Artist Development Posts

Loving Yourself: 3 Reasons Your Love of Singing Can Be the Key

A Game-Changer on the Journey to Loving Yourself.

Singing isn’t just about hitting the right notes or mastering a melody—it’s a transformative journey that can lead to profound self-improvement - to genuinely loving yourself.

Whether you’re an experienced vocalist or someone who’s always dreamed of singing with confidence, embracing this art form can be a catalyst for personal growth in unexpected and powerful ways. Here are three ways your love of singing can expand into loving yourself.

1. Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone Boosts Confidence, Pride, and Self-Belief

Loving yourself

Singing in front of others, or even just embracing your own voice fully, requires a leap of faith. It challenges you to push past insecurities and fears, allowing you to grow into the person you’ve always aspired to be.

This journey begins the moment you decide to take that first step—and continues quickly as you prove to yourself that you really CAN become the singer you've always wanted to be. I swear, it's true!

As you progress, proving your greatest fears wrong, you’ll notice a remarkable boost in confidence. 

Every time you push past your comfort zone, you build resilience and self-belief that spills over into every aspect of your life. You'll find yourself taking more risks, speaking up more confidently in meetings, and standing tall in social situations.

The pride you feel in your progress becomes a cornerstone of your identity, reminding you that you are capable of achieving greatness.

2. Singing Promotes Healthier Habits and Wellness Behaviors

To sing at your best, taking care of your voice is crucial—and that means loving yourself by adopting habits that benefit your overall health. Some examples would be:

  • Maintaining hydration, which is essential for keeping your vocal cords in peak condition, encourages you to drink more water. This improves your general health and boosts energy levels.
  • Building strong breath support, which is improved through regular aerobic exercise, motivates activities like jogging, swimming, or brisk walking to enhance your lung capacity and stamina. This directly benefits your vocal performance and overall health.
  • Normalizing good posture, which is crucial for optimal singing, promotes a strong, healthy spine and reduces back pain. 
  • Practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques to reduce performance anxiety also leads to lower stress levels and a more peaceful mind.
  • Setting and keeping boundaries (around things like uninterrupted practice times), which is important to your success as a singer also helps promote healthier relationships, better self-care, and can eliminate burnout.

As you integrate these kinds of healthful behaviors into your daily routine, you’ll notice a ripple effect that enhances your well-being far beyond your singing.

3. Your Journey to Loving Yourself Inspires Others

No, it's not selfish to use time, energy, and resources to pursue something that matters to you.

As you experience the benefits of singing—greater confidence, enhanced well-being, and a deep sense of accomplishment—you will naturally become a beacon of positivity to those around you. 

You will model health and happiness.

Your journey will inspires others to pursue their passions and step out of their comfort zones. Whether it’s your family, friends, or colleagues, they’ll see the joy and fulfillment that singing brings you, and it can encourage them to explore their own interests, dreams, and sense of purpose.

There is no greater gift I can think of, and no greater way to further feed your sense of loving yourself!

Voice Your Potential: Embracing Whole-Life Improvement

While many vocal coaches focus solely on technique and performance, the Voice Your Potential coaching model takes a holistic approach. Singing is more than just a skill to be honed—it’s an adventure of self-discovery and growth. This program integrates vocal training with personal development, encouraging a balanced approach to your dreams, health, well-being, happiness, and fulfillment.

Interested in learning more? Schedule your free discovery call with Voice Your Potential today and start your journey towards self-improvement through the power of singing.

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Artist Development Posts, Confidence Coaching Posts

The Power of Pursuing a Dream: Why Following a Passion Can Transform Your Life

The Pitfalls of Not Following Your Heart

It's easy to push aside something our heart tells us it wants, whether big life-altering dreams or smaller tweaks we'd like to make in our daily lives. Voices from inside and out say our dreams are silly, or unrealistic, or impossible. And those voices can convince us it's "not the right time," or that we don't really want that dream. 

You can lie to your friends about what your heart wants, but you can't lie to your heart. And that lie risks you waking up every day to a life that feels mundane and uninspiring. The alarm clock rings, and you drag yourself out of bed, not because you want to, but because you have to. Because you're living a life where you're not being the person you really want to be. Your heart knows it.

I get it. I've been there. It's not because there's something wrong with you. It's a very human thing to do. It may seem harmless or even noble to put off your heart, especially if you "give up' your needs for your children. Yet, not pursuing the things that truly matter to you can have profound negative effects. It can manifest in various forms, including chronic stress, anxiety, and even depression. 

None of this is good for you or your children. 

My mother passed away several years back. She had a lot of dreams in her life, but never the confidence and self-belief to pursue them. Yet she always told me that I should and could follow my dreams. Did I? No. Because I became the person she taught me to be. 

I became someone who told other people they should and could follow there dreams but who didn't follow her own.

That's how it works. Others learn as much, or more, from your actions as they do from your words. If you aren't making yourself and your heart a priority in your life, you are encouraging your children (and others) to do the same. Be the change you want to see in your children.

The Contrast: Envisioning a Life of Pursuit

It doesn't have to be a drastic change. You don't have to quit your job tomorrow and move to Santa Fe to be a painter. Almost always, small tweaks in your current life are enough to make your heart feel heard and your life feel purposeful.

Whether it's singing, painting, being a foodie, or going minimalist in your living space, the act of pursuing what you love brings a unique vitality and joy to your life. And the journey catalyzes an improved feeling of self-love, deservedness, and confidence.

That's the power of realigning with the person you truly are. Let me break down some examples of the changes you'll experience when you finally say "yes" to your heart.

 Enhanced Sense of Purpose

  • Pursuing a dream gives your life direction and meaning. The Blue Zones, regions known for the longevity and health of their residents, highlight having a sense of purpose as a key factor in living a longer, healthier life. When you follow your passion, you wake up with a reason to get out of bed, which can contribute to overall well-being and happiness.

Emotional Well-being

  • Engaging in activities you love releases endorphins, the body's natural mood elevators. For instance, singing has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and create a sense of community. This emotional uplift can buffer against the daily stresses of life, leading to a more resilient and positive outlook.

Physical Health Benefits

  • The physical act of engaging in something you love keeps your mind active, can reduce bad habits like the urge to snack or to squat on the couch for long periods of time, and can even boost your immune system. 

Personal Growth and Self-Discovery

  • Chasing your dreams often involves stepping out of your comfort zone and taking risks. This journey fosters personal growth, resilience, and self-discovery. As you overcome challenges and achieve milestones, you build confidence and learn more about your strengths and capabilities.

Building Meaningful Connections

  • When you engage in your passions, you often find a community of like-minded individuals who share your interests. These connections can lead to deep, meaningful relationships and a strong support network. Whether through a choir, a writing group, or a cooking class, the shared pursuit of a common goal fosters camaraderie and belonging.

Empower Yourself to Live a Life of Purpose

It's easy to get caught up in the societal narrative that equates success with monetary gain. However, the true measure of a fulfilling life lies in the joy and satisfaction you derive from your daily activities. 

By giving yourself permission to pursue your dreams, you embrace a life of purpose and passion, regardless of financial outcomes. And yet, being happier in your overall life often equates to greater success in your work life!

No more waiting!

Living a life aligned with your passions can lead to greater overall happiness and well-being. So, take that first step. Sing that song. Write that book. Paint that picture. Allow yourself to dream, and more importantly, to chase those dreams with all your heart.

The journey itself is the reward, bringing color, meaning, and joy to every day.

If you could use some guidance determining how to move forward toward a more purpose-driven life (including singing or not), please schedule a chat with me. It's free of charge and free of any pressure to work together in the future. Let me help you think things out!


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Artist Development Posts, Confidence Coaching Posts

How to Chase Your Dreams: 5 Steps to Get You Started

It's time to chase your dreams.

You deserve it, and you're up for the challenge!

Even though I often work with aspiring singers, what I'm about to share in this article applies to anyone with any dream. Including you!

The five steps I detail below will help you shift away from aiming low (or not aiming at all) to going after the things your heart wants. Use them as a roadmap to free your heart to pursue what will make you happy and fulfilled.

Remember, as far as we know, we get one shot at this life. May you and I both make the most of it!


1. Identify Limiting Beliefs

Chase your dreams

Often, we aim low due to limiting beliefs ingrained over time. These beliefs might stem from past failures, societal or familial pressures, or fear of the unknown. Or they may simply reflect a struggle with self-worth. 

To shift this mindset, you need to identify these beliefs. Ask yourself questions like:

  • Do I have an implicit expectation of failure?
  • Do I struggle with a degree of imposter syndrome?
  • Did I take on someone else's low expectations of me and turn them into my own?

Once you've identified the limiting beliefs, remind yourself that they are only feelings. Feelings are real in that we really feel them. But they do not represent reality. 

Once you see the limiting beliefs clearly, you can CHOOSE to not allow them to inform your decisions. But this is only a first step, so keep reading!

2. Set Clear Goals:

As you begin to see beyond the limiting beliefs you've been conditioned to believe, now you can get honest about what your heart really wants. This is a step that has to be taken without your brain getting distracted with thoughts of what's "realistic" or "silly." Dream freely and ask yourself what the steps would need to be for this dream to become a reality. Map out a timeline of those steps, setting specific, achievable goals as markers along the way. This not only provides a roadmap but also instills a sense of excitement, direction, and purpose.

Chasing dreams should be fun! But sometimes, it can also be scary, so learn to...

3. Embrace Fear:

Fear often holds us. back. Whether it's fear of failure, judgment, or our own disappointment, it can paralyze people into settling for mediocrity. 

But fear is a natural part of growth. Each great next thing always lives outside your comfort zone. Always. 

When a singer feels fear as she gets up on stage and sings, that fear exists because she is living her life as a singer! It's proof that she's on her path, doing life on her terms.

It's less important how that one performance goes, and way more important that she executes the performance, because good or bad, it will teach her valuable lessons for improving.

When it comes to dreams, what scares us most is exactly what we want. That's why it can be so emotional, and why all dream-chasers should...

4. Seek Support:

When we go after the life our heart wants, it can be a rollercoaster of emotions, from excitement to doubt. Without the right support system in place, the moments of doubt threaten to derail us. We all need a person or people who will cheer us on during the highs and steady us during the lows, so we don't lose sight of what's important. Find yours, make your goals clear to them, and lean on them when you need to.

Incidentally, this is my jam - my mission in the world - to support people who want to create a life that feels meaningful and in alignment with the person they truly want to be. This is core of both my confidence coaching program and my artist development program (the Rockstar membership tier). Check both out if you want the guidance and support that will become your anchor during your inevitable moments of doubt.

Steps 1 through 4 have all been about mindset. But mindset goes nowhere if you don't...

5. Take Action:

Action is required to chase your dreams. This will involve things like:

  • Stepping out of your comfort zone
  • Committing time/energy/resources 
  • Getting feedback from the correct, knowledgable sources
  • Persisting in the face of setbacks.

Begin with small, manageable actions. These will build your momentum and confidence to take bigger actions. All new actions will feel uncomfortable - until they don't. That's called progress, and it will be worth it in the end!

By addressing limiting beliefs, setting clear goals, embracing fear, seeking support, and taking action, you can stop aiming low and start daring to chase your dreams. It's about shifting mindset, recognizing your true potential, and following your heart with courage and determination.

You got this!

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Artist Development Posts, Singing Tips

Is The Way You Practice An Obstacle To Your Singing Dreams?

Is the way you practice an obstacle to your singing dreams?

If you spend a lot of time practicing singing but you don't feel that you're getting to where you want to be, you might be practicing ineffectively. 

Check out the 6 common practice snafus that students run into, and make sure you're not falling into the same traps.

You deserve to reach your singing goals. Go get them!

  • Overexertion without Rest: Singers may sometimes practice excessively without allowing their vocal cords proper rest, leading to vocal strain or even injury. Pushing too hard without giving the voice time to recover can hinder progress and may result in long-term damage, preventing them from reaching their full potential or even pursuing a singing career.

    • Solution: Rest and recover whenever necessary, but more importantly, learn to stop pushing yourself before you fatigue your voice. It's okay, even necessary to push your limits, but do this in increments so that excessive recovery time becomes unnecessary.
  • Poor Technique Reinforcement: If a singer practices without guidance or correct instruction, they might inadvertently reinforce bad habits or techniques. Continuously practicing with flawed vocal technique can limit vocal range, tone quality, and overall performance ability. Without intervention to correct these habits, the singer may find it challenging to progress or achieve their desired level of skill.

    • Solution: Technique is king when you're learning to sing. You can't build new and better skills on a shoddy foundation. That's why I created the Singer-Athlete Workout Program. It uses the kinds of exercises, tools, and information I needed to go from average to great singing.
  • Ignoring Warm-Up and Exercise Routines: Skipping warm-up and exercise routines before practice sessions can be detrimental to a singer's vocal health and long-term progress. Proper warm-up exercises help prepare the vocal cords for the demands of singing by increasing blood flow, loosening muscles, and improving flexibility. Vocal exercises isolate (or should) specific vocal skills to build them in every part of a singer's range - so they can later be enjoyed while singing songs

    • Solution: Well... stop not warming up and doing your vocal exercises! If you don't know what warm-ups and exercises to do, checkout the Singer-Athlete Workout Program.
  • Limited Repertoire Exploration: Singers who only practice within a narrow range of genres or styles may find themselves limited in their versatility and marketability. While specialization is important, neglecting to explore diverse musical genres can hinder opportunities for growth and adaptation to different audiences. It may also limit the singer's ability to collaborate with other musicians or participate in various performance opportunities, thereby constraining their potential career advancement.

    • Solution: Try a variety of styles and skills when you do your songwork. Don't be afraid to genre hop and learn from the greats who came before you. BUT don't fall into this next trap...
  • Copying the Singer Instead of Being the Singer: While emulation is an important element of developing new skills, it is crucial that singers discover their own personal style. Singers who prioritize emulation over exploring their personal artistry may develop bad habits as well as never discover all they can be and what makes them stand out as an artist. 

    • Solution: Singing along with another singer to learn a new song or attempt to emulate a specific singing skill is absolutely fine. But to develop your own style, you should quickly move to singing with karaoke/instrumental tracks. You an only "be the singer" when you're the only singer.
  • Singing Through Songs Instead of Working On Song Delivery: If your practice session consists of turning on a song, singing it through to the end, and then turning on the next song, you ARE singing but you ARE NOT practicing. Singing like this is fun, and you should definitely do it from time to time. But this is an ineffective way to improve your skills because you're not actually working on anything.

    • Solution: Skills improve through repetition and experimentation. That means, for example, if you sing the chorus of a song and your voice squawks, you need to go back and analyze why. Were you pushing from your throat instead of your core? Did you tense your tongue? Do you simple need to do more head voice exercises? Try the chorus again with extra focus on transforming the possible causes so that you can eliminate future squawks. That's practicing.
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Artist Development Posts, Singing Tips

Is Singing Good For You? 5 Reasons Singing Makes You Happier and Healthier

Is Singing Good For You?

There are a gazillion reasons why pursuing any creative passion is a great thing to do. Creative pursuits give your life a sense of purpose and meaning, and shine a light on what's unique and special about you.

Pursuing your love of singing in particular can have numerous positive effects on your overall happiness and health. Here are five ways in which singing can contribute to your overall well-being:

Is Singing Good For You?

1.  Stress Reduction:

  • Singing, especially when you sing songs that you enjoy, can trigger the release of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. This can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
  • Singing also encourages deep breathing, which can activate the body's relaxation response and lower stress hormones like cortisol.

2.  Improved Mental Health:

  • Singing provides an emotional outlet, allowing you to express your feelings and emotions through music. This can be therapeutic and help you process your thoughts and emotions. 
  • Singing songs from your youth can be particularly cathartic and help you remember who you really are.
  • Participating in group singing activities, such as choirs or singing in a band, can foster a sense of belonging and community, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation.

3.  Enhanced Physical Health:

  • Singing requires the use of various muscles in your body, including your diaphragm, intercostal muscles, and facial muscles. Regular singing can strengthen these muscles and improve your posture.
  • Singing can also boost your immune system by increasing the production of antibodies and enhancing overall lung function.

4.  Increased Confidence:

  • Singing in front of an audience, whether it's a small group of friends or a larger public performance, can boost your self-confidence and self-esteem.
  • As you improve your singing skills, you'll gain a sense of accomplishment and pride in your abilities.

5.  Cognitive Benefits:

  • Learning and memorizing songs can stimulate your memory and cognitive abilities. It requires you to remember lyrics, melodies, and phrasing.
  • Singing can improve your focus and concentration, as it demands attention to rhythm, pitch, and timing.

You don't need to be a professional singer to experience these benefits. 

And don't just take my word for it. Check out this article from Healthline

Singing can be a joyful and fulfilling hobby that brings happiness and improved well-being to your life in whatever form you pursue it. Whether you sing in the shower, join a local choir, or simply sing along to your favorite songs in the car, the act of singing can positively impact your physical and mental health.

Be sure to check out the rest of voice-your-potential.com if you're ready to pursue your love of singing and reap all the benefits it can bring!

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Artist Development Posts

Self Improvement Books for Women Are No Match For Your Long-Lost Singing Dream!

Self improvement books for women have their place... but diving into your long-lost love of singing is the ultimate self-help program!

For nearly two decades, I've worked with women over 35 whose path to self-improvement led them to reigniting their love of singing through taking lessons with me. And I watched over and over again, as their pursuit of singing became a clear avenue for success with self-improvement. Here are just some of the reasons for that:

  • Reigniting an old dream reconnects you with who you really are.
  • Learning firsthand that you can improve and love the sound of your own voice is empowering, motivating, and beyond rewarding.
  • The genuine confidence and self-belief a singer has to develop to share her voice with the world leaks into every other aspect of her life.
  • The pursuit of creative goals creates a sense of meaningful purpose that has clients looking forward to waking up each day.
  • Success with singing requires mental, emotional, and physical self-care - and therefore provides internal motivation that leads to success in all those areas.

Using your love of singing as a tool for self-improvement can be a fulfilling and empowering journey. And more importantly, tying your personal growth to a creative pursuit provides longterm internal motivation, because singing is an ongoing, evolving goal. Meaning, it becomes a lifestyle change, not just a phase you go through.

Ready to blow past those self improvement books for women and use that long-lost singing dream to love your life?

Then here's a 10-step action plan to embark on that path...


Part One: Self-Assessment

Self Improvement Books for Women

1. Explore why you haven't pursued your love of singing before now. These obstacles may still be present, so you want to recognize them when they pop up again (they most likely will). It's a good idea to start a journal and write these things down.

  • Was it fear and self-doubt? Did you believe you weren't good enough?
  • Was it considered silly and "unrealistic" by others around you (or you)? Did you figure that if it wasn't possible to make a lot of money, there was no point in pursuing it? Or did you just never really consider pursuing your love of singing?
  • Did it fade away after you started a family? Did you feel it was selfish to continue with it? Did you just feel too tired and distracted?

2. Assess Your Current Skills:

  • Identify your current level of singing. It's best to get outside, impartial feedback for this. Women tend to be hard on themselves and friends tend to say unhelpful things like, "You sound great!" If you don't have a way of getting this feedback, consider a Single Assessment Consult with me.
  • Identify you current level of performance skills. For most newbies, performance skills haven't been practiced at all. But it's worth assessing and noting in your journal to monitor your progress. Sing in front of a friend (or imagine an audience) and write down what happens - how you feel, how your body reacts, how well your brain works (did you forget all the lyrics?), etc... 

3. Assess Your Current Self-Care. Since we sing with our bodies, how we take care of our bodies effects our singing. So, here are some things to assess and possibly tweak for the sake of your singing goals. Write your thoughts about the following things in your journal.

  • Mindset. Do you employ the journey mentality (progress, not perfection)? Do you succumb to negative self-talk or recognize it for what it is (basically, fear)? Do you have a support system (friends, family members, online groups)? Do you need help with imposter syndrome (take this free quiz, if you're not sure)?
  • Singer's health. Do you average 7 hours of sleep per night? Do you drink water regularly throughout the day (at least a cup every two hours)? Do you eat a healthy, balanced diet? Would you benefit from cutting back on dairy, salt, alcohol, and/or sugar (you can test each one over time to learn if you sing better when you cut back)? Do you take time for yourself to recharge your batteries and be alone with your thoughts?


Part Two: Skill Development

4. Create a practice schedule.

  • Your practice time is your "me time." Schedule it and stick with it. This is a great way to develop your boundary-keeping skills. 

5. Find a vocal warmup and exercise routine. 

  • This is how singers get better - not from singing songs. Song work is where you experience the progress. If you're not interested in paying a teacher for weekly coaching, consider my membership program for your practice sessions. 

6. Begin to challenge yourself to perform. 

  • Karaoke nights at local venues are a great way to do this. Remember that performance is it's own skill to develop through mindful practice. Be patient and work on one or two new things to improve at each performance.


Part Three: Artist Development

7. Expand Your Repertoire:

  • In the early stages, explore various musical genres and styles to broaden your singing skills and versatility. Don't limit yourself to one genre. You may be pleasantly surprised by what you end up really enjoying or excelling at.

8. Assess who you want to be while singing. 

  • Even if you're not planning on creating a musical project yet, ask yourself how you want to be seen on stage. Party girl? Insightful thinker? Rocker chick? How would you want an audience member to describe you to friends? Dig deeper than just "as a good singer." What is your stage personality?

9. Practice your stage personality.

  • The next time you practice performing, channel the stage personality you defined (or try out one of the possibilities) in step 8. This is likely the person you really want to be in the world. You can let her out to play when you're singing. Have fun with it!

10. Make singing about mindfulness and self-care.

  • Singing can be emotionally powerful. It can help reduce stress, improve mood, and boost your overall well-being. It can be your "me time," your motivation for physical self-care, and your sense of adventure in life. It can be a way to share a piece of yourself with the world, a piece that might not get the air time it deserves in the rest of your life. You can potentially make money from your love of singing, but the most valuable return on investment is the joy, purpose, and adventure it brings into your life!

Remember that self-improvement is a personal journey, and progress may vary from person to person. Celebrate your successes along the way and be patient with yourself as you work towards your singing and self-improvement goals. And let me know how I can help!

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Artist Development Posts

2 Pitfalls that Killed Desiree’s Dream of Being a Singer

When she was 23, Desiree started lessons with me. 

Her vision of success centered around becoming a contestant on the Voice. There was an audition in a neighboring state just two months away and she enlisted my help to prepare for it.

Within her first few lessons, several things became clear:

  • She had all the raw talent necessary for being a singer.
  • She had even more drive and ambition.
  • She wasn’t ready for the Voice.

I told Desiree that I believed she could be ready to audition by the following year, but she insisted that she didn’t want to wait. So, all I could do was my absolute best to help her prepare.

I wasn’t privy to everything going on behind the scenes for Desiree. I was, however, aware of two potential pitfalls:

  • Her parents were unsupportive of her desire to become a singer, and a huge part of her motivation was to prove them wrong. 
  • She had a relentless sense that the Voice was her only right path for accomplishing this - despite my many attempts to point out that there are a thousand ways to be a singer.

Fast forward two months…

Desiree auditioned for the voice, didn’t make it past the first round, and became so inconsolable about it, she gave up singing altogether. I never saw her again.

Why am I telling you about Desiree’s squashed dream? 

She is a slightly exaggerated version of a cautionary tale I witness all the time. And I want you to be sure you’re not headed down a similar path.

You have to support yourself the right way - even if the people around you don't support you!

The problem for Desiree’s dream of being a singer.

As I already said, she had raw talent and tons of drive. But she fell hard into two common pitfalls:

  1. The wrong motivation.
  2. A too-narrow vision of success.


The Wrong Motivation: 

It may seem harmless to be driven by the idea of proving others wrong. But by itself, it’s unsustainable no matter the outer circumstances.

  • What if her parents never supported her dream, even if she did pass that initial round of the Voice?
  • What if they changed their minds and did begin to support her despite not passing that first round?

Either way, how would Desiree continue to motivate herself? 

Internal motivation is the only sustainable kind. It makes you enjoy working on your voice and revel in the little signs of progress along the way. It makes you feel like you’re being the person you were meant to be – not the one that will “show your parents!” It feeds you instead of adding stress to your life. 

A Too Narrow Vision of Success:

I’ll be honest. I’m not a fan of singing competition shows. They perpetuate misunderstandings about singing and about what it means to be a singer (and most of the judges’ comments are at worst, harmful, and at best, useless. IMHO).

Here are some of the wrong messages viewers can get from these shows:

  1. “If I, at 30, can’t sing like the 10-year-old super singer I just saw on AGT, I can never be a good singer.” Um, no. Some folks start out with their “planets aligned” in a way that makes it come more easily for them, but most of us professional singers just worked hard at it over an extended period.
  2. “If I can’t do riffs and runs like famous singers, I can never become a successful singer.” Um, still no. Not only can you work to develop your vocal agility, but you can be a great, successful, and loved singer without a single riff. 
  3. “The best way to become a famous singer is to win a singing competition show.” Let’s do some math. Singing competition shows have been popular for about twenty years. Let’s say we count the top three finalists of American Idol, AGT (which isn’t just for singers), and the Voice each year for that time. That would be 9 per year for 20 years, which is 180 singers over the course of 20 years.

It's a hard number to nail down, but Billboard estimates there are currently 1.8 million musical artists in the United States alone. They aren’t all singers, but we can imagine at the very least that hundreds of thousands of them are.

Compare that to 180 finalists over the past 20 years. Not only is getting onto a singing competition show and becoming a finalist incredibly rare, it’s also apparently unnecessary. Look how many singers are doing their thing without that!

The solution that could've saved Desiree’s dream of being a singer.

Desiree was motivated by external forces (proving her parents wrong) and had a too-narrow vision of success (HAD to be the Voice and HAD to be that year). Her goal of being a singer could have been achieved if she:

  • Found internal motivation based on self-belief and joy.
  • Reveled in small wins instead of over-focusing on final outcomes.
  • Had been open to the different ways her dream could have come into being.

By the way… if you want to audition for a singing competition, have at it. What a great experience! But if it doesn’t turn out the way you want – which is likely based on the math - try the next avenue. 

To sum it all up…

I'll pass this to you now since you’re reading this because you also dream of being a great singer… 

  • Do you have internal motivation based on self-belief and joy?
  • Do you revel in small wins instead of over-focusing on final outcomes?
  • Are you open to the different ways your dream can be realized? 
  • Do you want help narrowing down what your current focus should be based on where you are today with your singing goals?


Alright. I admit it.

I slipped that last one in to tell you about my new Artist Development Coaching Program

For six months, I'll be by your side helping you hone your skills, combat your inner obstacles, and design your next ideal musical project.

Check it out to make sure you're on a path of progress and success… Don’t be Desiree!

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Artist Development Posts

Questions for Those Considering a Creative Career (and the Parents Who Don’t Want Them To)

It’s always interesting when you realize your current path, no matter how fresh and new it feels, is something you’ve been heading down for years. The following post is one I first published back in 2013 and recently happened across while perusing the archives of a past website. Not only is the information still entirely relevant (especially as we near the end of another school year), but it reminds me that my current coaching model is one I’ve been building for a decade and more.

I mentor young people who want to make singing the centerpiece of their lives with a program that combines vocal and performance coaching with artist development and financial health. I essentially give young people what I wish I had myself when I was young, what I didn’t get from my university degrees in music. The timing is perfect for this kind of alternative path, since colleges charge immorally exorbitant tuition these days and yet leave many graduates no better off in the workplace.

If you and/or someone you love is considering a creative career, consider the questions in this article. If you’d like to go deeper with your exploration, schedule a free consult and I’ll happily help you think out your options. College will always be one option, but it’s not the only one.

Here’s the article…

 

Many times, when a young person expresses a desire to pursue a career in the arts, parents immediately try to steer them away. This article is, in part, for you parents who are experiencing anything from mild, quiet concern to downright refusal to pay for art school. This article is also for the young person considering the arts, so you can critically think out your dreams with or without your parents support.

I have witnessed variations on this situation from many angles over the years, from being the kid choosing music, to knowing the burden of paying loans on not a lot of income, to coaching the adult who is now a doctor but who feels unfulfilled because she didn’t pursue her musical dreams.

Because I’ve seen this so much, it actually breaks my heart when I meet a young person whose parents are trying to divert them from a creative career. I also understand it. We want our children to thrive in the world. There is no one right answer for every person but to get to the right answer for you, you have to ask the right questions. Here are a few…

For the parent:

Begin with the basic question, “What do I want for my son/daughter?” Come up with about five answers and for every answer you give,  ask yourself three follow up questions:

  1. Is my desired outcome guaranteed if he/she pursues a more “practical” career path?
  2. Is this same outcome possible with an artistic career?
  3. How can I help this outcome be achieved no matter what path he or she chooses?

I’ll explain more.

Let’s say your first answer to the first question is, “I want my son to be financially secure.” Your follow-up questions would be:

  1. Is financial security guaranteed if he pursues business (law, psychology) instead of art?
  2. Is financial security possible with an artistic career?
  3. How can I help my son achieve financial security no matter what path he chooses?

Let’s say your second answer to the first question is, “I want my daughter to be fulfilled.” These would be your follow-up questions:

  1. Is fulfillment guaranteed if she pursues business (law, psychology) instead of art?
  2. Is fulfillment possible with an artistic career?
  3. How can I help my daughter achieve fulfillment no matter what path she chooses?

You get the gist of it. I think you’ll find that all of the things you want for your children can be achieved no matter what they decide to do with their lives–as long as you are there supporting them and teaching them how to be successful. Meaning, if you’re worried that your son will be a starving artist for the rest of his life, refusing to pay for college is the worst thing you can do. The best thing you can do is teach him to go for money as much as fulfillment, to expect financial security and then do what is necessary to have it. Remember, the definition of “success” is incomplete without the word, “happy”.

But the reality is, some young folks don’t really want to do all that is necessary to be successful in their chosen art discipline. Which brings us to the next round of questions.

For the potential career artist/musician/actor, etc…

  1. What exactly do you imagine yourself doing to earn a living? What challenges have others faced that you may also face? Are you up for those challenges?
  2. Is a college degree necessary for this goal? Are their alternative (and more affordable) ways to gain the skills and experience needed to be successful?
  3. Are there related jobs that could help you support yourself while you pursue your art (teaching, for example)? Do they require specific education that you should include in your studies (if you’re going the college route)?
  4. What is it about music/art/acting that you love the most? What percentage of the time do you think you’d be doing those things? How do you feel about having to do the parts that you don’t like as much?
  5. What work are you willing to do to support yourself until you can reach your ultimate goal, and what everyday comforts are you willing to go without?
  6. What if it took you 8 years of working a day job (and possibly not making a lot of money) before you could earn a living at your goal? Would you still want to do it? Or would you prefer to pursue a more fulfilling primary job and make your craft your side gig?

Answering these questions fully will require time and perhaps some research. Your happiness is worth it so don’t skimp on either. Some will walk away deciding to be avid hobbyists rather than career artists. Others will decide that any potential struggle is worth following dreams. No matter what, though, the decision will be made with eyes wide open.

 

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Artist Development Posts, Confidence Coaching Posts

Coming Back From Imposter Syndrome

My musical journey began around age six. That’s the year I had my first solo performance. It was on the trombone. The song I performed was When The Saints Go Marching In. This was the first of many musical “wins” I experienced at a young age, well before I became a music student in college.

Despite the plethora of experiences, accolades, and accomplishments I made early in life, I still went into the adult world feeling like an imposter and struggling with severe performance anxiety. I avoided opportunities that presented themselves, chose projects that weren’t me, and deferred to others who didn’t have my knowledge and experience.

When I tell friends this today, they are shocked. Even the ones who knew me back then. I had used my social chameleon to convince them I was exactly where I wanted to be. The bigger problem, of course, was that my chameleon convinced me, as well.

It would have taken a mere glance at myself to see through my own deceit and self-imposed obstacles. But I didn’t know to look. And I didn’t have someone else to point my eyes in the right direction, and be there to nudge me forward.

Still, I got there, despite the unnecessary strolls around the block it took me to arrive. And the journey instilled in me an unquenchable thirst for helping others like me take a much shorter path. I essentially designed the Female Lead Singer membership bundle for myself – a much younger version of myself. Come to think of it, the Budding Songwriter bundle is also for a younger me. These things are the closest I can get to going back in time and doing better for myself.

I encourage you, wherever you are on your path, to take regular quiet moments to ask yourself two questions:

  1. Is there something I’m lying to myself, or misleading myself about that’s negatively impacting something important to me?
  2. What can I do to stop the lie, and if need be, who can help me?

I’m happy with where I am today but sad for the younger me who needed support and didn’t have it. Let me be that support for you, if you need it, and make it a goal to learn to be that support for yourself.

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Artist Development Posts

3 Reasons You’re Not Too Old to Learn to Sing (Adult Singing Lessons)

Older adults shouldn’t take singing lessons? Nonsense!

Some old wives’ tales never go away. One such tale is the idea that we grow older to a point where we become unteachable. Not only CAN older adults take singing lessons, but I have three reasons why you SHOULD!

Reason #1 for adult singing lessons: Older adults make better learners.

There are real advantages to pursuing a new skill later in life…

  • Most likely, you have a better big-picture view of how things progress than you did when you were younger.
  • You’re also less likely to stress the little things and more inclined to put time and energy into activities you enjoy.
  • You also likely have a self-awareness that you didn’t have when you were younger.

All these things are huge advantages when developing new motor skills.

Reason #2 for adult singing lessons: Pursuing a passion makes you happier, healthier, and keeps your brain sharp.

The data is in. There is a multitude of physical and emotional benefits that come from singing, like:

  • Lowered stress
  • Boosted immunity
  • Improved mental health
  • Improved memory
  • Improved brain function

Plus, pursuing a passion adds purpose, fulfillment, adventure, challenge, and fun to your life!

Reason #3 for adult singing lessons: You deserve to become the person you’ve always wanted to be.

If you’re like most adults who consider singing lessons, you first found joy in singing when you were younger. But for whatever reasons, family, job, etc… you didn’t pursue it. Now you have two options, decide it’s too late for you and walk away, or commit to going after something  you love before it’s really no longer an option (you can’t do it from six feet under. Just saying!)

I’vAdult Singing Lessonse helped countless older learners pursue their singing dreams. Some are getting solos in their church choirs. Others are gigging out in public venues. Like Leonard, here!

How did he do it?

He embraced the athlete mentality. Which means, he

  • learned how his body works to sing
  • worked out his voice to strengthen the muscles involved in singing
  • developed the right motor skills and motor habits
  • and did these things with patience and persistence

And what’s THE most important truth to embrace regarding the athlete mentality?

You don’t have to be born with it!

Just like you don’t have to be born a jogger/bicyclist/soccer player to become one, you don’t have to be born a singer. The right adult singing lessons will train you to become the singer-athlete of your dreams.

So, how can you get started today?

Schedule a free chat for feedback and guidance.

 
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