In this episode of Music on Mushrooms, I interview award-winning soprano, composer, librettist, and producer Stephanie Pfundt. We discussed Stephanie’s journey from a musical upbringing in Southeast Alaska to winning prestigious competitions and producing classical works.

Covering essential skills for producing concerts, such as community engagement and strategic planning, this conversation emphasizes compassionate leadership and innovative approaches to modernizing the classical music industry.

This episode is a must-listen for aspiring musicians and producers interested in creating their own unique paths and impacting the world of classical music.

You can connect with Stephanie on her website and follow her inspiring journey on her Instagram and Facebook.

Wanna stay inspired on your journey, Creative Soul? That's what I'm here for. I want to hold space for you and your big visions. Connect with me on ⁠Instagram⁠ or at ⁠marykray.com⁠ and let's make magic together!

I’m so excited to share a sneak peek of my upcoming Zen for Musicians workshop! If you’ve ever felt stuck in perfectionism, burnout, or creative pressure, this is for you.

We’re talking about how mindfulness, simplicity, and connection can bring more ease and flow into your music. Less stress, more inspiration. Less overthinking, more trust.

If you want your creative process to feel good, you’re gonna love this one. Tune in! ✨🎶

To learn more about this upcoming workshop for the modern musician, head to my website and join our community of heart-centered artists. At Soul Recharge, we help musicians lead more purpose-filled, easeful lives, with the intention of making artistic spaces more compassionate. Be the change you want to see!

For more inspirational content for the modern musician, follow me on Instagram @marykray.studios

In this episode of Music on Mushrooms, we’re diving into the magic of creativity and what it means to truly trust your artistic spark. Host Mary Kray gets real about following through on big ideas, tapping into your intuition, and owning your worth as an artist. There’s also a spicy little chat about how music is deeply connected to our emotions (and maybe even a little erotic). If you’ve been feeling stuck, doubting yourself, or just need a creative pick-me-up, this episode is for you. Let’s get inspired and remember—your creativity is pure magic.

For more content to keep you inspired your creative journey, follow @musiconmushrooms on Instagram and follow the host @marykray.studios to connect with the Mindfulness Queen for Creative Professionals!

In this episode of Music on Mushrooms, I chat with River Rhythm, a Las Vegas-based percussionist, DJ, and producer. We dive into his journey through music, the power of collaboration, and the origins of our neo-soul band, Trust in the Sun. From navigating the Vegas music scene to blending diverse styles, River shares insights and stories that’ll inspire musicians and fans alike.

Are you a musician in Las Vegas and want a community to jam with? Check out Playful Pastime!

Connect with River on Instagram or his website and follow his journey as an artist.

I sat down with soprano and tarot reader Vee Visnov (they/them) to talk about their journey in opera, from discovering their passion to how they stay grounded in the industry. Vee shares invaluable advice for young singers—how to find opportunities, stay motivated, and build resilience in a tough industry.

We also explore how spiritual practices like tarot and offer tips for new readers to build confidence and develop their unique style.

Whether you're an aspiring singer or a creative soul, this episode is packed with inspiration!

Connect with Vee on Instagram @vee.blends and @veevisnov

Wanna stay inspired on your journey, Creative Soul? That's what I'm here for. I want to hold space for you and your big visions. Connect with me on Instagram or at marykray.com and let's make magic together!

In this captivating episode of Music on Mushrooms, I sit down with Abraham Cruz, an operatic bass-baritone and vocal coach based in San Antonio, TX. Abraham shares his unique path in the world of opera, offering a glimpse into the importance of following your own path in an industry that pushes a “one path” narrative. We acknowledge that building a fulfilling career in the arts looks different on everyone.

Abraham opens up about his journey towards financial stability as an artist, discussing the importance of diversifying income streams. He offers a candid look at the pros and cons of young artist programs, providing invaluable advice on what to look for when auditioning for these opportunities.

Our conversation delves into the necessity of staying authentic and spiritually grounded in an industry that often promotes a scarcity mindset. Abraham shares his insights on the dual nature of the ego in the performance industry, highlighting how it can both drive and hinder an artist's progress.

Join us for an honest and inspiring discussion that will resonate with musicians and performers at all stages of their careers. You can find Abraham on Instagram @abraham.isai.cruz

Follow @marykray.studios on Instagram for more uplifting content for creative souls.

In this enriching episode of Music on Mushrooms, we dive into the vibrant world of genre fluidity with the extraordinary Juan Suarez, a Boston-based professional singer and voice teacher with a master's in vocal performance and pedagogy. Join us as we explore the transformative power of vocalists embracing multiple genres and it can enhance overall vocal technique and musicality.

Juan shares his invaluable insights on breaking free from the cycle of people-pleasing as a performer to honor one's body and promote a healthy work-life balance. Together, we offer creatives heartfelt advice on trusting their intuition in the music industry, emphasizing that staying true to oneself is the key to unlocking self-compassion.

We also discuss the importance of fostering a compassionate, non-judgmental environment in voice lessons to support our students' growth. Both Juan and I are committed to ending cycles of trauma in the classical music world, aiming to bring healing and positivity to our artistic communities.

Follow Juan's inspiring journey as a professional singer and voice teacher on Instagram @juan.s.suarez

Tune in for an episode filled with wisdom, compassion, and a celebration of the beauty in genre fluidity! Follow @marykray.studios for podcast updates and more uplifting content for creatives. I can't wait to connect with you!

Perfectionism is the enemy of creative freedom. So what's the enemy of perfectionism? Radical self forgiveness. In this episode, I talk about what it means to practice forgiveness and the immense impact it can have on your creative artform. From losing opportunities during covid, discovering my neurodivergence, and finding solace in spirituality, join me as I take you through my journey of self forgiveness and creative freedom.

Follow @musiconmushrooms on Instagram for more wellness content for creatives!

If you are looking for a compassionate voice teacher to meet you where you're at, book a free consultation with me here to see if we're a good fit! calendly.com/marykraystudios

Step into the world of vocal pedagogy with a fresh perspective! Join us in this eye-opening episode as we dive deep into the fascinating history of how the operatic Fach system has unwittingly perpetuated a rigid gender binary.

Lucas Coura, a professional singer and passionate voice teacher, uncovers how the gender binary has woven itself into the fabric of vocal training and still holds sway over modern singers, placing them in confining boxes. 

Lucas shares his teaching philosophy that celebrates the diversity of voices and rejects the notion of "good" or "bad" sounds. It's a discussion that will challenge your preconceptions and empower you to embrace the limitless potential of your voice.

Prepare to be inspired by Lucas's dedication to dismantling internal obstacles for singers and embracing a new era of vocal expression. Follow his journey on Instagram @dudesingslikealady, connect with him on his Facebook page: Singing Smart: Finding Musical Freedom and Joy Without "Overthinking" or through his website www.lucasludwigcoura.com

Follow Music on Mushrooms on Instagram for more wellness tips for creatives. We keep it real!

In honor of spooky season, we are discussing the death and rebirth of classical music. The classical music world innovates at a snail's pace, and so many young musicians are tired of it (including myself). In this episode, I dive into the reasons why I think the classical music world refuses to move forward and innovate to meet modern audiences where they're at. From the deification of composers to problematic traditions, join me as I face these issues head on and I offer possible solutions to this issue.

We keep it real here at Music on Mushrooms

Are you a singer looking for a compassionate, empathetic teacher to meet you where you're at? Book a free consultation with me here to see if we're a good fit! calendly.com/marykraystudios