Learn the ins and outs of the NEW American Idol audition process! Kyle Khou is a Casting Producer for American Idol and he gives the inside scoop into what to expect with auditioning for the show, how to help your students to succees in the process and how to encourage authenticity in your singers. This is a MUST Listen!

In this episode we are joined by the brilliant voice teacher and entrepreneur John Henny. We talk about... Getting started with teaching  Egos Peaks and Valleys Imposter syndrome Show people how you can help them Writing books Pomodoro technique Finishing big projects Investing in yourself Connecting with groups bigger than yourselves Reach John at https://johnhenny.com/ Find more about Sam Johnson at: www.vocalease.net and Aimee Geddes at www.breakthrough-studios.com Find the International Voice Teachers of Mix at: www.ivtom.org Intro and outro theme song: No Qualms. https://asharicrecords.com/studio and Maz Mazak www.mazmazak.com Download past IVTOM conference recordings to catch up on any knowledge you may have missed! www.ivtom.org/events

Aimee and Sam define Mix in their own way and use Beyonce and Krysta Rodriguez as prime examples.  Highlights include:  What is mix? What is not Mix?  The “Mix Tent”  The 0-10 scale Sam talks about the subtle transitions that happen on every note and how each note can be considered a bridge.  Krysta Rodriguez sings “Safer” and Aimee and Sam analyze her technique and point out how she handles using her mix on the higher notes without falling out.  Beyonce sings “Love on Top” and Sam and Aimee discuss her ability to ascend gradually, gaining intensity without falling out of place.  Really bad singing jokes that Sam and Aimee attempt.  Please like, subscribe and leave a 5 star review wherever you are listening to this! Find more about Sam Johnson at: www.vocalease.net and Aimee Geddes at www.breakthrough-studios.com Find the International Voice Teachers of Mix at: www.ivtom.org Intro and outro theme song:  No Qualms. https://asharicrecords.com/studio and Maz Mazak www.mazmazak.com  Download past IVTOM conference recordings to catch up on any knowledge you may have missed! www.ivtom.org/events

Aimee shares how helping a student use vocal fry and breathiness contributed to getting the student to sound more authentic.  Sam shares ideas on using natural sounds, even UGLY ones, to help students discover sounds that work for them.  The importance of teaching students to listen objectively to the sounds they make and label them without judging.  Awesome funny/ugly faces that students make. Sam and Aimee try to copy! Helping students use anxiety to tap into their character and feel real emotion.  Chip and Joanna Gaines inspired Aimee to strip away the “stuff” covering the voice, and restore the natural beauty just like the couple does with houses on “Fixer Upper.”  Why sounding just like Rhianna or Justin Timberlake or Pavoratti is pointless.  Loving your own voice for what it is. Teach your students to do the same.  Please like, subscribe, and leave a 5-star review wherever you are listening to this! Find more about Sam Johnson at: www.vocalease.net and Aimee Geddes at www.breakthrough-studios.com Find the International Voice Teachers of Mix at: www.ivtom.org Intro and outro theme song:  No Qualms. https://asharicrecords.com/studio and Maz Mazak www.mazmazak.com  Download past IVTOM conference recordings to catch up on any knowledge you may have missed! www.ivtom.org/events

Aimee got to improv for an 80s night and found out just how much she didn’t know!  Sam reminds her it’s ok to not know everything, and they have a lively discussion about how important it is to help students be ok with making ALL the sounds, not just the ones they think are “OK.” The difference between classically trained singers and pop singers when the improv.  Getting over the feeling of always having to do it “right.” False science and how we use it, regardless of whether or not it has been scientifically proven.   Helping students identify sounds and accepting them.  The similarities between cheerleading and singing (from a performing perspective.) How to let go and just be in the moment when you are singing.  How extremes make for more interesting singing.  Find more about Sam Johnson at: www.vocalease.net and Aimee Geddes at www.breakthrough-studios.com  Find the International Voice Teachers of Mix at: www.ivtom.org Intro and outro theme song:  No Qualms. https://asharicrecords.com/studio and Maz Mazak www.mazmazak.com  Download past IVTOM conference recordings to catch up on any knowledge you may have missed!

Sam and Aimee share insights into helping students make breakthroughs when you feel stuck.    Highlights include:    What to do when students become “unteachable” and stop listening to you.   Is it ok to suggest students take a lesson from another voice teacher?    Sometimes you have to keep doing what you are doing and it just needs more time.    Validating a student's desire to learn and sing even when little “talent” is apparent.    Aimee- Helping a Student who struggles matching pitch.   Sam- Helping a student struggling to connect to the bottom and find emotion.    Recognizing how difficult it may be for a student to open up emotionally and honoring that.    Aimee’s Cheerleading moment for all voice teachers!    Sam and Aimee have a Mini Sondheim Debate. To be continued…   Find more about Sam Johnson at: www.vocalease.net and Aimee Geddes at www.breakthrough-studios.com Find the International Voice Teachers of Mix at: www.ivtom.org   Intro and outro theme song:  No Qualms. https://asharicrecords.com/studio and Maz Mazak www.mazmazak.com    Download past IVTOM conference recordings to catch up on any knowledge you may have missed!   

Jon Shares his journey to becoming a Performance Psychologist and tools for teachers to successfully navigate lessons when they feel less than stellar   Mentioned on the show:   Imposter Syndrome   Dealing with your first response and how to let it go   The 5 Ands   It’s not about Mastery, it’s about running a “Practice” like a doctor   Ask yourself “How will this go?” Bring curiosity into your teaching.    Enjoying the journey   Moving the conversation forward as opposed to getting stuck with one answer.   Creating and stepping into your “Voice Teacher Character”    Success is students getting what they want from the experience.    Bridging the gap between expectation and reality.    Find Dr. Jon Skidmore at: https://www.jonskidmore.com/ Find more about Sam Johnson at: www.vocalease.net and Aimee Geddes at www.breakthrough-studios.com Find the International Voice Teachers of Mix at: www.ivtom.org   Intro and outro theme song:  No Qualms. https://asharicrecords.com/studio and Maz Mazak www.mazmazak.com  Download past IVTOM conference recordings to catch up on any knowledge you may have missed!

Aimee feels distraught after Sam’s IVTOM Master Class and Richard’s brilliant (yet moronic;) podcast.    Sam and Aimee discuss the fears that come along with teaching voice as well as being surrounded by incredible minds.    Dealing with anxiety and how it plays into teaching voice.    Finding strength when you feel weak.    “Choose your comparisons wisely” from:    The 100 Simple secrets of Happy People by David Niven   Find more about Sam Johnson at: www.vocalease.net and Aimee Geddes at www.breakthrough-studios.com Find the International Voice Teachers of Mix at: www.ivtom.org   Intro and outro theme song:  No Qualms. https://asharicrecords.com/studio and Maz Mazak www.mazmazak.com    Download past IVTOM conference recordings to catch up on any knowledge you may have missed!   

Transitioning to teaching online after thinking of himself as an “In-person” kind of guy.    How the voice and spirit are connected.     The tweak, proceed, tweak, proceed then retreat as needed process.    Getting the correct setup.    Benefits to using the full range of your voice throughout your life.   The “Octave Rule.”   Hormonal changes and how they affect our perception of the voice.   What makes a voice “big” or “small”: strength of the signal, vocal elasticity, size and density, Position of larynx.    Mechanics of the vocal fold tissue.   Medicines and their effect on the voice.  Maintaining the voice you’ve got to make it last.    The most impactful things Richard learned from the most impactful people in his life: To Have JOY! Find out more about Richard at:  Singing Voice Science workshop: www.singingvoicescience.com, June 7-9, 2023 Online   Find more about Sam Johnson at: www.vocalease.net and Aimee Geddes at www.breakthrough-studios.com Find the International Voice Teachers of Mix at: www.ivtom.org   Intro and outro theme song:  No Qualms. https://asharicrecords.com/studio and Maz Mazak www.mazmazak.com    Download past IVTOM conference recordings to catch up on any knowledge you may have missed!  Episode 12: Voice Teacher Insecurities   Aimee feels distraught after Sam’s IVTOM Master Class and Richard’s brilliant (yet moronic;) podcast.    Sam and Aimee discuss the fears that come along with teaching voice as well as being surrounded by incredible minds.    Dealing with anxiety and how it plays into teaching voice.    Finding strength when you feel weak.    “Choose your comparisons wisely” from:    The 100 Simple secrets of Happy People by David Niven   Find more about Sam Johnson at: www.vocalease.net and Aimee Geddes at www.breakthrough-studios.com Find the International Voice Teachers of Mix at: www.ivtom.org   Intro and outro theme song:  No Qualms. https://asharicrecords.com/studio and Maz Mazak www.mazmazak.com    Download past IVTOM conference recordings to catch up on any knowledge you may have missed! 

Mary Ann’s Journey from Computer Programmer to theater program director to world class voice teacher and IVTOM president.    Skills students need to be successful in a College Musical Theater Program or career: Work ethic, Intelligence, Talent.    Teaching students to interview universities not just be interviewed by them.    The 10,000 hour rule and paying attention.   Learning from Otolaryngologists.    Mental Visualization before choosing a show.    Find Mary Ann at: https://www.maryannkehler.com/   Find more about Sam Johnson at: www.vocalease.net and Aimee Geddes at www.breakthrough-studios.com Find the International Voice Teachers of Mix at: www.ivtom.org   Intro and outro theme song:  No Qualms. https://asharicrecords.com/studio and Maz Mazak www.mazmazak.com    Download past IVTOM conference recordings to catch up on any knowledge you may have missed!