishing the appreciation of vocal performance. After she earned a Bachelor in Music Education and began teaching, her passion to enrich lives through a person's individual voice coupled with her entrepreneurial spirit would soon lead her to create Cassandra Vocal Arts Studio and later Performing Artist Mastermind Inc.. She subsequently went back to school to earn a Master's of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship to provide better leadership in this realm. Cassandra is the author of soon-to-be-released book, “A Singer's Compass” and along with performing and the degrees she holds, she continually studies the art of commercial singing, songwriting, and successful techniques for marketing musical artists. Through her work with record labels, managers, publishing houses, and sporting events, she knows what it takes to produce exciting, unique singers.  Under her leadership, Cassandra produces singers that mesmerize audiences through pure tonal ability and skill of the vocal instrument.  Yet beyond that, her goal with these vocalists is to produce a confident and “honest” singer with a timeless voice that stands out. Thank you for listening to the podcast! If you are so inclined, please rate and review! It helps me to reach more people. :)  Kristy Bissell   

Hello, there! This week it's just me again talking about one of the most important components in getting good at what you do. Do you have the nerve to do this? The answer, I hope, is YES! It is in there somewhere but it is completely up to you. Let me know what you think!  Don't forget to like the: The Happy Singer Podcast page and then you can be added into "The Happy Singer Discussion Group." This week I am asking everyone post themselves singing a song they long. Let's build up that strength to be vulnerable together! Remember, this is a completely safe zone.  Thank you so much for listening!  Kristy Bissell

Hi there!  We have a fun episode for you this week. If you love Fleetwood Mac you have found the right episode to listen to! If you don't know who they are for some reason, no worries! You will now! I have three people come and talk with me for this one: First, my lovely Mom, Carla Bissell. She is the woman who introduced them to me when I was just a wee thing. I am forever grateful to her. This episode is dedicated to her.  Second, one of my students, Clark Yount. He is such a blast to work with and I see great things for him. Last but not least, Kalene, another student of mine who just put out a single: "Silver Secret Lace." Go check it out! It is very Fleetwood Mac-ish. Me and her are big super-fan's     Very grateful to all that participated. As always, thank you for dealing with the growing pains of this podcast. I definitely messed up the audio somehow at the very end. Sorry, friends! I will be working on cleaning it up for future episodes. I would love to know your thoughts - Do we like it more candid or more polished? Let me know here or on our Facebook discussion group: The Happy Singer Discussion Group. You can also find me on my Instagram at: kristybissell  Hugs to you all and happy singing! 

Hey there!  Thanks for checking out another episode of The Happy Singer Podcast! This week's episode is all on my favorite vocal register: Chest voice!  This is a really strong sound that a lot of singers idolize and sometimes they just give up on and say it is only for the stars. Nope, nope, NOPE! It is for the masses! Everyone should use this sound. Not only does it feel good (so so good) but really highlights lyrics of your songs. Sometimes you even find the benefits of it outside of your singing life! If this helps you in anyway - let me know! Subscribe, rate, and review! Don't be afraid to join our Facebook group: The Happy Singer Discussion Group. You can also find me on Instagram:kristybissell  Thanks so much, singers! Sending you love today!

Hi, Singers! Welcome back for another episode! This week we are chatting with one of my former professors from Shenandoah University, Dr. Matthew Edwards! We get into all things singing but specifically, Musical Theatre college audition prep and the professional Musical Theatre world! Even if you don't do Musical Theatre - you will get a lot out of this too. It is all applicable.   Matt Edwards is one of the leading voice teachers for commercial and musical theatre styles in the United States. He is currently an Associate Professor and Coordinator of Musical Theatre Voice at Shenandoah Conservatory, and Artistic Director of the Contemporary Commercial Music Vocal Pedagogy Institute. Former and current students have performed on American Idol, Broadway, off-Broadway, on national and international tours, and in bands touring throughout the United States. He has written numerous articles for the Journal of Singing, Journal of Voice, VoicePrints, American Music Teacher, The Voice, Southern Theatre, and Voice Council magazine. He has contributed chapters to “A Dictionary for the Modern Singer,” “Vocal Athlete,” “Manual of Singing Voice Rehabilitation,” “Get the Callback,” “The Voice Teacher's Cookbook,” and the CCM, Sacred Music, Gospel, A Cappella, and Country editions of the “So You Want to Sing” book series. His book “So You Want to Sing Rock ‘N' Roll?” is published by Rowman and Littlefield and was called “an authoritative text on rock ‘n' roll singing” by Classical Singer magazine. He is a recipient of the Van Lawrence Fellowship and a former Intern and Master Teacher for the NATS Intern program. He has given master classes, presentations, and workshops for organizations including the National Association of Teachers of Singing National Conference, Voice Foundation Annual Symposium, Acoustical Society of America, Southeastern Theatre Conference, Musical Theatre Educators Alliance, Pan-American Vocology Association, at numerous universities including Penn State, Florida State, University of Toronto, Brigham Young, Wright State, Otterbein, Illinois Wesleyan, Missouri State, University of Northern Colorado, Bårdar Academy (Oslo, Norway), NATS Chapters in Toronto, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Arizona, along with many other educational and professional organizations throughout the United States. Online at CCMInstitute.com, EdwardsVoice.com, AuditioningForCollege.com, and EdwardsVoice.Wordpress.com.   Thank you, once again, for listening. If this helps you - share with a friend! You can also join our discussion over at "The Happy Singer Discussion Group" on Facebook for more in-depth conversations about the episodes! Kristy :)

Hey, Singers!  This week it is just little old me. Join our discussion group on Facebook: The Happy Singer Discussion Group! I am asking everyone to introduce themselves and post themselves singing (of course, only if they feel comfortable.) You can also follow me on Instagram: kristybissell. I post videos of my students successes all the time cause they deserve all the shout-out's in the world, Tucker pictures, and my boyfriend and I's Vinyl collection!   Todays episode is all about steps to take today that will help you to be happier on your journey. Thank you so much for listening and I am looking forward to hearing from you.  xoxox, Kristy 

Hi there, Music Lover. How are you doing today? Hanging in there? In need of some love and support today in your music journey? Never fear - we got you covered with this comforting and powerful conversation with Essence from Bernie and the Believers (essencemusic.com) and (bernieandthebelievers.com). Essence is a sixth-generation San Francisco native and award winning singer-songwriter. You will love her.  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A sixth-generation San Francisco native, award winning singer-songwriter Essence has been immersed in art and music since childhood. And yes, her birth name really is ‘essence' – she was raised by quintessential flower children, her parents being two free spirited bohemian artists from the Haight-Ashbury ‘Summer of Love.' After winning the Grand Prize in the National Lilith Fair Talent Search, essence was signed to RCA Records, Way Cool/MCA Records, and Or Music (Los Lonely Boys, Matisyahu). She debuted with the successful indie release Conception, which garnered much Bay Area radio airplay and press and established a devoted fan base. Essence's sophomore release Mariposa garnered critical acclaim and prompted a national touring agenda which found her opening shows for artists Jason Mraz and Shawn Colvin. Her album Feels Like the Future won the Grand Prize for the Great American Song Contest and 2nd Place in the International Songwriting Contest (out of 15,000 entries). Her songs have been prominently featured on Nash Bridges, Lifetime's The Division, Access Hollywood, and NPR's Art of the Song. “Shape of You,” an emotional song about loss and healing, was the theme song in the film Motherland, which won the SXSW Audience Choice Award. Essence has opened for Tom Petty, Shawn Colvin, Chris Isaac, Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant, Chrissie Hynde, Steve Miller, Pat Benatar, and Linda Perry. She has played at venues ranging from NYC's Bowery Ballroom to San Francisco's Fillmore and The Warfield, LA's Rose Bowl, and Philadelphia's World Cafe Live. In addition to writing folk/americana, pop, and rock songs, essence expanded her repertoire by creating a collection of charming, catchy tunes inspired by her son that turned out to have a life of their own becoming favorites of families nationwide, loved equally by parents and children alike. Her children's album, A Dog Named Moo, was entirely funded by loyal fans on Kickstarter and was picked up and released by My Kazoo/Universal Music. A Dog Named Moo is a multi-media project featuring a collection of 13 songs, a “T REXXXX” book, a smartphone app, and several music videos. essence is developing an educational curriculum based on the project. A Dog Named Moo was voted Top Kids Album of the Year by Daily Candy. Essence's latest long player could likely be her masterwork. It is a 12- track opus entitled Black Wings which chronicles the trials and tribulations of a failed marriage propelled by dishonesty and addiction. The undeniable weight of the pervasive subject matter is artfully handled with razor sharp couplets, gritty performances and smart arrangements underscoring obvious pain, but doing so with humor, wisdom and eloquence. Says essence of the album, “Black Wings is a story told out of sequence, each song is a snapshot of an event that led to the ultimate undoing of my 10-year marriage. These 12 songs capture betrayal, dark secrets, deception, revenge, emotional warfare, and the unbelievable horror of my worst fears being realized. The stories on this record emerge from a deadly silence, they dispel a facade of a happy family portrait, and they air the truth of what had been hidden for too long.” It is easily heard on songs like the epic, “Headed North,” whose video enjoyed dual premieres in late May with Folk Radio UK and The Huffington Post, the brilliant rave up “Camels & Diesel,” with its effortless melding of roots and rock chant complete with gang vocals and the sultry trad blues vibe of “Honeyed Out” are just a handful of numbers worth spotlighting on Black Wings. It is an album of tremendous depth, without question, putting essence on the same page with Lucinda Williams, Neko Case and Jenny Lewis, just to name a few, all of whom are veritable experts at turning anguish into song in the most poetic yet no-nonsense of ways. To that end, essence continues, “The ritual of writing and recording served as a lifeline to my survival during a very dark life passage. These songs led me through disbelief, rage, loss, grief, and ultimately to healing and reclaiming my personal power and the strength to leap into the unknown– knowing the fear of things staying the same was greater than the fear of things changing. Black Wings has been the key to my transcendence, punctuated by the unshakable synchronicity of art imitating life. As this music is born, I am flying free.” http://www.essencemusic.com/site -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------https://www.bernieandthebelievers.com/ If you found this episode to be healing, I hope you will consider donating to Bernie Dalton, a true musician in need of YOUR help:  https://www.gofundme.com/sendberniehome Also check out the Tiny Desk Concert featuring Essence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPQsEoYHekg Hugs to all of you. Thank you for listening! Kristy

Hi, Singers! Welcome back for another episode to inspire and motivate you to work hard and sing! In this episode I chat with my friend and colleague, Lisa Popeil. She is a celebrity voice coach with an MFA in Voice. She continues to research and learn regardless of how many years she has been working in the field. She is a true inspiration. If you enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, rate, and review! Blessings! :)   Be sure to also check us out on Facebook: "The Happy Singer Podcast". You can also follow me on Instagram at: Kristybissell :)

Today we have Tricia and Molly from "The Lost Art of Communication Podcast"!!! In this episode we talk about how to be better communicators, how to deal with stage fright, vulnerability, and the ever-surprising power of music. Join us for a conversation over at Facebook. Just type in "The Happy Singer Podcast Discussion Group"! Thanks for listening!!! If you enjoy this, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing! Thank you!

Check out my conversation with a dear friend and student, Jenny Kern. We discuss advice to those songwriters still in the shadows, fear, success, and inspirations. Check her out at www.jennykernmusic.com to pre-order her debut EP set to come at you April 5th, 2019. You can also listen to her single, "Slow Burn", wherever you listen to your music. 

Subscribe and come join us weekly for discussions with singer-songwriters, teachers, singers, music lovers, etc, with your host, Kristy Bissell. Kristy is a Singer, Actor, Aspiring Songwriter, Dog Mom, Lover of life, but most importantly and most proudly, a full time voice teacher at New York Vocal Coaching where is works with singers every day! Come join our discussion page on Facebook: The Happy Singer Discussion Group.