Unleash Your Inner Karaoke Star with Confidence! 🎤

Ever felt like the only one not enjoying karaoke night? You're not alone. Picture this: the room is filled with cheers and applause as people belt out popular hits from Whitney Houston, Adele, and Broadway classics. But when it's your turn, crickets.

Don't worry, it's time to change that!

As an opera singer and voice teacher, I've helped many karaoke lovers transform their vocal skills and confidence. Now, it's your turn to slay the karaoke stage and be the life of the party!

Here are some steps to get started:

1. Here’s the most important thing…. Choose a song that suits you. Find a karaoke track that fits your vocal range and style, and practice singing along at home. This will help you feel more prepared and confident when you hit the stage.

2. Invest in voice lessons. A professional voice teacher can guide you in improving your singing skills. Good news - I've created an online course called Sing with Josh that offers the best and most affordable access to world-class singing techniques! Check it out here: www.singwithjosh.com

3. Practice with proper technique. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. But to truly improve, it's essential to practice using the right techniques. If you're unsure about your technique, refer to step #2!

This advice isn't just for karaoke lovers - it's applicable to school musicals, community theater, auditions, and more. With a little effort, you can be the star you were always meant to be!

And if you're interested in taking voice lessons with me, check out the following link:

​https://www.singwithjosh.com/​

Here's to your future karaoke triumphs!

Josh

Sing your heart out (even if you're scared to death)

Lately, I've had two personalities - Real Josh and Virtual Josh.

Real Josh teaches in-person singing lessons (among other things) at my private vocal studio, Boulder Voice Lessons.

Boulder Voice Lessons hosts a live recital each semester at a great local theatre, and our most recent recital was a tremendous success!

I am always impressed by the profound artistry of the singers.

After the recital, one of the singers told me, "Did you notice that I had a full-blown panic attack while I was singing?"

Another student said, "I can't believe how different performing live is than practicing alone."

And later, another student said, "I need more [performing live] exposure therapy! I want to feel more comfortable on stage."

It's completely normal to feel nervous about performing in front of an audience, especially if it's your first time or if you're performing a new piece. Here are a few things you can try to help calm your nerves:

• Practice, practice, practice: The more familiar you are with your material, the more confident you will feel when it's time to perform.

• Visualize yourself succeeding: Before the performance, take a few minutes to close your eyes and imagine yourself performing well. This can help build confidence and calm your nerves.

• Take deep breaths: Deep breathing can help relax your body and calm your mind. Take a few deep breaths before you go on stage to help manage your nerves.

• Before the song starts, think about the first lyric - once you start singing the first line, the rest of the lyrics will come to you.

• Remember that it's okay to make mistakes: Nobody is perfect, and it's okay to make mistakes! Remind yourself that it's the effort and dedication that counts, and that the audience is there to support and appreciate you!

You don't have to perform in a recital to use these steps for success. Before you sing at the campfire, a family gathering, or just with your friends, take a breath, think of the first lyric, and get goin'.

Oh yeah, my other personality - virtual Josh! He has a fantastic voice-building course that will improve all aspects of your singing.

Don't let your love of singing go unfulfilled. Take the first step towards realizing your potential and sign up for our self-paced course at the Sing with Josh Online Vocal Academy today.

Real Josh and Virtual Josh can't wait to help you shine on stage (or in the comfort of your own home or car)!

Josh

Singing Lessons from Beyond the Grave

Here's a history lesson for yuz!

Modern vocal technique is passed down from the giants before us.

Among the many giants, Robert Merrill might cast the longest shadow.

Thanks to YouTube, we have easy access to recordings of these masters that used to walk the earth.

My favorite Robert Merrill recording is right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzWa4Xi8inI

Mr. Robert Merrill sings "Avant De Quitter Ces Lieux" from Gounod's Faust.

This video is a masterclass in:

• Legato Singing - smooth and connected vowels are gliding into consonants.

• Bel Canto technique - he's "sliding" between each note with ease.

• Diction - the vowels are clear - no distortion.

• Performance - he lets his voice tell the story, rather than running all over the place "acting."

I could listen to that recording all day!

When he wasn't singing at the Metropolitan Opera, Robert Merrill was even a New York Yankee, singing the National Anthem at Yankee Stadium for over three decades. Mr. Merrill passed away in 2004.

You'll hear this same technique with great pop, folk, or rock singers, but with less intensity.

The Sing with Josh Vocal Academy is rooted in this classical technique, which provides a healthy way to sing for the rest of your life!

Learn more about the course here: https://www.singwithjosh.com/

"If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out"

- Cat Stevens

Best,

Josh

Diagnose your Voice

I'm not a doctor, and I don't play one on TV, but many students have come to me to help diagnose vocal damage symptoms.

Hoarseness, an overly breathy tone, fatigue when singing, and throat discomfort can all be signs of vocal damage.

When I listen to a singer, my mind is going a million miles an hour analyzing the sounds I hear.

If I hear a distorted vowel, we stop and correct it.

If I hear a breathy tone, we back up and find an alternative route to get to a clear sound. The process goes on and on.

Teaching is like following a treasure map; there are pitfalls and detours, but there are also rainbows and gold along the way!

Recently, my long-time mentor and advisor had a stroke which has resulted in Aphasia. It's very sad...

As I was visiting him, I found myself jumping into vocal therapy. If there were a word he couldn't say, we would stop, detour, and find another way to pronounce it.

Many of my private students might struggle with speaking consonant clusters or vowels, which also presents itself in the singing voice.

Through working on these concepts, the speaking voice becomes clear and confident!

The voice is fascinating, and I've devoted most of my life to trying to understand it.

My course is different from other online singing courses because I am involved.

I teach the online group classes.

I teach the private consultation.

And, your voice is diagnosed by my 10,000+ hours of experience.

Learn more about the course here: https://www.singwithjosh.com/

Best, Best, Best,

Josh

Singin' in the South

For a while there, most excuses in the world - especially in the South, started with the words, "Because of Covid." Although, with a Southern accent, it usually comes out, "Cuz' uh Covid."

I grew up in Alabama, and I do luv me a Southern accent.

When I visited recently, I asked my musician brother, "Why are there so many great musicians in the South?"

He thought for a while and said, "Ya know, I think it's the Bible Belt, and so many people go to church every week."

In a church setting, it's ok to sing loud - to raise your voice in song. It's ok to play the piano, guitar, or any instrument, loudly. You're there to play loudly and to make "a joyful noise."

Heck, I grew up going to church every week - my daddy was an Episcopal priest, and we had an operatic baritone that was our song leader. I was about ten years old and used to imitate him at church. My Mama would look at me with a raised eyebrow and say "Don't make fun!"

I would say, "I'm nawt!" (As any 10-year-old would say, no matter the accusation.)

Being the Son of a Preacher Man was... interesting - but more on that later.

This is not an email about anyone needing to go to church, but when people gather and raise their voices in song, it makes you a better singer.

And we're here to make you a better singer.

So, if you're not the church-going type, or everyone mumbles the songs softly in your church, here is a recipe to fast-track your voice to greatness:

• Join a great choir.

• I think a community choir that sings with other ensembles, like a local orchestra is one of the best. They almost always have great conductors, they work on challenging classical music, and you'll get decent vocal instruction and a weekly opportunity to practice.

• If you join a choir, you'll have a good reason to work on your voice between rehearsals.

• You'll want to improve your voice because parts of the repertoire will be difficult for you. Difficult is good!

Great boxers work with great trainers.

Great singers work with great teachers.

No matter your goal, you want to work with the best.

My students have been "doin real good" lately. Some symptoms of improvement are:

• Singing ranges are expanding

• Singing with confidence

• Getting cast in local shows

• Placed in local choirs

• And, just singing the way they've always wanted!

It's so cliche to say this, but, Amazing Things are Happening!

Click here for more info: ​​​www.singwithjosh.com

Best,

Josh

A Few Karaoke Ideas for You 🤘

Does this scene seem familiar to you? I know it does for me.

Scene 1: Choose a song for Karaoke

"Hey, what song are you gonna pick for 'roke?"

Singer sitting in the booth is brooding... brooding...

"Not sure."

[20 minutes later]

"Still not sure."

[End of scene]

I'm asking all my friends, buddies, and students what their go-to Karaoke song is this week.

I don't want anyone to have the excuse: "I can't find a song!"

So, here are a few ideas:

Male voices:

"MMmmmm" - Crash test dummies

"New York, New York - Sinatra (or any Sinatra)

"Wicked Game" - Chris Issak

Any Bee Gees tune (Use head voice to wow the crowd!)

Low Female Voices:

"You Don't Own Me" - Lesley Gore

"Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" - Marilyn Monroe

"Champagne Problems" - Taylor Swift

"Lost Boy" Ruth B.

"Sampson" - Regina Spektor (Such a great tune!)

Rock Tenor Tunes:

Any Rage Against the Machine tune

Any Nirvana tune

Bonus - the most hilarious duet:

"Total Eclipse of the Heart"

Ok! Go forth and Rock!

Click here for more info: https://singwithjosh.com/​

Best,

Josh

Confident Singing for Kids 🎤

Hey there!

Once upon a time, I was a young, enthusiastic singer in Cleveland, Ohio, wearing a teal sequined vest, white pants, and white shoes. I was a proud member of the Singing Angels - a youth performing choir. We "step-clicked" our way through northeastern Ohio, performing high-quality music and creating lasting memories.

The Singing Angels gave me a tremendous foundation in singing and performing when I was just a kid. These dayz, I'm on a mission to share my knowledge and experience with young aspiring singers like my younger sequined self.

I teach tons of kids these days, and to make my teaching even more accessible, I've created a 9-part mini-series on YouTube. This series is a fun, engaging way to gain confidence in singing and learn world-class techniques and tips.

Watch the first episode here.

If you'd like to dive deeper into the confidence-building techniques I teach, check out www.singwithjosh.com. Together, we'll help your inner Singing Angel soar to new heights!

Keep singing!

Josh

5 Minutes to Stress Reduction

It seems all of us have never been busier. 

Practicing your art is probably not at the top of the to-do list! 

It is somewhere on there, though, or we wouldn't be chattin' it up right now. 

So, here's a checklist of how to practice singing in 5 minutes:

• Breath

• Breath some more

• Breath before you sing

• Keep breathing while you sing

• Enjoy the stress reduction

• Enjoy the oxygen high

• Repeat tomorrow

I just made a video on YouTube that walks you through this. 

Bookmark it and sing along during your day for the singing version of mood-enhancing drugs!

Get your Stress Reductions singing warmup here on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LcTo52LZe5E

If you want to dive deeper into the technique and get the most out of your warmups, check out the full Sing with Josh course here: https://www.singwithjosh.com/

I Am Not Throwin' Away My... Shot

Two weekends ago, we saw Opera Colorado's production of The Shining.

This past weekend, we saw the national tour of Hamilton.

Live theatre is fantastic. The electricity in the audience for Hamilton was spellbinding. People were screaming in joy. The actors lit up the stage, and I had a smile on my face for 3 hours.

The Shining was more like being in a museum, like looking at a piece of great art. It commanded respect and rapt attention.

Opera singers don't use microphones, and Musical Theatre singers use microphones.

Because of that, the whole medium changes.

A "no microphone" vocal production has to be different to be heard over an orchestra and to be projected to the back of the house.

There were some fantastic singers in Hamilton. Some of their bios even said they trained classically.

Classical vocal training allows you to sing everything. You can sing pop, rap, rock, opera, jazz, or whatever you want. All you have to do is adjust the vowel production for the genre you are singing.

The Vocal Academy at Sing with Josh stems from my 20 years as a professional singer in New York City and around the world. The curriculum is based on my education at Manhattan School of Music and the world-class teachers and coaches I have studied.

Not only will you get an excellent singing education through the Sing with Josh online course, but you will start to recognize the subtleties that make other singers great (or not great!). You'll start to enjoy live performances more because you'll identify vocal technique in action.

This technique changed my life. I'm excited to see how it will change yours!

Sign up here: https://www.singwithjosh.com/

Benefits In All The Wrong Places

Yesterday was an exercise in lemons out of lemonade.

The car wouldn't start, but my amazing neighbor rescued us and took the kids to school. We had a great conversation during the commute.

The dishwasher leaked and the kitchen flooded with water, but Rod, our contractor, went to YouTube University and fixed it.

A dear old friend of mine was going through a rough patch and said a few choice words to me, but it motivated me to write an original song about his situation. (demo releasing soon!)

And then, I started teaching.

I guided students through breathing exercises, which helped steady my nerves.

I got to sing all day by demonstrating vocal technique, which improved my mood.

One student recorded Moon River and Illicit Affairs while I played piano and helped produce the track on Ableton. It felt great.

A simple 5-minute singing warm-up can calm your nerves, change your mood, and give you some inspiration.

If you could bottle those benefits, you could make millions of people happy.

Wait, I think we already did that.

It's all here in the Sing with Josh online course.

It's more than just a singing course.

Inside The Vocal Academy, You Will:

• Learn professional techniques for every level of singing

• Develop the muscles that directly control your singing voice

• Develop your chest and falsetto registers and learn to coordinate between the two voices

• Overcome your fears of singing

• Learn vowels, vocal anatomy, ear training, breathing for singing, emoting, and performance skills

• Professional, hands-on guidance with an optional private lesson and four months of group coaching

• Apply your technique to songs you love

• Learn to experience the pure freedom of singing well

Read more about it here: https://www.singwithjosh.com/

Please let me know if you have any questions.

My wife can't stand Kevin Costner

I'm not sure why, but Rebecca just can't deal with Kevin Costner movies.

It's become a running joke for us.

"Should we watch Waterworld tonight? I heard it's awesome."

"Hey, the kids won't be home for 3 hours - wanna watch Dances with Wolves?"

Yeah, right.

My favorite Kevin Costner movies are a close call.

Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, or, Field of Dreams.

"If you build it, he will come."

That's the famous line from Field of Dreams.

I've always thought of that line whenever I would work on something.

I thought, if I worked hard enough on whatever it was, it would work out.

It's usually true.

Ray Liotta was the "coach" in Field of Dreams. Throughout the movie, he helped our friend Kevin like the friendly ghost he was.

He would pop out of the creepy cornfield with some wise adage, and Kevin would get back to work, tearing up his farm. Thankfully, it worked out in the end.

Everyone needs a coach, and a good coach is hard to find.

I've studied with SO many vocal coaches and teachers, and I feel like I'm that Ray Liotta ghost, wandering out of a digital cornfield, saying to you, "If you build it, they will come."

If you build your voice like I know you've always wanted to, you will find a bit of fulfillment.

I see it all the time with my students, and I'll be here for you along the way to make sure you stay on the vocal path.

The Sing with Josh online course is designed to make sure you feel comfortable in your vocal progression.

If you have a question, just call out my name (or drop me an email - that might work better).

Build yourself a better voice today.

Get started here: https://www.singwithjosh.com/

Last call to save $100 at Sing with Josh

Hello friends, just a quick note that our 20% off sale is ending today.

If you've wanted to introduce your vocal cords to the Sing with Josh Vocal Academy, this is an excellent opportunity to do it.

So many perks, so little time!

• Lifetime access to the curriculum

• Learn at your own pace

• Four months of live group classes

• Optional private lessons with me

• Performance opportunities and much more!

Grab the sale here before 11 AM Mountain Time on March 9th:

https://www.singwithjosh.com/

Only 2 days left to save $100

"I wish life was not so short... Languages take such a time, and so do all the things one wants to know about."

J. R. R. Tolkien

A student posted this quote the other day, and it made me realize how many things I want to learn more deeply:

• Spanish

• Martial Arts

• Piano

But, the Vocal Academy at Sing with Josh works on your time.

Our self-paced curriculum never goes away. How does lifetime access sound?

Our practice schedule will help you parcel out moments in your day to practice.

And, you'll get extra inspirational videos and tidbits of vocal insights from me.

Live classes are optional and recorded for your convenience.

But, the sale is going away in two days!

Sign up here: https://www.singwithjosh.com/

Volcanos of bubbles in the bathroom

"Um, Josh, did you put bubbles in the toilet? Because there is, like, a volcano of bubbles coming out of the toilet," my wonderful red-headed wife says to me.

"Huh?" I mutter in confusion and saunter over to the bathroom. 

I mean, sometimes, sure, I put some bubbles in the toilet to keep things interesting, but surely there can't be bubbles exploding out of the toilet.

Lo and behold, in our construction zone of a bathroom, there are more bubbles than I have ever seen seeping, oozing, really, out of the toilet. 

My first thought is the bubbles will clean the caulk and drywall dust for me, but then I remember that two red-headed twin boys are taking a bubble bath upstairs.   

"Booooooooooooooys!" I holler in my chest-coordinated baritone.

The water stops running, and they hobble down in their bubble suits and start cleaning up the art exhibit. 

I should have taken a photo. 

Anyway, the moral of the story is: Chest Voice is for Hollering.

One must strengthen and train the chest voice to be heard over a gushing bathtub full of bubbles. Or an Orchestra, for that matter!

The chest voice is for hollering! Use it or lose it, I say. 

If you want to get your hollering on and save a potential bubble catastrophe, slide on over to the Vocal Academy at Sing with Josh. 

Hurry on up; there's a sale happening for the next 5 days. 

After that, the sale will disappear like Bubbles sprayed by Isopropyl Alcohol. (Did you know that? Many thanks to my Mother-in-law!)

Get your elite vocal technique here: https://www.singwithjosh.com/

P.S. This story reminds me of "Singing in the Bathtub," as sung by the fabulous Mandy Patinkin (we have another great tale about him, too!)

The most nervous I've ever been!

A group of tough-looking Jets was standing stage right at Carnegie Hall. My destination at center stage was a good 50 feet away. The New York Philharmonic started playing "When you're a Jet," and I had about 15 seconds to get there to start singing my solo. 

There was a tiny walkway between the violins and the lip of the stage. 

The sold-out audience at Carnegie Hall was to the right, and the New York Philharmonic crushing the score of Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story Suites was on the left. 

One Billion Butterflies were flying around in my stomach. 

And, I walked stone-cold to Center Stage and sang my guts out. 

After the show, my singing hero at the time, Thomas Hampson, big hair and all shook my hand and said, "Great job."

I was nervous. I was terrified. But, I kept going. 

Preparation is critical for any endeavor. Singing is a little different, though, and it takes a little longer to prepare.The opportunities that help you prepare for big gigs are few and far between. 

You might not be singing at Carnegie Hall tomorrow or next year, but what about that audition for a community theatre, school play, or just a family concert in the living room? 

I want to help you prepare for those moments when you want to stand up and sing. 

The nerves might be there, but you can keep going too. (It helps to walk slowly!)

The Vocal Academy at Sing with Josh will help you become a better singer.

Learn more about it here: https://www.singwithjosh.com/

Keep Calm and Sing On!