Broadway Vocal Coach

Ever notice that your voice feels solid in the practice room… but suddenly falls apart in auditions, rehearsals, or performances?
In this episode, Chelsea breaks down a frustrating experience many singers know well: when your technique seems to disappear the moment the stakes get higher. You’ll learn why this happens and how to build a vocal technique that actually translates from lessons → practice → performance.
Plus, as we start season five (!) we’re launching a brand new segment on the podcast: Office Hours!
In this first listener submission, Chelsea coaches singer Lisa La Colla through a challenging passage from Christine’s “Think of Me” from The Phantom of the Opera. 
If you’ve ever wondered why your voice behaves differently when the pressure is on, this episode will give you tools to troubleshoot what’s really going on.
And if you’d like to be featured in a future Office Hours segment, you can submit your own singing question or voice memo here: https://chelseawilsonvocalstudio.com/officehours
📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
💌 Get Chelsea's free Friday Newsletter

Can you believe we've made it to 100 episodes?! Neither can we!!
Today we're celebrating, but we're also sharing an important update about what’s next.
As Broadway Vocal Coach evolves, we’re closing this chapter of the podcast as you’ve known it. We're each moving on to new creative projects and our BVC live classes are coming to an end.
But the podcast isn’t going away! Instead, it’s entering a new era. ✨
Moving forward, Chelsea will continue the show as a solo host, expanding the conversations, bringing in new voices, and continuing the mission that started this whole project in the first place: helping musical theatre performers build strong voices, sustainable careers, and fulfilling artistic lives.
This episode is a celebration, a thank you, and a turning of the page!
And if you’ve been with us for one episode or all one hundred — we’re so glad you’re here.
💙 Connect with Chelsea directly @chwils
❤️ Connect with Cynthia directly @cynthkw
📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
💌 Get Chelsea's free Friday Newsletter

What do you do when your voice just… doesn’t feel right?
In this episode, we walk through exactly how to troubleshoot those frustrating days when your voice feels fuzzy, crunchy, tired, or unreliable — and how to know when it’s time to rest, adjust your technique, or call in professional help.
We cover:
How to go on a “fact-finding mission” instead of catastrophizing
The difference between a singing issue and a speaking fatigue issue
The usual suspects: sleep, hydration, hormones, stress, reflux, weather, and more
When to rest — and when to gently work through it
Why whispering is actually harder on your voice
The difference between steaming and nebulizing (and when to use each)
The “2-week rule” for seeing a laryngologist
The rare but important red flags
Why every serious singer should build a voice team before they’re in crisis
If you’re a performer, teacher, or professional voice user, this episode is your calm, practical roadmap for handling vocal uncertainty without spiraling!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
🎧 Episode 52: SOVT Exercises: What, Why, and How can singers use them?
🎤 Voice Team Locator : find a laryngologist or SLP near you
📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
💌 Get Chelsea's free Friday Newsletter

Self-tape takes aren’t rehearsal. They’re the performance!
In this episode, we're letting you in on our Self-Tape Survival Guide — from setup basics (lighting, sound, framing, eye line) to performance choices and the mindset shift that will save you hours of frustration.
You’ll learn:
How to condense physicality without shrinking intention
Why your takes get worse after take three (!)
How to declare your preparation complete
And how to send it in and let it go
Referenced episodes:
Episode 83 "Choreographing Attention" with Tom Lipinski
Episode 89 with Kate Lumpkin
Episode 73: Eight Dumb Mistakes That Are Ruining Your Self-Tapes
If you’ve ever spiraled into 27 takes, questioned your entire career after watching yourself back, or tried to “find it” while filming… This episode is for you.
📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
💌 Get Chelsea's free Friday Newsletter

Frigid winter weather, germs abound, and someone decided THIS is audition season?! 
Whether you’re a high school senior heading into college auditions or a professional preparing for a busy season of tapes and callbacks, this conversation is packed with practical, real-world vocal health strategies you can use any time your voice is under pressure. 
Aspire Program Director Julie Kavanagh sits down with BVC co-founder Chelsea Wilson to talk nerves, stamina, sickness, travel, warmups, and how to sing well even when conditions aren’t ideal.
You’ll hear us dive into:
How nerves physically affect your voice—and tools to manage them
Building vocal stamina in the weeks leading up to auditions
What to pack in your vocal health kit 
How to warm up on long or early travel days
What to do when you wake up congested or “not at your best”
Plus: Chelsea’s go-to grounding ritual, myths to ignore, and the mindset shift that helps singers perform with confidence—even on a 60% voice day.
Julie hosts more college audition-related conversations over on the NEW Aspire Youtube Channel! Support the show by hitting subscribe!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Vocal Health for College MT Auditions: Staying Strong in Not-So-Ideal ConditionsChelsea Wilson Vocal Studio Warm-Up Series - A set of 10-minute warmups for mix, legit, and belt—perfect for audition days. On sale thru Dec 31st.
FREE 10-Minute Mix Voice Mini-Lesson  - Chelsea’s guided warmup to help you activate your mix before auditions.
SOVT / Straw Work Resources - Listen to episode 54 the BVC Podcast for a deep dive! Use code "CHELSEA10" to get 10% off your Singing / Straw order: http://lddy.no/qfc8
📱Connect with @bwayvocalcoach and @chwils
👩‍💻Submit for Office Hours here
💌 Get Chelsea's free Friday Newsletter