The Holistic Voice: Navigating Your Life as a Vocalist

This week we met with Jacob Khalil, a gigging musician based in New York City. Jacob has performed all over the US, starting with a regular gig at the Salt Lake City Airport, and now flies all over to perform wedding gigs and regular restaurant gigs in New York City. Jacob has some great advice about hustling while avoiding burnout. Check out his music here!We are a proud member of the NATSCAST network! Visit to find other high quality podcasts on all things voice and teaching singing. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

Today our guest on the show is Cindy O'Connor, a film and musical theater composer, performer, and songwriter! She's a 2018 Emmy nominee for Outstanding Composition for the show "Once Upon a Time." She's composed multiple musical theater scores, receiving the Musical Theater Award in the Kennedy Center Festival for her musical "All That She Has." She's also provided vocals for a number of blockbuster hits including "Wreck-It Ralph" and "The Hangover."On this episode, we talk about how vocalists prepare for singing in a motion picture, how to work with composers in musical theater, tools you should know when in the studio, and Cindy's writing process!Learn more about Cindy!We are a proud member of the NATSCAST network! Visit to find other high quality podcasts on all things voice and teaching singing. Support the show

Today our guest on the show is Nic Redman, voice actor and voice/accent coach hailing from Northern Ireland and based in Manchester, United Kingdom. We dig deeper into the voice over world by exploring how to get started in the industry, what "networking" really means, how to market yourself, and valuable advice for those who are looking for a correlating career in voice! Reach out to Nicola! The Voice Coach PodcastThe VO Social Podcast - A British Podcast Awards Nominee! Proud member of the NATSCAST network! Visit to find other high quality podcasts on all things voice and teaching singing. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

"You have a great voice!" "You should be on the radio." "Have you ever thought about voice over?" If you've heard these phrases before and want to learn more, Jordan and I have a discussion about the industry; from job interviews to home studios, from demo tapes to a day in the station. Come hang out with us!Resources:Voices.comVoice123.comBodalgoFiverrVoice Over RatesHome Studio TechnologyProud member of the NATSCAST network! Visit to find other high quality podcasts on all things voice and teaching singing. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

Everyone deserves the chance to fly and the talented Natalia Vivino soars. Natalia is the Elphaba standby for the 2nd national Broadway tour of Wicked. We talk about her experience auditioning, adjusting to life on tour, and the differences between understudies, swings, and standbys! To learn more about Natalia's career, visit http://vivinosisters.com/natalia-vivino/ or see her on Instagram.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

Navigating performance in a virtual landscape, the intersection of human rights advocacy and music as a platform, and interviews on a sailboat - all of this and more on the latest episode of The Holistic Voice. Learn more about Third Eye Theater EnsembleLive streaming software The Holistic Voice Podcast is a free resource created by vocalists, for vocalists. We believe a successful singer needs more than just a great voice. Artistic development, mental and physical health, business skills, and career opportunities all contribute to a singer's potential. If you are looking for resources and education on how to navigate life as a vocalist, this podcast is for you. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

This episode we meet with Felicia Farerre, an extremely talented vocalist with an extensive history as a session singer and solo vocalist. She has written and performed in collaborations with Two Steps From Hell, and was awarded Best Female Vocalist by Trailer Music News in 2013. And she also happens to be Jordan's aunt!Felicia meets with us to talk about how she got into session singing, and how that has led her to the career she enjoys today. Take a listen to her latest release Between Worlds, by clicking here.Support the show

We sit down with French-American soprano Lauren Urquhart about her international work as a singer. From fest contracts to navigating the ups and downs of gigs during a pandemic, Lauren shares how she got from her undergrad degree in the states to blazing a trail abroad. This episode of The Holistic Voice was made possible by OldFachs. If you're looking for a fun way to impress your colleagues in rehearsal while enjoying some creative visuals and eye-grabbing design, your answer is OldFachs. Owner and soprano Lauren Urquhart designs a variety of cheeky music-themed shirts, posters, bags, and more for singers and opera-fanatics in your life. We've loved geeking-out over some of these gifts, like the punny Richard “Strauss'd Out” mugs, to a score tote bag in Barenreiter Blue, and our personal favorite, a t-shirt that you can bring to family parties that reads… “No, I don't want to sing for you”  Head over to etsy.com/shop/oldfachs to support this amazing small business by a singer, for singers. And when you use code THEHOLISTICVOICE at checkout, you'll receive 10 % off of your first order.Support the show

Learn all about the life of a session singer with pop tenor extraordinaire and DCappella Alum Connor Warren Smith. All about how to make a career in the studio, and on wearing multiple hats in the music industry! Connor wears more than a few, as a session singer, regular live performer in musicals and choirs, and arranger and composer of music. Hope you enjoy this episode, and if you need a great example of how to put together a vocal reel, stop by Connor's website!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

In the first episode of our new season, NATSAA winner Matt Hill illuminates the constant and not-so conventional path a full-time career in voice can sometimes take. The Holistic Voice is a proud partner of NATSCast, the official podcast network of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Special thanks to OldFachs for sponsoring this episode. If you're looking for a fun way to impress your colleagues in rehearsal while enjoying some creative visuals and eye-grabbing design, your answer is OldFachs. Owner and soprano Lauren Urquhart designs a variety of cheeky music-themed shirts, posters, bags, and more for singers and opera-fanatics in your life. And when you make your first purchase, use offer code THEHOLISTICVOICE to save 10%.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

Essential Technology For Singing, Teaching, and VO Work from HomePreliminary Report: Comparing the Audio Quality of Classical Music Lessons Over Zoom, Microsoft Teams, VoiceLessonsApp, and Apple FaceTimeZoom SettingsBASIC vocal studio set upUSB Microphone: Blue Snowball ($70)Headphones: ATH-M20x ($50)GOOD vocal studio set upCondenser Microphone: MXL Mic 770 Cardioid Condenser Microphone($60)Audio Interface: Focusrite Scarlett Solo ($110)Shock Mount and Pop Filter ($15)XLR Cable ($8)Desk Mic Stand ($14)ATH-M20x Here's a video to help understand the difference between condenser and dynamic microphones.Needing a Bit More? Upgrades for your Vocal StudioAT2020 Condenser Microphone $100Rode NT1 kit w/ shock mount and pop filter $270Great dynamic microphone: Shure SM7B $400Audient iD14 audio interface (better mic preamps, analog to digital conversion) $300Studio quality headphones: ATH-M50x $150Mic Shield $60The Holistic VoiceFacebook Instagram Twitter Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

To all THV members and musicians everywhere, The Holistic Voice is heartbroken to see the postponing, cancellations, and uncertainty that our field is facing right now amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.In our experience however, if there ever was a group of proactive, self-motivated, and resilient group of people it would be all of us artists out there. We have compiled a newsletter containing financial resources and tips for those in need:COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources: A comprehensive and updating list of emergency resources for creative freelancers. Shoutout to its administrators Hannah Fenlon, Ann Marie Lonsdale, and Abigail Vega.MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund: The Recording Academy and MusiCares are working to provide lost income from cancelled gigs and performances. Links at this site for donating or requesting relief.Boston Singer's Resource Emergency Fund: Up to $500 for New England-based classical singers whose performances have been cancelled.Musicians' Foundation Aid Grants $500-$3000 for professional musician emergency aid. Make sure to check eligibility requirements.https://www.csmusic.net/content/blog/fundraising-grants/: A collection of grants from several investors who want to support artists just like you.Source from today's article: https://www.musicindustryhowto.com/find-financial-support-help-musicians/Here's an episode on handling finances as an artist that may be useful to review: https://theholisticvoice.net/episode/arts-and-numbers/Subscribe here for weekly updates on what's happening in the voice world along with tips and suggestions to add to your toolbox so you're prepared for wherever your vocal path takes you!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

We ring in the new year with Alexis Davis-Hazell as she discusses her experiences on developing her own, and then later teaching, dramatic voices. Topics covered include characteristics of a dramatic voice, when someone is "ready" to sing larger repertoire, singing on the interest and not the principle, resources and institutions available to foster dramatic vocal development and more. Thanks to Calyxa for mixingSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

Craig Phillips, a two-time GRAMMY nominee and founding member of the male quartet New York Polyphony, joins us to discuss building a career as a professional ensemble singer. Along with his work with New York Polyphony, Craig Phillips also maintains a successful career as an operatic and concert soloist. Oh, and serves on the faculty at the University of Oregon. You know, in his spare time.We are still stunned with how much Craig is able to balance at once and still seem like the calmest human being on the planet. This episode is for those singers that want to define their focus and see how they can run more efficiently as a business.Our Website:www.theholisticvoice.netLearn More about Craig Phillips:http://www.craig-phillips.comSupport the show

Today we sit down to talk about correlating careers, time management, and figure out how to balance multiple careers without losing your mind. The Holistic Voice Podcast is a free resource created by vocalists, for vocalists. We believe a successful singer needs more than just a great voice. Artistic development, mental and physical health, business skills, and career opportunities all contribute to a singer's potential. If you are looking for resources and education on how to navigate life as a vocalist, this podcast is for you. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

In this episode, we explore some best practices for making your own website.Here are some of the DIY websites we talked about:www.wix.comwww.squarespace.comwww.wordpress.orgSteps to making your own website:Look up similar sites to what you do, make a note of what you like and do not like. Try to be specific on this, rather than just "liking the vibe." How is that vibe being created? Is it color? Font choice? White space? Full section images?Have the content ready BEFORE making your site. (text and pictures)Make a "wireframe." Plan out what pages you want, general idea of what the website structure will be.Decide whether you want to build it yourself, or hire a developer to help.DIY websites like wix and squarespace also handle web hosting and domain purchase. You can do that all in house, or if you are building a website with wordpress or working with a developer, you will likely need to purchase web hosting and a domain. The domain is your website name (www.reallycoolartist.com) and hosting keeps your website running live for other users to access. I like www.bluehost.com personally for hosting and domain purchases.Make the site! It can be a headache, but there are a lot of tools available to make it happen yourself.Look into SEO (search engine optimization) best practices in order to increase organic web traffic to your site.If you want a developer, Jordan is taking clients! Message him at jordan@jordansreynolds.comSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

Whether you're speaking in front of colleagues, sharing an idea, or negotiating a contract, when it comes to personal presentation, there's one thing that should never be overlooked: your voice. Today we are sitting down to analyze problematic speech characteristics in an effort to develop the best possible version of your own voice: one that is rich, pleasant, easily heard by others, varied, clear and articulated. The Holistic Voice Podcast is a free resource created by vocalists, for vocalists. We believe a successful singer needs more than just a great voice. Artistic development, mental and physical health, business skills, and career opportunities all contribute to a singer's potential. If you are looking for resources and education on how to navigate life as a vocalist, this podcast is for you. Support the show

Today's episode we sit down with Mitch Davis, a Utah based music producer (www.instagram.com/musicmitchdavis) for our second livestream attempt on Facebook! Mitch answers questions including what makes a great vocal track, how to work well with a producer, and how to find a producer that will bring the best results for your project. Facebook livestreams are at 1PM ET on Fridays. There won't be one this week because Jordan is traveling to California, but expect one the following week, August 16th!www.theholisticvoice.netSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

In our first ever livestream episode, we sit down to ponder the pros and cons of paid summer programs, discuss broadway street performances during the Manhattan blackout, and how to prep for allergy season. The Holistic Voice Podcast is a free resource created by vocalists, for vocalists. We believe a successful singer needs more than just a great voice. Artistic development, mental and physical health, business skills, and career opportunities all contribute to a singer's potential. If you are looking for resources and education on how to navigate life as a vocalist, this podcast is for you. You can watch the entire facebook live episode here. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

Part 2 of the Nathan Gunn interview! We sit down with the respected artist, musician, and singing actor on this week's episode. Given the baritone's wide acclaim for his diverse performing career bridging the genres of opera, musical theater, and recital it was a perfect opportunity for this audience to let the recording roll. Topics covered include failure and it's role in developing your identity as a singer, being unapologetically you in performance, practicing self-awareness, and more. The Holistic Voice Podcast is a free resource created by vocalists, for vocalists. We believe a successful singer needs more than just a great voice. Artistic development, mental and physical health, business skills, and career opportunities all contribute to a singer's potential. If you are looking for resources and education on how to navigate life as a vocalist, this podcast is for you. Support the show

We sit down with respected artist, musician, and singing actor Nathan Gunn on this week's episode. Given the baritone's wide acclaim for his diverse performing career bridging the genres of opera, musical theater, and recital it was a perfect opportunity for this audience to let the recording roll. Because we like to keep things short and sweet, this recording is part one of two in this series. Topics covered include Nathan's background and education, finding individuality as a singer, the necessity for evolution in musical theater and opera, and more. The Holistic Voice Podcast is a free resource created by vocalists, for vocalists. We believe a successful singer needs more than just a great voice. Artistic development, mental and physical health, business skills, and career opportunities all contribute to a singer's potential. If you are looking for resources and education on how to navigate life as a vocalist, this podcast is for you. Stay tuned for part two coming your way! Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

This episode we met with Corey Jean Schneeman who has about 5 years of experience singing on cruise ships. She has a current contract with Carnival Cruise Lines. She tells us the good, the bad, and the ugly of cruise ship singing. We think you will be surprised at just how appealing this career option can be, especially for you young and single folks!The Holistic Voice Podcast is a free resource created by vocalists, for vocalists. We believe a successful singer needs more than just a great voice. Artistic development, mental and physical health, business skills, and career opportunities all contribute to a singer's potential. If you are looking for resources and education on how to navigate life as a vocalist, this podcast is for you. As always, reach out to us with any additional questions you have!The Holistic Voice WebsiteSocials:InstagramFacebookTwitterSupport the show

This week we interview Rachel WIllis Sørensen about her incredible vocal career, what it means to be an artist, and doing it all while raising a family!Rachel Willis Sørensen just finished playing the role of Donna Anna for the Metropolitan Opera production of Don Giovanni. She performs frequently worldwide, and has sung at the Bayerische Staatsoper and the Teatro Regio di Torino. She has some incredibly useful information she shares on this episode about what it means to be an artist, and how that is connected to the way we live our lives.Rachel is an absolutely wonderful human and singer. Shoot her or us a message on Instagram about what you like from the episode! Rachel's InstagramThe Holistic Voice Podcast is a free resource created by vocalists, for vocalists. We believe a successful singer needs more than just a great voice. Artistic development, mental and physical health, business skills, and career opportunities all contribute to a singer's potential. If you are looking for resources and education on how to navigate life as a vocalist, this podcast is for you. Also a reminder to follow our Instagram!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

Sally Ahner, ATI-certified Teacher of the Alexander Technique and Senior Artist Teacher at Vanderbilt University's Blair School of music, sits down with us to discuss body-mind awareness. Day by day, year by year, our bodies pick up habits that introduce tension into our movements and posture. Could your jaw tension be linked to the way you stand, the back of your neck, or the tilt of your head? Sally walks us through a 101 break-down of how to retrain habitual patterns of tension, to rethink our kinesthetic sense, and to allow freedom to trump bad habits. The Holistic Voice Podcast is a free resource created by vocalists, for vocalists. We believe a successful singer needs more than just a great voice. Artistic development, mental and physical health, business skills, and career opportunities all contribute to a singer's potential. If you are looking for resources and education on how to navigate life as a vocalist, this podcast is for you. Sources: What Every Singer Needs to Know About the BodyVoice and the Alexander TechniqueCredits: Interview: Sally Ahner (http://sallyahner.com/)Music: David M. Rodgers Follow us on social media for weekly vocal career tips!InstagramFacebookTwitterThanks for listening! If you would like to support the show further and get more involved, check out our Patreon site!Questions? Comments? Shoot us a message at The Holistic Voice WebsiteSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

Rébecca Kleinberger, a PhD candidate at MIT studying with the group Opera of the Future, joins us to discuss her research of the human voice. This episode is about getting to know your voice a bit better. How does the voice work? Why does my voice sound different in my head than on a recording? What's a formant?These are some of the questions that Rébecca has worked on in her research. Be sure to check out her TED talk, "Why you don't like the sound of your voice"Here's Rébecca's page so you can look at her research and reach out to her with any questions! www.rebeccakleinberger.comTo learn more about the benefits of choral singing: Bjorn Vickhoff A perspective theory of music perception and emotionVickhoff article: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00334/fullThe Holistic Voice Podcast is a free resource created by vocalists, for vocalists. We believe a successful singer needs more than just a great voice. Artistic development, mental and physical health, business skills, and career opportunities all contribute to a singer's potential. If you are looking for resources and education on how to navigate life as a vocalist, this podcast is for you. Follow us on social media for weekly vocal career tips!InstagramFacebookTwitterThanks for listening! If you would like to support the show further and get more involved, check out our Patreon site!Questions? Comments? Shoot us a message at The Holistic Voice WebsiteSupport the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

How do I find singing auditions? What do I prepare? What happens when I walk in the room?Whitney Robinson, Artist Diploma candidate at the New England Conservatory of Music joins us to talk about how to prepare for classical voice auditions, particularly when it comes to opera and classical voice auditions. This is just the first episode of an ongoing audition series, so stay tuned for more audition know how for musical theater shows, choral gigs, and more!The Holistic Voice Podcast is a free resource created by vocalists, for vocalists. We believe a successful singer needs more than just a great voice. Artistic development, mental and physical health, business skills, and career opportunities all contribute to a singer's potential. If you are looking for resources and education on how to navigate life as a vocalist, this podcast is for you. Find and track thousands of opera auditions and vocal competitions: https://www.yaptracker.com/Follow Whitney's vocal journeyCredits: Interview: Whitney RobinsonMusic: David M. Rodgers Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

Happy New Year! This episode is all about setting your 2019 vocal career goals! Don't let your 2019 goals die in February! You got this!On this episode we discuss how to set effective, attainable goals, and how to follow through! We're all great at setting goals, but identifying what it takes to get there and actually doing it may be a different story.Tell us what your goals are for this year! Social media links below. Rate & review the podcast while you're at it ;) The Holistic Voice Podcast is a free resource created by vocalists, for vocalists. We believe a successful singer needs more than just a great voice. Artistic development, mental and physical health, business skills, and career opportunities all contribute to a singer's potential. If you are looking for resources and education on how to navigate life as a vocalist, this podcast is for you. InstagramFacebookTwitterPatreonThe Holistic Voice WebsiteThanks!Jordan & AustinEpisode Credits:New England Conservatory production of "The Magic Flute"Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

Elaine Luttrull, CPA and Author of Arts and Numbers a financial guide for Arts & Numbers: A Financial Guide for Artists, Writers, Performers, And Other Members of the Creative Class, joins the show to discuss financial literacy for our vocalist community. On this episode we delve into questions like:1.What is the difference between W-2, W-4, and 1099 forms?2. What are standard and itemized deductions? 3. How to keep track of business expenses. 4. How much do I withhold for taxes? The Holistic Voice Podcast is a free resource created by vocalists, for vocalists. We believe a successful singer needs more than just a great voice. Artistic development, mental and physical health, business skills, and career opportunities all contribute to a singer's potential. If you are looking for resources and education on how to navigate life as a vocalist, this podcast is for you. Please write in with your comments! You can find us at our website, www.theholisticvoice.net, and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.We are launching our Patreon site soon! This is a great way for you to interact with this community of vocalists, and it also allows us the flexibility to dedicate more of our time and energy to giving you great content! It will be found at http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoiceCredits: Interview: Elaine LuttrullMusic: David M. RodgersSupport the show

Chelsea Wilson joins us for this episode to talk about "mix" voice and belting. Chelsea works as the vocal coach for Phantom of the Opera and School of Rock on Broadway.Some questions answered on the show:What is "mix" voice?How can I sing higher notes without straining?Do classical singers "mix?"Is there a difference between belting and using your mix?The Holistic Voice Podcast is a free resource created by vocalists, for vocalists. We believe a successful singer needs more than just a great voice. Artistic development, mental and physical health, business skills, and career opportunities all contribute to a singer's potential. If you are looking for resources and education on how to navigate life as a vocalist, this podcast is for you. Please write in with your comments! You can find us at our website, www.theholisticvoice.net, and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.We are launching our Patreon site THIS WEEK! This is a great way for you to interact with this community of vocalists, and it also allows us the flexibility to dedicate more of our time and energy to giving you great content! It will be found at http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoiceFeaturing:"All Night, All Day"- Lawrence Brownlee (NPR Tiny Desk recording)Credits:Production: Jordan Reynolds and Austin VitalianoDan Rogers: MusicSupport the show

In this week's episode, we are covering the topic of vocal maintenance and hygiene; how we practice healthy habits to preserve our voice. Why does this matter? Vocal health is a topic that stands out for its universal importance. Just like brushing and flossing or putting on sunscreen, beginning or refining a habit of healthy vocal practices is the first step to preserving a strong and robust voice throughout your life. Change.org - End Application and Audition Fees for Opera Singers (Follow Link Here): https://bit.ly/2BtLE5a The Holistic Voice Podcast is a free resource created by vocalists, for vocalists. We believe a successful singer needs more than just a great voice. Artistic development, mental and physical health, business skills, and career opportunities all contribute to a singer's potential. If you are looking for resources and education on how to navigate life as a vocalist, this podcast is for you. Credits: Interview: Maya JacobsMusic: David M. Rodgers Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

How do you think about vocal technique and your artistry during performance? What do these terms mean? What is the relationship between vocal technique and artistry? How do we stay in the moment when we are thinking about a million things at once? On this episode, Dr. Diane Reich, the Division Coordinator of Classical Voice from Brigham Young University, joins us to talk about how we can deliver compelling performances using vocal technique and making artistic choices. We discuss how you can build vocal technique to increase your ability to make artistic choices, and how to check in with your technique while delivering a great performance.The Holistic Voice Podcast is a free resource created by vocalists, for vocalists. We believe a successful singer needs more than just a great voice. Artistic development, mental and physical health, business skills, and career opportunities all contribute to a singer's potential. If you are looking for resources and education on how to navigate life as a vocalist, this podcast is for you. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)

The pursuit of higher education as a vocalist is an involved personal and financial investment. In this episode, Dr. Tucker Biddlecombe, Director of Choral Activities at Vanderbilt University's Blair School of Music and the Nashville Symphony Chorus weighs in on what you should expect out of a vocal performance degree. We discuss what you can expect as a vocalist of different singing styles, and how to think through the decision to go to college. For those that have already gone to college, or are currently college students, this is a chance to assess your own experience, and make the most of it.The Holistic Voice Podcast is a free resource created by vocalists, for vocalists. We believe a successful singer needs more than just a great voice. Artistic development, mental and physical health, business skills, and career opportunities all contribute to a singer's potential. If you are looking for resources and education on how to navigate life as a vocalist, this podcast is for you. Credits: Interview: Dr. Tucker BiddlecombeMusic: David M. Rodgers Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/theholisticvoice)