• Successful Performances: What You Get Back

    It’s week 15: We’re almost there — the end of the Spring 2025 Training Term. Any recital performance –but especially your first one– is a major life goal and significant personal milestone But it’s important to understand that it’s not just about the accomplishment itself – it’s about the emotional and psychological bonuses that come…

  • Singing: ‘Soul Food’ for the Psyche

    That’s right: singing is more than just a form of artistic expression; you feed both your cognitive and emotional self by singing! And that can significantly enhance your well-being. From improving mental health to boosting brain function, research tells us that singing is a powerful tool for all kinds of personal development. Singing enhances cognitive…

  • Fear + Action = Results – Part II

    Personal Growth Through Live Performance Mastering Stage Presence A singer’s technical prowess may be impressive, but it is their stage presence that often leaves the most lasting impression on an audience. Live performances offer the opportunity to cultivate this essential skill—everything from body language to eye contact to the way a musician moves and interacts…

  • Fear + Action = Results

    There’s a reason the MaJoVTA Tagline is: “Real. Solid. Vocal Training That Works … When You Do.” It’s because, as Mark Twain famously said: “Do the thing you fear most and the death of fear is certain.” Sure – live performance can be fear-inducing and stress-y. But it is the heartbeat of any singer’s journey.…

  • Ready – S.E.T. – Go! – Part III

    “To be successful in life, you must get in the habit of turning negatives into positives.” ― George Foreman, Knockout Entrepreneur If anyone ought to know that this is true, it was George Foreman. Although he passed away this weekend, he left behind a legacy that most certainly embodies the three qualities of stamina, endurance…

  • Ready – S.E.T. – Go! – Part II

    Last week, we focused on the “S.” and “E.” parts of S.E.T. This week, let’s look at the last one “T.” Mental Toughness Years ago when on tour with FLIPSIDE: The Patti Page Story we played two very different venues on back-to-back nights. The first was the Kravitz Center in West Palm. A 1750-seat venue…

  • Ready – S.E.T. – Go!  – Part I

    MaJoVTA Members: It’s week 8 of our 15 week Spring Training Term. Are you feeling it? I sure am. In my experience, it’s always about this point in each Training Term where things can bog down a bit. Life intrudes: gigs come at us (gotta earn that $$$ yes?), family responsibilities pile up … the…

  • Sip, Gargle, Swish … Ahhhh!

    It’s that time of year! Persistent wet, cold weather drags on and on into early spring, and so do our allergy  and other symptoms. For singers, a sore throat can be a common yet uncomfortable ailment, often caused by viral infections, allergies, or irritants. While conventional medicine offers immediate relief through over-the-counter medications, many vocal…

  • Adapt, Overcome, Thrive – Part III – Overcoming Adaptation In Vocal Training

    Overcoming Adaptation in Vocal Training: Unlocking Your True Potential Part III   In this three-part series of blog posts, we’ve done the deep dive into what adaptation means in Vocal Training. I’ve worked with each of you individually to unpack and understand your own circumstances and how adaptation works in *your* vocal training regimen. Hopefully,…

  • What’s Your Rest and Recovery Regimen?

    Overcoming Adaptation in Vocal Training: Unlocking Your True Potential Part II Strategies to Overcome Adaptation In Vocal Training and Vocal Performance Change Your Vocal Training Program: Periodization: Implement a structured training plan that cycles through different phases (e.g., hypertrophy, strength, endurance). This can help prevent your body from becoming too comfortable. Used in sequence, the…