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Your Voice Is Your Instrument—But Do You Really Know How to Use It?
What happens when the voice you rely on eight shows a week suddenly starts doing something you don’t understand?
While performing in The Lion King, Zurin found herself struggling with a belt that had once felt effortless. Then her head voice began to waver too. Convinced she had vocal nodules, she went straight to an ENT—only to discover that her vocal cords were completely healthy. So what was actually going on?
In this episode of Stay Booked on Broadway with Zurin, we dive into the fascinating—and sometimes frustrating—world of vocal health. From unexpected vocal breaks and changing vocal range to allergies, stage fog, dehydration, vocal fatigue, and the demands of performing the same material eight times a week, we explore what singers need to know to protect the instrument that makes their careers possible.
Zurin is joined by vocal health experts to unpack the anatomy of the voice, how to build an effective warm-up and warm-down, what healthy belting really looks like, whether singers should train every day, and whether your vocal type can actually change.
We’re also separating vocal-health fact from Broadway folklore: apple cider vinegar, steam, straws, baking soda, salt, bone broth, chlorophyll, humidifiers, pineapple juice, and more—what actually helps, what doesn’t, and why?
Plus, we tackle the realities of touring and performing in challenging environments, including allergies, smog machines, limited water breaks, and what to do when something you’re being asked to sing starts putting your voice at risk.
And, of course, we’re spilling some tea: the singing habits that drive vocal professionals crazy, the most common mistakes singers make, and why some of those habits can be seriously damaging.
Your voice will change after every show, every season, every year, and every location. The only way to stay booked is to keep learning how to take care of it.
Tune in to learn how to listen to your voice, decode what it’s telling you, and become your own best vocal advocate.
Our Guests!
Linda Dahl, MD is a board-certified Otolaryngology–Head and Neck surgeon and integrative medicine practitioner who has spent more than two decades caring for performers who depend on their voices. One of the leading professional voice physicians in the Broadway community, she is known for her holistic, restorative approach to vocal health and her work with performers ranging from Broadway and opera to film, television, and major recording artists. Dr. Dahl has taught at SAG-AFTRA, Actors’ Equity, and Juilliard, and her insights have been featured across major media outlets including The New York Times, MSNBC, and The Hollywood Reporter. She brings a blend of deep medical expertise and artistic understanding to every conversation about the human voice.
(Part 2) Andrew Byrne is the creator of The Singing Athlete™, a bestselling book and training system blending neuroscience, athletic principles, and vocal performance. Based in New York, Nashville, and Los Angeles, he also coaches singers worldwide online. His students have performed in more than 90 Broadway shows, and his certication program has trained over 150 teachers internationally. In 2025, Andrew was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now, which he co-created and conducted. Twice named New York City’s Favorite Vocal Coach, he is also an acclaimed songwriter and international clinician.
