Find Your Voice with Vielka: Confidence, Singing & Speaking for Life

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Vielka sits down with Einar Solberg—co-founder, lead vocalist, and keyboardist of Leprous—to explore the emotional and psychological dimensions of singing. They discuss how Einar balances control and surrender in performance, views emotion as more important than technical showmanship, and finds creative freedom through imperfection and intuition.  He shares his ev...

Send us Fan Mail What inspires a musician to turn their passion into a global legacy of education and creativity? In this inspiring episode of Voice with Vielka, we welcome Andrew D. Gordon—a true musical trailblazer! From his 1960s London roots shaped by The Beatles to authoring over 150 instructional books, Andrew’s journey is one of passion, perseverance, and impact. Discover how he blends educ...

Send us Fan Mail 🎤 Are we empowering young voices to thrive—or just teaching them to hit the right notes? In this episode, we dive into a heart-opening conversation with Emily, a vocal educator with a master’s degree in voice pedagogy and an advocate for inclusivity in singing. From teaching 5-year-olds to creating safe spaces for gender-expansive adolescents, Emily shares her incredible journey...

Send us Fan Mail 🎤 How do you turn vocal struggles into breakthroughs and guide young singers to their most confident, authentic voice? 🎧 This episode features the unstoppable Sasha Divain, an Estill Master Trainer, vocal health innovator, and advocate for diverse voices. Get ready for a deep dive into the cutting-edge techniques that can transform your teaching! Here’s what’s on the playlist:...

Send us Fan Mail EPISODE SUMMARY What does it mean to offer your students choice and agency in their vocal development? How can mindfulness reshape the way you approach teaching? In this episode of Voice with Vielka, we are joined by the insightful Megan Durham, a renowned voice teacher, vocologist, and advocate for trauma-informed care in voice education. Get ready to dive into an empowering conv...

Send us Fan Mail Looking for a way to hook students on practice? Join us as we chat with Robert Miller, co-founder of the Practice Space app – the game-changing app that makes music practice exciting for kids of all ages! 🎶 Discover how this innovative tool keeps students motivated, gamifies practice, and makes life easier for music teachers. We’ll explore the benefits, share real-life success st...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could help your students not only sing, but conquer their fears? In this episode, Emily DenBleyker —a voice teacher, actor, and singer from Seattle—shares her mission of making singing accessible to everyone, even those who believe they “can’t sing.” With over 20 years of experience, Emily discusses her three-pronged approach to teaching adult beginners, focusing on se...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Voice with Vielka , the focus is on enhancing your teaching by incorporating videos into your lessons. The episode explores how video content can create flexible, engaging learning experiences tailored to meet students where they are, regardless of their schedules. One example shared is about Sarah, an adult beginner passionate about singing, who struggled to fi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Laura Jean Penrod, an award-winning educator and advocate, shares insights on how personalized, competency-based learning (CBL) and technology can transform education. She emphasizes that instead of adhering to rigid pacing guides, educators should focus on meeting students where they are, allowing them to learn at their own pace while mastering the necessary skil...

Send us Fan Mail What is museum education? Join us as Natalie Williams,  Director of Education at Miami Children's Museum, explains this unique learning space where children engage through play and connect with their community and collections . In this episode, Natalie shares her 16+ years of experience in shaping young minds as a director of preschools across Florida and Manhattan. Natalie&a...

Send us Fan Mail What does it mean to be a mental-health informed teacher? How do we navigate the inner critique with our students?  In this episode, Petra Rosinski, a vocal, somatic, and cognitive behavioral coach, brings her unique expertise to the conversation, blending her background in singing, teaching, and therapeutic practices. She dives into the critical topic of performance anxiety, expl...

Send us Fan Mail What if the true magic of auditions isn’t just about landing the perfect role, but about the resilience, creativity, and joy you discover along the way? In this vibrant and supportive discussion with our talented YSA Dream Team—we unpack what it truly takes to prepare for an audition, not just in terms of performance but also the mindset and resilience needed for the entire journe...

Send us Fan Mail Curious about working with teens? How do you evolve each year and connect with students to help them become more resilient and build the confidence they need in life?  In this episode, we explore the unique world of coaching teenagers with resilience specialist and international youth speaker, Kate Gladen. Kate’s inspiring journey—from overcoming personal loss to becoming one of A...

Send us Fan Mail What surprising insights might an endurance athlete like Scott Cohen offer that could transform the way we approach singing and self-growth? Today’s episode features a special guest who embodies the power of persistence and transformation. Meet Scott Cohen, a renowned endurance athlete and coach who has conquered marathons, ultramarathons, and Ironman races worldwide. But you migh...

Send us Fan Mail What is the Montessori way of life? Ever wondered how to connect your teaching practices across ages? In this engaging podcast episode, you’ll discover insightful perspectives from Heidi Morrison, a seasoned educator and senior director at Higher Ground Education. Heidi’s 20+ years in Montessori schools have shaped her expertise in mentoring early childhood teachers and developing...

Send us Fan Mail How do you stay positive while working through the impossible?  This episode focuses on someone who embodies resilience, grace, and boundless positivity: Megan Stier. Megan’s story is not just inspiring—it’s a testament to the power of perseverance and the joy of rediscovering one’s voice after incredible challenges. Megan Stier is a multi-talented performer and motivational speak...

Send us Fan Mail Today, we’re exploring a refreshing approach to voice lessons: teaching without a piano. If you've ever wondered whether you can effectively teach singing without mastering the keys, you’re in the right place! You’ll discover that letting go of the piano can actually empower your students, helping them tune into their own voices and develop greater independence. By focusing o...

Send us Fan Mail Before we get into teaching kids to sing with confidence, it’s important to start with  why. When you find a why that is big enough, it will motivate you to keep going through the hardest days and longest nights. It will also be what inspires others and influences them. Listen along to find YOUR why. RESOURCES Start With Why by Simon Sinek TED Talk: Start with Why by Simon Sinek N...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s episode is all about breaking through the “I can’t” mindset that often holds young singers back. You’ll hear from the inspiring Peggy Rakis, founder of Teaching Positivity, as she shares powerful tools from positive psychology to help both teachers and students overcome self-doubt and embrace a growth mindset. With Peggy's insights, you’ll learn how to shift your appr...

Send us Fan Mail "Where's 'Vielka' from?" This is the most-asked question I receive. Here's the story...and it won't be what you think! Learn more about Vielka at www.vielka.com and follow us at @voicewithvielka. Graphic Design by Jeff Yas Podcast Music by Andrew Markus