Vocal Lab

Lesley Mitchell-Clarke is a Toronto-based jazz publicist, media consultant, and arts journalist with a long-standing career in music and entertainment. A former child actress from a showbiz family, she has worked in TV production, toured as a performer, and led PR campaigns for artists like Joshua Redman, Blossom Dearie, and Janis Siegel, as well as labels including Warner Bros. Jazz and Concord....

Hal Beckett is an award-winning composer, conductor, and music producer with over 30 years in the industry. Based in Vancouver, he has composed for film, TV, opera, and symphonic ensembles, and is Music Director of the Vancouver Film Orchestra. His credits include conducting for Universal and Lionsgate, contributing to Michael Bublé's Crazy Love, and producing 102 national anthems for the 2010 Oly...

Sarah Whitten, is an internationally known movement specialist for singers. Using principles of biomechanics, biotensegrity, and pain science, she works with singers' bodies to resolve pain and physical dysfunction to improve the singing voice. She holds an MA in Pedagogy, and an MM in Performance both from The Ohio State University.   Additionally she is a 500-hour certified Yoga Instructor, and...

Bill Sample is an award-winning composer, producer, arranger, and pianist, widely regarded as one of Vancouver's top "first call" musicians. With a career spanning decades, he has worked with legends like Ray Charles, Mel Tormé, Robben Ford, and served as Music Director for David Foster, performing alongside Celine Dion, Bryan Adams, and Peter Cetera. Bill has produced for artists including Leon a...

Drawing comparisons to Norah Jones, Feist, and Sarah Vaughan, singer-songwriter Jamie Leonhart blends jazz, indie-pop, and cabaret with sharp wit and emotional depth. A New York City native, she began her musical journey at age three and honed her craft through jazz ensembles, gospel choirs, and solo performances at iconic venues like Joe's Pub. Jamie's songwriting explores vulnerability, patience...

Samantha Pickard, President of Strut Entertainment, brings 34 years of global experience in music and entertainment. She has worked in retail buying, artist management, promotions, events, and publishing. Her career led her from Australia to Canada, where she managed The Canadian Music Network before launching Strut Entertainment 18 years ago.   At Strut, Samantha specializes in PR, social media,...

Welcome back to The Vocal Lab Podcast! In this episode, I sit down with the incredibly talented Mindy Pack. Mindy is a Vocal coach who was a vocal performance major at the University of Utah, but her education didn't stop there. Throughout her career, Mindy has studied vocal technique, voice science, and vocal health with nationally and internationally renowned vocal instructors, educational insti...

Welcome back to The Vocal Lab Podcast! In this episode, I sit down with the incredibly talented Terry Clarke. In 1970 Terry settled in Toronto, at first working with Lenny Breau, and quickly became the city's leading studio drummer, noted for his versatility in jazz and rock settings. Concurrently, he played jazz in local clubs and concerts, and on radio and TV. Terry then moved to New York, worki...

Welcome back to The Vocal Lab Podcast! In this episode, I sit down with the incredibly talented Stephen Richardson. Stephen is an accomplished musician, educator, and twice JUNO-nominated artist, recently recognized as the 2024 JUNO MusiCounts Music Teacher of the Year. As the creative force behind the solo project Agony of the Leaves and guitarist-songwriter for the Canadian indie rock band 3-Acr...

In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Simkin, the dynamic founder of 604 Records, to dig into all the bells and whistles that go into building a lasting career in the music industry. Jonathan, who has played a pivotal role in the success of major artists like Nickelback and Carly Rae Jepsen, shares invaluable insights from his extensive experience. We dive deep into the essential elements that...

In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Simkin, the dynamic founder of 604 Records, to dig into all the bells and whistles that go into building a lasting career in the music industry. Jonathan, who has played a pivotal role in the success of major artists like Nickelback and Carly Rae Jepsen, shares invaluable insights from his extensive experience. We dive deep into the essential elements that...

Join me in an engaging conversation with Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin, where we dive deep into her groundbreaking teaching methodology, Soul Ingredients®. Dr. Trineice shares how this approach helps singers develop their musical style and interpretation, specifically in African-American roots-based music. She emphasizes the importance of integrating personal experiences, cultural identity, and mus...

Join me in an engaging conversation with Dr. Trineice Robinson-Martin, where we dive deep into her groundbreaking teaching methodology, Soul Ingredients®. Dr. Trineice shares how this approach helps singers develop their musical style and interpretation, specifically in African-American roots-based music. She emphasizes the importance of integrating personal experiences, cultural identity, and mus...

Continuing our compelling conversation with Jonny Tobin, today's episode of The Vocal Lab Podcast focuses on Jonny's creative process and his recent high-profile collaborations. Whether you're a budding artist or a seasoned pro, there's a wealth of insight and inspiration to be found in Jonny's experiences.   Find: Web: https://www.jonnytobin.com/   https://www.instagram.com/jonnytobinmusic   http...

In today's episode of The Vocal Lab Podcast, I'm joined by the inimitable Michelle Markwart Deveaux, whose unique blend of performance artistry and business acumen is reshaping how artists approach entrepreneurship. Michelle introduces us to her BeastyBoss™ Framework, a revolutionary approach designed to help artists and creatives establish sustainable businesses. This framework combines business...

Welcome back to The Vocal Lab Podcast! In this episode, I sit down with the incredibly talented Jonny Tobin. Jonny is a Grammy and Juno-nominated keyboardist, vocalist, and producer, renowned for his vibrant and innovative music that blurs the lines between a 90s video game and a 60s jazz record. With his work featured on everything from Vogue Germany to the Utah Jazz NBA team, Jonny has truly mad...

Welcome back to The Vocal Lab! I'm excited to continue my conversation with the legendary producer Bob Rock. In this episode, we dive into the art and science of music production, exploring how Bob approaches working with artists from diverse genres. We kick things off by discussing the importance of songs and how Bob navigates between producing for artists like Metallica and Michael Bublé. Bob em...

Welcome back to The Vocal Lab! Today, I'm thrilled to have the legendary Bob Rock join us. In this episode, we dive into Bob's incredible journey from his early days at Little Mountain Sound in Vancouver to becoming one of the most influential music producers in the industry. Bob shares invaluable insights into the importance of pre-production, his approach to working with artists, and how he mana...

In today's episode of The Vocal Lab Podcast, I'm joined by the inimitable Michelle Markwart Deveaux, whose unique blend of performance artistry and business acumen is reshaping how artists approach entrepreneurship. Michelle introduces us to her Beastie Boss Framework, a revolutionary approach designed to help artists and creatives establish sustainable businesses. This framework combines business...

Welcome back to The Vocal Lab Podcast! In this second episode with Meredith Colby, we dive deeper into the vocal intricacies that distinguish classical from popular singing styles. Meredith sheds light on why many artists in the popular music scene are reluctant to seek vocal coaching, often due to fears of losing their unique vocal identity. Throughout our conversation, Meredith emphasizes the in...

Welcome to The Vocal Lab Podcast! Today, we delve into the fascinating world of singing and neuroscience with Meredith Colby, the pioneer of the Neuro Vocal Method. Meredith shares her insights into how our brains play a pivotal role in singing, even before our voices join in. She explains the common challenges singers face in altering their vocal habits due to the brain's pre-established patterns...

Welcome back to The Vocal Lab Podcast! Continuing our insightful conversation with Sarah Johns, we delve deeper into the softer skills that have shaped her long-standing career. Today, Sarah discusses the power of authenticity and not taking oneself too seriously while performing on stage. Sarah emphasizes the significance of building strong relationships within the industry and the advantages of...

Today on The Vocal Lab Podcast, I'm joined by Sarah Johns, the charismatic frontwoman of the iconic Vancouver cover band, Dr. Strangelove. With a career that spans over three decades, Sarah brings a wealth of experience and insights into thriving in the music industry with a unique voice. In our discussion, Sarah shares how she navigated the challenges of being a distinctively low-voiced singer in...

Welcome back to The Vocal Lab Podcast! This is the second episode of my inspiring conversation with Carrie Tennant, founder and artistic director of the Vancouver Youth Choir (VYC). In this episode, Carrie delves deeper into how the VYC has created a unique choral organization focused on joy, authenticity, and results. VYC offers a diverse range of music, from classical to pop and compositions fro...

Welcome to The Vocal Lab Podcast. In this episode, I'm joined by the inspirational Carrie Tennant, founder and artistic director of the Vancouver Youth Choir. Carrie shares her profound insights into crafting an inclusive atmosphere that champions acceptance and vulnerability among young singers. We dive deep into how the Vancouver Youth Choir has become a sanctuary where every voice is valued and...