The Place Where You Can Find Your Voice

Singing My Heart Out

I’m Ryan – At 43 years old, I never imagined I’d be where I am today – a part-time singing teacher with a small but dedicated group of students who come to me for vocal lessons.

It’s funny how life can take such unexpected turns, right?

When I was a teenager, singing was my jam.

I loved belting out tunes in my high school choir, soaking up every feedback from our choir director on improving my techniques.

I had a real natural talent, or so they said.

But after graduation, I put singing on the back burner to pursue what I thought was a more “practical” career path in the corporate world.

For more than a decade, I worked my tail off, climbing the ladder at a large marketing firm.

I made good money, had a fancy job title, and checked all the boxes of what society tells you what success should look like.

But something was always missing. No matter how much I achieved professionally, there was this aching void inside me that singing used to fill.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was living someone else’s dream, not mine.

Rediscovering My Passion

It all came to a head one night about eight years ago when a group of old high school friends dragged me to a local karaoke bar.

At first, I resisted – the thought of getting up on that stage and singing in front of strangers terrified me.

But after a couple of drinks, they finally convinced me to give it a go.

And when I opened my mouth and started belting out an old Deep Purple song, something inside me clicked.

The cheers and applause from the crowd lit me up in a way I hadn’t felt in ages.

At that moment, the weight of my corporate persona fell away, and I was just me, Ryan The Singer.

That night was a real turning point. I started going to open mic nights regularly, getting more and more comfortable performing in front of people again.

And to my surprise, I started getting approached by strangers after my sets, complimenting my voice and asking if I’d be interested in teaching singing lessons.

The idea of me teaching had never even crossed my mind. I was terrified – what if I wasn’t good enough?

What if I didn’t know how to teach singing techniques to people?

The impostor syndrome was real, let me tell you. But something about it felt right.

That was the time when I looked at dozens of online singing courses, and joined a few of them. At first, I just wanted to know if my techniques were solid.

However, to my surprise, I learned newer techniques, far advanced – compared to what I already knew from my choir education years ago.

In short, I have tried, tested, and trained with most of their singing methods.

And it gave me more confidence in helping my potential students to the right path.

Becoming a Singing Teacher

So I decided to give it a try. I taught one of my best friends. She gradually started to hear improvement in her singing voice.

She asked me if I’d be okay if she told her friends about my vocal training. So, by word of mouth, I started building up a little roster of students.

And the more I worked with my students, the more my confidence grew.

I realized that even though I didn’t have conventional vocal training beyond high school choir and online courses, I did have a lifetime of experience as a singer – AND I KNOW WHAT WORKS!

I knew what it felt like to struggle with vocal insecurities, to worry that you didn’t have what it takes.

And I was able to draw on that personal experience to help my students work through their doubts and fears.

Plus, seeing the pride and joy on their faces when they hit a new vocal milestone – was the most rewarding feeling in the world.
It made all the self-doubt and uncertainty worth it.

I am making a real difference in people’s lives, helping them discover and nurture their musical talents.
That was way more fulfilling to me than any corporate promotion or big paycheck could ever be.

Of course, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. There have been plenty of challenges along the way.

Balancing my day job with my singing passion has been a constant juggling act.

I’ve had to make a lot of sacrifices in terms of my time and energy, working late nights and weekends to keep up with everything.

There have been many times when I’ve come home from the office, completely drained, and wondered if I was crazy for trying to keep this singing thing going.

And then there’s the family factor. While my friends have been nothing but supportive, my spouse has been a little more skeptical, shall we say, about my decision to pursue music later in life.

They’re worried it’s an unrealistic pipe dream that leads to financial instability.

I get it – I do. But it’s still tough sometimes when the people closest to you don’t fully understand your passion.

Likewise, the nagging feeling that I’m not “good enough” as a singer or teacher.

Even with all the positive feedback from my students, I still sometimes feel like an impostor – like I’m just faking it until I get found out.

It’s a battle I have to fight against regularly.

And, oh man, the near-misses. There have been a few moments where I’ve come this close to some life-changing opportunities, like opening for a big act or getting discovered by a talent scout, only to have them fall through at the last minute.

Those letdowns were just soul-crushing. I’d be lying if I said they didn’t make me question whether I should pack it all in and return to my cushy corporate job.

Finding Fulfillment and Purpose

But then I think about how much singing brings me joy, how it fills that void inside me in a way nothing else can.

And I remember the difference I’m making for my students, helping them find their voices and gain the confidence to share their talents with the world.

That’s what keeps me going even on the toughest days.

Because at the end of the day, singing isn’t just a hobby or passion for me – it’s a part of who I am.

It’s the honest expression of my authentic self. And I’ll be damned if I’m going to let fear or self-doubt or other people’s skepticism take that away from me again.

So, I will keep showing up, keep practicing, and keep performing whenever I can.

And I will keep pouring my heart and soul into helping my students become the best singers they can be. It’s not always easy, but it’s so, so worth it.

Who knows what the future holds? Maybe one day, I’ll get that big break I’ve been dreaming of.

Or, perhaps I’ll just keep plugging away, doing what I love on a smaller scale. Either way, I’m content.
Because I’m living my truth, and that’s the most important thing.

So, if you ever find yourself lost, questioning whether you should pursue your passions, let my story be an inspiration.
It’s never too late to rediscover the things that light you up.

Even if the path is winding and uncertain, trust that inner voice calling you back to what makes your heart sing.
Because that’s where you’ll find your true purpose.

Again, thank you, and welcome to my blog. You have come to the right place.

We’ll cover the best vocal techniques to help you find your voice. No matter if you are just a beginner or a professional.

Remember, singing is a learned skill, not a “born with” skill.