We were lucky to catch up with Lily Buonocore recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lily, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

Although my parents share some similarities, they also couldn’t be more different. My dad is Type A—hardworking, dedicated, and a great leader—working in the hospitality industry for 30+ years. My mom, on the other hand, is a free-spirited animal-lover who has always forged her own path and done things her own way. Both thoughtful of others and both very smart. I feel fortunate to be a blend of the two—inheriting things like my work ethic and sense of humor from my dad, and my resilience and empathy from my mom.

As a child, my parents exposed me to a variety of activities—soccer, gymnastics, karate, and theatre—allowing me to explore my interests and ultimately discover my passion for performing. Throughout middle and high school, they drove me wherever I needed to go, even if it meant an hour-long commute each way. When it came time to audition for college theatre programs, my dad spent months flying with me across the country, sometimes waiting for hours while I auditioned.

Neither of my parents have a theatre background—aside from my mom’s love for musicals—and no one in my family does what I do for a living. But that never lessened their support. They have encouraged every path I’ve pursued, from teaching yoga to singing at weddings to waiting tables. The key was their unwavering belief in me, coupled with gentle reminders to always lead with kindness. Our last name, Buonocore, means “good heart” in Italian, which has always been sort of an anchor for me to come back to and live by.

Lily, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My work now primarily revolves around singing at weddings and teaching yoga—what a combo! Before this, my career was entirely theater-focused. I had been a musical theater kid my whole life, pursued it in college, and even started a professional career in it after graduating from the University of Northern Colorado.

When the pandemic hit, I discovered the profound impact yoga had on my mental health and knew I wanted to share it with others, leading me to become an instructor. Around the same time, with theaters still recovering, I began exploring other performance avenues. On a whim, I auditioned to be a wedding singer after seeing a casting call. I started my first wedding season as a substitute for a vocalist who couldn’t finish the season and was later hired as one of the main vocalists. Now, heading into my fifth wedding season, I have no plans to stop anytime soon.

Beyond singing at weddings, I also connect with couples before their big day, helping them with details like announcements, event flow, and the moments that matter most to them. What sets me apart from the average yoga teacher or wedding singer is that I see my work as more than just a job—I genuinely care about the experiences of my students and the couples I get to celebrate. That passion shapes how I show up, and I hope to continue making a positive impact in both fields for years to come.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Spending most of my life as a musical theatre performer, I worked tirelessly to fit into certain molds and meet expectations, believing it was the only way to access the opportunities I wanted. In theatre, you’re often told you are “too short,” “look too young,” or “don’t have the right vocal sound.” This constant feedback led me to repeatedly second-guess my abilities and question the unique qualities that made me who I was.

After graduating college, I continued to face similar criticism as a wedding singer, hearing that my vocal sound was “too heavy” or that I looked “too young.” From childhood through my mid-twenties, I constantly adjusted my sound and appearance to fit what others wanted—often at the expense of what I personally loved, whether it was how I sang a song, dressed, or wore my hair.

It wasn’t until this past year that I finally began embracing the qualities that make me who I am, rather than changing myself to meet someone else’s definition of “success.” I’ve started stepping into my power and individuality, determined to build a career as this version of me—not a version that others in my past have wanted me to be.

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

Pivoting from a career in musical theatre to becoming a wedding singer was a drastic change for me. The pandemic had shut down the theatre where I was performing, and as the world slowly reopened, weddings were among the first events to return. At the time, I wasn’t sure how my musical theatre training would translate to singing Top 40 hits. It took time to develop a natural feel for the style and learn how to make each song my own, but now, it’s the most fun I’ve ever had—and I’ve discovered I have a real talent for it.

For the first time, I wasn’t playing a character—I was performing as myself. I’ll never forget the first time another vocalist called my name onstage: “Give it up for Lily B, everyone!” It was surreal to hear my own name rather than a character’s, like Ariel or Belle.

Almost 5 years later, I never could have predicted how much I would love being a wedding singer. Singing a couple’s first dance, hearing heartfelt toasts, and being part of such a meaningful moment in people’s lives has been unbelievably rewarding. Theatre will always be my first love, and I hope to weave it back into my life soon, but getting to perform onstage as myself has felt like something I was always meant to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lillianbuonocore.com/
• Instagram: @lily_buonocore

Image Credits

Adriane Leigh Photo
Jalen Gregory Photography