Nashville Singer-Songwriter

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Miktek CV4, Focusrite Scarlett 18i20, Logic Pro X

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: A little bit of both! You can't fake the warmth of a tube mic, and you can't replace the convenience of digital.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: Alesis GT AM61, Focusrite Scarlett 18i20, Logic Pro X, MuseScore, and a computer, of course!

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: I am very proud of the album that I released in December 2019, entitled "Her". I wrote and sang on all of the songs, arranged all background vocals, and helped with production ideas in the studio. I had so much fun bringing these ideas to life and hope that these songs will inspire my listeners!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I always have several projects in the works for clients all over the world! I just finished writing and recording my own album and am out performing these original songs several times a week in Nashville.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: If anyone is looking for a male vocalist or awesome producer/songwriter, Grant Vogel is a good friend and co-writer of mine, and he is amazing! Grant is very talented and easy to work with!

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: I promise to give every project my absolute best effort! I promise to read through client's notes carefully, to be thorough and detail oriented, and to communicate clearly and effectively!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I love making music in any capacity, so this is my dream job! I also love the flexibility of being able to determine my own hours, which is important as a full-time musician with new gigs and sessions being scheduled from week to week.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Customers often ask me if I feel comfortable taking artistic liberties and creating my own harmony parts and arranging background vocals. I love being creative in this way! I am also very happy to follow a reference track and copy parts as is if the songwriter has a specific vision in mind for the vocals!

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: I believe that the biggest misconception about being a musician is that you need to be famous to be successful. I believe that if you hustle and work hard to put your talents to good use, you can make a difference in the world with your creativity, no matter how many people know your name. I am so grateful to be able to do what I love for a living!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I always make sure to talk to the client about their vision for the project! I ask questions about feel, dynamics, simplicity/complexity, and personal taste in regards to vocal delivery/songwriting style.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Please listen to my vocal samples to determine if my sound and style is right for your project! Every project is different, and every voice is unique and beautiful in its own way!

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: Since I was a little girl, I have always loved making music. I began taking singing lessons at the age of 7, and have been working on my craft ever since! I performed professionally for theme parks and at private events, bars, and restaurants through high school and college, all while gaining valuable experience writing and recording music in Nashville. After studying music at Belmont University and interning at Sony and several other small Nashville publishing companies/record labels, I continued to live and work in Nashville's thriving music industry. I went on to record two albums of original music and have had songs cut by outside artists in Nashville. My path led me to this amazing city, where I have carved out a career for myself that includes recording, performing, writing, music directing, and teaching music. The goal was always to make a living making music in some capacity, so I am very blessed and grateful to be living my dream in Music City!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My voice naturally has a bit of a country inflection, as I was raised on country music and have lived in Nashville for many years! My love for pop music and my training in several other styles allows me to add some flair to my voice when the song warrants it. I am comfortable with recording sweet, simple performances and also comfortable with more showy, pop-oriented vocal demands.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: I would love to work with Sara Bareilles! I very much respect her work as a singer and a songwriter. I am moved and inspired by her music!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Always keep all of your takes! You may "mess something up" when recording, and that take could end up being your accidental favorite part of the song!

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Most of my projects are country and pop songs, but I am comfortable singing in several genres!

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I have a good ear for harmony and am comfortable thinking outside the box creatively! My aural skills, creativity, and attention to detail are my strongest skills! I also pride myself on being an effective communicator, which is necessary in working with clients in a creative setting.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: My musical background is very diverse, allowing me to bring something unique to every project. I am classically and commercially trained with extensive experience performing, writing, and recording in the Nashville music scene. I also have a background in acting and musical theater, which sets me apart from many commercial recording artists. I attended a performing arts magnet school in high school, where I was an acting major, and as a music major in college, I participated in and music directed several musicals. This theater background has prepared me to really connect with songs on a deeper level and deliver a performance that is not only vocally appealing, but that has heart and feeling, as well!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: Vocal Projects: Once I have received all of the materials needed to begin working on a song (vocal guide, instrumental track, lyric sheet, and bpm), I begin learning the material! I typically record the lead vocal first and send the track to my client so that they can listen through and confirm that we are on track! Once the client has had an opportunity to listen to the lead vocal track, I will go through and add in harmony parts and lead vocal ad-libs to really bring the song to life and add more interest. The client will have the option of receiving raw tracks or edited tracks with effects for no extra charge! Songwriting Projects: Each songwriting project is different, which is what makes this process so much fun! For clients looking for lyrics, I will chat with them about their vision for the song's story and the emotion they feel when they listen to the track they built. I will then spend some time on the lyric and send a rough draft over to the client so that they can read through and approve the content. Once this lyric is approved, I will begin the recording process. For clients with lyrics and a track, but no vocal melody, I will record a rough draft of my melodic ideas before working on the final, polished vocal. The goal is to bring the client's vision to life with every project!

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: I am vocally inspired by a variety of singers, such as Celine Dion, Sara Bareilles, Martina McBride, and Maren Morris, to name a few. I admire singers who have an extensive range, but also taste and tact about when to keep the song simple! It's all about bringing the song to life and allowing your vocal to deliver a message that will move listeners. As a songwriter myself, I always keep this in the forefront of my mind when recording a vocal for a client's original work. I am deeply inspired by songwriters like Tom Douglas (the writer of "The House That Built Me"- a mentor that I have been blessed to have written with and studied under), John Mayer, and Lori McKenna. I aim to write songs that are written from the heart and say something in a new and exciting way!

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Most of my clients hire me to record their lead vocal, as well as harmony parts to go with it! I am comfortable learning pre-written harmony parts or writing and recording my own. As far as ad-libs and improvisation goes, I love adding my own flair to a track and filling in empty spaces with vocal accents, runs, etc. (if wanted and warranted)! I have also written several songs for clients who have produced amazing tracks but need help with the lyrics, melody, or both!