What is your greatest passion or joy as a singer, voice teacher, or vocal professional?
One of my earliest memories of singing was sitting in a HUGE oversized Lazyboy chair at my grandparents’ house. (Okay, maybe it was a normal-sized chair, but not to this pint sized three year old, who was completely engulfed by the lush green velvet!) That chair, and that moment, left a lasting imprint on my memory.
“The Sound of Music” was playing on the old box TV in the corner of the room, and I was singing along at the top of my lungs with pure joy. Somehow, at three years old, I already knew every word. I must have watched it only a handful of times, but something about it had ignited a fire in me and a deep knowing that’s never left me to this day. Singing = JOY, BLISS, FREEDOM, HAPPINESS, LOVE... and ‘MY TIME’. Time literally stands still when I’m deep in song.
My love and fascination with voice has taken me on the wildest journey through life. It’s been my one constant, blossoming into a fruitful 2 decade career as a professional singer in musical theatre, pop shows, fronting multiple bands, performing as a solo artist, and working in the recording studio. On top of that, I’ve worked as an actor and voiceover artist, using my voice in all its capacity to create characters and tell stories. Voice is my throughline. It's how I create, express, and connect.
Being a lifelong student of voice eventually led me to becoming a voice teacher. And now, my greatest joy is creating a safe and nurturing space for my clients and students from around the world to work on their instrument, overcome internal limitations and unlock their unique sound. It truly lights my soul on fire to share my knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of what it really takes to be a vocal professional. There’s nothing more satisfying than witnessing someone discover their voice and experience those breakthrough “lightbulb” moments of their own.
Tell us the latest news about you, your studio, and your work!
After 15 years of coaching in between gigs, I’m officially launching “Claira J Coaching” this year. Under this umbrella I offer 1:1 voice coaching, performance training, artist development and mentoring for singers, artists, actors and creatives worldwide.
While it’s currently a space for voice and artistic development, the vision is to expand into the online space, facilitating masterclasses, group containers and digital offerings that support artists not just vocally, but energetically and emotionally too. A soulful, sacred space for transformation where I blend science, spirituality and artistry - this is my true genius zone.
On a more micro level, I had a massive lightbulb moment earlier this year during a session with a student. I was explaining where the vocal folds sit in the larynx, using a rubber band for a visual, then had this intuitive download. Suddenly, something clicked: “the vocal folds sit horizontally, front to back, not up and down” like we often imagine! From that day forward, I have shifted my language and now talk about singing “long notes” rather than “high notes”. It’s been an absolute game changer for me and so many of my students. Softening the fear and anticipation around range, assisting with tension release and helping them approach those notes with much more ease and confidence.
Also, shout-out to the “Singing Teachers Talk” podcast, it's been my weekly companion and keeps me inspired with fresh vocal insights.
What is an interesting or funny fact about you?
I have an insatiable curiosity for the human mind. I’m deeply devoted to personal development and I’m on a mission to help others find more joy and freedom in their lives by dissolving the perceived limitations that block them from their full potential.
This stems from my own journey, years of breaking through my own limiting beliefs and subconscious programs, observing how they’ve played out in my life and body, and learning how to gently release them.
I genuinely believe that we are our own healers. I’ve healed my body many times from sore throats and gut issues to chronic period pain, through energetic work, emotional inquiry, and intuitive awareness. My go to guide is The Secret Language of Your Body by Inna Segal, I often reference it in lessons when students are navigating physical and recurring symptoms that are impacting their voice. Why? Because I’ve been there. I’ve learned how emotional patterns show up in the body, and how freeing our voice often starts with freeing our nervous system.
What led you to the NYVC Voice Teacher Training & Certification Program?
Back in 2018, I was on vacation in NYC and had the incredible opportunity to take lessons with Justin Stoney. From our very first session, I felt completely seen, safe, and understood in a way I hadn’t experienced before. His coaching style and depth of knowledge really resonated with me. He explained things so clearly and simply, which allowed me to integrate vocal techniques in a deeper, more embodied way.
When I returned to Australia, I continued to study voice independently and dove into NYVC’s amazing online offerings, YouTube videos, resources, and all the goodness on the website. I knew of the teacher training back then, but it wasn’t until 2023 that I felt a strong, intuitive nudge to go deeper. I wanted to expand my offerings as a teacher, attract more aligned students and emerging artists from around the world, and position myself to work with vocalists in the TV world on shows like The Voice and Australian Idol. I’ve had the privilege of performing on these shows, and I feel my insight and experience would be incredibly valuable in supporting other artists navigating that world from a truly grounded place.
All of this led me to the NYVC training and it was the clear next step for my growth as a voice teacher.
What was your experience in the NYVC Voice Teacher Training & Certification Program?
From the initial info session, to the orientation, to the final student coaching session with Justin in NYC, the course was seamless, expansive, rich with information and exceeded all my expectations.
As I’m based in Australia, I wasn’t able to attend live classes, but catching up on replays was a blessing in disguise as it allowed me to move at my own pace, pause, rewatch, and integrate the material more deeply.
Even though I’d been teaching voice for many years, this course revealed how much more there is to learn, and I was amazed by how comprehensive the curriculum was. Justin and the NYVC team have poured so much wisdom and love into this training. It’s not just about teaching techniques, it’s about becoming an exceptional voice teacher with integrity, depth, and skill and also comes with the added plus of a heart led and supportive community from around the world.
With lifetime access to the portal, recordings, quizzes, and community forums, this resource will be a lifelong companion in my journey as a voice professional.
What advice would you give to future participants of the Program?
Show up with an open heart and a curious mind. Be willing to make mistakes, to ask questions, and to sit in the learning process. There’s so much to learn, and you’ll get the most out of it if you give yourself time and space to really absorb and integrate. It’s rich, layered, and so worth it.
Set aside time each week to truly engage with the content. Watch the lessons when you’re clear headed, take notes, revisit concepts, and most importantly…apply what you’re learning.
I also highly recommend working with one consistent student throughout the course. Implement the tools in real time, both on yourself and with your student. The integration is where the real magic happens.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an artist, teacher, or vocal professional?
For years (between the ages of 17 and 35) my voice was a mixed bag of genres, influences, and identities. I’d sung in choirs, studied and performed in musical theatre, explored pop music, and everything in between. But I never truly felt FREE in my voice. I was constantly trying to mould it into whatever others needed - from characters to genres and underneath it all…I battled self-doubt, fear, fatigue, and confusion. Despite working with multiple coaches, I never truly felt at home in my voice.
It wasn’t until I began deep self inquiry work that things started to shift. Through personal development, somatic practices, and nervous system regulation, along with understanding my voice through vocal pedagogy and anatomy, and having tools and exercises that are laser focused - I’ve finally come home to my voice, and to myself. Now, my nervous system is my GPS. It tells me when to rest, when to push, and when to soften. And I bring this wisdom into my work with my clients every day.
What was your greatest victory ever as an artist, teacher, or vocal professional?
My greatest victory to date as an artist was writing and releasing my debut single and accompanying music video, Letting Go by Claira J, during the COVID pandemic in 2021.
A couple of years earlier In 2019, I experienced a life event that triggered a traumatic mental and physical breakdown. A near death moment that became the catalyst for a deep “dark night of the soul.” It was one of the most painful yet transformational chapters of my life. Stripped bare, I found myself returning to the purest parts of my heart and ultimately rediscovering my love for songwriting.
During the two month period of intense healing, the lyrics to Letting Go poured out of me like a transmission. It was clear that this song needed to be recorded, but I also knew the art wouldn’t feel complete without a visual representation. So I went all in, pulling together a team of 25 brilliant creatives and self funding the project with an investment of around $40,000 to bring both the recording and film to life.
This piece is a raw, cinematic depiction of what I lived through. The breakdown, the surrender, and the rise. It’s my phoenix story, and it still stands as one of the boldest, bravest things I’ve ever done. I put absolutely everything I had into that project. I’m deeply proud of what we created, and I know it shaped the woman, artist, and coach I’ve become.
Watch the full music video here: Letting Go – Claira J (YouTube)
Or listen on Spotify: Letting Go – Claira J (Spotify)
What is one piece of advice that you would love all singers to know?
Your voice is the most extraordinary instrument - it’s your superpower, and it’s yours alone. No one else will ever sound like you. No one else will ever have your tone, your phrasing, your emotion, your story, your inflections or your soul. That’s your magic!!!
Also, Comparison is only helpful if it inspires growth, not if it makes you feel small. Stay focused on you, your growth, your joy, and your expression. The real freedom comes when you stop performing for validation and start singing from a place of truth. You don’t need approval. You just need presence.
Let you be enough. Because you are.
Oh…and remember: it’s not just a high note… it’s also a long one ;)
What is something you've learned on your journey that you would love other vocal professionals to know?
True vocal freedom comes when you stop caring what others think and start fully embodying who you are. You are the vessel through which your gift flows. Your energy, your wellness, and your beliefs all shape your sound.
Take care of yourself. Fill your cup. Do the inner work. That’s where your greatest artistry lives.
You don’t need to have all the answers, but the more you understand how voice, body, and mind are connected, the more powerful your impact will be. We’re guides, not gurus. Stay humble, stay curious, and always listen deeper.
How can we find out more about you and your work?
If anything I’ve shared has resonated, I’d love to connect with you.
You can find me on Instagram at @clairajmusic and @clairajcoaching.
My website is www.clairaj.com currently getting a makeover for all my juicy coaching offerings - so stay tuned!
You can also email me at coaching@clairaj.com, or if you’re feeling the call to work together, book a clarity call or session with me at clairajcoaching.as.me.
Thank you so much for inviting me to share with the New York Vocal Coaching community, it means the world. I look forward to connecting with many of you soon.
“The voice reflects what the mind thinks and the heart feels.” - Claira J
