The Engaging Performer

In today's episode, Tara delves into the topic of what happened to many people's voices when they were not singing at concerts or in choirs or other gatherings this last year. Because much of singing was actually not allowed or cancelled during the pandemic, singer's found themselves with voices a little bit different than they had known before. Tara breaks down why it happened and what to do abou...

In today's episode, Tara gets to interview superstar backup singer Jana Anderson. Jana's resume is incredibly full of experience, having toured with Fleetwood Mac, Don Henley, Sheena Easton, and so many more. She shares parts of her amazing journey and what it does take to be a backup singer.   The Start of Jana's singing: Jana remembered singing at her grandparents' anniversary at age 3 or 4 and...

In today's episode, Tara dives into the world of studio singing. She talks about 8 helps that can make your experience as a singer be fun and productive, instead of having fear or feeling frustrated. Tara's knowledge of the studio comes from much experience and she wants singers to enjoy this platform, whether it's their first time or 25th time in the studio!   For those of you who would love to h...

In today's episode, Tara interviews professional songwriter/guitarist/producer Michael Elsner. Michael has been in the world of sync licensing for many years now and has had such placements for shows like American Idol, The Voice,   and The Ellen DeGeneres show. Plus commercials like Audi, Verizon and a Super Bowl ad, as well as trailers like The Mandalorian. His resume is amazing with all the son...

In today's episode, Tara focuses on why it's good to work on a song until it's ready for a performance, instead of just stopping when you are only halfway through the process. Listen to today's episode for the reasons why this can become your practice! For those of you who would love to also have The Singing Straw, please go to my link here: http://bit.ly/Tarabsingingstraw   and put in the code fo...

In today's episode, Tara talks with singer/vocal coach Tiffany Van Boxtel all about training the voice and why it's so helpful to have a plan. We also discuss the value of one-on-one trainings and letting them be a foundation for all that we build on vocally . Tiffany's first love of music might be traced back to playing a monster game in elementary music where she got to express dynamics of music...

Here are the exercises you can get for free to practice with: https://tarab.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/4 In today's episode, Tara talks about one of the sicknesses singers dread the most: laryngitis. She talks about how we get it, what are the symptoms, and what we need to do to get better and in some cases, sing at at gig!     What causes laryngitis? : (From the Mayo Clinic)—the voc...

In today's episode, Tara gets put in the hot seat as Lisa Gebhard asks her unusual questions about the voice and singing! Nothing is off limits here and we talk everything from animals vocal folds to how does your nose fit into your singing sound? You will definitely gain some knowledge this episode! Lisa Gebhard ( Tara's cousin and content creator in her biz ) sits down and asks many probing ques...

In today's episode, Tara talks with music educator/performer/songwriter Carol Nicodemi all about children's voices and what it was like to work with children in the school system for 25+ years. Carol shares from personal experience how she worked with children ages 5-11 years old. You will be inspired by her ideas and the ways that she got children singing in super healthy, creative and fun ways!!...

In today's episode, Tara tackles some of the reasons that people don't sing or stop singing. There is often a basis for people not engaging in an activity that seems like anyone could do. Singing has been going for thousands of years, but many people in today's world do not engage in this practice. Why is that? Join Tara for a discussion about the causes and rationale behind no singing. Also, if y...

In today's episode, Tara looks at 10 different questions that vocalists frequently ask   about singing. She tackles each one in detail to help all of our listeners.   Can anyone learn to sing? Yes. It takes a willing spirit! How do I sing louder? Resonance is the key to make sound with more volume. Should I use my mouth or nose for breathing? As we let out our breath, it is more natural to inhale...

In today's episode, Tara talks about what it looks and sounds like when a voice ages. This is a topic that hasn't been talked about enough and yet there are ways to do something to help stop some of aging effects. And to keep singing through the years with your best voice! Do you notice when people's voices sound different as they age? UT Southwestern Medical center says: Muscles and tissues in th...

In today's episode, Tara talks about the subject of being a good singer. What does that even mean and what really makes up a singer to say that they sing well? Listen here for today's discussion on this often avoided topic.   What does good singing mean? Good definition: "of a favorable character or tendency",   "competent, skillful"   Good singing might be more about a number of characteristics:...

In today's episode, Tara shares many of the books that she has used in teaching for   different ages and types of singers. She gives you lots of practical resources and where to purchase books so you and your students have a library to choose from. Tara has taken the pain out of trying to look through tons and tons of repertoire and nailing it down to specific music books so that you can spend mor...

Today's episode features many of the different and vast benefits there are with singing. From physical benefits to emotional, social and more, this is an episode for the people who like singing but don't do much of it themselves.   Physical Benefits of singing: Posture can be improved. spacecoastdaily.com says this about singing: "When you sing, you're pushing a great deal of oxygen into your lung...

Are you a person who just knew that you would be a singer? Or did it come later in life? Well, my special guest's journey started as a wee child telling people that she wanted to sing. Here is her story from having that deep desire in her heart to how it came to be a real vocational pursuit! Her trek will inspire you! Anaité ' s journey started as a little girl where she discovered the sound of si...

Ever feel like your voice has definite changes in it? That when you sing in different registers, they can sound very different from one another? Is it hard to switch between the chest and head voice or getting a mix in the middle? This episode Tara gives you lots of vocalises to help smooth those transitions and feel like your voice is one whole seamless voice. Having a seamless voice is : when ou...

Do you wish that it was easier for you to improvise while you sing? Do you wish you had the tools to know what to do to make up parts for your singing? Are you a classical singer who isn't sure how to do cadenzas? In this episode, Tara breaks down improvisation and makes it simple even for the beginner. Improvisation for singing can really be broken down to two different types of music—classical a...

Today's show is all about figuring out how to pick songs that best fit your voice. Sometimes we sing a song that doesn't match what our voice can do. Tara shows you 7 ways to get it right so you can thrive in your performing. Resources for you for getting sheet music online: sheetmusicplus.com and musicnotes.com Resources for apps that can be for accompanying you sing: Appcompanist         iRealPr...

In today's episode, we focus on the concept of resonance in singing. Does everyone have it? What is it and why is it needed in singing? What does it do for the singer? How can we find it?   Tara gives you the low down and some exercises to boot for getting resonance! Definition of Resonance (according to the dictionary) "(of sound) "deep, clear and continuing to sound or ring"   Also "the quality...

In today's episode, Tara chats with Anne-Sofie Søby Jensen—a Danish singer. They speak about how Anne-Sofie's musical trek took her from Denmark to the UK and the journey of really learning to own and love who she is as a singer. Her story may inspire any singer who struggles with comparison and trying to find their own niche in singing.   Anne-Sofie grew up in a small village in Denmark in a fami...

Please go to Apple Podcast and click on RATINGS AND REVIEWS to rate this podcast. I would be so grateful! Thank you! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-engaging-voice/id1448497465 On today's show, Tara dives into something that probably every singer has faced at some point of their career—being nervous right before you sing! She gives 10 solid and practical helps for what to do to overcome...

We've talked often on this show about the health of our voice and the technique behind it. Today, Tara dives into the other parts of our life that can affect our vocal health and what to do about it. This includes foods to eat, those to avoid and other practices that we can add to our lives to keep our voices going strong. Building our immune system through: Exercise Good sleep A relaxed mindset S...

Tara pivots this week to chat specifically to voice teachers who have been affected by this COVID-19 time. She looks at different ways to help teachers transition into online teaching smoothly and with practical helps to get started. Online teaching can be a blessing to students who need the consistency and structure. It's a way to continue that and the continuity with "seeing" your student and fe...

Music Artist   and Voice teacher Whitney Cytryn shares today all about the company she founded called The Singing Straw. She show us how this tiny straw tool can change the ways that we take care of our voices—both for singers and for speakers. Whitney teachers us how a straw/straws can help our singing be easier, more efficient and very healthy! In her early years, Whitney had no interest in bein...