Rock Your Voice Podcast

In this Episode I talk with the wonderful Devon Cole all about creating music, learning about audio production as a female artist and finding your dream team.  We talk about her new single Nobody's Baby as well as making the switch from Calgary to Toronto to pursue her goals in the music industry.  We laugh A LOT and dig deep into life as a singer and songwriter, the good parts, the tough parts an...

It was such an honor to spend time talking with Jan Smith, one of the world’s premier vocal producers and instructors. She has over 30 years experience in the music industry as both an artist and a mentor. A Grammy nominated producer and a Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee, she KNOWS the industry! This episode is vital for any aspiring artist or musician wanting to learn more about what it takes...

I am so happy that I approached this wonderful woman one afternoon when I saw her with her guitar waiting for a cab in Calgary! She looked like a star in the making and I'm going to stand by that! This episode really is inspirational for any artist trying to make their way in the industry and grow as a musician. We talk about setting goals and reaching for your best. Taking opportunities when they...

On this episode I’m joined by Nicole Gill a voice coach who specializes in extreme singing techniques and distortion. We talk about how to access the different types of vocal distortion used by different singers and how to use aryepiglottic distortion to sing like Christina Aguilera or Dave Grohl, as well as false fold distortion for heavier metal sounds. We dig into how these techniques should al...

In this episode we dig deep into the scientific benefits of proper breathing techniques used for singing as well as all of the extra elements that come into play when using your breath control properly.  We look at the respiratory system and how it actually works so you get a thorough understanding of why correct breath control is required for getting the tones, volume and sound you want for your...

In this episode I'm joined by Lyndsay Butler, country music artist, singer songwriter and performer.  We talk about songwriting, creating opportunities as an artist, being confident enough to comfortably hear the word "NO", and being ready to jump whenever an opportunity presents itself whether its new or scary!  We also talk manifestation and believing in your career so that you can start to crea...

I created this work out for a client who is on tour and hitting the road HARD this summer.  Lots of singers are in the same boat and performance expectations have gone from almost 0-100% really quickly.  Even with the right preparation our voices can tire quickly and easily, so it's really important to add in some time to not just warm up but to rebuild and relax your voice with a little therapy. ...

Every week I get together with a fabulous group of singers for the Weekly Vocal Workout.   This week I'm unable to host the live class, so it is prerecorded. I thought it would be nice to share the session here, and also use the blank scales from episode 48, demonstrating how I would choose to use them and which exercises I would match with each scale.  The blank scales are for you to use as you p...

Thank you to Lauren for joining me for this heartfelt conversation all about getting back on the road not only after the pandemic, but the loss of her father / manager. We talk about living with grief, growing as a musician and overcoming all the challenges that you face as a perfectionist performer, voice coach, athlete and songwriter!  Lauren is performing at Nashville North at the Calgary Stamp...

In this episode I'm joined by the wonderful Brandon Lorenzo.  We talk about his incredible history of vocal training, starting when he became the youngest member of the Calgary Boys Choir at just 4 years old, his time studying opera at the Royal Conservatory of Music, and his career as a Country music artist! His latest single “The Year That Never Was” is available on all platforms.  Follow @Brand...

Fasten your seatbelt this is as genuine as it gets! Michela shares so much in this genuine and open conversation that covers EVERYTHING MUSIC!  We talk about songwriting in Nashville, stepping out of a pandemic directly on stage for the Calgary Stampede, living in Carolyn Dawn Johnsons pool house, what it's like to sing the Anthem for your city's hockey team, and most importantly, managing your me...

Calling all Idols, voices, and talents!  Are you planning to audition for a reality tv singing show? In this episode I talk with Brianna Ruelas, American Idol contestant and Author of the Amazon Best Seller "Make Reality TV Your Reality, Crush your reality singing show audition and Ignite your music career."  Brianna’s expertise and background as a Singer/Songwriter, Vocal & Performance Coach and...

It was such a pleasure to catch up with Jess Moskaluke, the first Canadian female country artist since Shania Twain to achieve CRIA Platinum single status with the hit ‘Cheap Wine and Cigarettes’. In this episode we talk about getting back on the road and performing live, how she compiled her band and her relationship with her tour manager and how having a solid team helps her manage her business...

Follow this quick and simple vocal warm up before you start your show!  With breathing and vocalization, this 20 minute warm up is great for singers of all musical genres to prepare your voice for a performance or show.  Get gig ready by gently moving through your range with no pressure or pushing. This vocal warm up includes breathing exercises as well as simple scales to help you get movement an...

What a great opportunity to catch up with ANNIKA, to talk all about her new Twingle, a double release featuring the single "I Really Don't Want To"  We discuss what it's been like creating her latest material and how she plans to release her new album, how she is balancing pregnancy as a performer and preparing for her new arrival!  We dig deep into the story behind her single and how she met her...

In this episode I revisit the topic of how to manage and move through your range without experiencing any unwanted vocal breaks. I've compiled some singing exercises that will allow you to learn more about your instrument and where the pops and cracks are most likely to occur and then how to manage your voice to affectively manage, smooth and eliminate any of these unwanted elements.  Follow along...

Want to know more about singing with vocal compression?   I had such a productive session with my client Brett yesterday and we talked a lot about vocal compression and how it is helping him to hit higher notes with more strength and control without any tension or strain.   So this morning and recorded a quick podcast explaining what it is, how it works and how easily you can start to apply it to...

If you have no music theory experience, do not fear! You don't need to know all your scales to be able to do fun riffs and runs!  Just a positive can do attitude, the willingness to learn from mistakes, and the patience to discover what your voice can do through digging in with feel, emotion and great music! You can learn from runs you already love, but if you want more flexibility with your own c...

After a long singing session, performance or a focused effort training the voice for an extended period, it is important to cool down your voice after working hard.  This is perfect to combo at the end of a few episodes on the podcast, such as The Easy & Effective Warm Up, (Episode 35)  Low End Power Building (Episode 36) and High End Training (Episode 37)  If you add them all together you will ha...

This vocal work out will help you safely build strength and stamina to the high end of your vocal range. Be sure to warm up properly before starting this episode.  This is perfect to combo with the Easy & Effective Warm Up (Episode 35) Low End Power Building (Episode 36)  Followed by the Vocal Cool Down (Episode 38)  If you add them all together you will have over 45 minutes of vocal training to w...

In this vocal work out you'll add power to your lower notes which will give you strength and stamina as well as a strong foundation for your higher notes to build on.  Be sure to warm up before trying any of the vocal workouts.  This is perfect to combo with the Easy and Effective Warm Up  (Episode 35) and High End Training (Episode 37) Followed by the Vocal Cool Down (Episode 38)  If you add them...

Follow this simple warm up to get your voice ready to sing your favourite songs or to prepare to dig into some vocal work outs or training episodes.  This is perfect to combo with the Low End Power Building (Episode 36) and High End Training (Episode 37) Followed by the Vocal Cool Down (Episode 38)  If you add them all together you will have over 45 minutes of vocal training to warm up, strengthen...

In this episode I talk with Rosie, who owns Vox Yoga With Rosie. she has successfully built a fabulous cross over between yoga and vocal coaching and is able to help her students release and relax their voices while also overcoming any physical and mental blocks.  Check out @voxyogawithrosie on instagram or voxyoga.co.uk

Oh My Word!!! This was one of the funnest episodes to record, you'll be able to hear how happy I was to catch up with my friend Jonathan Love after so many years!  Jonathan is an incredible vocalist, acapella performer with Calgary's own The Heebee Jeebees, and voice over talent who also coaches at his business, ToonVox.  After meeting nearly 18 years ago when we both worked in the world of radio,...

I am working on my lesson plan for Rockit Vocal Studios' vocal harmony group, and figured I should warm up before recording myself singing their parts! So here it is. This warm up is tailored for "Church Bells" by Carrie Underwood, and digs into the higher twangy tones of commercial country music. It will be helpful for singing a lot of her songs, as well as many modern country hits. Male vocalist...