Meet Sarah Ingraham, singer/songwriter, voice, and piano teacher from San Diego. She currently performs contemporary, Jazz, and Top 40 music throughout the San Diego and North County area. A voice and harpsichord major at UCSC, Sarah went on to explore world music in India and Japan and became fascinated with pop, jazz, and world fusion. Sarah won Best New Age Vocalist at the Los Angeles Music Awards with her debut CD Human, produced and co-written by Rob Mullins. Human is a blend of East Indian, Pop, Jazz, Dance, and R&B.

This is Dawn Mitschele, a gifted Singer-Songwriter from San Diego, California, who's been nominated twice in 2014 and 2015 for Best Singer/Songwriter at the SD Music Awards. Her band, Cardinal Moon, just released their new album Come Undone on the Redwoods Music label, and they’ll soon be releasing a new video to accompany it. Throughout quarantine, Dawn was actively collaborating with Alfred Howard on his project, Alfred Howard Writes.

Opera’s making a comeback in ways we never could have imagined—and your voice can, too.

As artists, we’ve watched the world change rapidly, especially in the wake of the 2020 pandemic. Yet, every challenge also brings unexpected invitations for growth, resilience, and reinvention. In this conversation, you’ll meet a working opera singer blazing a path through the shifts, reminding us that artistry and sustainability aren’t mutually exclusive—they’re the heart of what we’re building.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why visibility and access in opera are transforming for good—and how tech is opening doors for artists and audiences alike.
• That creative adaptability isn’t just a survival skill; it’s how singers are building new, meaningful bridges in their communities right now.
• The power of leaning into innovation without letting go of your artistic core—embracing both tradition and experimentation to connect with more listeners.
• The truth that sustainable careers are built through collaboration, emotional resilience, and consistently showing up for yourself and your craft.

Guest Bio

Alexis Alfaro is a Mexican-American tenor whose career moves fluidly between classical opera, traditional Mexican folk, and contemporary repertoire. Affiliated with San Diego Opera and several innovative regional companies, he brings both warmth and authenticity to every performance and project, championing inclusion and new directions for the art form.

Moments worth your time

• 02:21: The abrupt pivot—what it really felt like when everything shut down
• 04:29: Being an artist in 2020: innovation, resilience, and the true gift of technology
• 10:43: How San Diego Opera’s forward-thinking mindset fueled creative collaborations
• 13:35: Where training and opportunity intersect for emerging singers in a shifting landscape
• 21:29: Danielle’s unstoppable mindset—turning uncertainty into creative energy (What makes you unstoppable?)
• 34:35: The reality of digital opera: recording, home studios, and the new way forward
• 42:10: National and international perspectives—what keeps opera relevant and thriving

Ready to see exactly where your visibility, identity, and business foundations can take you? The Singer Momentum Snapshot™ is a hands-on, personalized assessment designed to spotlight your strengths and show you exactly where to focus next. Step into the clarity and strategy your voice—and your future—deserve. Book yours here.

Let’s keep building: connect with The Unstoppable Singer for more episodes, mentoring, and tools to lead with your voice.

In this episode, I sit down with Jonny Tarr, San Diego singer/songwriter, saxophonist, and producer. He just won the San Diego Music Award for BEST POP ARTIST 2020 and headlined the NAMM show’s D’Angelico Stage 2020 with his band The Jonny Tarr Quintet. He describes his current album as “highly personal and vulnerable” and has been live-streaming the material regularly to gauge his fans’ reaction as he counts down to the full album launch.

Meet Derrick Harris, better known as “D. Harris,” on stage. He’s an emcee, singer/songwriter, recording artist, entrepreneur, and marine veteran. A graduate of Musicians Institute, Hollywood, CA, Derrick has 26 years of professional music experience and has shared stages with musical legends such as Babyface, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Kahn, and Sting, just to name a few. He fronts the San Diego based Undercover Live Entertainment Band known for their vibrant weddings and corporate events performances. Wearing many hats, including specializing in vocal technique, stage presence & choreography, hasn’t stopped Derrick from pursuing his other passion - working with differently-abled & autistic children. This work has allowed him to marry his love for music education with advocacy, enabling him to impact lives positively.

Meet Natasha Kozaily, singer/songwriter from San Diego. Natasha writes, records, and performs music under the moniker NATULA. She calls her music “third-culture pop” as a nod to her third-culture identity, which leads her to explore elements of traditional folk music in a pop context. She also runs the Kalabash School of Music and the Arts in La Jolla, California, where she teaches music and inspires students to write their original material. Natasha founded and fronts for Baby Bushka, an all-female, eight-piece Kate Bush experience.We chat about what sparks her creativity and inspires her live performances as an artiste.

A singer’s truest power begins when they embrace all of who they are—onstage and off.

You don’t have to wait for “normal” to come back before you start building your future as an artist. In this episode, Danielle Tucker sits down with Cedrice to explore what it means to own your artistry, weather uncertainty, and expand your impact—even when everything feels uncertain. If you’ve ever doubted whether your unique path can lead to a meaningful and sustainable career, this conversation will feel like a breath of fresh air and a gentle, strategic nudge forward.

• Authentic artistry begins by embracing your whole story—including the challenges that shape you
• Visibility is a skill, and stepping forward (even when it’s uncomfortable) opens new doors for confidence and growth
• Progress comes from small, imperfect steps—not waiting for the “right time” or perfect conditions
• Your voice is more than a sound; it’s a way to connect, encourage, and normalize others’ experiences

About Cedrice:

Cedrice is an acclaimed San Diego-based singer, widely recognized for her powerhouse performances on Season 18 of The Voice. Beyond her soulful vocals and magnetic stage presence, she is a role model for authenticity, using her experience with alopecia to inspire others to embrace their uniqueness and lead with courage. With new music on the horizon and a commitment to honest artistry, Cedrice is a powerful example of purpose-driven creative leadership.

• Reinventing performance in a pandemic — behind-the-scenes at The Voice during a worldwide shutdown 01:19
• Stepping into visibility and auditioning with intention — what changed everything on Cedrice’s third try 05:58
• Owning your worth as an artist: “Who am I to send this invoice?” and practicing the audacity to live unapologetically 16:01
• Navigating identity and overcoming the pressure to conform — Cedrice’s journey with alopecia and self-acceptance 18:39
• “What makes you unstoppable?” — embracing mistakes, letting go of others’ expectations, and giving yourself permission to lead with your voice 17:12
• Progress over perfection: tiny steps and the myth of waiting 33:17
• Experimenting with live-streaming and new models for creative sustainability 34:43

Ready to turn your momentum into measurable growth?

Discover the heart of your next breakthrough with the Singer Momentum Snapshot: a focused, $47 step-by-step assessment to help you clarify your bottlenecks, uncover next-best strategies, and move you toward a more visible, sustainable singing career. Build your future—because you are not behind. Learn more & book yours now.

Connect with Cedrice:

Find her latest music, videos, and updates on Instagram (@cedricemusic) and at misscedrice.com.

Sustaining Your Voice, Sustaining Your Life: A Real-World Journey Through Working Motherhood and a Creative Career

There’s no one-size-fits-all map for building a creative life—especially when you’re juggling music, motherhood, and the unpredictable waves of the industry. This conversation invites you into the resilient hearts of working singers who’ve learned to honor their artistry and their real lives, embracing both the wins and the challenges along the way. If you’ve ever questioned whether you can build a sustainable, purpose-driven singing career while holding true to your own story, this episode is your permission slip to claim that future.

🎧 In this episode:

• Reframing “hustle” as intentional, strategic momentum that includes rest and reinvention
• The power of trusting your own voice over industry molds and outside opinions
• Embracing detours and life transitions as parts of your artistic evolution
• Why you don’t have to go it alone—real support and community matter more than “doing it all”

About the Guest:

Draeh Jirnae is a dynamic, full-time professional vocalist whose journey spans genres, cities, and the realities of parenting two young children. She’s built her career singing with top bands like Rockola, Kicks, and the Lucky Devils Band, all while navigating industry shifts and personal pivots with genuine candor. Her story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and leading life with both heart and strategy.

Moments worth your time:

• The balancing act: Homeschooling and working full-time as a singer 00:49
• Facing industry pressure: Turning down a major label deal and trusting her gut 10:46
• Rebuilding momentum after a career break and what got in the way 23:19
• When life pauses the music: Processing grief, depression, and finding herself again 25:34
• What makes you unstoppable? (And how it’s changed after 2020) 28:37
• The “truth” about doing it all: Music, motherhood, and letting things slide 39:01
• On asking for help and the power of community 40:40

Pull-quote:

“I learned a lot. It was a very humbling time in my life to have to ask for help—to be vulnerable, to say, ‘I can’t do it all.’ And it’s okay that you can’t.”

Ready to get clear on your next step as an unstoppable singer? Book your Singer Momentum Snapshot—our signature $47 assessment—to uncover your strengths and map a visibility plan you’ll actually implement. Stop spinning and start building a life your voice deserves.

Keep listening, stay courageous, and remember: your voice can build a future.

How do you build creative momentum—and real stability—as a singer, even when everything stops?

Every artist’s journey is marked by reinvention, courage in the face of setbacks, and the unshakeable decision to own your value. In this episode, you’ll hear a grounded, honest conversation about not just surviving, but growing through challenge—where artistry meets entrepreneurship and self-trust becomes your strongest currency.

• Discover why visibility and self-worth are skills you actively build, not traits you “just have,” especially in uncertain seasons.
• Get a new lens on creative partnerships: how to harness resources through relationships and ask boldly for what you need.
• Learn the art of setting and maintaining your value—even when the world tells you to shrink.
• Embrace a practical approach to energy: how focusing on ideas and collaborative thinking actually elevates your opportunities and sustainability.

Rina Cervantes—known to many as Rain Bisou—is a soulful Latin American singer-songwriter, classically trained soprano, and dynamic performer whose career spans neo-soul, jazz, hip-hop, and Latin music. As a vibrant creative, session artist, and educator, she leads Dreaming of You, a Selena tribute band, records original music, and empowers other artists to move from gigging to true artistry—all while redefining what it means to thrive as a working singer and single mother.

• 03:19: Pandemic Hits—When Everything Stopped, What Kept Her Going?
• 11:45: Rebuilding After Loss—The Belief That You Will Be Okay
• 19:00: Rethinking Work—How to Book Smarter and Keep More of What You Earn
• 22:27: Holding Your Value—On Refusing to Shrink During Scarcity
• 26:10: Becoming an Original Artist—From Setback to Self-Authorship
• 37:42: If You Want Opportunities—Ask, Advocate, and Build Ideas with Others
• 41:35: What makes you unstoppable?—Energy, Integrity, and Talking Ideas, Not People

Ready for clear perspective on exactly what’s fueling—or draining—your singing progress? Book your Singer Momentum Snapshot: a $47 personalized assessment designed to help you spot hidden strengths, define your next growth steps, and create an actionable plan for sustainable visibility and impact. This isn’t just inspiration—it’s a tool to build your future. Claim your Singer Momentum Snapshot now.

Connect with The Unstoppable Singer and keep building your future, one brave step at a time.

Motherhood, music, and daring to step up: Can you nurture a family and your biggest vocal dreams at the same time?

In the journey from professional stages to parenting and back again, it’s easy for singers to feel torn between their commitments and their calling. In this episode, you’ll hear a grounded, honest conversation about pausing, returning, and letting your voice matter, shared by two women who have tried it both ways. If you’re ever caught in “Should I step back—or step up?” this episode is your invitation to believe in both your artistry and your life outside music.

• Uncover why a paused path is not a lost path—and how artistic passion waits for you if you step away
• Reframe “doing it right”: Why there’s no single path through motherhood and music, only the best choice for you
• Learn why visibility and confidence can grow after the break—even stronger than before
• Embrace that healing (for you and your audience) lies in reconnecting with art, not waiting for perfect conditions

Daneen Wilburn is a powerhouse singer from San Diego celebrated for her signature gospel-inspired tone. Leading her family’s band at just seven and performing with legends at the Hollywood Bowl by nineteen, she later stepped back to raise her children—only to return and share stages with icons like Graham Nash and the Pointer Sisters. Her story is proof that it’s never too late to let your voice build the life you envision.

• 04:16: How sudden change transformed Daneen Wilburn’s music life and forced creative evolution
• 13:06: “Even when you set music down, it won’t set you down”—the ache and joy of holding onto your art
• 20:04: Why leaving music is never tidy, and how longing fuels a bold return
• 28:43: Raising daughters as a singer—modeling identity, possibility, and pride
• 34:14: (“What makes you unstoppable?”) The moment Daneen Wilburn chose boldness over shrinking—and stepped fully onto her own stage
• 49:08: A vision for post-pandemic creativity: doing the work now, dreaming bigger for what’s next

Ready to get unstuck and build your future as a singer with clarity? Claim your personalized Singer Momentum Snapshot—a powerful $47 assessment designed to highlight your strengths, pinpoint roadblocks, and give you strategic next steps. See your artistry and direction in a whole new light.

Let's connect: Subscribe to The Unstoppable Singer, share your story, and remember—your voice can build a life.