Singer, Songwriter, Engineer

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: I used to think that the music I make requires an enormous studio or expensive equipment. I’ve learned that resourcefulness, inspiration, and knowing what I'm trying to communicate matter way more than how much gear I have in the room. The same thing applies to performances and production. Just because something may seem technically perfect doesn’t mean it's emotionally effective. Sometimes, the breath, texture, unusual vocal choices, imperfections, or production decisions that I might be tempted to “fix” are the things that give my records their identity. I’m way more interested in making something feel intentional and human than making it perfect for the sake of perfection.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I usually start by asking what they want the finished song to feel like, because that tends to tell me more than technical instructions alone. I’ll ask for reference songs or artists, what they like and dislike about the current version, what they specifically want me to contribute, and how much creative freedom they want me to have. I’ll also clarify other important details, like BPM, key, lyrics, any files, editing or tuning requests, release timeframes, and deadlines. For songwriting or top-line work, I also want to understand the concept, perspective, themes, and I'm very transparent and honest about my expectations around credits, royalties, and publishing before we begin. The more clearly we understand the goal when we start, the easier it is for me to make choices that actually help the song and make the whole process go smoothly.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I originally studied vocal performance at Valencia College before eventually shifting my academic focus to philosophy, but music never stopped being the center of what I was doing creatively. I started releasing music professionally as an independent artist in 2019 and gradually became more involved in every part of the process; songwriting, vocal production, recording, engineering, mixing, and production. Since then, my music has accumulated more than 3 million streams, and I’ve also worked in live performance, commercial and brand projects, and collaborations with other artists and creatives. A lot of what I know on the production and engineering side came from years of hands-on experience, study, experimenting, and figuring out how to get the sound I wanted without waiting for someone else to do it for me.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Most of my work is on my own music as an independent artist, which is rooted in '80s-inspired synth-pop. I pull from synthwave, nu-disco, dance, and even occasionally elements of glam rock and other sounds from that era rather than limit myself to one specific style. My musical background is broader, though, and includes training and experience in styles like jazz and musical theatre, so I’m comfortable adapting outside of my usual lane when a project calls for it.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: My whole, authentic self. Vocally, I have a strong but airy, lush head voice, with a chest voice that can sit deep and grounded or rise higher while staying warm, soulful, and soft. I care much more about communicating the emotion of a performance than simply singing notes correctly. The same applies to my songwriting. I tend to write very honestly and directly, and I’m drawn to the messy, complicated parts of being human. Whatever role I’m taking on, I want the finished song to feel like something, not sound perfectly polished and overly processed.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Julia Michaels, Sasha Alex Sloan, Brayton Bowman, James Blake, and Regina Spektor are a few just off the top of my head. I’m especially inspired by artists and writers with a distinctive creative identity, people whose melodies, lyrics, voices, or production choices feel unmistakably their own and who aren’t afraid to be emotionally honest or a little unconventional.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Most of my professional work has historically come through relationships and opportunities outside of SoundBetter. I’ve worked on projects for major brands and companies including Disney, SeaWorld, and Walmart, as well as with other artists and creatives I’ve met through the music industry, the Recording Academy, live performance, and sometimes on social media. The actual work I do varies, but tends to be mostly session vocals and live performances. I tend to gravitate toward collaborations where I can bring both a technical ear and my own creative perspective.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Absolutely! That’d be Brayton Bowman. I first discovered Brayton as an artist in college and was immediately drawn to his voice, range, tone, and style. I originally reached out to tell him how much I appreciated his work, and that eventually led to him becoming my vocal coach. He’s an incredible artist and creative talent, and someone I’d wholeheartedly recommend.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital. I love the convenience, flexibility, and freedom of being able to work almost anywhere without a huge pile of hardware. I don’t think one is inherently better than the other; what matters most to me is what I create with the tools I have.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: A song is never really finished; you just decide when to stop working on it. There will always be something you could add, remove, tweak, or rethink. Eventually, you have to recognize when you’ve captured what you wanted the song to say and how you wanted it to feel, then let it go. Knowing when to stop can be just as important as knowing what to change.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a comfy home studio with the basics; a Shure SM7B, Logic Pro, Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones, and a Carbon 49 MIDI keyboard. I’ve never felt like I need an enormous amount of equipment to make something great. Resourcefulness is a big part of how I work; I like seeing how much I can create with a simple setup.