We Help Singers

Episode summaryIn this episode, Steve Giles sits down with New York City voice teacher and performer Julian Morris to explore how modern singers are moving between styles more freely than ever, without having to “reinvent the wheel” each time. Julian breaks down his core teaching focus: building vocal options through a reliable foundational sound, then learning how to add colour, style, and intensity on purpose. They dig into how technique and expression can solve each other, how Julian approaches belt without the “loud and wide” trap, and what really changes when you shift between classical and contemporary singing. Julian also shares his take on teacher–student fit, performance mindset, and why joy has to stay at the centre of a lifelong singing journey.What we coverWhy genre boundaries are blurring—and what that means for singers who need flexibility across stylesHow to build vocal “options” so you can choose sound, colour, and intensity intentionallyBelt without the myths: high notes don’t have to mean “louder and wider,” and belting isn’t a voice typeSubscribe to the audio versionApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/we-help-singers/id1869107366Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/dc705e11-3f3c-44e0-83f5-35c23fd0c5e1/we-help-singersLinks & resourcesJulian Morris: https://www.julianmorrisvoice.com/We Help Singers: https://www.wehelpsingers.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wehelpsingersCall to actionIf this conversation helped you, follow the show on your podcast app and share this episode with a singer or coach who’d benefit. For clips and updates, follow us on Instagram.Apply to be a guestIf you’re a vocal coach and would like to apply to be a guest on the podcast, fill out the application form here: https://wehelpsingers.com/i-teach/CreditsGuest: Julian MorrisHost: Steve GilesEditor: Vedrana KatinicProducers: Luke Nederveen, Jono Hewlett-Davies

Episode summaryIn this episode, Steve Giles sits down with vocal coach John Henny to unpack what really drives vocal improvement at a high level, why vocal tract acoustics matter so much, how “ease” in the voice is often the result of better resonance balance, and why semi-occluded vocal tract exercises (like straws and lip trills) are so effective. They also explore the human side of teaching: why fit between teacher and student matters, how imagery can unlock coordination when technical cues fail, and where AI is likely to support (not replace) great voice teachers in the years ahead.What we coverWhy the voice is shaped as much by the vocal tract as by the vocal folds and why “sing from the vocal tract” is a useful reframePhonation Threshold Pressure (PTP): what it is, why lower effort matters, and how SOVT exercises helpThe “handover” between resonances/registers and how vowel tuning helps singers transition without pushingWhy minimal effort for maximum result is the goal—and why “tension-free singing” would just be silenceUsing imagery to bypass overthinking and improve coordination (expansion vs contraction, “above the note,” helium head)Why teacher–student connection is a competitive advantage that AI won’t replicateHow AI can reduce admin, accelerate learning, and even create powerful training tools without replacing the human in the roomWatch the full video:YouTube : https://youtube.com/@wehelpsingerspodSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mjWrEYI7gMT5gnBL9FDIq?si=ve8_6UrJT5iy7zEgSqjeGgLinks & resourcesJohn Henny: https://johnhenny.com/We Help Singers: https://www.wehelpsingers.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wehelpsingersCall to actionIf this conversation helped you, follow the show on your podcast app and share this episode with a singer or coach who’d benefit. For clips and updates, follow us on Instagram.Apply to be a guestIf you’re a vocal coach and would like to apply to be a guest on the podcast, fill out the application form here: https://wehelpsingers.com/i-teach/CreditsGuest: John HennyHost: Steve GilesEditor: Vedrana KatanicProducers: Luke Nederveen, Jono Hewlett-Davies

Episode summaryIn this episode, Steve Giles sits down with Sarah Algoet to explore teacher-student fit in voice training, why not every singer is the right match for every teacher and how self-reflection, willingness and clear communication can transform the learning process. They also unpack nervous system regulation, sustainable singing, hypermobility, performance anxiety and why guiding singers toward awareness is often more powerful than simply giving instructions.What we coverWhy teacher-student fit matters and how the wrong match can lead to frustration and burnoutThe role of accountability, willingness, and self-reflection in effective voice trainingWhy awareness and playful experimentation often lead to better learning than rigid instructionHow nervous system regulation can improve breathing, safety, and vocal freedomWhy values-based action is more useful than fear-based thinking in performanceSara’s work with hypermobile singers and why hypermobility is often misunderstood in voice trainingHow honest communication helps singers and teachers decide whether a working relationship is the right fitWatch the full video: YouTube : https://youtube.com/@wehelpsingerspod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mjWrEYI7gMT5gnBL9FDIq?si=ve8_6UrJT5iy7zEgSqjeGgLinks & resourcesSarah : https://singsing.be We Help Singers: https://www.wehelpsingers.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wehelpsingersCall to actionIf this conversation helped you, follow the show on your podcast app and share this episode with a singer or coach who’d benefit. For clips and updates, follow us on InstagramApply to be a guestIf you’re a vocal coach and would like to apply to be a guest on the podcast, fill out the application form here: https://wehelpsingers.com/i-teach/CreditsGuest: Sarah AlgoetHost: Steve GilesEditor: Vedrana KatanicProducers: Luke Nederveen, Jono Hewlett-Davie

Episode summaryIn this episode, Steve Giles sits down with voice and music coach Korel Tunador to explore a musician-first approach to vocal coaching. Shaped by decades of professional touring with major artists including Rob Thomas, Katy Perry, and the Goo Goo Dolls, Korel shares how discovering voice science later in his career transformed his teaching, blending empirical knowledge with real-world musicianship.They discuss Korel’s non-hierarchical philosophy, where singers are treated as teammates rather than students, and lessons are collaborative sessions instead of top-down instruction. The conversation also dives into musicianship, psychology, and why energy exchange in teaching can be just as fulfilling as performing on stage.What we cover* Why the voice should be trained with the same rigor as any other instrument* The benefits of a non-hierarchical, teammate-based coaching relationship* Why Korel often prioritizes laryngeal coordination over breath-first approaches* The role of complete musicianship (piano, guitar, ear training) in vocal development* The psychological side of voice work and how awareness accelerates progressWatch the full video:YouTube : https://youtube.com/@wehelpsingerspodSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mjWrEYI7gMT5gnBL9FDIq?si=ve8_6UrJT5iy7zEgSqjeGgLinks & resourcesKorel Tunador: https://koreltunador.com/We Help Singers: https://www.wehelpsingers.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wehelpsingersCall to actionIf this conversation helped you, follow the show on your podcast app and share this episode with a singer or coach who’d benefit. For clips and updates, follow us on Instagram.Apply to be a guestIf you’re a vocal coach and would like to apply to be a guest on the podcast, fill out the application form here: https://wehelpsingers.com/i-teach/CreditsGuest: Korel TunadorHost: Steve GilesEditor: Vedrana KatanicProducers: Luke Nederveen, Jono Hewlett-Davies

Episode summaryIn this episode, Steve Giles sits down with vocal coach Justin Stoney to discuss what makes a truly great voice lesson, how joy is inseparable from singing, the value of imitation as a learning tool & why the human spirit can never be replaced by AI when it comes to singing.What we coverWhy vocal fold coordination is often the missing piece in voice trainingThe difference between judgmental and creative mindsets in singingHow to deliver victory in every voice lessonThe role of imitation in developing vocal versatilityJoy as transcendent and inseparable from singingCustomisation as the foundation of effective teachingWatch the full videoYouTube : https://youtube.com/@wehelpsingerspod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mjWrEYI7gMT5gnBL9FDIq?si=ve8_6UrJT5iy7zEgSqjeGgLinks & resourcesJustin Stoney: https://newyorkvocalcoaching.comWe Help Singers: https://www.wehelpsingers.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wehelpsingersCall to actionIf this conversation helped you, follow the show on your podcast app and share this episode with a singer or coach who’d benefit. For clips and updates, follow us on Instagram.Apply to be a guestIf you’re a vocal coach and would like to apply to be a guest on the podcast, fill out the application form here: https://wehelpsingers.com/i-teach/CreditsGuest: Justin StoneyHost: Steve GilesEditor: Vedrana KatanicProducers: Luke Nederveen, Jono Hewlett-Davies

Episode summaryIn this episode, Steve Giles sits down with vocal coach Chris Johnson to unpack what modern voice teaching looks like in practice how online teaching reshaped Chris’s pedagogy, why shared decision-making improves outcomes, and how simple physical interventions can unlock more efficient vocal production.What we coverHow the shift to online teaching changed Chris’s approach and pedagogyWhy shared decision-making with students improves learning outcomesUsing physical movement as both a diagnostic tool and an interventionThe role of resonance in supporting efficient vocal productionWhy autonomy is the ultimate goal of voice teachingBalancing specialism with broad, generalist knowledgeThe “arms up” technique and when it works bestWatch the full videoYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeHelpSingersPodLinks & resourcesChris Johnson: https://chrisjohnsonvocalcoach.com/We Help Singers: https://www.wehelpsingers.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wehelpsingersCall to actionIf this conversation helped you, follow the show on your podcast app and share this episode with a singer or coach who’d benefit. For clips and updates, follow us on Instagram, and if you prefer to watch, the full episode is on YouTube and Spotify in video format.Apply to be a guestIf you’re a vocal coach and would like to apply to be a guest on the podcast, fill out the application form here: https://wehelpsingers.com/i-teach/CreditsGuest: Chris JohnsonHost: Steve GilesEditor: Vedrana KatanicProducers: Luke Nederveen, Jono Hewlett-Davies

This is We Help Singers, a podcast about clarity in the voice world.Singers are often told to “trust the process” without ever being shown what that process actually is or who it’s designed for. Teachers see some students thrive while others quietly stall, without clear language for why. When things don’t work, people assume they’re the problem.This podcast exists to change that.Through in-depth conversations with vocal coaches and singers, We Help Singers explores how teachers actually think and work, how singers experience their voice, and why progress depends on the relationship between the two. We dig into philosophy, method, failures, successes and the real decisions that shape vocal development.