What is your greatest passion or joy as a singer, voice teacher, or vocal professional?
Currently, my greatest passion as a voice teacher is helping apprehensive and nervous students. I purpose to create a safe space where students can develop courage to express themselves freely. By giving them nonjudgmental support and encouragement, I have seen inspiring results. I hope to always help my students gain faith in the sound that’s inside of them just waiting to be explored!
Tell us the latest news about you, your studio, and your work!
I work with Created To Sing Studios; a voice and performance training company. Along with continuing to offer standard voice lessons, we are excited to now donate lessons to those who have been rescued from trafficking and trauma situations. It is an honor to serve these individuals and be a part of their journey of finding healing and wholeness. I have seen significant results from this offering in these students. I look forward to continuing in this branch of Created To Sing.
We have also recently launched the Created To Sing Community for virtual gatherings, opportunities to perform and encourage each other, Q&A’s, special guest interviews, voice & performance tools, tips, and more!
What is an interesting or funny fact about you?
I absolutely love the outdoors - scuba diving; hiking through national parks; cowboy-camping at Lake Tahoe; surfing at La Jolla Shores; skateboarding down open roads in Utah. I can never get enough of all nature has to offer!
What led you to the NYVC Voice Teacher Training & Certification Program?
Several years ago, my mom was expanding her musical career to become a vocal coach through the VTT program online. After she graduated, I heard so many inspiring stories of her helping students, that I decided to pack up, head to New York, become a student of the course, and begin my own career as a voice teacher.
What was your experience in the NYVC Voice Teacher Training & Certification Program?
My time in the Teacher Training program was a highlight of my educational career. I have always been a lover of learning, and Justin offers a program that is full of foundational vocal pedagogy information; but he serves it to the students with a passion, joy, and genuineness that is captivating and contagious. This makes for a highly informative and engaging course that is inspiring for both beginner or advanced, singers and teachers.
What advice would you give to future participants of the Program?
Over the weeks, you will learn many new concepts including the individual components of the vocal instrument and how they function. Allot yourself plenty of time to study. Soon, you will see how everything works together; especially as you begin to design your own vocal exercises.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an artist, teacher, or vocal professional?
When I was just beginning to teach, pre-lesson nerves turned out to be a huge challenge I had not expected. I found imposter syndrome had hit in full force. It took persistence, but at the end of each lesson, I realized I had almost learned as much about teaching as my student learned about technique.
Eventually, I found my stride, and my confidence grew with each success. Small wins, such as when my student would land a role for which they were auditioning, would remind me that I was far more prepared and capable than I had believed.
What was your greatest victory ever as an artist, teacher, or vocal professional?
One of my greatest victories as a voice teacher was when I was able to apply the teaching techniques I’ve learned to two specific students. One was 7, and the other, 56. Among other concerns, because of their ages, both thought their voices weren’t worth being heard. In working with each of them, they discovered the freedom that comes with using their voice, and how to express themselves with confidence and joy. I am thankful I have been able to successfully make a safe space for students of many ages, and will continue to cultivate that in my studio.
What is one piece of advice that you would love all singers to know?
Be willing to try new things! I know this isn’t a profound statement, but I have seen so much success and joy in my students when they have stepped beyond their fears and found there is much to be gained with a little exploration. Try new sounds, new styles of singing, new performance or recording experiences, etc. Discover what is waiting for you in the world of art, and find new levels of expression in your craft.
What is something you've learned on your journey that you would love other vocal professionals to know?
Comparison will only stunt your progress. We all have individual strengths, and it is easy to forget that, especially in an industry full of so many incredibly talented vocal professionals. Keep up the good work! Through your position of influence and mentorship, you have no idea how many lives you will affect in positive and memorable ways.
How can we find out more about you and your work?
You can reach me at CreatedToSing.com or at: Liberty@createdtosing.com. I would love to answer any questions you have. I offer both virtual and in-person lessons near my home in Chattanooga, TN.
