Vocal Coach, Singer-Songwriter

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

A: I'm extremely proud of my EP Debris. I was the songwriter, vocalist and guitarist for the EP, and I'm just very proud of the music we created.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm releasing two new singles in a week!

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

A: Eric Sanderson is a producer/engineer/lovely being and I work with him in creating my own music.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog, baby. You want a musician to be great live, and then just capture it.

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

A: I'll be honest, but if they try what I'm telling them, they'll improve!

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Helping people improve, and making personal connections along the way.

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

A: People just want feedback on their sound! I always answer honestly, but with care, because voice is such a personal thing. You've only got one, and it's an extension of yourself!

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

A: That voice lessons will ruin your natural ability.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I just ask to hear them sing. I want to know where they're at, as far as keeping pitch, using the different areas of their voice, etc. I also ask what their musical experience is... beginners are completely fine, but I just want to know where we're starting.

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

A: If you hear that you need improvement in your voice but can't figure out how to improve, please reach out! I can show you ways to improve that likely you'd never come up with on your own.

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

A: I'd take my trusty Yamaha acoustic/electric guitar, my trusty 8-track digital recorder (I personally have to extricate myself from computers/devices when I write and record), my Audio-Technica mic, pen & paper and lots of sunscreen. :)

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

A: I have been coaching for over 10 years. I've sung professionally in bands, choirs and solo situations along the way!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'd like to think my style is honest and direct but creative and wholly unique to myself.

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

A: I'd love to work with Caroline Polachek! I think we have similar vocal tastes, styles and capabilities, and I'd love to duet with her or have her produce something for me.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Learning how to use your breath is the most important thing in singing. It'll give you power, pitch control, it'll relax unhelpful tensions and it'll free you up to be expressive.

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

A: Because I am a singer-songwriter, I think that's the style at which I excel, but I am very diverse in my own musical tastes & styles so I think I'm very versatile.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I have great communication skills! And being able to explain a concept to somebody till they grasp it is the most important thing (both as a teacher, AND as an artist!)

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I have trained my ears for years on vocal sounds and how to diagnose and correct areas where a vocal sound could be better. I can hear what's happening and I know how to show a singer how to get to a more attractive, effective sound. I'm also really good at composing backing vocals in imaginative ways, and working with the capabilities of each singer's voice.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: One can achieve the best results with a series of voice lessons... you can't learn it all in one lesson! But I am also happy to give feedback, on tracks that are already recorded or for songs for upcoming recording sessions.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I teach in-person out of my vocal studio in the East Village of NYC, or I teach anywhere in the world over Zoom. I've also accompanied people to their recording sessions and given them feedback in-studio.

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

A: I love the best singers out there! Freddie Mercury, Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, Jeff Buckley, Caroline Polachek, Chappell Roan, and all the vocal arrangement groups, like The Beach Boys, The Mamas & The Papas, Fleetwood Mac, etc.

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

A: I am a vocal coach. I help people improve and explore their voice, give them the tools necessary to perform and record to the best of their ability, and in the process help them gain self-confidence and an overall increase in the quality of their music.