In My Musical Opinion

Arabella welcomes producer, songwriter, and live musician Chase Leibowitz to discuss his extensive experience in the wedding band scene. They explore practical strategies for musicians looking to audition, secure gigs, and excel in live performances. Chase shares unique insights on skill development, professional conduct, and the mindset needed to thrive as an independent artist. Topics Covered: C...

This episode features Luke Colombero, a musician and film scoring major with expertise in interactive media. The conversation explores the evolving landscape of music technology, including virtual reality and artificial intelligence. Luke shares insights on leveraging these tools to foster new musical experiences and the significance of continuous innovation and thoughtful engagement with new tech...

Musician, content creator, and director Harrison Lee joins Arabella to discuss his unique self-taught approach to music and multi-instrumentalism. He shares how his background in biology influences his musical practice, emphasizing experimentation and authenticity in artistry. This episode offers valuable insights on embracing improvisation, developing a diverse skill set, and growing an honest pr...

Vocalist and coach Johnny Ray joins Arabella to discuss the world of metal singing, offering insights into its unique demands and benefits. He debunks common myths about metal vocals, emphasizing healthy technique, the genre's passionate nature, and its strong community. Johnny also shares practical advice on vocal warm-ups and how rigorous practice builds foundational skills for any singer....

Zack Auslander, a versatile musician now based in Japan, joins Arabella to discuss his unique journey through the music industry. He shares insights on skill development and adaptation, highlighting the concept of "paid practice" from cruise ship performances. This episode offers practical advice for musicians on cultivating critical skills like ear training and understanding the modern...

This episode features Taylor Rossi, a Boston-based photographer who shares her unique journey from music education and performance to building a successful entrepreneurial career. She discusses how her background as a flutist and teacher informs her current work, emphasizing the lifelong process of learning and adapting musical skills for personal fulfillment. The conversation explores the idea th...

In this episode of In My Musical Opinion, host Arabella Berman speaks with Anna Altman, a multi-talented artist who has transitioned from acting and singing to film production, writing, and directing. Anna shares how her deep passion for music has naturally integrated into her filmmaking, demonstrating how musical knowledge and artistic intuition can open doors to diverse creative industries beyon...

Host Arabella Berman welcomes Alyssa Harris, also known as The Six Figure Singer, an expert in career coaching for professional musicians. Alyssa shares insights on closing the education gap for artists, demonstrating that a sustainable income in music is achievable. This episode offers practical advice on valuing your talent, diversifying income streams within the industry, and building a thrivin...

Arabella welcomes Quinn back to the podcast after his graduation from Berklee. This episode focuses on the unique world of metal and extreme vocals. Quinn shares his expertise on how to approach teaching and performing distortion, the songwriting process in a metal band, and the athletic demands of this vocal style. Topics Covered: Teaching and Learning Extreme Vocals: Quinn discusses the challeng...

In this episode, Arabella speaks with Quinn Biron Warren, a teaching instructor at AVS who is finishing his final year of music school while actively performing in a metal band and teaching voice students. The conversation explores the challenges and rewards of balancing formal music education with real-world musical pursuits, offering valuable insights for college-age musicians considering their...

Host Arabella Berman welcomes Meghan Purdue, a digital learning expert with experience at MIT and Fidelity, to explore the intricacies of online music education. Meghan shares her personal journey of teaching herself piano using digital resources and her professional insights on designing effective e-learning, particularly for artistic disciplines. The discussion offers musicians valuable perspect...

Lisa Kent, a serial entrepreneur and host of the Dauntless podcast, joins Arabella to discuss business strategies for artists. They explore how understanding your audience, developing network strategies, and finding allies can help musicians build their brand. Lisa's experience in growing and marketing companies offers practical advice for navigating the music industry. Lisa Kent and Arabella...

Bestselling author Jenna Blum talks with Arabella about connecting writing and music. They discuss how you can embrace your creative identity, manage multiple projects, and build community as an artist. Jenna shares insights from writing her musical audio drama and founding the author platform, A Mighty Blaze. Topics Covered: Embracing your identity as a professional creative. Managing multiple id...

Kamillah Collins, an advertising strategist, joins Arabella to discuss the crucial role of strategy for musicians and artists. They explore how defining your why, understanding your audience, and developing a messaging framework (even with a limited budget) can provide the structure needed to effectively promote your creative work and navigate the path from artistic passion to performance and conn...

In this episode of In My Musical Opinion , Florie Namir shares her journey integrating piano and voice, discussing how instrumental skills can ground vocal performance and improvisation like scat singing. The conversation emphasizes the importance of dedicated, smart practice for mastering complex skills like self-accompaniment and highlights how authentic songwriting stems from connecting life ex...

In this episode of Piano for the Vocalist, host Arabella welcomes Adrian Avalos, Events and Marketing Coordinator at Democracy Brewing in Boston. They discuss effective networking strategies for artists seeking gigs, emphasizing the importance of building genuine relationships, personalized outreach, and professional etiquette in the music industry. With a strong background in customer relations a...

In this episode of Piano for the Vocalist, Dr. Hubert Ho explains how integrating piano skills into a vocalist’s routine can enhance warm-ups, improve performance, and strengthen musical independence. The conversation spotlights efficient practice methods, such as mindful repetition and chunking, and shows how building a solid theory foundation can support creative growth. Dr. Hubert Ho is an acco...

Arabella and Emet discuss the advantages of incorporating piano into a vocalist’s practice routine. They share personal stories on how piano enhances vocal performance, helps with warm-ups, and supports independent music-making. They also explore goal-setting strategies, practice methods, and the importance of understanding basic music theory. Emet Saltzman-Weniger A voice teacher and multi-instru...