Broadway Vocal Coach

If you're pursuing a performance degree, you may be wondering, "What else can I do with this degree?" It turns out, a lot more than you think! Today, we've brought to the podcast our friend Hannah Flam, a New York City-based performer and project manager. Hannah received her BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan and now works as a digital marketing project manager for the Department of Neurosurgery at Lenox Hill Hospital. When Hannah took a break from performing to recover from an injury, she discovered new ways to use her creative skills in a field she never would've expected--healthcare administration!

We talked to Hannah about all the different ways she uses what she learned from her theatre degree, the pros and cons of having a full time job outside of performing, and how she's been able to reclaim her love of performing on her own terms after recovering from what could've been a career-ending injury. Hannah is passionate about helping others live their happiest and healthiest lives, so take a listen and get inspired!

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
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Vocal health is one of the most important topics for singers to learn about, which is why we've brought our friend and vocal health expert Sarah K. Brown to the podcast this week! Sarah is a New York-based speech pathologist and voice teacher, owner of SKB Voice Studio, and former clinical practitioner at the Grabscheid Voice and Swallowing Center of Mount Sinai.

In her private practice, Sarah works with Broadway stars, international opera singers, and TV/film actors, while also sharing her vocal wisdom to over 100K followers across TikTok and Instagram! She's a leader in making vocal health knowledge accessible to singers and voice users of all kinds, and we're so excited to share with you our conversation all about her journey and her best advice for healthy singing.

You can follow Sarah on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, or check out her website if you're interested in working with her. We love her, and we know you will too!

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
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Are you considering pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre? We know firsthand how overwhelming it can be to think about everything that goes into this decision and how it can impact your future career! So today, we're bringing you a replay of one of our most popular episodes, where we discuss whether getting a BFA degree in musical theatre is actually worth it, and dive deep into all the pros and cons.

If you're interested in attending our FREE masterclass on Sunday, March 10 at 7pm EST, all about how to get started with the college musical theatre audition process, sign up HERE.

Can't make it live? That's okay! We'll send out a link afterwards so you can watch the replay. When you register, you'll also receive a free copy of our guide, How To Start the Musical Theatre College Audition Process! So go ahead and register now!

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

You've probably heard a lot of "buzz" (pun intended), about SOVT exercises. All singers can benefit from SOVT work! In this solo episode, Chelsea dives into the nitty gritty of semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) exercises, offering insights and tips on how singers can use these exercises to strengthen their voices. From lip bubbles to straw work, she breaks down these exercises, offering expert tips on how to get the most out of each one.

Chelsea's guided vocal warm-up tracks: Use the code "BVC20" to save 20% on your order!

Use code "CHELSEA10" to get 10% off your Singing / Straw order: http://lddy.no/qfc8

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
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"Don’t be afraid to say yes. Go for the performance opportunities in high school, audition for the senior-directed plays, do the student-run shows—try everything you can, and find where you thrive. Just go for it and keep saying yes.”

Sitting down with McKenzie for the podcast was such a special treat—it feels like we've come full circle with this interview! Earlier in the season, we had the pleasure of hosting Kristin Chenoweth, the original Glinda in Wicked, on the podcast. And now, to mark the 20th anniversary of that show, we're delighted to have McKenzie Kurtz, the current Glinda, join us! You can catch McKenzie as Glinda at the Gershwin Theater through the end of February 2024. After that, she’ll be starring in the brand new Huey Lewis musical premiering on Broadway this spring, The Heart of Rock and Roll.

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
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In this solo episode, Cynthia dives into a topic familiar to actors but often overlooked: the "moment before". Despite its importance, Cynthia finds that many actors need constant reminders about this crucial aspect of performance. One of the main jobs of actors is to create a believable and compelling story and to clearly communicate that story. Musical theatre is defined by the storytelling! If you don't have a crystal clear moment before, your song is going to feel disconnected, unmotivated, or that it's just not necessary for you to sing right now. A really specific, powerful “moment before” will seriously transform your self-tapes and your in-person auditions! Cynthia provides practical tips and exercises to help actors understand and embody the "moment before".

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
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“That aspiration? Hell yes. Allow yourself to want all of it. Wake up every morning, take a deep breath, meditate, and see where you are that day, and where that day takes you. Then allow yourself to pursue it.  As opposed to failing because not every single piece is in place yet." 

Erin Dilly is a wife, mother, Broadway actor (with a Tony nomination!), TV/film actor, fierce friend, and dedicated teacher—she seemingly does have it all! And yet, there is always more to the story than the shiny parts we see on social media. On this podcast episode we talk all about the highs and lows of juggling intense ambition alongside the desire for relationships and a family. Erin has an openheartedness and honesty that will make you feel like you are wrapped in a warm blanket. For anyone who "wants it all", this conversation is for you!

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

Mix voice is a hot topic in the singing world, and chances are you're in search of that elusive experience of "finding your mix". In the world of musical theater, it's rare to find a singer who isn't exploring their mix, wondering whether they've found it, or simply wondering what mix voice is. With so much (sometimes conflicting) information out there on how to achieve a mix, Chelsea breaks down six common misconceptions about mixing and your singing voice in this solo episode.

Navigating online singing advice can be confusing for singers, because what works for one person might not work for you. Singing is personal! Chelsea is developing an online Mix Voice Course that focuses on personalized lesson plans based on self-assessments so that singers can find solutions that fit their specific needs.
Join the waitlist for the Mix Course here!

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

"My feeling about auditioning, regardless of the medium, has always been–this is my opportunity to actually play this part. I don't want to feel like I'm auditioning for something that might happen later. I want to feel like I'm fully doing it now. That lent itself nicely to auditioning for television and film,  because the job might be tomorrow morning."

Olli Haaskivi is an actor who soon after graduating with a musical theatre degree, found his passion and skills aligned himself with a career in TV and film. Today, we talk with Olli about how he made that transition, what he feels are the tools you need to audition for TV/film successfully, and how he's developed a thriving coaching business helping other MT actors get started onscreen.

Connect with Olli at his website: www.ollihaaskivi.com

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

A lot of musical theater singers we know get  overwhelmed and confused with rock pop music. Maybe you've been told that you sound a little too musical theater when you've tried singing rock pop music and you don't know how to fix it. Or maybe you've just heard a lot of conflicting advice! So, as someone who's actually worked on a lot of pop rock musicals, I'm here to dispel some myths and hopefully make the style feel a little less intimidating and a lot more fun to try. 

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