Broadway Vocal Coach

Co-host Chelsea Wilson is joined by two very wise parents on today's episode! Rachel Hart Klayman is from Ann Arbor, MI and is the mom of a sophomore acting student at NYU. And Erica Fischer is from Ames, IA and the mom of a senior in high school. At two very different points in the journey (a sigh of relief for Rachel and deep breaths during a stressful waiting season for Erica!), they share their hard-won wisdom about the college musical theatre audition process.

We cover it all: Self-care for parents, parent Facebook groups, schools lists, passing prescreens, whether to travel to schools or attend Unifieds, what to wear and why it matters, whether to work with a coaching program, and how to deal with rejection.

This episode is packed with actionable insights and heartfelt advice for parents and students alike. Subscribe to the Broadway Vocal Coach Podcast and stay tuned for more inspiring episodes!

⭐️Use the code PODCAST15 to save 15% on BVC Academy & BVC Masterclass
🎓College MT Auditions? Save your spot for Aspire 2025 here!
6 ways to work with us:

• 🎭 BVC Academy: Online course to shed imposter syndrome and develop practical musical theatre skills
• 🗣 BVC Masterclass: The subscription that gets you 3, live classes each month
• 🎓 BVC Aspire: Full-service, boutique musical theatre college audition prep program.
• 💙 Master Your Mix: Build your mix voice so you can sing what you want, when you want.
• 🎤 Pop Rock Essentials: The must-have course if you've ever been told you sound "too musical theatre!"
• 🙌 BVC Studio: Exclusive membership for adult MT performers.

📱Connect with us @bwayvocalcoach
👩‍💻Find us at www.bwayvocalcoach.com
💌Get our free Wednesday newsletter

It takes specialized training, a supportive community, and a lot of heart to pursue your dreams.

If you dream of creating a fulfilling theatre career but aren’t sure where to start or how to take the next step, we get it! There’s no easy roadmap to success in this industry!

That’s why we created Broadway Vocal Coach. At BVC, we help musical theatre performers get unstuck and take the next step in their careers.

Meet your hosts: Cynthia Kortman Westphal, a Broadway music director, conductor, voice coach, and tenured faculty member at the top musical theatre program in the country.

And Chelsea Wilson, a performer turned voice teacher to Broadway stars, and vocal coach on Broadway productions like THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, SCHOOL OF ROCK, and more.

We know what it takes to make it on Broadway because we've been there ourselves. We've mentored hundreds of artists on their journey to creating performing careers and can't wait to help you.

Here on the Broadway vocal Coach podcast you can expect real talk about the business, practical advice, and constant encouragement. We believe there’s space for every artist in this industry- all you need is the right support! Consider us your two-woman hype team!

Thanks for listening to the Broadway Vocal Coach Podcast, where we help musical theatre performers get unstuck and take the next step in their careers.

⭐️Use the code PODCAST15 to save 15% on BVC Academy & BVC Masterclass
🎓College MT Auditions? Save your spot for Aspire 2025 here!
6 ways to work with us:

• 🎭 BVC Academy: Online course to shed imposter syndrome and develop practical musical theatre skills
• 🗣 BVC Masterclass: The subscription that gets you 3, live classes each month
• 🎓 BVC Aspire: Full-service, boutique musical theatre college audition prep program.
• 💙 Master Your Mix: Build your mix voice so you can sing what you want, when you want.
• 🎤 Pop Rock Essentials: The must-have course if you've ever been told you sound "too musical theatre!"
• 🙌 BVC Studio: Exclusive membership for adult MT performers.

📱Connect with us @bwayvocalcoach
👩‍💻Find us at www.bwayvocalcoach.com
💌Get our free Wednesday newsletter

For many families, the process of applying to college musical theater programs is equal parts thrilling and terrifying. Navigating prescreens, choosing which schools to apply to, finding audition songs and monologues, and sorting out potentially dozens of different application requirements can feel entirely overwhelming. We get it! We’ve been on both sides of this process and we’ve got you covered. Today we are talking all about the logistics of how to prepare for college musical theater auditions.
Get our free Getting Started Guide and watch the recent Q&A webinar,
Join our Facebook group community for parents and students and join us for bi-weekly office hours calls.
Unsure if a BFA is right for you? Listen to episode 3 of the BVC Podcast: "Is a College Musical Theatre BFA Worth It?"

⭐️Use the code PODCAST15 to save 15% on BVC Academy & BVC Masterclass
🎓College MT Auditions? Save your spot for Aspire 2025 here!
6 ways to work with us:

• 🎭 BVC Academy: Online course to shed imposter syndrome and develop practical musical theatre skills
• 🗣 BVC Masterclass: The subscription that gets you 3, live classes each month
• 🎓 BVC Aspire: Full-service, boutique musical theatre college audition prep program.
• 💙 Master Your Mix: Build your mix voice so you can sing what you want, when you want.
• 🎤 Pop Rock Essentials: The must-have course if you've ever been told you sound "too musical theatre!"
• 🙌 BVC Studio: Exclusive membership for adult MT performers.

📱Connect with us @bwayvocalcoach
👩‍💻Find us at www.bwayvocalcoach.com
💌Get our free Wednesday newsletter

“That aspiration? Hell yes. Allow yourself to want all of it. Wake up every morning, take a deep breath, meditate, and see where you are that day, and where that day takes you. Then allow yourself to pursue it. As opposed to failing because not every single piece is in place yet."

Erin Dilly is a wife, mother, Broadway actor (with a Tony nomination!), TV/film actor, fierce friend, and dedicated teacher—she seemingly does have it all! And yet, there is always more to the story than the shiny parts we see on social media. On this podcast episode we talk all about the highs and lows of juggling intense ambition alongside the desire for relationships and a family. Erin has an openheartedness and honesty that will make you feel like you are wrapped in a warm blanket. For anyone who "wants it all", this conversation is for you!

⭐️Use the code PODCAST15 to save 15% on BVC Academy & BVC Masterclass
🎓College MT Auditions? Save your spot for Aspire 2025 here!
6 ways to work with us:

• 🎭 BVC Academy: Online course to shed imposter syndrome and develop practical musical theatre skills
• 🗣 BVC Masterclass: The subscription that gets you 3, live classes each month
• 🎓 BVC Aspire: Full-service, boutique musical theatre college audition prep program.
• 💙 Master Your Mix: Build your mix voice so you can sing what you want, when you want.
• 🎤 Pop Rock Essentials: The must-have course if you've ever been told you sound "too musical theatre!"
• 🙌 BVC Studio: Exclusive membership for adult MT performers.

📱Connect with us @bwayvocalcoach
👩‍💻Find us at www.bwayvocalcoach.com
💌Get our free Wednesday newsletter

"I really feel like I had two choices in that moment. And the first choice is to, you know, just panic and run off stage. And the second option is to just roll with it and realize you've already shown up."
This is what Broadway, National Tour, and West End star Desi Oakley thought to herself just before the curtain went up on her West End debut, only hours after landing in London and finding out she'd be leading the cast of Waitress that evening. A self-proclaimed "Jane of all Trades," Desi is an actor, singer-songwriter, recording artist, composer, and coach. In today's interview she talks about creating a life as a working artist by reaching out in the business, how she shows up authentically online, and the experience that forever changed the way she speaks to herself.
Find Desi Oakley at www.desioakley.com and on instagram @desioakley
Join us for our FREE College Audition Q&A Webinar on March 6th: bwayvocalcoach.com/college

⭐️Use the code PODCAST15 to save 15% on BVC Academy & BVC Masterclass
🎓College MT Auditions? Save your spot for Aspire 2025 here!
6 ways to work with us:

• 🎭 BVC Academy: Online course to shed imposter syndrome and develop practical musical theatre skills
• 🗣 BVC Masterclass: The subscription that gets you 3, live classes each month
• 🎓 BVC Aspire: Full-service, boutique musical theatre college audition prep program.
• 💙 Master Your Mix: Build your mix voice so you can sing what you want, when you want.
• 🎤 Pop Rock Essentials: The must-have course if you've ever been told you sound "too musical theatre!"
• 🙌 BVC Studio: Exclusive membership for adult MT performers.

📱Connect with us @bwayvocalcoach
👩‍💻Find us at www.bwayvocalcoach.com
💌Get our free Wednesday newsletter