We were lucky to catch up with Justin Stoney recently and have shared our conversation below.

Justin , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

There are two risks in particular that I took which forever altered my life. The first one led to the second one, which led me to where I am today.

Academically, I was on track to be a Chemical Engineer. But later I decided to pursue my love of acting, music, and singing. Eventually, I moved to NYC to do these things professionally. This was the first risk – I sought what I loved to do over what seemed practical.

After only two weeks of living in the city, I was at a casting call waiting for an audition. It was this day that I took the second risk which forever altered the course of my life.

I was sitting in a waiting room before my audition when a man walked in and said, “Does anyone here play the piano?” I shyly raised my hand and said, “I do.” He pulled me aside and asked me how well I play and whether I could sight read and play for an audition. I told him I play pretty well and I think I could. The man pulled out his cell phone and said, “Yeah I got some kid here who thinks he can do it. Okay — we’ll take the kid.” He hung up the phone and told me to finish my audition and come down the hall when I was done. Their accompanist had dropped out at the last moment and they needed someone now.

I walked back to my seat and the audition runner said, “You know who that is right? That’s one of the most influential casting directors of all time! He’s cast films, T.V. shows, Broadway shows. You better get ready!”

As it turned out, I was about to become the accompanist for a major Broadway audition. I had never been so nervous in my life. I found myself accompanying Broadway stars. People that I had been a fan of for years and had only dreamed of ever meeting — let alone accompanying their audition!

When it was all over, the casting director said something to me that I’ll never forget. He said, “We saw something in you today, Justin. We saw your work and how you interacted with the singers. We think that you have what it takes to be a really great vocal coach.” I thought, a vocal coach?! That’s the LAST thing I would ever want to do! I didn’t know it at that moment, but that day I went from pursuing my dreams to walking into my destiny.

Over the next couple of years, I found myself so booked as a vocal coach that I stopped pursuing acting. I realized that I actually loved helping others to sing and perform even more than I loved doing it myself. So, I devoted myself to learning everything I could about teaching voice and I never looked back.

In the end, I discovered that there is a lot more practicality to passions than people believe. The original desire might not be where we end up, but taking the risk of following what truly “lights us up” will often lead to places we never could have anticipated and are often even better than the original plan.

Justin , 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?

I ended up as a Voice Teacher through a miraculous set of circumstances which led me to my calling. Now, my mission is to help and inspire singers and voice teachers from all around the world. I seek to provide access to world class vocal information and training, to illuminate the intimate connection between one’s voice and the inner journey, and to encourage singers and teachers to welcome the spiritual, emotional, and transformative elements of singing into their craft and teaching process.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal and mission is to inspire the restoration of the spiritual journey with the singing journey. These two things are interconnected. When a person grows in one area it automatically affects the other area, and vice versa. It’s transformative when people discover this connection and I aim to help and encourage this process in singers.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding thing is seeing the transformation in people when they discover the connection between their spirit and their singing journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: NewYorkVocalCoaching.com
• Instagram: @newyorkvocalcoaching
• Facebook: @newyorkvocalcoaching
• Twitter: @nyvocalcoaching
• Youtube: @newyorkvocalcoaching

Image Credits
Kaleb Hart