Broadway Vocal Coach

What does it really take to perform one of the most iconic soprano roles in theatre history? (Hint: it’s more than high notes and pretty gowns!)

In this episode, Chelsea sits down with Haile Ferrier and Francesca Mehrotra, two of the six extraordinary women starring as Christine in Masquerade, the new off-Broadway immersive Phantom of the Opera experience directed by Diane Paulus.

They open up about:

• What it’s like to share one of musical theatre’s most iconic soprano roles with five other women.
• The vocal stamina and ritual it takes to perform this demanding score night after night.
• The power of representation — and what it means to see a new generation of Christines take the stage.
• The “Christine Sisterhood” that’s formed behind the scenes, and how collaboration fuels creativity.

Whether you’re a singer, a Phantom phan, or an artist hoping for longevity in a demanding career, this conversation is a masterclass in grace, grit, and vocal artistry.

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
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What does "you sound too musical theatre" actually mean?? (Hint: it’s rarely just about your voice) Today we're giving you clear, actionable tools to bridge the stylistic gap between Broadway polish and pop/rock authenticity.

In this episode, we unpack:

• The most common “too musical theatre” habits—and how to fix them.
• Why “vocal color” is your new best friend: from Billie Eilish breathiness to Whitney Houston wails.
• How rhythm, vibrato, and vowel choices shape your stylistic credibility.
• Acting differences between musical theatre storytelling and pop/rock performance.
• Cynthia’s hot take: why imitation might just be the fastest way to expand your color palette.

Whether you’re auditioning for Moulin Rouge, Come From Away, or a 54 Below concert, this conversation will help you understand context, make smarter vocal choices, and finally feel confident crossing over into pop/rock.

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
💌 Get Chelsea's free Friday Newsletter

At just 23, Elizabeth Teeter has already built a career most performers dream of—starring as Lydia in Beetlejuice on Broadway, Heather McNamara in Heathers Off-Broadway, and sharing the stage with legends like Helen Mirren and Saoirse Ronan. But behind all that success is a young artist who’s learned the importance of boundaries, self-care, and staying grounded in the work.

In this conversation, Chelsea and Elizabeth talk about:

• Growing up in the industry and learning from theatre greats
• How to protect your joy and your voice eight shows a week
• The realities of balancing work, school, and creative life
• The power of art and connection in hard times
• Why you don’t have to be perfect to start creating again

Elizabeth also shares her creative process as a songwriter—her debut album Out There is available to stream now—and what’s next for her on stage and beyond.

✨ Follow Elizabeth on Instagram @elizabethteeterofficial

🎧 New Single "Do You Like Me?" dropping October 24th

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
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“At a certain level, everyone can sing that note. So now casting is saying: who are you?” – Adam Wachter

How do you actually build a musical theatre audition book that works? What songs belong in it—and which ones can you finally stop worrying about?

Chelsea and Cynthia sit down with Titanique music director, composer, and author Adam Wachter to talk about his new book Your Rep Book: How to Find, Choose, and Prepare Successful Audition Songs.

You’ll hear Adam share:

🎭 How your audition book evolves through different career stages—from college to Broadway
 🎶 What makes a song “high quality” (and what doesn’t)
 🙅‍♀️ Why “overdone” songs aren’t the problem you think they are
 🧠 The difference between jukebox musicals and story-driven pop/rock shows—and how that changes what you sing
 💡 Practical tips for choosing, cutting, and preparing songs that show who you are

Whether you’re auditioning for college, regional theatre, or Broadway, this conversation is full of concrete, encouraging advice to make your audition prep a little less stressful—and a lot more personal.

🎧 Your Rep Book is available wherever books are sold, with the audiobook (featuring Adam at the piano!) coming soon.

📚 Connect with Adam:
Instagram @zebraadam
Website adamwachter.com

👉 Hit subscribe so you never miss an episode of the Broadway Vocal Coach Podcast—and share this one with a friend who’s revamping their audition book!

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
💌 Get Chelsea's free Friday Newsletter

Back in 2022, we first asked the question: Is a BFA in Musical Theatre worth it? Three years later, it’s still the conversation on every aspiring performer’s (and parent’s) mind.

In today’s bonus episode, Chelsea sits down with Julie Kavanagh—performer, choreographer, and Program Director for Broadway Vocal Coach’s College Prep Program — BVC Aspire. A proud graduate of CCM (Cincinnati Conservatory of Music), Julie shares both personal experience and professional perspective on whether a BFA is still worth it in 2025.

You’ll hear us talk about:

• What a BFA in Musical Theatre can give you beyond training.
• Why alumni networks and industry connections may matter as much as technique.
• How to weigh student loan debt against long-term career sustainability.
• When a BFA might not be the right choice—and smart alternatives to consider.
• The one piece of advice Julie would give her 18-year-old self about choosing a program.

Whether you’re a student dreaming of Broadway or a parent weighing the investment, this episode offers clarity, perspective, and practical guidance for making one of the biggest decisions in a young artist’s journey.

⭐️ High School Juniors: Looking for guidance for your college auditions? Join us for a FREE Musical Theatre College Audition Q&A!

📆 Monday, October 20th 8pm ET
📍 Zoom (replay available)
📋 Register: bwayvocalcoach.com/college

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
💌 Get Chelsea's free Friday Newsletter

“The most useful thing you can do on social media is show who the heck you really are.” – Kate Lumpkin

What do casting directors really notice—in the audition room and online? Chelsea and Cynthia sit down with casting director Kate Lumpkin for an inside look at how performers can stand out without faking it.

You’ll hear Kate share:

• How authentic social media posts can actually help get in the room—and book the job
• What makes a performer’s online presence useful (vs. distracting)
• Why ECCs and EPAs still matter—and yes, actors do get hired from them
• How to reframe “failure” as a pivot in your bigger artistic journey

Whether you’re just breaking into the business or trying to get more consistent callbacks, this episode is packed with practical insights that will help you feel less mystified by the casting process. 

📸 Connect with Kate on Insta

👉 Hit subscribe so you never miss an episode of the Broadway Vocal Coach Podcast—and share this one with a friend who’s getting ready for auditions!

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
💌 Get Chelsea's free Friday Newsletter

Mix voice might be the most misunderstood topic in all of singing. Is it a style? A register? A magic “secret” only some people can do?

In this episode, Chelsea and Cynthia bust FOUR of the biggest mix voice myths and share what it really means to sing in a healthy mixed voice. You’ll hear:

• Why there isn’t just one “right” way to mix
• The difference between mix vs belt (and why both matter)
• What to expect when you’re learning a new vocal coordination (hint: “weird” doesn’t mean “wrong”)
• How social media and studio recordings can warp our expectations of what our voices should sound like

By the end, you’ll see that mix voice technique isn’t mysterious—it’s learnable, it’s for everyone, and it’s the key to singing with freedom and balance across your whole range!

🎧 Tune in, myth-bust with us, and start building a mix that feels like your voice.

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
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What kind of courage it takes to keep creating when your career takes unexpected turns? Our guest Ali Gordon has worn a lot of hats—musical theatre performer, comedian, teacher, and now, debut novelist! In this inspiring conversation, Ali joins Chelsea and Cynthia to talk all about just that. Her novel, "We Have Reached the End of Our Show" is out on September 30th, get it here.

You’ll hear us talk about:

• How Ali went from BFA musical theatre grad to published author (and why she always knew she’d write a book).
• The surprising parallels between acting and publishing—risk-taking, rejection, and resilience.
• Why she kept her novel a “secret treehouse project” for so long (and what artists can learn from protecting their work).
• The value of improv training and how it made her braver in auditions and in life.
• What it means to carry endings—of jobs, relationships, even entire seasons of life—and still keep creating.

Whether you’re between gigs, dreaming up your next project, or just in need of a reminder that creativity takes many forms, this episode will leave you feeling both grounded and inspired.

✨ Connect with Ali! 📸 Instagram | 💻 Website 

📚 Attend a book launch event with Ali!

📕 Los Angeles: SKYLIGHT BOOKS, September 30 - 7:00pm

📘 New York: THE CORNER BOOKSTORE, October 6 - 6:00pm

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
💌 Get Chelsea's free Friday Newsletter

Welcome back to Season 4 of the Broadway Vocal Coach Podcast!

In this season opener, Chelsea and Cynthia catch up after a jam-packed summer and share the lessons they’re bringing into the year ahead. From Chelsea’s behind-the-scenes work on the new immersive Phantom production (Masquerade) to Cynthia’s dream-come-true experience working with Broadway idols on Hello, Dolly!, this episode is all about what it means to live and work through different seasons of life.

You’ll hear us talk about:

• Why your career is a long game (and what surprising doors can open years down the road).
• Warren Buffett’s 5/25 rule and how it applies to performers juggling endless priorities.
• Taylor Swift’s reminder that your energy is a luxury item—and how to guard it.
• Why laughter, silliness, and play aren’t optional extras but essential fuel for artists.
• What it’s like to say “yes” to singing again after years away from the audition room.
• How we’re reshaping Broadway Vocal Coach offerings to serve actors at every stage of the journey.

Whether you’re balancing school, gigs, auditions, or family life, this episode is a gentle reminder: you’re not behind—you’re just in a season.

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
💌 Get Chelsea's free Friday Newsletter

Just last week we heard from one of our BVC Studio members: "I don't want to be too much." Is this same fear holding you back from your best work? And, is there a line between enough and too much?

In our 2025 season finale, join us for a discussion about how going all out can transform your career. Hint: The gap between what you want and where you are now, is a whole lot of cringe. 😅 

01:45 Season Recap: Memorable Moments and Guests
02:55 Addressing the Fear of Being 'Too Much'
13:28 The Importance of Going All Out in Auditions and Performances
19:59 Networking and Professional Relationships: How Much is Too Much?

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
💌 Get Chelsea's free Friday Newsletter