We recently connected with Charissa Nielsen and have shared our conversation below.

Charissa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

A few Thanksgivings ago, I had a memorable experience working with Post Malone on his track “Wasting Angels” from the album “Twelve Carat Toothache.” As a Vocal Contractor based in Los Angeles, I have the privilege of selecting singers from a vast pool of talent for projects like this. It’s not just about finding great voices; it’s about finding singers who can work efficiently, take direction well, and blend seamlessly with others. For the Post Malone project, which took place during the pandemic, it was also crucial to find singers who could deliver top-notch recordings from their home studios. (Shout out to our Post Malone choir: India Carney, Jonathan Mouton, me and my husband Dana Nielsen!)

After the album’s release, I came across a heartwarming moment on social media. A fan named Liv Lane had posted a reel of her and her son enjoying “Wasting Angels” while driving around in their car. Intrigued, I reached out to her and discovered she’s from my hometown in St. Paul, MN. We’ve stayed in touch ever since then, and I’ve even collaborated on music with her talented son Truman, which was a fantastic experience.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I grew up just outside of Chicago, Illinois, and started singing at a young age. Singing has always been my passion, and I also thrive on being meticulously organized, so the role of vocal contracting is a perfect fit for me. It’s a great combination of my musical gifts and administrative quirks, haha! I have a strong attention to detail and like to keep things tidy. (Fun fact: as a kid I used to iron my allowance money!)

Now based in Los Angeles with my husband Dana, we’ve both put in considerable effort to establish ourselves in the music industry over the last 24 years. Together, we collaborate on a variety of projects including commercials, movie soundtracks, albums, and assisting my singing students in creating reels to showcase their talents. Our bond traces back to 8th grade to our upbringing in the Midwest, where our families were long-time friends. Dana and I attended junior high, high school, and college together at Loyola University, New Orleans, before making L.A. our home in the year 2000.

Dana Nielsen is an incredibly talented musician, singer, music producer, mixer, and saxophonist. Together, Dana and I have worked with artists such as The Smashing Pumpkins, Neil Young, Chelsea Cutler, and Post Malone, to composing, singing and mixing for films like “Anchorman” and “Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar” as well as commercials for Burger King, Degree Deodorant, and Verizon. His recent standout achievement includes mixing several songs on SZA’s record-breaking album, “S.O.S.”

My professional journey has led me to pursue multiple avenues in music as well as music therapy. Today, I work as a Session Singer, Vocal Contractor, Singing Coach, and Music Therapist. My passion for music therapy was ignited during college, driven by a profound connection with music, a fascination with psychology, and a desire to help others. In my private practice, I specialize in working one-on-one with individuals, particularly those facing autism, anxiety, or depression. Through music, I aim to facilitate positive changes in their lives.

My recent singing career standouts are: singing on the Disney animated film “WISH,” being an on-set singing coach for 5 national Verizon commercials, and singing on Post Malone’s album “Twelve Carat Toothache.”

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

During the pandemic, recording from home became essential for singers. Fortunately, I had already been doing this for years, as my husband and I have accumulated gobs of recording equipment throughout his career as an engineer. That said, when the pandemic hit it was definitely a pivotal moment for me to up my home recording skills.

Additionally, over the past year my husband Dana and I have been creating digital courses. We’re currently designing a digital course aimed at teaching singers how to set up and record effectively from their own homes. Landing jobs as a session singer is highly competitive and the opportunities are fleeting, especially in the commercial music landscape. Singers who self-record and quickly deliver polished, professional results will have the best odds for success.

Sign up for free singer resources and be the first to know when new courses drop at https://sessionsingersecrets.com!

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I’ve recently discovered singing straws, and they’ve been a game-changer for my voice! My progress has never been faster, especially with belting. I’m hooked on the OOVO straw and The Vocal Trainer—they’re my go-to companions wherever I go! Here’s my affiliate link for The Vocal Trainer for 10% off! https://bettervoice.store/discount/SessionSingerLA?ref=SessionSingerLA.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sessionsingerla.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charissanielsen/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charissanielsen
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charissa-nielsen-758a7a242/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl4o8lrgoGqPlYCfex9Ydjg
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/charissa-nielsen
• Other: Sign up for free singer resources and be the first to know when new courses drop at https://sessionsingersecrets.com!

Image Credits

All photos by Charissa and Dana Nielsen