Broadway Vocal Coach

For 16 seasons, Michael Orland coached superstar hopefuls on the hit show, American Idol. As a music director, arranger, and vocal coach to folks like Ariana Grande, Kristin Chenoweth, Jennifer Hudson, and more (!), he knows that the singer/pianist relationship is one of the most intimate you can have with someone. In today's interview, Michael shares what makes a memorable performance (it's more than just impressive vocals, friends!) and how following up and showing up is half the battle!

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
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You've heard us talk about college musical theatre auditions enough, so let's hear from some brand new college freshman who just completed that process! We're joined by past BVC Aspire students Katy Olson and Ezra Moore. Katy is now a freshman at Muhlenberg College as a theater and dance major, and Ezra is a freshman at Oklahoma City University studying musical theatre. In today's interview they share their best advice for students and families going through the process. 

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
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Whether you're just starting out auditioning for your high school musical or you're regularly going in for Broadway auditions, you need an audition book. What's an audition book? And what's the best process for putting yours together? That's what we're talking about today.

How to minimize page turns in your audition cuts: diagram!

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
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For someone who has enjoyed four decades working in the theatre industry (and won a Tony Award for as “Ms. Adelaide” in Guys and Dolls along the way!), Faith Prince did not have an immediate rise to success. But after ten years of working, Faith made her Broadway debut and has been a beloved musical theatre star ever since. In today's conversation, Faith opens up about her life as working actor on stage and screen, why Broadway was never "the" goal, and how playing comedy is all about finding the dilemma.

Read more about Faith Prince and listen to her solo albums here. 

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
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Welcome back to SEASON TWO! 🥳 When it comes to your performance goals, what's holding you back?

Have you ever felt like, "I always wanted to perform, but I wonder if I'm good enough. Or, "my family encouraged me to pursue something more practical." Or, "I don't have the skills or training to be competitive," "I just want to feel more confident," or even, "I wonder if it's too late for me?"

If any of that resonates with you, you might be dealing with a severe case of imposter syndrome. Today, we're sharing our experiences with imposter syndrome and the TWO THINGS successful people do to break through it and pursue their dreams.

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
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30 episodes in, and we're taking a summer break! In our season finale, Chelsea and Cynthia talk candidly about what they've learned from making the podcast, from the incredible guests of season one, and what our listeners can look forward to from BVC  later this year.

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please take a moment to rate and review us! We appreciate your support, and can't wait to bring you season two this fall!

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

"No one treated me normally. I was either championed, like,  'I support you. I am pro-women. I'm an ally!' Or it was, 'You gotta be kidding me, I don't wanna work under a woman. Absolutely not.'"

In episode 6, Cynthia shared what led her from a career as a classical pianist to a bona fide Broadway conductor and music director. Today, we're diving deeper into the challenges of being a woman in a field dominated by men, how Cynthia has navigated motherhood and her career, and her best advice for musical theatre performers.
 

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
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What does it take to get a new musical off the ground? And what is it like to originate a role that was written just for you? Today we’re joined by composer Madeline Myers and actor Samantha Massell for an episode about the development of a new musical (Double Helix), the magic of collaboration, and how to take charge of your career and make things happen!

"Asking for what you want, is maybe one of the most important things you can do in this business, no matter what your role is." - Madeline Myers

Tickets for the world premiere production of Double Helix at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor (running May 30, 2023 — June 18, 2023) are on sale now at www.baystreet.org

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

"Very likely, people that you don't think are taking note, are! And it's good reason to  keep putting one foot in front of the other." In episode 7, Chelsea shared her experience as a BFA student, her journey to Broadway, and what led her to help co-found BVC as we know it.  Today we're diving deeper into Chelsea's Broadway career as a vocal coach, working on productions like The Phantom of the Opera, School of Rock, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Plus, she's sharing her best advice for aspiring Broadway performers.

Connect with Chelsea on instagram @chwils

📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
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Cynthia remembers Bre's University of Michigan audition as one of her favorites of all time. It stands out because it wasn't polished, it wasn't overly trained - she was just a raw vessel of talent.  She is proof that you don't need years and years of expert training, classes, and experience to get started in this industry.

Among Bre's many credits, she's most recently performed as Catherine of Aragon in the Broadway production of SIX. Join us for a conversation about mental health, self-care, and managing the in-between-jobs periods as an actor with over a decade in the business.

Connect with Bre on Instagram: @bre.jackson

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