Broadway Vocal Coach

Join Co-hosts Cynthia Kortman Westphal and Chelsea Wilson as they sit down with Joel Crump, Broadway's boy genius who's been interviewing stars on red carpets since the age of 12! Now 16, Joel shares how his love for Broadway led him to create his own company, Broadway Time, at just 12 years old and his experiences interviewing top celebrities like Denzel Washington, Alicia Keys, and Rob...

Is "imposter syndrome" ruining your life? Are you clinging to it as a safety net, afraid to self-assess what's actually needed for your personal growth...? In this episode, hosts Cynthia Kortman Westphal and Chelsea Wilson dive deep into the topic of imposter syndrome and how it affects performers. And share when it might be time to leave that term "in the waiting room!"...

Co-host Chelsea Wilson is joined by two very wise parents on today's episode! Rachel Hart Klayman is from Ann Arbor, MI and is the mom of a sophomore acting student at NYU. And Erica Fischer is from Ames, IA and the mom of a senior in high school. At two very different points in the journey (a sigh of relief for Rachel and deep breaths during a stressful waiting season for Erica!), they share...

Join Broadway Vocal Coach co-host Chelsea Wilson for an inspirational and candid conversation with Cara Rose DiPietro! 🌟 Cara opens up about her journey from community theater in Massachusetts to becoming a professional actor and prominent influencer with over 300,000 followers.  She discusses the highs and lows of pursuing a theater career, her mental health advocacy, and how she ensures her soc...

In this episode, Cynthia sits down with the incredible Wendy Cavett— music director, supervisor, arranger, educator, conductor, pianist, and incredible vocal coach—to dive deep into the world of pop/rock in musical theatre. With Broadway and Off-Broadway credits including Come From Away, Hamilton, Mamma Mia, The Scarlet Pimpernel , and more, Wendy brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation....

Join Cynthia and Broadway & TV performer Sydney Morton for a deep dive into how pop/rock has become a must-have skill in the Broadway industry. Sydney shares her journey—from classical theatre training to singing jazz and R&B at home—only to find that nearly 90% of her musical theatre career has been in pop/rock shows, reflecting the industry’s shift. Fun fact : Sydney’s very first auditio...

Self tapes are here to stay, whether we like them or not! They're part of the industry, whether you are auditioning for professional shows, applying to college, or anything in between. In today's conversation, we're laying out eight dumb mistakes that ruin your self tapes, because between the two of us, we've seen it all! Professional self tapes for everything from Broadway sho...

Cynthia and one of her dear friends, the hilarious and talented Matt Perri, dive into the challenges and nuances of pop/rock in musical theatre. What makes it so tricky to balance authenticity with storytelling? How can performers bring the style to life while keeping their voices sustainable eight shows a week? Along the way, you’ll hear insights about vocal technique, audition strategies, and th...

If the idea of a dance call makes you want to cry into your audition book, good news! This episode is full of practical tips to prepare for and stand out at (in a good way!) a dance call. Plus, how to prepare college audition prescreen videos and do your best under any circumstance at Unifieds or other live auditions this college audition season. Assistant Aspire Program Director and Dance Coach M...

" Notice that we don't say: in order to have a successful audition, you have to sing the loudest, or kick your leg the highest..." Instead, we're talking about: showing up as your best self, and taking care of your mental, physical, and emotional health so that you can have a positive and present audition experience. Let this conversation with Chelsea and Aspire Program Directo...

Struggling to find the perfect audition song? Whether you’re gearing up for Broadway, community theater, or those nerve-wracking college prescreens, finding the right fit can feel like an impossible task. In this episode, Chelsea and Cynthia break down what makes an audition song work—and what doesn’t! From avoiding “show-off” tracks to picking a song that tells a story, they’re giving you the tip...

In this episode, Chelsea and Cynthia sit down with the inspiring Teddy Siegel, a soprano, advocate, and the creative force behind Got2Go NYC . Teddy opens up about balancing artistry with advocacy, the power of storytelling, and embracing vulnerability to build meaningful connections online. From performing in prestigious venues to transforming public discourse around an essential yet overlooked i...

What does it take to star as Elphaba on Broadway? As Mary Kate (MK) reveals, it is not for the faint of heart! From her vocal health non-negotiables, to who makes up her voice and self-care team, we're talking all the nitty gritty of her routine and mindset in order to play one of the toughest roles on Broadway. "I have learned all of this from failing," she says. In this interview...

Get 30% off ALL Broadway Vocal Coach courses and subscriptions! It's our biggest and ONLY sale of the year! Use code BLACKFRIDAY30. Because you deserve to step off the sidelines and onto the stage. And we've got the training and support to get you there! www.bwayvocalcoach.com Ever worried you might be "singing from your throat?" Or  been confused by singing terminology? What a...

Join us for a heartfelt conversation with theatre artist, educator, and arts administrator Danny Campos. As the Director of Marketing at The Growing Stage, the Children's Theatre of New Jersey, Danny brings two decades of experience across performing, directing, and teaching. In this episode, Danny shares his journey, from dreaming of Broadway to finding his purpose and joy within local theat...

Planning a photo shoot? In this episode, Chelsea & Cynthia dive into the essential tips for planning a successful headshot or branding photo shoot. Drawing from their own experiences, they share the mistakes they made during an impromptu shoot in 2022 and the valuable lessons they learned to make sure their recent session was a hit. From finding pose inspiration to choosing the right outfits a...

In this follow-up episode, Chelsea reconnects with BVC Aspire alums Ezra Moore and Katy Olson, one year after their initial interview on the BVC Podcast! At that time, they were about to begin their college journeys—Ezra at Oklahoma City University for a BM in Music Theater, and Katy at Muhlenberg College for a BA in Theater and Dance with a music minor. Now, they're back to discuss their exp...

Let's dive into the world of voice teacher certification! From Cynthia's piano and opera coaching roots to Chelsea's private voice teaching, we discuss the challenges of working in high-stakes environments like Broadway, and the critical role of understanding vocal health. Whether you're a performer considering teaching voice or an educator looking to deepen your skills, this e...

We’re replaying our conversation with Gavin Creel in the hopes that his life, talent, and love will be an inspiration and a comfort to you. Since his passing, many of us have been reflecting on the impact he’s had on us personally and on the theatre community as a whole. Revisiting this episode, originally recorded in March of 2023, feels like re-opening a little gift he gave us, of his voice, his...

You've heard us talk about college musical theatre auditions enough, so let's hear from some brand new college freshmen who just completed that process! We're joined by past BVC Aspire students Julianne and Nissi. Nissi is now a freshman at Texas Christian University studying musical theatre, and Julianne is a freshman at CCM studying musical theatre. In today's interview they...

You can create a fulfilling life as an actor! As we step into season three (!) of the BVC Podcast, we are focused on our mission to inspire you to create a fulfilling artistic life, AND take the next steps in your career. You can do it! You just need the right support. And maaaayyyybe a little push in the right direction. 😘 In this episode, we're sharing four tidbits of inspiration we hope w...

We've said it once, and we'll say it again. Showing up online as an actor is a non-negotiable! Having an updated website and a current resume is crucial in today's audition landscape, and that's why this episode is all about what you need on both and why. Not sure what types of media to put on your website? We've got you covered. Can't decide which special skills to l...

Savings and interest and debt, oh my! Financial literacy can be a scary topic, we know, but it's so important for actors to learn how to be in control of their money and feel more secure in such an unpredictable industry. That's why we brought our friend Kyle Timson to the podcast today to teach us all about it! Kyle is an actor and graduate of the University of Michigan, currently touri...

What are your biggest goals in life? Maybe you want to be on Broadway, or star in a hit movie, or have your own TV show--those are great goals to have! But there's a secret mindset shift that can be the key to whether those goals leave you feeling fulfilled or like a failure. Today, we're talking all about the difference between attachment and commitment, and how this little shift in you...

If you're pursuing a performance degree, you may be wondering, "What else can I do with this degree?" It turns out, a lot more than you think! Today, we've brought to the podcast our friend Hannah Flam, a New York City-based performer and project manager. Hannah received her BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan and now works as a digital marketing project mana...