Step inside this powerful and wide‑ranging conversation with Dr. Michelle Latour, a master voiceteacher, author, and longtime collaborator with host Shane Jensen. With over 35years of teaching experience, Dr. Latour shares her journey fromclassical training to entrepreneurship, her evolution as an educator, and themodern realities of training singers across classical, musical theatre, andcommercial styles.
In this episode, we explore:
· Dr. Latour’s early musical beginnings in flute,piano, choir, and classical voice
· Her academic path through Fresno State, Boston University, and USC
· The shift from university professor to full‑timeprivate studio owner
· How somaticvoicework, neuroscience‑based pedagogy, and contemporary vocalresearch shape her teaching
· Navigating classicalvs. commercial styles, healthy belting, and stylistic authenticity
· The emotional and practical realities of auditions, rejection, and career sustainability
· Vocal health across life stages: pregnancy,menopause, aging voice, and vocal injury
· Advice for singers performing eight shows a week and avoiding burnout
· The importance of lifelong learning,versatility, and defining your own artistic identity
Whether you're a singer, teacher,student, or music professional, this episode is packed with insight, humor, anddecades of wisdom from one of the most respected pedagogues in the field.