We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Camilla & Raffa DeFaria. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Camilla & Raffa below.

Camilla & Raffa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Our “risk-taking” journey started with a U-Haul and a dream. My wife Camilla and I have been married for 17 years, but our shared love for music goes back even further. Both of us began performing as young as 4 or 5 years old, participating in choirs, trios, co-ed groups, A cappella ensembles, and solo. Music was always a core part of who we were, even when we found ourselves working in unrelated careers, sales and law, in our early twenties.

In our mid-twenties, we made the decision that would change everything: we packed up our lives and moved to Texas to pursue music full-time. We didn’t know anyone there. We didn’t have enough money to hold us over for even two months. But we had passion, talent, and a vision. That leap of faith marked the beginning of our formal music journey, focusing on church and worship music while continuing to build our careers as vocal coaches and performers.

After three years of growth, training, and development in Texas, we were offered full-time positions as full-time worship leaders at Fellowship Church, one of the largest and most creatively renowned churches in the U.S. (ranked #5 nationally and #1 in creativity). But it meant another move, this time to Miami. Once again, we took the risk. We accepted the challenge, relocated, and dove deep into all areas of musical leadership, team building, service programming, performance, music direction, recording, and live production. Those three years in Miami were transformational. We grew immensely as artists, coaches, and leaders.

But we felt another calling, to go even further, to create something of our own. So we took a third risk: we amicably stepped away from our positions at the church and launched into a season of deep reinvestment. We both completed the 50-Hour Voice Teacher Training & Certification at New York Vocal Coaching and earned degrees from Berklee College of Music in Interdisciplinary Music Studies. From that leap, Radical Coaching Studios was born, now celebrating its 10th anniversary. We also launched The Music Journey, an online showcase that features our students recording and performing their favorite songs.

Radical Coaching Studios is more than just a music and teaching studio, it’s the heart of our shared mission. As award-winning vocal coaches and producers, we offer personalized, science-backed vocal training in English and Portuguese for artists of all levels and genres. Whether in person, over Zoom, in group lessons, or on location, we help students find their true voice. From musical theater actors to professional speakers, we work with clients around the world to help them intentionally achieve their best sound.

We’ve continued to take creative risks: Camilla is currently pursuing her Master’s in Voice Pedagogy with a Musical Theater focus at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, and I’m completing my Master’s in Music Technology at Southern Utah University, where I was recently inducted into Phi Kappa Phi, one of the nation’s most prestigious honor societies.

We’re also preparing to launch new projects this year, including our upcoming podcast Help Me, I AM a Singer, online group lessons in voice, music production, songwriting, music publishing, and other areas of the music industry, courses, memberships, and original music for film and TV.

So when we talk about taking risks, we often ask ourselves: Does it ever end? The answer is: No, not if you’re growing. Not if you’re creating. As artists and educators, we’re always taking risks. And we’ll continue to do so, not just for ourselves, but for the clients, artists, and students we’re honored to serve.

Camilla & Raffa, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Camilla DeFaria and Raffa D., a husband-and-wife duo, are multifaceted artists, award-winning vocal coaches, and founders of Radical Coaching Studios. Together, we’ve spent the past two decades building a music career grounded in creativity, excellence, and a shared passion for helping others unlock their full potential through music.

Music has been part of our lives since early childhood, long before we met. Growing up singing in choirs, co-ed groups, trios, and as soloists, we each developed a strong foundation in vocal performance. Although we started our careers in different fields, sales and law, we never lost sight of our true passion: music.

In our mid-twenties, we took our first big leap. We packed up our lives and moved to Texas to study music, even though we had little money and didn’t know a single person there. That step led to another major opportunity three years later: becoming full-time worship leaders at one of the most creative churches in the United States. That role helped us sharpen our skills in team building, musical excellence, stage production, live performance, and spiritual leadership.

Eventually, we felt a calling to pursue our broader vision. We studied at world-renowned institutions, earning certifications from New York Vocal Coaching School and Berklee College of Music, graduating with top honors and features in Berklee’s renowned online magazine “TakeNote”. Camilla is currently completing her Master’s in Voice Pedagogy with a Musical Theater focus at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, and Raffa D. is completing his Master’s in Music Technology at Southern Utah University, where he was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi, one of the nation’s most prestigious honor societies.

Out of this journey, we founded Radical Coaching Studios, now celebrating its 10th year. Our studio is dedicated to helping singers and artists achieve their best sound through a mix of passion, science-based vocal training, and personalized mentorship. We work with clients across all levels, from Broadway performers and professional recording artists to aspiring singers, teachers, and speakers. Our services include one-on-one and group vocal coaching, music production services and teaching, songwriting mentorship, artist development, and on-location performance coaching in English and Portuguese.

We’re proud to have been named Best Music Service of the Year (East USA) by Prestige Awards UK and to have helped countless students with major opportunities, whether on Hamilton (US Tour), The Voice, American Idol, national commercials, or Spotify playlists.

Our approach is rooted in authenticity, emotional connection, and intentionality. Whether it’s through private sessions, online programs, or our original podcast “Help Me, I’m a Singer” (launching Fall 2025), we are committed to helping artists discover their voice, build confidence, and reach their goals.

At the heart of what we do is a clear mission:

Our sessions empower artists to grow both as performers and individuals, building the confidence to express their unique ideas, pursue their personal goals, and elevate their artistry. With a focus on igniting their passion for music, we ensure artists are fully prepared to take their talent in any direction they choose.

We believe that great technique and genuine passion go hand in hand, and our greatest joy is helping artists find their voice, own their sound, and thrive creatively in every aspect of their musical journey.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In 2014, I was diagnosed with advanced Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It was a moment that instantly redefined my life, and my wife Camilla’s. There was no surgical option, only aggressive treatment: 12 rounds of chemotherapy, 28 rounds of radiation, and countless hospital visits over the span of a year. The prognosis was serious, and the emotional weight was heavy.

What hit me hardest wasn’t just the diagnosis; it was what the doctors told me next. They said I should forget about singing. The treatment, they explained, would likely damage my lungs to the point where even speaking would be difficult, let alone singing. But I refused to accept that.

I told them, “Singing will get me through this.”

And it did.

Throughout the grueling treatments, I kept singing. I did daily vocal exercises, even when it was hard to breathe. I sang quietly, then louder. I sang with tears in my eyes, and sometimes with barely enough energy to stand. But I never stopped. I led worship on 50 out of 52 Sundays in that year. Not only did I preserve my voice, but it actually improved. My doctors were stunned. They began using my case as an example of how vocal work can support physical and emotional healing, even in the face of something as devastating as cancer.

Camilla was by my side through it all, my caregiver, my encourager, my partner in every sense of the word. What people didn’t see, however, was the incredible strength and resilience Camilla exhibited through this journey. For the past 10 years, Camilla has been dealing with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition that causes hypothyroidism. The condition doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all treatment, so Camilla has had to endure constant trial and error to figure out what makes her feel better. She faces daily fatigue and battles to keep producing, but she has never let it slow her down. She continues to accomplish so much that often you wouldn’t even know she’s dealing with it. She is a living example of resilience, not allowing her condition to define her.

She discovered something was wrong when she started to lose her vocal range, her voice became hoarse, and her singing quality began to deteriorate. That’s when she sought help. Along with starting a series of trials for treatment, she began to seek, apply, and develop specific vocal techniques to help heal. Today, because of her dedication to vocal work, not only has she recovered her voice, but her range has also increased. As she continues to grow as a singer, proving that through perseverance and adapting techniques to support vocal healing, she can keep pushing her artistry forward and inspire her clients.

As a tribute to her love and strength, I wrote a song called “Love You More,” which became one of the most personal pieces I’ve ever released.

That year didn’t break us. It made us stronger, as singers, producers, vocal coaches, as a couple, and most importantly, as human beings. It taught us to cherish the people we love, live with greater intention, and use music as a vessel for healing, resilience, and purpose.

It’s a perspective we now bring into every session, every production work, every recording, every composition, and every artist we work with.

Music saved us, literally, and we want to help others discover that same power in their own journey.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Absolutely, and it’s actually one of the biggest driving forces behind what we do today.
When looking back on the early years of our music career, we wish we had access to clear, practical, and trustworthy guidance on the entire creative process, not just the artistic side, but the technical, collaborative, and business aspects as well. We had to learn the hard way: from figuring out what gear to invest in (and how to actually use it), to understanding vocal health and technique, to learning how to write songs that work in real-world collaborations, and even navigating how to properly release music so it reaches people.

Each one of those lessons took time, trial, and a lot of error, but they also helped shape our mission. Today, Camilla and I are passionate about helping artists skip the guesswork and step into their artistry with clarity, confidence, and direction. That’s why at Radical Coaching Studios, we offer hands-on coaching in all these areas, vocal technique, songwriting, music production, and music release strategies, because we believe no artist should feel lost on their creative journey.

The goal that drives us is simple: to empower artists with the tools, knowledge, and encouragement they need to express themselves fully and fearlessly, without wasting time and resources trying to figure it all out alone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://radicalcoachingstudios.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radicalcoachingstudios?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radicalcoachingstudios
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@radicalcoachingstudios7237
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/Tppo7JCXBH4Zvzps5
• Other: iamraffad.com

  https://linktr.ee/iamRaffaD?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaePmigaBqVsvIyqZRn8SE7MCc14U5BPJ75SEie5NMrA9MScnQaZd3BGDXg7UQ_aem_JyUcJBcLb8xcEYzXJZHJjQ

Image Credits

One photo credit to Amanda Passinato @apassinatophotography (Camilla and I sitting wearing jeans and black shirts)