Inside The Vocal Salon

A Sight-Reading Primer: Building Musical Confidence with Ashlee Varner

How can stronger sight-reading skills help singers become more confident performers, collaborators and working musicians?

In this episode of Inside the Vocal Salon, Michael Sean Harris welcomes singer, voice teacher and music educator Ashlee Varner for a practical introduction to sight-reading and musicianship for singers.

Drawing on her experience teaching sight-reading and ear training, Ashlee explains why reading music is more than an academic requirement. It can determine whether a singer is prepared for an audition, studio session, orchestral engagement or other professional opportunity where music must be learned quickly and accurately.

Ashlee introduces some of the ideas behind her 12-lesson sight-reading course, which develops pitch, rhythm and harmonic awareness together. Her approach begins with accessible pitch-matching exercises while introducing rhythmic subdivisions in a way that helps students build confidence without feeling overwhelmed.

In this episode, Michael and Ashlee explore:

• Why sight-reading is an essential professional skill for singers
• How reading ability can open—or close—the door to paid opportunities
• Developing pitch matching, intonation and interval recognition
• Strengthening rhythm and accurate beat placement
• Learning pitch and rhythm together rather than treating them as separate skills
• Practising consistently through short, focused sessions
• Understanding sixteenth-note subdivisions without being intimidated by them
• Using a hybrid Takadimi system to internalize rhythm
• Connecting solfège, colour and scale degrees to a tonal centre
• Developing audiation—the ability to hear music internally from the page
• Moving from academic exercises to real musical situations
• Creating clear, effective lead sheets for accompanists and bands
• Understanding chord symbols, repeat signs, song form and notation
• Communicating grooves, tempo and arrangement ideas to musicians
• Using beatboxing to understand and explain rhythmic patterns
• Becoming a more confident performer, bandleader and songwriter

Ashlee also discusses the practical process of condensing a full piano score into a concise lead sheet. She explains why singers should understand song form, chord progressions, rhythmic feel and arrangement instructions instead of simply copying musical symbols without knowing what they mean.

The conversation offers encouragement for singers who find sight-reading intimidating and for voice teachers who want to strengthen their own musicianship. As Ashlee emphasizes, the goal is not merely to become better at reading exercises—it is to develop the skills needed to communicate, collaborate and create music with greater independence.

About Inside the Vocal Salon

Hosted by Michael Sean Harris, Inside the Vocal Salon brings voice teachers, coaches and singers together to explore the art, science and business of teaching voice through honest conversations and shared experiences.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast, leave a review and share it with a singer or voice teacher who wants to strengthen their musicianship.

Ashee's website: www.ashleevarner.com

IG: @avarner

Join The Vocal Salon community for live classes, exclusive resources and connection with voice professionals from around the world:

linktr.ee/ReggaeOnline

Keep lifting voices—including your own.

Sound Play: Curiosity, Creativity and Vocal Exploration with Jonathan Miguel Gallegos

What if developing vocal technique could feel less like chasing the "right" sound and more like playing?

In this episode of Inside the Vocal Salon, Michael Sean Harris welcomes Jonathan Miguel Gallegos—assistant professor at Berklee College of Music, educator, musician and artistic collaborator—for an engaging exploration of sound play.

Jonathan explains how animal calls, character voices, everyday noises and imaginative exercises can help singers access complex vocal coordinations without the anxiety and pressure that often accompany traditional technical exercises. From angry cats and creaking doors to owls, ghosts and cartoon characters, these playful sounds allow students to explore vocal registers, resonance and articulation before ever singing a scale.

Michael and Jonathan also consider how sound-making is shaped by culture. They discuss Jamaican folk singing, mariachi music, outdoor vocal traditions and even the resonant calls of vendors at baseball games—all of which demonstrate how people instinctively adapt their voices to communicate effectively.

In this episode, they explore:

• Using curiosity and play to reduce performance anxiety
• Demystifying vocal technique through familiar sounds
• Moving beyond scales in the vocal warm-up
• Exploring registers through animal calls and character voices
• Helping students access sounds before formally developing them
• Understanding the difference between accessing a belt and building a sustainable belt
• Using playful exercises to explore twang, resonance and vocal colour
• Creating a shared technical vocabulary between teacher and student
• Recognizing cultural influences on vocal production
• Moving between classical, musical-theatre and contemporary vocal styles
• Developing analytical listening without becoming judgmental
• Using text painting to deepen musical interpretation
• Expanding the singer's expressive "box of crayons"
• Replacing perfectionism with imagination, experimentation and authentic curiosity

Jonathan also shares practical ideas voice teachers can bring into the studio, including a five-finger resonance scale, character-based vocal exercises, calling games and listening assignments that help students identify different vocal qualities in the singers they admire.

This conversation is a joyful reminder that sophisticated vocal learning does not always have to feel serious. By creating room for experimentation—and permitting singers to be curious, playful and even a little silly—teachers can help students discover greater freedom, confidence and expressive range.

About Inside the Vocal Salon

Hosted by Michael Sean Harris, Inside the Vocal Salon brings voice teachers, coaches and singers together to explore the art, science and business of teaching voice through honest conversations and shared experiences.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast, leave a review and share it with a singer, teacher or creative practitioner who would find it valuable.

Join The Vocal Salon community for live classes, exclusive resources and connection with voice professionals from around the world:

linktr.ee/ReggaeOnline

Keep lifting voices—including your own.

Inside the Vocal Salon Working with Voice Competition Contestants Hosted by Michael Sean Harris

Preparing singers for competition requires more than strong vocal technique—it demands strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and the ability to guide performers toward authentic, compelling artistry under pressure.

In this episode, Michael Sean Harris explores the nuances of working with voice competition contestants, offering insight into repertoire selection, performance preparation, confidence-building, and navigating the high-stakes environment of adjudication.

This episode is ideal for voice teachers, vocal coaches, and singers seeking to refine their approach to competitive performance.

Key Topics

• Coaching strategies for competitive environments
• Aligning repertoire with identity and strengths
• Performance psychology and confidence
• Technique vs. expression in high-pressure settings
• Supporting singers through feedback and results

Join The Vocal Salon

A global community for voice teachers and vocal coaches: https://linktr.ee/ReggaeOnline

Gain access to:

• Masterclasses
• Weekly office hours
• Peer networking
• Practical teaching resources

Stay Connected

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Follow and engage: Instagram & YouTube: @ReggaeOnlineSchool

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More from Reggae Online

• Mike's Moment Of…
• Di Tallawah Table
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Inside the Vocal Salon

From Practice to Performance: Learning Classical Repertoire with Ease

Featuring Lori Burnett

🎧 Episode Overview

In this insightful episode of Inside the Vocal Salon, host Michael Sean Harris sits down with acclaimed soprano and voice teacher Lori Burnett for a rich and practical conversation on navigating classical repertoire with confidence and ease.

Together, they explore how singers and voice teachers can bridge the gap between practice and performance, demystifying the process of learning classical works while maintaining vocal freedom, musicality, and expressive depth.

🌟 What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Practical strategies for approaching classical repertoire without overwhelm
• How to move from technical preparation to expressive performance
• The importance of text, language, and storytelling in classical singing
• Ways to help students build confidence and consistency
• Insights into balancing structure and artistic freedom
• Teaching approaches that make classical music more accessible and enjoyable

🎤 About the Guest

Lori Burnett is a highly respected soprano and voice teacher known for her expressive artistry and thoughtful pedagogical approach. With years of experience on stage and in the studio, she brings a wealth of knowledge to singers seeking to refine their classical technique while staying connected to authentic musical expression.

🎁 Free Download from Lori Burnett

Access Lori's guide to support your classical repertoire journey:

👉 Download Lori's Guide

🎯 Who This Episode Is For

• Voice teachers working with classical or crossover singers
• Singers learning or refining classical repertoire
• Vocal coaches seeking new teaching strategies
• Anyone looking to make classical singing feel more natural and achievable

🔗 Resources & Links

• 🌐 Join The Vocal Salon community: https://linktr.ee/ReggaeOnline
• 🎥 Watch on YouTube: @ReggaeOnlineSchool
• 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts & all major platforms (Reggae Online Podcast Channel)

📣 Call to Action

If this episode resonates with you: 👉 Like, subscribe, and share with a fellow voice teacher or singer 👉 Leave a review to help more people discover the podcast 👉 Join The Vocal Salon for deeper conversations, masterclasses, and community support

💬 Join the Conversation

What's your biggest challenge when learning or teaching classical repertoire? Drop a comment—we'd love to hear from you!

Inside the Vocal Salon: Healthy Belting

Featuring Jeannie Gagné

What does it really mean to belt — and how do we do it without strain, fatigue, or long-term damage?

In this powerful episode of Inside the Vocal Salon, we sit down with world-renowned voice teacher and author Jeannie Gagné for an in-depth conversation on healthy belting — separating myth from method and sensation from science.

Belting is often misunderstood as "pushing" or "pulling chest voice up," but Jeannie reframes it as a coordinated, athletic, and acoustically balanced function of the voice. Together, we explore what healthy belting feels like, how it develops, and why so many singers experience tension when foundational elements are missing.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• What belting actually is (and what it isn't)
• The acoustic and physiological shifts that support a strong belt
• Why breath management alone won't solve belting issues
• Registration balance and mix coordination
• Jaw, tongue, and laryngeal freedom
• Resonance strategies for power without force
• Common technical mistakes singers and teachers make
• How to train belting progressively and sustainably

Jeannie offers practical, teacher-friendly language and clear, body-aware strategies that voice professionals can immediately apply in the studio.

Whether you teach musical theatre, contemporary commercial music, gospel, pop, or rock — this episode provides a grounded, science-informed approach to one of the most requested (and mis-taught) vocal techniques.

🎁 Free Download: Healthy Belting Warm-Up

Jeannie is generously offering a free warm-up exercise video to help you and your singers build a healthy belt safely and efficiently.

👉 Download the free warm-up here: https://reggae-on-line.teachable.com/l/digital_download/957042/belting-minor-pentatonic

This guided exercise supports coordination, resonance alignment, and ease — perfect for integrating into lessons or personal practice.

About Inside the Vocal Salon

The Vocal Salon is a subscription space for voice teachers and vocal coaches focused on technique, pedagogy, vocal science, studio business, and professional community.

Inside the Vocal Salon is the companion podcast — designed to support and expand the conversations happening inside the membership.

If you're a voice professional committed to longevity, clarity, and excellence in your teaching, this episode is essential listening.

🎧 Listen, learn, and strengthen your belt — the healthy way.

Inside the Vocal Salon

Episode 1: How We Learn to Sing Guest: Clare McLeod

How do we actually learn to sing—and how much of what we believe about vocal training is inherited, assumed, or simply outdated?

In the first episode of Inside the Vocal Salon, host Michael Sean Harris sits down with vocal educator and researcher Clare McLeod for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation on how singers learn, adapt, and evolve over time.

This episode explores learning not just as a technical process, but as a lived, embodied experience shaped by environment, language, culture, curiosity, and identity. Clare challenges common myths around "natural talent," fixed vocal ability, and one-size-fits-all teaching models, offering fresh perspectives that are especially meaningful for voice teachers, vocal coaches, and singers committed to reflective practice.

This episode is especially resonant for:

• Singers navigating their own learning journeys
• Voice teachers and coaches refining their pedagogical approach
• Artists unpacking inherited habits, beliefs, and blocks
• Anyone curious about how voice, identity, and learning intersect

Clare also shares practical insights into how singers can become more aware, more adaptable, and more compassionate with themselves as learners—both in and beyond the studio.

🎙 About The Vocal Salon The Vocal Salon is a subscription-based community space for voice teachers and vocal coaches, created for ongoing conversations, networking, and masterclasses focused on:

• Running and sustaining a voice studio
• Vocal technique and applied pedagogy
• Vocal science and research
• Professional development and community dialogue

Inside the Vocal Salon is the companion podcast, designed to support and promote the subscription space by sharing conversations with educators, artists, and thinkers who expand how we understand voice, learning, and teaching.

🎁 Free Resource from Clare McLeod Clare has generously made a free PDF available to accompany this episode. Download it here: (00:27:43) https://reggae-on-line.teachable.com/l/digital_download/946933/learning-to-sing-effective-practice

📬 Stay Connected To receive updates about future podcast episodes, Vocal Salon masterclasses, and community offerings, join the mailing list at: 👉(00:28:13) linktr.ee/reggaeonline

🎧 Inside the Vocal Salon invites listeners into nuanced conversations at the intersection of voice, pedagogy, artistry, and professional practice—offering a taste of the deeper dialogue happening inside The Vocal Salon.

Inside the Vocal Salon

Episode 2: Knowing Your Voice by Knowing Your Body Guest: Gaby Cotter

What if understanding your voice begins not with sound—but with sensation?

In Episode 2 of Inside the Vocal Salon, host Michael Sean Harris is joined by movement educator, voice practitioner, and embodiment specialist Gaby Cotter for a grounding and illuminating conversation on the intimate relationship between the body and the voice.

This episode explores how body awareness, proprioception, and somatic listening can profoundly influence vocal freedom, efficiency, and expression. Gaby invites singers and teachers to move beyond purely mechanical or sound-based approaches and into a more integrated understanding of how posture, breath, tension patterns, and internal awareness shape vocal outcomes.

Together, Michael and Gaby discuss:

• Why "knowing your voice" requires knowing your body
• How embodied practices support healthier, more sustainable singing
• The role of curiosity and self-observation in vocal development
• Practical ways teachers and singers can incorporate somatic awareness into their work

This conversation is especially valuable for:

• Voice teachers and vocal coaches seeking more holistic tools
• Singers navigating tension, inconsistency, or vocal fatigue
• Educators interested in embodiment, somatics, and whole-person pedagogy

🎙 About The Vocal Salon The Vocal Salon is a subscription-based community space for voice teachers and vocal coaches, offering ongoing conversations, networking, and masterclasses on:

• The business of running a voice studio
• Vocal technique and applied pedagogy
• Vocal science and research
• Professional growth through shared dialogue

Inside the Vocal Salon is the companion podcast, created to support and promote the subscription space by offering a window into the kinds of conversations happening within the community.

🎁 Free Journal Giveaway from Gaby Cotter Gaby is giving away one free copy of her journal to the first person who emails us.

📧 Email: [email protected] 📝 Subject line: Gaby's Free Book

📬 Stay Connected To receive updates about future episodes of Inside the Vocal Salon, Vocal Salon masterclasses, and community offerings, join the mailing list at: 👉 linktr.ee/reggaeonline

🎧 Inside the Vocal Salon explores voice through conversation, curiosity, and community—bridging technique, embodiment, pedagogy, and professional practice for teachers and singers alike.

Inside the Vocal Salon

Episode 3: Emotional Authenticity in Performance Guest: Cass McKinley

What allows a performance to feel true—not just accurate, but alive?

In Episode 3 of Inside the Vocal Salon, host Michael Sean Harris is joined by performer, educator, and creative guide Cass McKinley for a deeply resonant conversation about emotional authenticity in performance and the courage it takes to bring one's full self into the work.

This episode explores how emotional truth, presence, and vulnerability intersect with vocal technique and preparation. Cass speaks to the difference between performing emotion and allowing emotion, offering insights into how singers and performers can access honesty without sacrificing vocal health, boundaries, or sustainability.

Together, Michael and Cass discuss:

• What emotional authenticity really means in performance
• How singers can stay grounded while working with vulnerable material
• The role of safety, trust, and self-awareness in expressive freedom
• How teachers and coaches can support emotional work responsibly in the studio

This conversation is especially meaningful for:

• Singers navigating emotionally demanding repertoire
• Voice teachers and coaches supporting expressive depth in students
• Performers seeking greater honesty and connection on stage
• Educators balancing technique with artistry and wellbeing

🎙 About The Vocal Salon The Vocal Salon is a subscription-based community space for voice teachers and vocal coaches, created for ongoing conversations, networking, and masterclasses focused on:

• The business of running a voice studio
• Vocal technique and pedagogy
• Vocal science and research
• Professional development through shared inquiry

Inside the Vocal Salon is the companion podcast, offering listeners a window into the kinds of nuanced, values-driven conversations that happen inside the subscription community.

🎁 Free Office Hour Giveaway with Cass McKinley Cass is offering one free office hour to the first person who reaches out.

📧 Email: [email protected] 📝 Subject line: Office Hour with Cass

📬 Stay Connected To receive updates about upcoming podcast episodes, Vocal Salon masterclasses, and community offerings, join the mailing list at: 👉 linktr.ee/reggaeonline

🎧 Inside the Vocal Salon centers thoughtful dialogue at the intersection of voice, emotion, pedagogy, and professional practice—supporting artists and educators who value both excellence and authenticity.