Best Lara Chapman Podcasts (2025)

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Should You Sing At Weddings? AITA Reddit Stories 45:12

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1h ago45:12

45:12

It’s time for some more unhinged Reddit stories - this time all around singing at weddings! I don’t know what it is about people getting married, but they become some of the most entitled people ever! The whole VoxTape Team got together for this episode and we all shared our own stories from singing at weddings and how to handle being asked to sing…

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Open Mics: The Best Way To Find Paid Gigs And Network With Other Musicians with David Craver 50:01

8h ago50:01

50:01

I am joined by “The Open Mic Guy” David Craver to talk about all things open mics and opportunities for singers to get out there, meet like-minded people, find musicians to play with and perform in front of a supportive crowd. If you’re new to open mics - or as David likes to call them, Mini Music Festivals - or you moved to a new place and want to…

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Best Breathing Techniques For Contemporary Singing 56:14

18h ago56:14

56:14

Without breath there is no singing, so yes - getting your breathing right is important! Yet the way it’s been taught for the last couple of decades has been deeply rooted in classical singing techniques, which is not always serving us as contemporary singers. In this episode coach Bri, coach Emily and I break down different techniques and the best …

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Ariana Grande Style Breakdown: How To Sing Dangerous Woman 32:26

4d ago32:26

32:26

Ariana Grande’s Dangerous Woman is one of those songs that sounds effortless—but it’s packed with technique. I break down how Ariana mixes breathiness and brightness, keeps her resonance forward without pushing, and makes stylistic choices that give the song its signature sound. Remember, we’re breaking down her style to learn from it and better un…

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Agency Work For Singers: What Is It And How It’ll Help You Become A Full Time Performer with Rachel Beasley 36:11

6d ago36:11

36:11

Having your own band isn’t the only way to get booked as a singer for high paying gigs. There are agencies that have a roster full of incredible musicians that they’re using for the gigs they’ve booked. That means as a musician on the roster you’ll always play with different musicians. I invited Rachel Beasley - a singer working with two different …

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Why Your Voice Isn’t Moving People (Yet) | Storytelling For Singers 31:36

11d ago31:36

31:36

Singers talk a lot about technique. But what about emotional connection? The truth is: if your voice doesn’t feel something, your audience won’t either. This breakdown covers how to tap into the emotional story of a song using sensory detail, imagination, and memory—not over-acting or fake drama. You’ll learn simple ways to make your performance mo…

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How To Sing Really Hard Song Like Golden | Vocal Coach Reacts & Teaches Golden 43:56

11d ago43:56

43:56

Huntrix’s Golden has taken the internet by storm as it is one of the toughest songs to sing out there. Struggling with it doesn’t make you a bad singer - lord knows I was struggling with it too! To help you sing this song, I coached myself through it. Get some tips on how I added power, released strain and paced myself throughout the song. This is …

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How To Be Authentic In Your Art with Jennie Lopez 52:23

13d ago52:23

52:23

Jennie walked away from a successful engineering career because she couldn’t keep hiding who she was and she felt drawn to a higher calling. All her life she was told that she was too bubbly to be an engineer and too nerdy to be a dancer. But that duality—tech and dance, depth and joy—is exactly what made her magnetic. And once she fully stepped in…

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Don’t Like The Tone Of Your Voice? Here’s How To Change It (And Still Sound Like You) 55:41

15d ago55:41

55:41

Your tone isn’t set in stone. Whether you think you sound too nasally, too breathy, too dull, or just “not like yourself”—you’re not stuck. Your vocal tone is malleable, and you can shift it with surprisingly simple adjustments. This breakdown explores what makes up your tone, how to experiment with shaping it, and why impersonators are proof that …

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The Key to Switching from Musical Theatre to Pop Singing 39:47

18d ago39:47

39:47

VTS Coach and singer Emily has spent years mastering musical theatre — but when she sings pop, that polished, precise tone can sound too perfect. In this coaching session, we focused on helping her sound authentically pop: casual, conversational, and effortless. We used “lazy tongue” exercises, speech-level practice, and vowel tweaks to smooth her …

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Performing Under Pressure & Pushing Through Challenges with Nico Mueller 48:38

20d ago48:38

48:38

This episode is a bit different from our usual content. I was joined by my brother, Nico Mueller, who’s not a singer, but a race car driver. Pursuing a career in sports or in music is not for the faint of heart. Nico shares what he’s learned about managing energy, stress, and focus under pressure—and why even the most prepared performers still burn…

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How to Practice Singing Efficiently (And Actually See Results) 44:15

22d ago44:15

44:15

You’re practicing—but not getting the results you want. But why? Singing practice doesn’t automatically lead to progress. Just like a good gym routine, you need the right balance of structure, strategy, and intention. This episode walks through how to make your vocal practice actually efficient—from goal-setting to warm-up structure to knowing when…

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Are Talent Shows Worth It? POV of Contestant and Parent 1:02:38

25d ago1:02:38

1:02:38

Talent shows like the Voice or Idol can be a great opportunity for singers to gain experience and exposure! That’s why I myself auditioned for 2 shows when I was a teenager as well. My dad joined me in this episode to talk about my experiences - the good, the bad and the ugly - and we discussed some talent show stories from Reddit from parents aski…

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When the People Closest to You Don’t Support Your Music With Artist Sensata 1:05:19

27d ago1:05:19

1:05:19

What happens when your love for music doesn’t come from support—but from resistance? Sensata grew up in an environment where creativity wasn’t encouraged, yet her voice never stopped calling. We talked about what it means to choose your art anyway—when no one claps, when no one gets it, and when the dream feels like yours alone. If you’ve ever been…

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Voice Lessons for Kids: At What Age Should They Start & What To Expect 28:22

29d ago28:22

28:22

Thinking about putting your child in singing lessons? Before you dive in, there are a few things that can make a huge difference in their experience—and their success. Kids don’t need intense vocal drills or serious technique at a young age. What they do need is a safe space to play, explore, and fall in love with music. Learn what to expect when e…

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Studio Sessions: How Caleb Turned Open Mics into a Music Career 1:10:37

1M ago1:10:37

1:10:37

Caleb isn’t just a singer—he’s a full-time musician who built his career one gig, one mic night, and one conversation at a time. We talk about what it actually takes to make it as an artist: connection, consistency, and collaboration. Whether you’re just starting out or trying to break through to the next level, this episode is packed with mindset …

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What Singers Miss When They Play It Safe With Perenna King 1:03:56

1M ago1:03:56

1:03:56

I get it, singing is a very vulnerable thing, so naturally we want to hold back - especially when there’s a chance that other people could hear us. But guess what? What happens when you let it all out is complete magic and is probably that special something you feel like is missing in your voice right now. Perenna King - one of our students here at…

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Expanding Your Vocal Range: Why Force Won’t Get You There 45:26

1M ago45:26

45:26

Many singers chase higher notes thinking they need to push harder—but real range growth doesn’t come from pressure. It comes from coordination, flexibility, and patience. Expanding your range isn’t about singing louder or trying the same thing over and over. It’s about experimenting, adjusting, and giving your voice the chance to learn something ne…

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Studio Session: Polishing An Original Song with Doug Haag 1:17:33

1M ago1:17:33

1:17:33

Doug never set out to become a singer. He started on drums, picked up guitar to process emotions, and wrote songs just for himself—quietly, late at night, when no one could hear. But eventually, something shifted. It started to feel selfish not to share. We explored how to release vocal tension, how tongue placement can subtly affect tone, and even…

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How To Master (Or Reduce) Any Accent with Dialect Coach Will Van Moss 1:02:52

1M ago1:02:52

1:02:52

Have an accent you can’t seem to get rid of? Need to learn a new accent for a role you got cast in? Actor and dialect coach Will Van Moss shares how singers can approach accents with more confidence and a stronger sense of identity. We explore how rhythm, pitch, and the articulators affect the way we sound—and how language can shape emotion in the …

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The Vocal Cool Down Every Singer Needs And Why It Works 38:08

1M ago38:08

38:08

Most singers know that they are supposed to warm up before a gig, recording session or even practice. But many skip what comes after they’re done singing… Vocal cool downs are one of the most overlooked habits in singing. They aren’t about expanding range or adding power—they’re about restoring balance, releasing tension, and helping your voice rec…

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Studio Session: Letting Go of Perfection & Making Art Anyway With Verne Fritz 1:05:19

2M ago1:05:19

1:05:19

Verne isn’t your typical musician. He doesn’t wait for perfect gear, a perfect plan, or perfect conditions—he just starts creating. In this episode, we talk about his experimental approach to music-making, how he learned to bend MIDI to his will, and why perfectionism is the enemy of progress. He walked us through the process behind his ambient wor…

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How To Prepare For The Recording Studio With Sound Engineer Cam Melton 55:15

2M ago55:15

55:15

Recording music isn’t just about the gear—it’s about the space you create. Sound engineer Cam Melton shared how he helps singers feel grounded and confident in the studio. From mic choice to mindset, we break down what actually matters when you hit record. You'll learn how to prep, what to ignore, and how to communicate without needing technical ja…

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Unlocking Vibrato: Why Forcing It Won’t Work 30:14

2M ago30:14

30:14

Vibrato gets overhyped, overcoached, and misunderstood. But here’s the thing… You don’t need to create vibrato—you need to release it. This episode breaks down what vibrato actually is (and what it isn’t), why trying to “make it happen” never works, and how a little silliness might be your fastest shortcut to unlocking it. You’ll hear our favorite …

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Studio Sessions: Why Singing At 80% Should Be Your New 100% With Rachel Beasley 1:09:19

2M ago1:09:19

1:09:19

Rachel’s a trained singer with years of experience—but when it came to high notes, she was still working too hard. Her volume would creep from 30% to 90% before the chorus even hit, leaving her voice tired and out of room to grow. We focused on lowering effort, reducing breath pressure, and unlocking her mix with targeted “puffer fish” and “Sisi” e…

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Music & Medicine: The Importance Of Music For Our Health with Dr. Goyal 56:54

2M ago56:54

56:54

Music isn’t just a creative outlet—it’s a powerful tool for emotional regulation, mental health, and even brain development in children. Dr. Shreya Goyal shared how singing helps her stay grounded in a demanding career and why music is essential for processing emotion. We covered the link between music and the brain, how creativity balances high-pr…

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What Singing With Support Actually Means 48:27

2M ago48:27

48:27

Contemporary singing shouldn’t constantly feel like a full-body workout—and if it does, you’re probably overdoing it. In this episode, we’re breaking down the real difference between support, control, and squeezing. You’ll learn why your diaphragm isn’t involved, and how smart engagement (not force) unlocks real vocal freedom. There’s also an air h…

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The Art of Dynamic Singing With Versatility Expert Coach Bri 1:06:30

2M ago1:06:30

1:06:30

Tone is one of the most underrated skills in singing. Everyone talks about hitting the right notes—but what about the way you sing them? Coach Bri and I dove into the middle part of vocal development: tone, dynamics, stylization, and shaping your sound. We talk about what makes a voice sound compelling (not just correct), and how to bring out more …

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Collaboration In Music: Bringing Out Each Other’s Strengths with Spencer Lynn 1:25:20

2M ago1:25:20

1:25:20

Spencer Lynn is a singer, actor, and writer who has spent his life in creative spaces—from childhood musicals to writing three full-length shows during his graduate studies at NYU. In this conversation with longtime friend Coach Emily and myself, Spencer shares how collaboration, self-awareness, and embracing your own artistic strengths can reshape…

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Distortion 101: The Healthy Way To Add Grit 28:40

2M ago28:40

28:40

Vocal distortion might sound intense—but done correctly, it’s not about screaming or wrecking your voice. It's about adding texture, edge, and emotion safely. I sat down with Coach Emily to break down what distortion actually is (and what it isn’t). This isn't a guide for death metal vocals—but it’s perfect if you're a pop, rock, musical theatre, o…

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Studio Sessions: One Small Change Can Throw Everything Off with Jess Jones 1:18:17

2M ago1:18:17

1:18:17

Singer-songwriter Jess Jones brings in his original track “Selena”—and we work through some of the biggest shifts he’s made since first recording it in 2019. From cleaning up pitch to unlocking a fuller tone (without extra force), this session is all about finding strength in ease. We try a few go-to exercises, skip the ones that don’t click (puffe…

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Singing, Sailing & Staying Sane: Life as a Traveling Performer With Sam Bello 1:08:55

2M ago1:08:55

1:08:55

What’s it really like performing around the world as a full-time singer and actor? Sam Bello opens up about life on the road—from national tours to performing on cruise ships across the Middle East, Europe, and the Caribbean. We talk about how she balances the vocal demands of doing 8 shows a week, how she recovers between contracts, and what it’s …

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What Is Twang & How To Use It Without Sounding Nasal 25:47

2M ago25:47

25:47

Twang is one of the most underrated vocal tools out there. It adds brightness, helps your sound cut through, and gives you more power—without pushing or yelling. But how do you actually use it? And how much is too much? Coach Emily and I walk through what twang actually is, how it works in your voice, and where it shows up in songs. We break down t…

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Control Your Power & Sing Like Whitney Houston | Studio Session with Singer Brandi 1:19:25

2M ago1:19:25

1:19:25

If you know me at all, you’ve probably heard me say that you don’t have to get louder to sing high with power. But singer Brandi took this to a while other level - Girl’s got PIPES! She almost blew me away with all that power and volume in our coaching session. Controlling the volume in these high notes is the key to longevity and stamina in your v…

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Stop Playing for Exposure: Build a Career That Pays With Indie Band Coach 1:28:46

3M ago1:28:46

1:28:46

Still playing for free? It might be time for a mindset - and systems - upgrade. I sat down with Leonard Patterson—aka The Indie Band Coach—to talk about what it actually takes to get paid for your music. From building a pitch-ready brand to using QR codes, gig cards, and automations, this is your roadmap to stop working for exposure and start build…

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When You Can Do It In The Exercise But Not In The Song 22:49

3M ago22:49

22:49

You nailed the vocal exercise. Your voice feels free, balanced, and connected… until you start singing your actual song—and it all disappears. This episode breaks down why that disconnect happens and how to fix it. The VTS coaching team (Lara, Coach Emily, Coach Juliana, Coach Bri, and Coach Kate) explain how to bridge the gap between exercises and…

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Stepping Outside Of My Comfort Zone To Expand My Repertoire With Coach Kate 1:29:10

3M ago1:29:10

1:29:10

Meet VTS coach Kate! She coaches me through 3 completely different songs I’ve never worked on before, helping me step outside of my normal comfort zone. We cover specific vocal habits like tongue placement, vowel shaping, and how to apply technique directly to music. Kate also shares her background and approach to coaching, making this a useful wat…

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How To Support Your Kids In Music - A Conversation With My Parents 1:24:32

3M ago1:24:32

1:24:32

I’ve always known how lucky I am to have parents who believed in my dream — even when it didn’t look practical or promising. Their support gave me the freedom to take music seriously, to treat it like a real path instead of just a hobby. Of course, it hasn’t always been easy. Even with support, choosing a creative path comes with doubt, fear, and a…

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Why Singing On Pitch Is Harder Than Most People Think 38:33

3M ago38:33

38:33

Struggling with pitch doesn’t mean you’re tone deaf. Most of the time, it means you just haven’t trained your brain, ears and/or vocal folds yet. Pitch is learnable—and with the right tools, anyone can improve. In this conversation, we break down why pitch issues happen, how long it actually takes to improve, what to do if you’ve been told (or told…

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Studio Sessions: Sounding More Powerful The Sustainable Way with Singer Ali 1:07:56

3M ago1:07:56

1:07:56

What if singing powerfully had less to do with pushing, and more to do with control? Ali came in thinking she needed to “do more” with her voice—but what really changed things was doing less. This coaching session shows what happens when a singer shifts their focus from volume to balance, and learns how to smooth out their sound without losing stre…

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Going To Musical Theatre School: Who Should Go & What Happens After 48:25

3M ago48:25

48:25

I went to musical theatre school over 10 years ago, and it was a wild ride—from combat and dance classes to putting on shows and filming movie musicals. It wasn’t a walk in the park, but it definitely shaped who I am as a performer. I recently got in touch with some of my old classmates to see where their career is at now and what they’ve learned s…

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The Kind Of Vocal Anatomy That Will Help You Sing (And Teach!) Better 33:59

3M ago33:59

33:59

Starting voice training can feel overwhelming, especially when everything’s wrapped in scientific terms no one remembers. Most singers don’t need to memorize words like “thyroarytenoid” or “cricothyroid” to improve their voice. What actually helps? Understanding what your vocal muscles do — not what they’re called. I sat down with VTS coach Kate, a…

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Ethics In Art & Music – Reddit AITA Stories for Singers 32:25

3M ago32:25

32:25

What happens when creative collaboration crosses a line? In this episode, I sat down with Coach Juliana to read and react to some of the most dramatic, cringe-worthy, and thought-provoking AITA (Am I The Ahole) posts from Reddit, all with an artistic twist. We cover: The ethics of using someone else’s poetry for your songs How to set boundaries in …

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Mental Health, Music & Community with Artist and VTS Student Ari Welkom (aka Avatari) 1:15:00

3M ago1:15:00

1:15:00

This week on From Singer to Artist, we’re joined by actor, artist, and VTS student Ari Welkom, aka Avatari, for a powerful conversation about music, healing, and being real. After struggling with addiction, Ari found his way back to himself through music—and created Mental Health & Music, a collaborative space for artists to talk about the connecti…

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Chest, Mix & Head Voice: Navigating Your Vocal Registers For A Smooth Voice 27:23

3M ago27:23

27:23

Frustrated about that crack in the middle of your voice? That happens when you’re abruptly switching from one register to the next. Understanding your registers - chest voice, head voice and mix voice - and what happens when you crack is going to be key to smooth out your break and make it seem like you have one seamless voice. Let’s talk about the…

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Studio Sessions: Increasing Vocal Stamina With Singer Cam 58:00

3M ago58:00

58:00

Singing live can be brutal—especially when you’re not used to it or you took a break for a while. I worked with singer Cam - who’s an experienced performer, but took a long break from performing live - to help him build up his stamina again. We quickly realized that working on singing as effortlessly as possible and reducing tongue tension will be …

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Writing Songs For Your Voice: What Makes A Song Great With Logan Grimé 1:10:00

3M ago1:10:00

1:10:00

What actually makes a great song? In this episode of From Singer to Artist, I caught up with Logan Grimé—aka @vib3.machine—to talk all things songwriting: where to start, what makes a song really great and how to write songs for your own voice. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the writing process, this conversation is here to help you simplify an…

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Having an Off Day Vocally? Try This Warm-Up for Tired Voices 53:42

4M ago53:42

53:42

Crappy voice day? Same. We all experience them from time to time. Let me walk you through what I do when my voice feels stiff, heavy, tired or just off. Whether you’re coming off a long day of singing, didn’t sleep well, or forgot to do a cooldown the day before, this gentile yet extensive warm-up is for you. 👉 Want to make practicing easier? Grab …

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How to Sing the Songs You Write: Singer-Songwriter Examples & Coaching 43:59

4M ago43:59

43:59

We’re back with a deep-dive Vocal Evaluation episode—perfect for singer-songwriters ready to elevate how they perform their own music. I’m coaching submissions from artists performing songs they wrote themselves, tackling common challenges like emotional disconnect, technical uncertainty, and even some songwriting tips. Whether you’re a seasoned so…

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From Fighting Your Voice To Exploring It With VTS Student Michael Graetzer 1:06:09

4M ago1:06:09

1:06:09

Vocal struggles don’t always show up in the high notes. For Michael, the hardest part of his voice wasn’t the top or bottom—it was the middle. In this episode, we sit down with VoxTape student Michael Graetzer and his coach Emily for a raw, honest look at what it’s like to work through a vocal sticking point—specifically the passaggio. We talk abou…