Today’s guest is Musical Theatre singer, vocal coach, American Idol Contestant and queen of riffing Natalie Weiss. I first came across Natalie when her cover of “I’m Not Afraid Of Anything” by Jason Robert Brown went viral and since then have been in awe of her vocal control. You can’t mention Natalie without touching on her YouTube series Breaking Down The Riffs in which she breaks down challenging runs and riffs in an easy way, these videos certainly paved the way for a self-confessed bad riffer, yes me, to up my skills. She also has an online course for riffing so if you really want to level up I would definitely suggest that.
Natalie recently went through a vocal haemorrhage while working on an off-broadway show. In this episode, I chat with Natalie about her experience with vocal injury, what she thinks makes a great voice and how she deals with the insecurity of working in the musical theatre industry.
“Keep training and learn everything you can, you might take a little bit from every teacher”
Podcast Episode Highlights:
01.26 - What is Natalie’s worst ever job?
02.03 - What was Natalie Weiss’ journey into the arts?
04.22 - How have nodules affected Natalie?
05.41 - Why does Natalie prefer coaching to singing now?
06.26 - What was Natalie’s American Idol experience?
07.16 - Breaking down the riffs
08.30 - Can anyone learn to riff?
10.02 - What makes a great singer?
10.21 - Natalie opens up about having a vocal hemorrhage
11.31 - Quickfire round
12.20 - Fun fact on Melisma
14.13 - What is success to Natalie Weiss? Does she ever doubt herself?
15.30 - Does Natalie read her Youtube comments?
16.38 - What personality traits does Natalie think have been helpful to her in her coaching/singing?
17.47 - What advice does Natalie have for anyone dealing with anxiety?
19.48 - What type of voice or personality make the ideal student?
21.20 - What does Natalie consider her greatest accomplishment?
21.55 - Biggest challenge?
23.00 - Can Natalie switch off her coaching brain when she goes to shows?
23.30 - If Natalie could have a new quality or ability, what would it be?
24.00 - Advice for people in the entertainment industry
Quotes
“There was a point where I was like I just want to be on Broadway, so I can say I’m on Broadway, so I feel better about myself”
Natalie Weiss
“Hearing that you make a change in someone’s voice is so gratifying”
Natalie Weiss
“I tell people, I’d rather you plan them! If I’m doing a complicated one, I don’t want to be caught in it and be lost.
Natalie Weiss on Riffing
“Success is obviously making money doing something that you love, but also inspiring people is success”
Natalie Weiss
“I’m very indecisive in life but I’m very decisive in coaching”
Natalie Weiss
“There is no way to grow without making weird sounds”
Natalie Weiss
“My ideal client is just a cool person who I can just have a conversation with, someone I can joke around with and be direct, someone who takes correction really well. Somebody who might not have it yet but when I give them a correction, they apply it...even if it’s that one little thing”
Natalie Weiss
“Keep training and learn everything you can, you might take a little bit from every teacher”
Natalie Weiss
Resources Mentioned:
