Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kimberly Harrison Rieli. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kimberly, thank you for taking the time to share your stories with us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

It was my master’s recital in vocal performance. I’d labored YEARS for this moment, and I saved my favorite song for last. I got to play this wild femme fatale vampire. I LOVED her. It was such catharsis to channel my energy into someone so different from who I was in real life.

However, my father did not share the same enthusiasm. He skipped the reception, and I learned through my mom that he was deeply upset. That night, in my studio apartment, I nervously spoke to him on the phone.

His words pierced through me like an icy dagger. “I’m ashamed to call you my daughter. I’m disowning you.”

After hanging up, I cried uncontrollably. For years, the memory haunted me, shattering my sense of safety. The person meant to protect and support me had cast me away. It affected every aspect of my life—my voice, sensuality, and confidence.

My existing health issues worsened. I battled IBS, depression, anxiety, cystic acne, an eating disorder, and anxiety attacks for years. It was agonizing, but I vowed this wouldn’t define me, and gradually, I turned things around. Surprisingly, I found solace and guidance through listening to my inner voice.

Intuition led me to meditation, sound healing, somatic practices, and natural health methods. These changes transformed my life step by step. My health improved, and I found deeper peace. I resumed performing without trembling or feeling faint. Now I regularly sing during sound healings for groups, and I’ve assisted numerous clients globally in reclaiming their voices and confidence too.

I witnessed firsthand how trauma impacts our bodies, minds, and voices. But I also experienced the healing power of our voices in enhancing physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

This journey brought me to somatic voice healing, a field I cherish. It’s immensely fulfilling to use my experience to support others.

Before we delve deeper, could you give our readers a brief introduction about yourself?

I’m a singer, sound healer, and holistic voice practitioner. I support clients who are struggling with physical, mental, emotional or spiritual blockages in their voice. I help them liberate, embody, and express their voices on many levels.

I specialize in experiential, somatic practices. We focus on healing both the inner and outer voice. This fosters vibrance in all aspects of life—be it health, work, relationships, and beyond.

Ancient traditions speak of creation starting with sound, and it’s equally true for us. The creation of our lives begins with the sound, intention, and skill of our voices!

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

I found myself unwinding many vocal techniques and mindsets that had been ingrained during my school years. The conventional approach to voice emphasizes singing to impress rather than express. It focuses on “sounding good,” and often neglects the whole individual—their unique life experiences and the ways they’ve influenced voice, body, confidence, and psyche. Furthermore, it doesn’t always honor how profoundly our voices and confidence (or lack thereof) permeate every aspect of our lives.

When we fail to address the complete person holistically and somatically, we inadvertently try to fit individuals into molds they may not be not meant for. This can lead to unnecessary shame and discouragement, and the body going into fight, flight or freeze as we try to sing or speak.

Mainstream beliefs also dictate that only certain individuals have “good” voices. This is highly misleading. The truth is, we all have the capacity to enhance our sound and use our voices more persuasively and creatively in our lives.

If you could go back in time, would you choose a different profession or specialty?

Absolutely not! I adore what I do!

Though, in hindsight, I would have skipped my undergraduate and master’s degrees to study directly with the vocal, somatic, and spiritual teachers I found outside academia. It would have saved time and money.

Yet those experiences granted me insights into the dynamics of academia and society at large. This understanding has enabled me to refine my approach to be more sensitive and aware in working with the many fascinating dimensions of the human voice, body, mind and soul.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.singingforyoursoul.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/singingforyoursoul/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SingingForYourSoul/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/singingforyoursoul
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/singing-for-your-soul-santa-monica

Image Credits
Amanda Marcella Boyers Candice Lamarand