We were lucky to catch up with Jamie Chamberlin Granner recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jamie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I made it my mission to become the voice teacher of my own dreams. The voice is the only instrument that is housed within the body of the artist. It is a deeply personal, sometimes volatile mechanism that on any day can make us doubt our fitness for the stage or studio. Looking back on my singing journey, while I have enjoyed many successes, I began to notice at certain times in my life, particularly those of stress or upheaval, that my confidence in my own singing would also fall victim to the tough times I was experiencing. When you count on your voice for a living, this will keep you up at night.

There were times when I noticed a change in my voice that I wasn’t expecting, or a lack of ability where there had been ability before. I began to notice that as I was working and singing, going from gig to gig and style to style, I didn’t always have confidence that I would be able to sing the way I wanted to. That’s when I first got to work as a teacher- on myself. This whole voice teacher/coach/mentor business wouldn’t exist if I hadn’t taken on my first client…me.

I used my own experiences as a template and I discovered something about myself, and really all singers when you think about it: we can never leave our voices in a case, a locker, or a rehearsal room. Our voices come everywhere with us. They do everything that we do… So why are we treating the learning and practice of being a vocalist like any other instrument? It’s different and that what makes it so special. The humanity we experience is reflected in the voice we possess, and that is a powerful thing.

So, in order to feel better about my own singing, to get my confidence back after a bad experience, I began to CUSTOMIZE the way I approached singing to meet myself where I was on any given day. I made a deal with myself to make my own practice a “judgement free zone” (harder than it sounds!). When I had long swaths of time to work on my voice I would luxuriate in vocalizes, experimenting with pressurizing my airflow, vowel shapes, sounds and volume. I began to understand my voice better than ever during those times and I wondered really simply- why didn’t anyone ever tell me I needed to experiment with my voice more? There was nothing experimental about learning how to sing in the traditional way- it was, do these exercises, sing this repertoire and you will become a singer. The old vocal treatises of centuries ago laid out the patterns of notes to follow and that was all fine and good, but I felt myself longing for an understanding that went beyond simple technical ability…an understanding that cut to the quick of the emotional baggage of being a singer.

As a classical singer especially, I wondered, how do you find or even allow authenticity in a craft that requires near perfection?

I wanted to draw a through-line between good and proper singing and having an honest, human experience as a singer. Those two things didn’t seem to happen simultaneously very often, and I was tired of it! I wanted to enjoy my own experience of singing more and this meant teaching myself how to do so. How do you really ENJOY your own singing?

I needed to find my own place of authenticity as a singer, which for me meant blending the technical skill and prowess of years of training and singing on stages large and small, with a truthfulness and respect for my own humanity and the myriad of wonderful and horrible things that had happened to get me there. It was all a part of me, and all of it had it’s place in my artistic story, right there on the stage, beside me.

Today, with my private online vocal studio, I help singers of all ages find their most authentic voice. One client is preparing a Cabaret style show which will tell the story of her life as a performer so far, the good the bad and the ugly, and I am even helping her write it. Another is coming to terms with a lifetime of negative thoughts about the quality and “worthiness” of their own voice. In our work together, the stories, thoughts and feelings we have about ourselves become a part of our authentic identity as singers. The burden of carrying our instrument within our bodies can be transmuted into real, human connection, and an authenticity and beauty that cannot be achieved by any other instrument on earth. Our voices can transcend the world around us and I’m here to help singers find that special place. One note, one vocalize, one “aha moment” at a time. The only obstacle ever is…ourselves.

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’ve had a 20 year career as a critically acclaimed soprano, producing artist and master teacher. My passion for helping others find their authentic voice is reflected in my work as a private voice teacher, coach, and mentor of singers in all genres. My teaching style resides at the intersection of old school bel-canto vocal technique and a deep respect for each individual’s creative authenticity. I hold both BA and Master of Music Degrees from The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, where I’ve also served as Lecturer in Vocal Technique. I’m most recognized in the contemporary opera world for my 2015 portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in the US premiere of Gavin Bryars’ jazz-noir opera, Marilyn Forever at Long Beach Opera, and I’ve specialized in new music and crossover throughout my career.

Best of all, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with a diverse line up of creatives, including as an operatic muse to rock legend turned classical-form composer Stewart Copeland of The Police, and opera luminary Placido Domingo, during my long tenure as a soloist and chorister at LA Opera. Early in my career I was hand-picked by then LA Phil Artistic Director Esa-Pekka Salonen to sing in the World Premiere of his monumental work, Wing on Wing, which was written in homage to the 2004 opening of Frank Gehry’s iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall. No stranger to the recording studio, my voice is featured prominently on several albums and soundtracks, including as soprano soloist in the epic water ballet scene in the Coen Bros. 2016 film Hail Caesar!, which was recorded at the legendary Barbra Streisand Scoring Stage at Sony Studios. I’ve also developed, performed and taught educational arts programs in venues and classrooms throughout California, including as a Teaching Artist for LA Opera, LA Phil, Pasadena Symphony, Orange County Opera, and The Steinway Society, bringing my love of music directly to future generations of creatives and art lovers. Kids are undoubtedly some of my favorite audiences!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Sometimes it feels like “resilience” is my middle name! About two years ago, just as I was preparing to take my online teaching to the next level, I was hit head-on by a drunk driver on the 101 freeway. My brand new Mazda was totaled… and I would soon learn…so was my brain. I had sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that affected the executive functioning part of my brain (basically, the part that helps you get up and go, and get stuff done). I also had a horrible case of C-PTSD because of the sheer terror of the memory of the crash. To this day it is still a struggle.

The miraculous part of it all was that my voice was not affected by these terrible events, BUT everything else was. TBI is no joke, and C-PTSD can be a paralyzing experience. The last two years have been the most difficult of my life. Through it all, I was able to keep singing professionally and I’m proud to say I didn’t have to cancel a single gig. I attribute that to the strong foundation of resilience I had cultivated in the years prior to the accident, as I was developing my teaching method and testing it on myself. I had already been living in my authenticity as a singer, and that skill prepared me for the difficult years of recovery that were ahead of me.

I’ve also discovered through sustaining a TBI, that I am neurodivergent, and likely have been my entire life. This is another trauma-turned super-power. My own experience and self awareness now helps me guide my clients in a neurodivergent friendly and trauma informed way- a knowledge that has enhanced my teaching and my clients’ experience so much.

In the same way I help my clients transmute their negative experiences into artistic authenticity, I have managed to transmute a lifetime of undiagnosed neurodivergence, a traumatic brain injury and C-PTSD into a superpower that helps me help others. It’s brought a real meaning and purpose to my work that has fulfilled me more than any accolade I’ve received on stage. There’s something very beautiful about that, and my goal is to continue to be of service to my fellow singers and artists.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

This is such a great question! I love the current creative ecosystem. I see things going more and more niche, with room for specialty, experimental and emerging genres and categories. The way that society can support is by encouraging everyone to tap into their own creativity. Try something new, go to a show, find your niche! Support other artists by attending their projects, or contributing in other ways, like volunteering. If you are able, find a non-profit arts organization and donate money or time.

One great way to support is by hiring an art teacher or coach- to discover and develop your own creativity. I believe that we are all creative beings. The great thing about our modern world is that there is truly a way for anyone to experience creativity, no matter what your interests or means may be. Seek and you shall find. Create within your own mind a ‘judgement free zone’ where you can observe and create art without pressure. Challenge your own ideas of what is good and worthy.

I see so many young artists with much more courage and creativity than I ever had at their age, and it inspires me. Right now I’m amazed by Chappell Roan, who is having a huge cultural moment after spending years developing her artistic identity. You never know when the alchemy is going to hit, so enjoy the process of experimenting with self expression through art. Art also doesn’t have to have a goal, it can just BE. The very existence of art and artists makes the world a better place. Anyone can be a part of ART.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jamiechamberlin.com
• Instagram: @darlingdivajmc
• Facebook: @jamiechamberlinsoprano
• Youtube: @jamiechamberlin6292
• Other: For Online Voice Lessons write to [email protected] with “Voice lessons” in the subject line.

Image Credits

Bauman Commercial Photography