Broadway Vocal Coach

In this episode, Cynthia sits down with the incredible Wendy Cavett— music director, supervisor, arranger, educator, conductor, pianist, and incredible vocal coach—to dive deep into the world of pop/rock in musical theatre. With Broadway and Off-Broadway credits including Come From Away, Hamilton, Mamma Mia, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and more, Wendy brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation.

Together, they unpack what makes a great pop/rock audition, the stylistic markers that music directors listen for, and how to bring authenticity to your performance while still honoring the genre. They also tackle one of the biggest challenges performers face: the pressure to "get it right" and anticipate what casting teams want—spoiler alert: you’re never going to guess!

Whether you're just stepping into pop/rock or refining your skills, this conversation is packed with insights to help you sing with confidence, embrace your unique artistry, and navigate the intersection of musical theatre and rock/pop storytelling.

Pop/rock skills are ESSENTIAL in our industry! Here’s the thing: You can’t approach a pop/rock audition the same way you do a traditional musical theatre audition. So, how do you know where to start?!👇

Pre-order Cynthia's Pop Rock Essentials course today! https://www.bwayvocalcoach.com/poprockessentials

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

Join Cynthia and Broadway & TV performer Sydney Morton for a deep dive into how pop/rock has become a must-have skill in the Broadway industry. Sydney shares her journey—from classical theatre training to singing jazz and R&B at home—only to find that nearly 90% of her musical theatre career has been in pop/rock shows, reflecting the industry’s shift.

Fun fact: Sydney’s very first audition out of college (the morning after showcase)? A pop/rock show!

With Broadway credits including Memphis, Evita, Motown, and American Psycho, plus TV and film roles in Manifest, Three Women, The Sound of Music LIVE!, and Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace, Sydney offers an insider’s perspective on how pop/rock is reshaping auditions and performances on stage and screen.

Pop/rock skills are ESSENTIAL in our industry! Here’s the thing: You can’t approach a pop/rock audition the same way you do a traditional musical theatre audition. So, how do you know where to start?!👇

Pre-order Cynthia's Pop Rock Essentials course today! https://www.bwayvocalcoach.com/poprockessentials

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

Self tapes are here to stay, whether we like them or not! They're part of the industry, whether you are auditioning for professional shows, applying to college, or anything in between. In today's conversation, we're laying out eight dumb mistakes that ruin your self tapes, because between the two of us, we've seen it all! Professional self tapes for everything from Broadway shows to regional theaters to summer stock to college application prescreens...

If you're making any of these eight mistakes, don't stress! They are easy to fix (we'll tell you how!) and are guaranteed to make a positive impact on your self tape game.

🎥 Step up your self tape game even further with our FREE Self-Tape Mini Course. Get it here! 

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

Cynthia and one of her dear friends, the hilarious and talented Matt Perri, dive into the challenges and nuances of pop/rock in musical theatre. What makes it so tricky to balance authenticity with storytelling? How can performers bring the style to life while keeping their voices sustainable eight shows a week? Along the way, you’ll hear insights about vocal technique, audition strategies, and the magic of blending pop and theatre in ways that truly resonate.

Matt's illustrious career includes credits on over 15 Broadway shows, a Carnegie Hall debut with Austin’s Pride, and collaborations with stars like Bette Midler, Kristin Chenoweth, and Jessica Vosk. From Bandstand to The Sound of Music Live, Matt has done it all as a pianist, conductor, and music director.

A lot of musical theater singers we know get overwhelmed and confused with pop/rock music. Maybe you've been told that you "sound a little too musical theatre" when you've tried singing pop/rock music and you don't know how to fix it. Or maybe you've just heard a lot of conflicting advice! So, as people who have actually worked on a lot of pop/rock musicals, we're here to offer some expert guidance! 

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

If the idea of a dance call makes you want to cry into your audition book, good news! This episode is full of practical tips to prepare for and stand out at (in a good way!) a dance call. Plus, how to prepare college audition prescreen videos and do your best under any circumstance at Unifieds or other live auditions this college audition season.

Assistant Aspire Program Director and Dance Coach Marjorie Failoni joins Chelsea Wilson for today's episode! Marjorie is a performer (Bway: Escape to Margaritaville; Tours: 9 to 5, High School Musical), dance captain, teacher (on faculty at Broadway Dance Center), and choreographer. 

Connect with Marjorie here: www.marjoriefailoni.com

Join us on Sunday February 16th for JUNIOR JUMPSTART! A college audition preview and Q&A for the class of 2026. Save your spot here.

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

" Notice that we don't say: in order to have a successful audition, you have to sing the loudest, or kick your leg the highest..." Instead, we're talking about: showing up as your best self, and taking care of your mental, physical, and emotional health so that you can have a positive and present audition experience.

Let this conversation with Chelsea and Aspire Program Director Julie Kavanagh be a respite from all the noise and stress surrounding live college auditions. With thoughtful preparation, you can stay present through this process and realize that every time you step in the room, it's a win!

Mentioned in the episode: The Cure for Burnout by Emily Ballesteros
Unified Auditions Dates and Info
Learn more: Aspire Program (College Prep)

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

Struggling to find the perfect audition song? Whether you’re gearing up for Broadway, community theater, or those nerve-wracking college prescreens, finding the right fit can feel like an impossible task. In this episode, Chelsea and Cynthia break down what makes an audition song work—and what doesn’t! From avoiding “show-off” tracks to picking a song that tells a story, they’re giving you the tips you need to stand out for all the right reasons. Plus, they’re diving into overdone songs, tricky cuts, and how to bring specificity to your performance. Tune in for no-nonsense advice to build your best audition book yet!

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

In this episode, Chelsea and Cynthia sit down with the inspiring Teddy Siegel, a soprano, advocate, and the creative force behind Got2Go NYC. Teddy opens up about balancing artistry with advocacy, the power of storytelling, and embracing vulnerability to build meaningful connections online.

From performing in prestigious venues to transforming public discourse around an essential yet overlooked issue, Teddy’s story will leave you motivated to make an impact in your own unique way.

Tune in for insights, laughs, and a reminder that even the most unifying parts of the human experience can spark global change!

Connect with Teddy on instagram @teddy.siegel and @got2gonyc

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

What does it take to star as Elphaba on Broadway? As Mary Kate (MK) reveals, it is not for the faint of heart! From her vocal health non-negotiables, to who makes up her voice and self-care team, we're talking all the nitty gritty of her routine and mindset in order to play one of the toughest roles on Broadway. "I have learned all of this from failing," she says. In this interview and the day-in-the-life content she regularly shares on social media, it is a gift to learn from and observe someone at the top of their game in this way. 

Connect with MK on instagram @maryspacekate
Listen to our vocal health conversation with Sarah K Brown, SLP on episode 54.

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

Get 30% off ALL Broadway Vocal Coach courses and subscriptions! It's our biggest and ONLY sale of the year! Use code BLACKFRIDAY30. Because you deserve to step off the sidelines and onto the stage. And we've got the training and support to get you there! www.bwayvocalcoach.com

Ever worried you might be "singing from your throat?" Or  been confused by singing terminology? What about trying to sort through all the singing advice you've heard on the internet? In this episode, Chelsea answers YOUR questions and cuts straight to the practical tips you can implement in your singing practice right away. From mixing, to daily swelling checks, vocal workouts to vocal budgets, we're touching on all of your burning singing questions!

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