All Episodes

Host Tessa welcomes Jeremy Ryan Mossman to the Singer’s Guide podcast and asks what he wishes singers knew.
Jeremy says singers can “start at the end” by beginning lessons with the song and its specific challenges, then using exercises only as needed to serve that context, repeatedly checking changes in the repertoire.
He describes using acting-style given-circumstance games to clarify who the singer is addressing and why, noting that increased specificity often dissolves technical issues and reveals what truly needs technical attention.
He critiques traditional lesson structures and training sequences that delay students singing what they love, arguing for honouring the artist’s goals and building from where they already feel successful.
He encourages singers to count everyday singing as practice if they pay attention and get curious, and explains how simple body-based prompts can “hook” clients into experiential learning.
Jeremy shares where to find him online: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok (Body Based Voice with J Moss) and bodybasedvoice.com.
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
01:33 The Big Question
02:22 Start With the Song
04:23 Storytelling Fixes Technique
07:13 Why Lessons Get Backwards
08:47 Honour the Artist First
11:36 Real World Singing Practice
13:37 Flexible Lesson Structures
16:12 Hooking Clients Fast
17:43 Where to Find Jeremy
18:58 Final Thanks and Wrap
 
Reel mentioned at 17:46: HERE! 
 
FIND JEREMY:
Jeremy Ryan Mossman is a teacher of voice, movement, and wholistic expression.  Jeremy has recently moved on from academic teaching after 15+ years in order to focus on teaching in more creative and integrative ways while sharing his passion for wholly embodied singing.
Jeremy has a unique way of reconciling long-held beliefs with new understandings about the body and singing which he teaches to performers on Broadway, on their way to Broadway, and to teachers around the world.  You can learn more about him at www.bodybasedvoice.com
Find Jeremy on Instagram: @bodybasedvoicewithjmoss Facebook: @bodybasedvoicewithjmoss and TikTok: @bodybasedvoicewithjmoss
 
The Singer's Guide is hosted by Tessa Smith.
www.tessasmith.com
 
----
🤫 THE QUIET PRACTICE TOOLKIT: 3 step-by-step exercises to improve your singing without making a sound https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit
 
----
🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub: www.singerspracticehub.com
 
🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa:
www.thesingersguide.com
 
🎵 Music by Tessa Smith
🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.

Host Tessa welcomes singing teacher and performer Molly Marie Walsh, a California-born UK-based musical theatre artist, close-harmony singer (The Honeybirds), Urdang faculty member, and BAST mentor.
Asked what she wishes singers knew, Molly emphasises that “slow and steady wins the race”: vocal growth and mindset change come from little-and-often practice rather than quick fixes promoted by ever-present technology and online “magic” solutions.
She describes reducing overwhelm by setting small, achievable tasks (e.g., in theatre history, the first assignment is simply to get and bring a book) and in voice lessons focusing on one demonstrable, repeatable concept, then integrating it into warm-ups and songs over time.
They discuss the need for teacher confidence in repetition, the value of discernment on social media, and how too many choices can stop practice altogether.
Molly has left social media and is reachable via https://mollymariewalsh.co.uk/
00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
02:04 The Big Question
02:30 Slow and Steady Growth
04:27 Teaching Small Wins
07:53 Repeating What Works
09:11 Social Media Quick Fixes
10:29 Good Content and Discernment
14:03 Too Much Choice to Practice
18:09 Finding Molly and Wrap Up
 
FIND MOLLY:
Born and raised in California, lived and worked in New York and Philadelphia, and now over 12 years a resident and raising a family in the UK, Molly has worn many hats.
As a professional Musical Theatre Performer in the US: the National Tour of DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, and productions of WHITE CHRISTMAS, 42nd STREET, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY, OKLAHOMA! and INTO THE WOODS, and in the UK: Alan Menken's A CHRISTMAS CAROL, JEWISH LEGENDS, and THE MIKADO.
She has been a Vocalist with a classical crossover group, ANCORA, and close-harmony Andrews Sisters trios THE MANHATTAN DOLLS (US), and THE HONEYBIRDS (UK).
She has also been a creative consultant with writing team KANSLEY & LIDERT on their original musicals, CONFESSIONS and AUTUMN RHYTHM.
Molly currently teaches Voice, Musical Theatre and Drama across Buckinghamshire where she lives with her fellow musician-husband, and her two children, as well as teaching Voice, vocal technique, and the History of dance and musical theatre at Urdang Academy in London.
She has also just completed her final module for the BAST Level 5 Extended Diploma in Singing Teaching Skills, for whom she is now a Mentor.
https://mollymariewalsh.co.uk/
 
The Singer's Guide is hosted by Tessa Smith.
www.tessasmith.com
 
----
🤫 THE QUIET PRACTICE TOOLKIT: 3 step-by-step exercises to improve your singing without making a sound https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit
 
----
🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub: www.singerspracticehub.com
 
🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa:
www.thesingersguide.com
 
🎵 Music by Tessa Smith
🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.

In this Singer’s Guide podcast episode, Tessa interviews vocal coach Heather Baker (@thesingingteacher), founder member of the Institute of Vocal Advancement and a master’s-trained vocal pedagogy specialist, about the one thing she wishes singers knew.
Heather emphasises experimenting with vocal tract shaping - playing with vowels and adjustable elements like the tongue, larynx, pharynx, jaw and lips - to find the unique configurations that help each individual voice resonate best.
She explains that different shapes can make singing easier or harder and influence style choices.
Tessa and Heather discuss using recordings and teacher feedback to counter inaccurate self-perception, building trust between internal sensations and external sound, and how willingness to be vulnerable and try new coordinations speeds vocal progress.
00:00 Welcome to Season Two
00:58 Meet Heather Baker
02:40 The Big Question
03:36 Vocal Tract Shaping Basics
05:58 Playful Experiments With Vowels
07:04 Style Choices Classical vs Belt
08:31 Recordings and Feedback Loops
10:35 Familiar vs Comfortable Sounds
11:35 Confidence Vulnerability and Growth
14:06 Where to Find Heather
14:55 Final Thanks and Goodbye
 
FIND HEATHER:
Heather is a world-renowned singing teacher and vocal coach with over 25 years of experience working with contemporary singers.
Her clients range from Award Winning Recording Artists to West End and Broadway performers to Complete Beginners and everything in-between! She is a Founding Director of The Institute of Vocal Advancement and has amassed over 10,000 followers across her social media platforms.
Heather holds a Masters Degree in Vocal Pedagogy and has completed years of ongoing training and study on the voice. She is an expert in her field and has a passion for helping singers develop their true potential and achieve the results they deserve.
https://www.thesingingteacher.biz/
TikTok - Instagram - Facebook
 
The Singer's Guide is hosted by Tessa Smith.
www.tessasmith.com
 
----
🤫 THE QUIET PRACTICE TOOLKIT: 3 step-by-step exercises to improve your singing without making a sound https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit
 
----
🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub: www.singerspracticehub.com
 
🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa:
www.thesingersguide.com
 
🎵 Music by Tessa Smith
🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.
 

Tessa welcomes listeners to The Singer’s Guide and announces that season two is coming soon.
 
She explains that season one focused on “what I wish I’d known sooner as a singer,” covering topics like warming up, cooling down, and how to practice.
 
For season two, she has invited a range of respected singing teachers and peers and will ask each one question: “What’s one thing that you wish singers knew?”
 
She mentions guests including Heather Baker, Jeremy Ryan Mossman, John Henny, Chelsea Wilson, and Lucinda Allen, and shares that episodes will be released fortnightly on Tuesdays starting 7 July 2026.
 
The Singer's Guide is hosted by Tessa Smith.
www.tessasmith.com
 
----
🤫 THE QUIET PRACTICE TOOLKIT: 3 step-by-step exercises to improve your singing without making a sound https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit
----
🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub: www.singerspracticehub.com
 
🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa: www.thesingersguide.com
 
🎵 Music by Tessa Smith
🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.

In this final episode of season one of The Singer's Guide Podcast, host Tessa reflects on the journey so far.
 
She highlights her favourite episodes, the overall approach to diverse topics such as vocal health and practice techniques, and discusses areas for improvement.
 
Tessa also shares insightful responses from singers on what they wish they had learned earlier in their singing careers.
 
Looking ahead to season two, she plans to incorporate feedback and introduce new perspectives by inviting other singing teachers to join the conversation.
 
Tessa concludes by asking listeners for their favorite episodes and suggestions for future topics.
 
00:00 Introduction and Reflection
02:26 Season Highlights and Favourite Episodes
03:31 Areas for Improvement
07:02 Singer's Answers to the Question "What Do You Wish You'd Learned Sooner?"
10:39 Final Thoughts and Season 2 Preview
 
----
🤫 THE QUIET PRACTICE TOOLKIT: 3 step-by-step exercises to improve your singing without making a sound https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit
 
----
🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub: www.singerspracticehub.com
 
🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa:
www.thesingersguide.com
 
🎵 Music by Tessa Smith
🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.
 

In episode 11 of The Singer's Guide Podcast, host Tessa discusses the broad array of skills necessary to build a successful singing career.
Drawing from her experience as a jazz singer, vocal coach, choir leader, and academic researcher, she categorises these skills into three main personas: the artist, the learner, and the professional.
Tessa delves into the specifics of vocal technique, musicianship, and performance skills under the artist persona.
For the learner, she highlights the importance of voice science, vocal health, and reflective practices.
The professional persona focuses on industry-specific hard skills and essential soft skills like organisation, communication, and project management.
Throughout the episode, Tessa stresses that while the list of required skills can seem overwhelming, they can be developed and improved over time through practice and experience.
She concludes by asking the listener 'What do you wish you had learned sooner?'
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
02:19 The Life of a Freelance Singer
02:42 Tessa's Career Journey
05:25 Essential Skills for Singers
06:11 The Artist Persona
08:21 The Learner Persona
09:42 The Professional Persona
13:16 The Importance of Practice
14:41 Final Thoughts and Listener Engagement
 
----
🤫 THE QUIET PRACTICE TOOLKIT: 3 step-by-step exercises to improve your singing without making a sound
https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit
----
🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub:
www.singerspracticehub.com
🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa:
www.thesingersguide.com
🎵 Music by Tessa Smith
🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.

In the 10th episode of the Singer's Guide podcast, host Tessa Smith delves into the topic of goal setting for singers to kick off the first episode of 2026.
 
The episode focuses on the SMART goals framework - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound - offering practical tips for setting realistic and motivating goals.
 
Tessa emphasises the importance of aligning smaller goals with larger objectives and making the goal-setting process enjoyable.
 
She also introduces her Self Validated Voice Program and the Singer's Practice Hub as resources to help listeners achieve their 2026 singing goals.
 
00:00 Welcome to Episode 10: New Year, New Goals
 
03:39 Setting and Structuring Your Singing Goals
 
05:17 Understanding SMART Goals
 
10:41 Making Goal Setting Fun and Enjoyable
 
13:33 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead
 
----
🤫 THE QUIET PRACTICE TOOLKIT: 3 step-by-step exercises to improve your singing without making a sound
https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit
----
🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub:
www.singerspracticehub.com
🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa:
www.thesingersguide.com
 
🎵 Music by Tessa Smith 
🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.
 

In the ninth episode of the Singer's Guide podcast, host Tessa offers best practices for maintaining vocal health on a daily basis, and what to do when feeling the onset of illness or fatigue.
 
Tessa also talks about options when illness sets in and you still have to perform, such as quiet practice, song modifications, and collaborative performance strategies.
 
00:00 Introduction and Overview
 
02:10 Daily Vocal Care Tips
 
04:12 Handling Early Signs of Illness
 
06:34 Singing While Unwell
 
11:29 Final Thoughts and Listener Engagement
 
----
🤫 THE QUIET PRACTICE TOOLKIT: 3 step-by-step exercises to improve your singing without making a sound
https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit
----
🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub:
www.singerspracticehub.com
🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa:
www.thesingersguide.com
 
🎵 Music by Tessa Smith 
🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.
 

In episode eight of The Singer's Guide Podcast, host Tessa discusses motivation, and how to motivate yourself to practice singing when it's lacking.
 
Tessa explains the concepts of internal (intrinsic) and external (extrinsic) motivation and shares strategies to harness both types.
 
She emphasises the importance of avoiding negative motivators and suggests setting deadlines, creating accountability, and using rewards as effective external motivators.
 
Additionally, she discusses the benefits of novelty and curiosity in enhancing internal motivation.
 
Tessa also highlights the value of documenting progress and incorporating varied practice activities, including enjoyable forms like singing in a choir or taking breaks.
 
The episode underscores the significance of self-compassion and offers practical tools like the Singer's Practice Hub to help maintain motivation.
 
00:00 Introduction 
01:10 Understanding Motivation
02:32 Types of Motivation: Internal vs External
04:41 External Motivators: Deadlines and Rewards
08:56 Boosting Internal Motivation
12:36 Alternative Practice Methods
15:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
 
----
🤫 THE QUIET PRACTICE TOOLKIT: 3 step-by-step exercises to improve your singing without making a sound
https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit
----
🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub:
www.singerspracticehub.com
🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa:
www.thesingersguide.com
 
🎵 Music by Tessa Smith 
🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.
 

In Episode 7 of The Singer's Guide, hosted by Tessa, the spotlight is on the Singer's Practice Hub; a comprehensive resource designed to improve singers' skills and support their vocal journey.
 
Tessa explains the origin and development of the Hub, emphasising the practical relevance of the extensive research she conducted during her master's degree in vocal pedagogy.
 
The episode breaks down the multiple sections of the Hub, including Fundamentals, Warming Up, Mindset Shifts, Singing Snacks, Voiceless Options, Resources, Song Work, Song Studies, and Beyond Singing.
 
Additionally, Tessa introduces the community aspect facilitated through Telegram, allowing for motivation, support, and accountability among members.
 
Throughout the episode, listeners are encouraged to consider the multifaceted elements of singing practice, and Tessa reassures potential members that the Hub is well-organised to prevent overwhelming users.
 
The Singer's Practice Hub is praised as a valuable tool for becoming a confident, independent singer.
 
00:00 Introduction to The Singer's Guide Podcast
01:46 The Birth of the Singer's Practice Hub
02:31 Research and Insights from Master's Degree Research
04:59 Creating a Practical Resource for Singers
06:25 Exploring the Singer's Practice Hub
06:56 Community and Support within the Hub
08:08 Fundamentals and Main Sections
09:36 Mindset Shifts and Singing Snacks
12:29 Voiceless Options and Additional Resources
14:22 Song Work and Beyond Singing
16:12 Conclusion and Invitation to Join
 
----
🤫 THE QUIET PRACTICE TOOLKIT: 3 step-by-step exercises to improve your singing without making a sound
https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit
----
🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub:
www.singerspracticehub.com
🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa:
www.thesingersguide.com
 
 
🎵 Music by Tessa Smith 
🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.
 

In episode six of The Singer's Guide podcast, Tessa explores the question of whether singers should learn music theory.
She discusses the variability among singers' needs, highlighting that while music theory can be beneficial, it is not essential for everyone.
Tessa explains the practical uses of music theory for reading sheet music, songwriting, and understanding vocal challenges.
She shares personal experiences from her role in a close harmony trio and emphasises how music theory helps her with self-compassion and problem-solving.
Additionally, Tessa introduces her Singer's Practice Hub, which includes music theory elements to support singers' practice.
The episode concludes with Tessa inviting listeners to share what they wish they had learned earlier in their singing careers.
00:00 Welcome to The Singer's Guide Podcast
00:52 Should Singers Know Music Theory?
01:50 The Practical Benefits of Music Theory
02:55 Using Music Theory for Self-Compassion
05:50 The Singer's Practice Hub
06:35 Final Thoughts and Listener Questions
 
----
🤫 THE QUIET PRACTICE TOOLKIT: 3 step-by-step exercises to improve your singing without making a sound
https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit
----
🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub:
www.singerspracticehub.com
🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa:
www.thesingersguide.com
 
 
🎵 Music by Tessa Smith 
🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.
 

In episode five of The Singer's Guide Podcast, Tessa discusses ways to practise singing without disturbing others.
 
She introduces a Quiet Practice Toolkit, which includes three voiceless practice options complete with worksheets.
 
The episode covers lyric memorisation and annotation, self-reviewing recordings, and lip-syncing with emotional prompts.
 
These tools allow singers to continue developing their skills even in environments where they must remain quiet.
 
Tessa also encourages listeners to share what they wish they had learned earlier in their singing journey for a future podcast episode.
 
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:52 The Importance of Practice
02:38 Quiet Practice Toolkit Introduction
04:13 Tool 1: Lyrics-Based Practice
07:00 Tool 2: Listening and Self-Review
10:40 Tool 3: Lip-Syncing with Emotional Prompts
13:27 Conclusion and Listener Engagement
 
----
🤫 THE QUIET PRACTICE TOOLKIT: 3 step-by-step exercises to improve your singing without making a sound
https://subscribepage.io/quiet-practice-toolkit
----
🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub:
www.singerspracticehub.com
🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa:
www.thesingersguide.com
 
 
🎵 Music by Tessa Smith 
🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.
 

In episode four of the Singer's Guide podcast, Tessa discusses the often-overlooked practice of vocal cool downs.
 
She shares her personal journey of discovering vocal cool downs and references a 2018 academic paper by Kari Ragan that highlights their benefits.
 
Tessa elaborates on common cool down exercises such as SOVT exercises and vocal fry, and emphasises the subjective nature of evaluating their effectiveness.
 
She also offers practical tips for remembering to cool down, like setting reminders and using fixed cool down tracks.
 
Tessa encourages listeners to consider incorporating cool downs into their routine to reduce vocal fatigue and speed up recovery.
 
The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to share what singing techniques they wish they had learned earlier in their careers.
 
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:46 The Concept of Vocal Cool Downs
02:33 Benefits and Techniques of Vocal Cool Downs
04:58 Personal Experience with Vocal Cool Downs
07:30 Encouraging Vocal Cool Down Habits
11:09 The Singer's Practice Hub
12:07 Conclusion and Listener Engagement
 
----
🎤 Get the right backing track, in the right key, in less than 5 minutes with this free download:
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----
🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub:
www.singerspracticehub.com
🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa:
www.thesingersguide.com
 
 
🎵 Music by Tessa Smith 
🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.
 
 

In episode three of The Singer's Guide podcast, Tessa shares her top ten tips for new university singers, blending her decade-long experience as a singing teacher with her personal university journey.
 
The ten key tips are:
 
1. Communication is key
2. Take every opportunity to learn
3. Don't avoid challenge areas,
4. Seek out additional performance opportunities
5. Arrive at singing lessons with a plan and having warmed up
6. Don’t view peers as competition
7. Focus on feedback, not grades
8. Learn how to practice effectively and set goals, and learn about yourself
9. Utilise your tutors' expertise
10. Be mindful of the cost of education
 
This episode provides invaluable advice for aspiring university singers to maximise their academic and musical experience.
 
Additionally, Tessa invites listeners to share their thoughts and what they wish they had learned earlier, promising to incorporate these into future episodes.
 
----
🎤 Get the right backing track, in the right key, in less than 5 minutes with this free download:
https://subscribepage.io/righttrackrightkey
----
🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub:
www.singerspracticehub.com
🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa:
www.thesingersguide.com
 
 
🎵 Music by Tessa Smith 
🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.
 
 

In this episode of the Singer's Guide podcast, host Tessa discusses how to choose the right key for your songs.
 
Tessa explains why and when it’s appropriate to change the key of a song, particularly noting the differences between contemporary music and genres like Western Classical Music and Musical Theatre.
 
She outlines key considerations such as range, emotional intensity, and practical aspects like working with backing tracks or live musicians.
 
Tessa also offers a guide for transposing songs and practicing with backing tracks, encouraging singers to experiment to find the most comfortable and effective key for their voice.
 
The episode concludes with an invitation to listeners to share their singing challenges and wish-list topics for future podcast episodes.
----
🎤 Get the right backing track, in the right key, in less than 5 minutes with this free download:
https://subscribepage.io/righttrackrightkey
----
🤩 Tap here to learn more about the Singer's Practice Hub:
www.singerspracticehub.com
🥳 Tap here to work with Tessa:
www.thesingersguide.com
 
 
🎵 Music by Tessa Smith 
🎙 Hosted by Tessa Smith, creator of The Self-Validated Voice and The Singer's Practice Hub.