Vocalist, Vocal Arranger

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Take your time with the mix. When you think you're done mixing, listen to the track on different devices with different speakers/headphones. Put it in the drawer for a few days or a week, then return to it and tweak it with fresh ears.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I have killer ears (I teach Ear Training at the New School Jazz University in New York) and can pick things up very quickly. I can construct harmonies on the fly - which is actually the best way for me to work.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I like to connect to the lyrics of a song and bring that emotional connection to the foreground. Also I have a very distinctive voice, a particular sound that may not work for everybody, but that also gives me the edge of immediate recognition.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: It really depends on what the project calls for. If I'm doing back-up vocals I'd like to get the track with the lead vocs in mp3 format and some instruction as to what vibe the client wants behind the lead. Then I start stacking. I tend to overstack first, we can always take out tracks later, but I prefer to record all vocals in one session so that variation of day-to-day sound is not an issue. For lead vocals I would need either a demo (can be a super trashy phone recording) or a lead-sheet; and ideally I'd like to have a say in the key of the song before it gets to recording the lead. As a low mezzo I'm suited more to a jazzy/chill-out vibe than a straight pop recording. I can then record a lead, production can finish the instrumental around that, and I can re-record at the end, if needed.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a Mac Pro Tower, work in Cubase. My pre-amp is a Universal Audio LA-610. My mic is a Gefell UM-990. I also have a Yamaha C7 grand piano with a Neve Pre-amp and AKG 414s to record with.

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

A: Imogen Heap is incredibly creative and ground-breaking. Sting - I've always loved his songwriting and his voice. Snarky Puppy are just incredibly cool.

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

A: I specialize in vocal layers to create back-up choirs with tons of stacked harmony and counter-melodies. I've done this throughout various genres, including hip-hop (also singing hooks), chill-out electronica, jazz, world and pop. Lead vocals for jazz, chill-out electronica and some singer-songwriter. As a songwriter I have released original music on my own albums and as a guest vocalist for jazz artists such as Phishbacher and David Bennett Cohen.

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

A: I'm a jazz artist with an adult contemporary/chill-out crossover vibe.