The Real Reason Why I Left Musical Theatre
"Lisa, are you aware that, when you sing, there is a shadow on your shoulder?"
"I'm sorry... What?"
"A shadow on your shoulder. It's as if you're being haunted by something. It only exists behind you when you sing."
Speechless, I felt the heat rising in my cheeks as the entire MFA Acting cohort turned their ten heads toward me, eagerly awaiting my response. I heard him loud and clear. The School of Dramatic Arts Dean, my advanced movement teacher, and our class mentor had just read me for filth. I felt embarrassed, exposed.
My secret was out, and I did not like it one bit.
In the Beginning
Lis Ermel in high school as “Maria” in The Sound of Music
I began singing in front of an audience at church when I was eight. It wasn't as much a creative expression as an act of service to a God I was already afraid of. But it was the incessant harsh criticism of my performance that I would receive upon coming home that would become my own special kind of 'eternal damnation.' The words of disapproval would echo in my mind, creating a sense of unworthiness and fear that I carried with me long after the performance was over.
Discovering musical theatre was a revelation. The sheer joy of narrating someone else's story, even if only for a brief moment, was a divine escape. It whisked me away from the relentless scrutiny at home and ushered me into a world where I could breathe, express, and be free.
As the violence at home escalated, that shadow grew larger and more menacing. It began to dominate my stage experience—causing full body tension, dry mouth, tunnel vision, nausea, self-doubt, and feelings of inadequacy reigned supreme.
Dissociation became a welcome respite.
Over time, I left the literal 'song and dance' and focused on acting. However, the joy of becoming someone else on stage had already turned into a need to disconnect from reality, a type of coping mechanism significantly impacted my sense of identity and prevented me from connecting with my authentic voice. I was no longer performing for the love of story, but as a means of escape.
It wasn't until I had the opportunity for voice and movement training that I learned how to do that and began to identify as a "singer--" and an "artist--" once again.
Lis Ermel in Joan of Arc: Cabaret at Rockwell Table & Stage (2019)
What is it about singing that feels so vulnerable?
Singing, unlike other forms of expression, requires a unique combination of physical, emotional, and technical precision. These demands can be particularly intense and overwhelming for those with complex trauma. Here are some reasons why singing feels uniquely exposing:
Technical Precision in Music: The exactness needed in music—hitting the right notes, maintaining rhythm, and controlling dynamics—adds a layer of pressure that can be daunting. Trauma can affect cognitive functions like memory and concentration, making it challenging to meet the often binary demands of musical performance.
Diaphragmatic Breath Control: Singing demands more mechanical breath control than speaking or acting. Trauma often leads to irregular and involuntary breathing patterns, activating the body's stress response, causing shallow, rapid breaths that make deep diaphragmatic breathing feel unnatural and anxiety-inducing.
Physical Exposure: Much like acting or speaking, singing involves using the entire body as an instrument. Sustaining pitch, maintaining open vocal posture, and releasing tension to better resonate is particularly challenging for trauma survivors, and we often have heightened awareness and discomfort with physical exposure due to the body's protective response to past threats.
Internalized Narratives: Many of us carry harsh internalized narratives from childhood, often rooted in criticism and perfectionism. Mixed with the precision of music, it's a doozy (we have Simon Cowell to thank for this, as well!). These narratives can make us highly sensitive to potential rejection, deeply engraining in us these negative beliefs, affecting self-esteem and increasing sensitivity to critique.
Emotional Connection: The performing arts ask us to be emotionally available and open. However, trauma can disrupt emotional regulation, making it difficult to manage any intense feelings that singing can evoke. This dual demand can be overwhelming, making the performer feel exposed and vulnerable in a way that speaking or acting does not.
Face Your Fear, Find Your Voice
In my recovery journey, I have discovered that a trauma-informed approach to training was the missing piece to help me face my fears and find my voice. Connecting with my authentic voice required vulnerability and a willingness to be seen for who I truly am, not just the characters I portrayed. This is a challenging but essential part of the process.
If you’re struggling with performance anxiety, know that you're not alone. There are ways to navigate and overcome these challenges! A trauma-informed approach to training could be the missing piece to help you take that next step.
Ready to take the plunge?
Register for my “Singing for Actors” Weekend Training Intensive August 16-18th!
EARLY BIRD PRICING
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$100 OFF UNTIL AUGUST 1ST
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Wanna dip your toes in, first?
Drop in on my Trauma-Informed Voice Group Class on Wednesdays at 3p PST!
Interested in becoming a private client?
Start things off with a reduced-rate Introductory Coaching Session today!
Can Stage Fright be Cured?
Introduction
Let’s face it: Stage fright’s a bitch.
Recently, I returned to my musical theatre roots in my hometown of Kenosha, Wisconsin, to honor my high school drama and choir director, Holly Stanfield, on her retirement. Alumni from various eras reunited to give her a performance, and I was thrilled to be performing a solo from one of my favorite shows: Sondheim’s “Into the Woods.”
Preparing for this trip brought back a flood of emotions and memories. As the date approached, I was filled with excitement to celebrate an iconic artistic presence in my life mixed with nearly crippling anxiety. As old traumatic memories from my childhood resurfaced, intense feelings of fear and narratives of inadequacy became overwhelming.
I thought, “Surely, this will go away by the weekend. Everything will come together perfectly, and all of my years of experience and training will kick in.”
Boy, was I wrong.
What Exactly is “Stage Fright”?
Stage fright, or performance anxiety, is a type of social anxiety. It includes a fun little mix of emotional, cognitive, and physical responses to performing in front of others. Symptoms of intense nervousness, fear of judgment, and a heightened sense of self-awareness often come with physical reactions such as sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath (to name a few, I could go on for days).
And, in severe cases, it can be seen as a trauma response.
At its core, the root causes of stage fright typically link to fear of rejection and failure, and I have great news: it's completely natural. Humans evolved to feel the need to "belong" with others in order to survive and fight off wild animals. This fear triggers the body's "fight or flight" response, prepping you to deal with the perceived threat, which can be counterproductive during a performance (to put it lightly). Since it lives under the social anxiety umbrella, anyone is susceptible to stage fright, and it can range from mild nervousness to debilitating anxiety.
What Does Trauma Have to Do With Performance Anxiety?
Anxiety often has roots in past traumatic experiences, which create narratives that sabotage our confidence. Because the brain is quite brilliant, the nervous system takes a "sensory snapshot" of these moments to prevent them from happening again. These events can alter the brain's stress response system, making it more reactive to perceived threats like performing in front of an audience.
It's when the sensations become too strong to manage that we cross into "trauma response" territory.
The amygdala, the brain's fear processor, becomes overactive, releasing stress hormones like adrenaline, leading to physical sensations that lock up our vocal potential. Trauma can lead to long-lasting changes in the brain and body, increasing susceptibility to anxiety and fear. Recognizing and addressing trauma-related responses is crucial for managing performance anxiety and improving overall well-being.
What Strategies Can Help Manage Overwhelming Anxiety?
Acknowledging, understanding, and navigating stress response is crucial in overcoming stage fright. It's a process of recovery that allows us to reclaim our power and perform with confidence. Over the years, I have developed a trauma-informed approach to managing performance anxiety, drawing on my MFA in Acting, Certified Trauma-Informed 200RYT® training, and, let's be honest— a lifetime in therapy. (But I'll leave that part for the professionals!)
Trauma-Informed Practices: Trauma-informed practices involve recognizing the presence of trauma symptoms, which can include hypervigilance, flashbacks, and emotional dysregulation, and acknowledging the role trauma may play in an individual's life. These practices aim to create a safe and supportive environment that promotes recovery and empowerment in the arts.
Formal Voice Training: Muscle memory is a key player in vocal training, but so is imagination and play. Linklater Voice Work, in particular, encourages these elements, helping to free the natural voice by releasing physical and psychological tension. This approach, which emphasizes the connection between the body and voice, can be both engaging and exciting, helping to get us out of our old narratives and into the present moment of the story we are telling.
Mindful Movement: Since trauma is stored in the body, integrating mindfulness, breathing, and movement is integral to helping release tension and build a sense of safety. This approach, with its focus on mindfulness, can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety by calming the nervous system and fostering a supportive environment for emotional and physical healing, offering hope and reassurance to those who have experienced trauma.
Moving Forward
Acknowledging these old narratives and the fears they bring up is crucial in the journey to overcome stage fright, and I can't deny it: it's a lifelong process. Moving forward, I am inspired to work through what happened on that fateful day in my hometown and will share my discoveries as I try to unpack precisely what went wrong.
For now, I can tell you this: The experience has reinforced the importance of consistent practice and the value of regularly working on our craft.
If you want to overcome stage fright and manage anxiety, consider joining my Trauma-Informed Voice Group Class on Wednesdays at 3p PST. You can also book a reduced-rate intro session for one-on-one coaching for more personalized support. Let’s work together to reclaim our confidence and perform with authenticity.
Wanna give us a trial run?
Drop in on my Trauma-Informed Voice Group Class on Wednesdays at 3p PST!
Interested in becoming a private client?
Book a reduced-rate 1:1 Introductory Coaching Session today.
Commercial Voice Over Scripts
“2025 VOLKSWAGEN”
Automotive
At Volkswagen, we believe everyone deserves a better car.
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Like the turbocharged Tiguan, the mid-sized Passat or the 34 highway MPG Jetta.
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And it’s never been easier to get a new Volkswagen.
Get 0 due at signing, 0 down, 0 deposit, and 0 first months payment on any new 2025 Volkswagen.
Hurry, this offer ends October 31st.
“SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE”
Entertainment & Recreation
Kids hate the word “no.” As in “no, you can’t stay up late”, “no, you can’t have more ice cream”, and “no, you may not paint the cat”.
”No, no, NO!”
Well, isn’t it time for a “yes?”
We think so.
Six Flags Great Adventure. “Yes!”
“PURINA ONE FOR CATS”
Retail
Purina One Special Formula For Cats is made with real chicken.
Good news for your cat. Great news for your canary.
For a complete adult diet for your cat and the real chicken he wants, give him Purina One Special Formula. Your canary will thank you for it.
Purina One: Second to none.
“MACY’S THANKSGIVING SALE”
Retail
It’s Macy’s Thanksgiving sale!
Storewide savings for the whole family.
All women’s coats and jackets…30-50 percent off.
All men’s outerwear…25-50 percent off.
And all kids’ jackets, hats, and gloves…up to 60 percent off.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Sale.
All you need for the holidays.
AETNA AND US HEALTHCARE
Finance, Business, & Insurance
No matter where we live, when it comes to something as important as health care, we all want the best.
That’s why AETNA and US HEALTHCARE have joined forces to create a partnership that will set a new standard for quality and caring.
AETNA and US HEALTHCARE.
Raising a standard for your town, for your family, and for you.
PANASONIC
Technology
Times have changed, and so have batteries.
Presenting batteries for the digital age.
If you don’t have them, you’re still in the dark.
Audiobook Voice Over Scripts
“INTO THE UNKNOWN: MY ENCOUNTER WITH A WORMHOLE”
Fiction
I never believed in the extraordinary until I stumbled upon a mysterious phenomenon that changed my perception forever. It all started on a brisk autumn evening as I took my usual shortcut through the dense forest behind my house. The fading sunlight filtered through the crimson leaves, casting an eerie glow on the forest floor.
As I ventured deeper into the woods, something peculiar caught my eye—a swirling vortex of shimmering light amidst the gnarled roots of an ancient oak tree. Mesmerized, I approached cautiously, my heart pounding with a mixture of fear and curiosity.
Without warning, the vortex expanded, revealing a gaping hole in the fabric of reality. I stood frozen in disbelief as a rush of wind tugged at my clothes, beckoning me closer. With a surge of adrenaline, I stepped through the threshold and into the unknown.
Instantly, I found myself in a world unlike anything I had ever imagined. The sky was an ethereal shade of violet, adorned with constellations I couldn’t recognize. Strange flora adorned the landscape, glowing softly in the moonlight.
As I ventured further, I encountered beings unlike any I had encountered before—creatures with luminous eyes and iridescent wings, flitting through the air with grace. They regarded me with a mixture of curiosity and caution, as if unsure of my intentions.
Despite the unfamiliarity of my surroundings, a sense of wonder enveloped me, driving me to explore every corner of this enigmatic realm. Time seemed to lose its meaning as I traversed vast plains and towering mountains, each step revealing new wonders beyond imagination.
Yet, as quickly as it began, my journey came to an abrupt end. With a blinding flash of light, the vortex reappeared before me, beckoning me back to the world I knew. Reluctantly, I stepped through, leaving behind the mysteries of that otherworldly realm.
Back in the familiar embrace of the forest, I couldn’t shake the feeling of awe and longing that lingered within me. Though I may never fully understand the nature of the wormhole I had encountered, its existence had irrevocably altered my perception of the universe—and ignited a thirst for adventure that would never be quenched.
And so, with the memory of that fateful encounter burning brightly in my mind, I set forth on a new journey—one fueled by the boundless possibilities that lie beyond the horizon, waiting to be discovered.
This is the story of my encounter with a wormhole to another world—a tale of mystery, wonder, and the endless quest for the unknown.
“HOW TO CONCENTRATE”
Self-Help
Micro-goals are short-term, clear-cut objectives accomplished on a daily basis. These tasks are able to bridge the gap between an individual and successful productivity.
If the main goal is to lose weight for example, just “lose weight” is too abstract and obscure to be an effective goal to strive to reach. It may even prove to be demotivating for the individual, leaving them feeling like a failure. But how much weight does this person want to lose? How will they do this? It is important to have both specific primary and micro-goals.
Here is a good example of both: let’s say this person’s primary goal is to lose 6kg in 3 months. The definitive steps that person must undertake to do so are their micro-goals. Thus, this person’s micro-goals are to run 1km every day while maintaining a daily diet of 1000 calories per meal.
"HARMLESS FLIRTING”
Fiction
“Hey sweet thing!” He strutted his way over to me at the bar.
I was shocked. The audacity of this man! He even went as far as to tap me on my shoulder.
“Can I buy you a drink? You sure look good tonight!”
I wanted to melt right then and there.
Why did I come out tonight.
Oh yeah, because Steve pissed me off.
“A BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME” BY STEPHEN HAWKINGS
Non-Fiction
We go about our daily lives understanding almost nothing of the world.
We give little thought to the machinery that generates the sunlight that makes life possible, to the gravity that glues us to an Earth that would otherwise send us spinning off into space, or to the atoms of which we are made and on whose stability we fundamentally depend.
Except for children (who don’t know enough not to ask the important questions), few of us spend much time wondering why nature is the way it is; where the cosmos came from, or whether it is always here; if time will one day flow backward and effects precede causes; or whether there are ultimate limits to what humans can know.
“SCIENCE: IT’S JUST NOT FAIR”
Educational
So your school is having a science fair! Great! The science fair has long been a favorite educational tool in the American school system, and for a good reason: Your teachers hate you. Ha ha!
But seriously: Although a science fair can seem like a big “pain,” it can help you understand important scientific principles, such as Newton’s First Law of Inertia, which states: “A body at rest will remain at rest until 8:45 p.m. The night before the science fair project is due, the body will come rushing to the body’s parents, who are already in their pajamas, and shout, “I just remembered the science fair is tomorrow, and we gotta go to the store right now!”
“DRACULA” BY BRAM STOKER
Fiction
It was on the dark side of twilight when we got to Bistritz, which is a very interesting old place. Being practically on the frontier—for the Borgo Pass leads from it into Bukovina—it has had a very stormy existence, and it certainly shows marks of it. Fifty years ago a series of great fires took place, which made terrible havoc on five separate occasions. At the very beginning of the seventeenth century it underwent a siege of three weeks and lost 13,000 people, the casualties of war proper being assisted by famine and disease.
Count Dracula had directed me to go to the Golden Krone Hotel, which I found, to my great delight, to be thoroughly old-fashioned, for of course I wanted to see all I could of the ways of the country. I was evidently expected, for when I got near the door I faced a cheery-looking elderly woman in the usual peasant dress—white undergarment with long double apron, front, and back, of coloured stuff fitting almost too tight for modesty. When I came close she bowed and said, “The Herr Englishman?” “Yes,” I said, “Jonathan Harker.” She smiled, and gave some message to an elderly man in white shirt-sleeves, who had followed her to the door. He went, but immediately returned with a letter:—
“My Friend.—Welcome to the Carpathians. I am anxiously expecting you. Sleep well to-night. At three to-morrow the diligence will start for Bukovina; a place on it is kept for you. At the Borgo Pass my carriage will await you and will bring you to me. I trust that your journey from London has been a happy one, and that you will enjoy your stay in my beautiful land.
Your friend,
DRACULA.”
Animation Voice Over Scripts
“PINKY & THE BRAIN”
Comedic
Now Pinky. Here is the plan:
Remember: Every step must be performed with precision.
You must slit the sick sixth sheet slitter’s son’s sheet, secure it next to the toy boat from the hack and sack socko Kicky Sack sack kicker’s picnic in Secaucus, stretch it past the sack pickers station and the sock plucker’s chute,
and pick a sack, pluck a sock, and flick the plug, so I can put the pea in the plucked sock with the picked sack for ballast, and bounce it off the rubber baby buggy bumpers, into the Parker Packard purple pewter pressure pump.
Is that understood?
“BATMAN: THE JOKER”
Dramatic
Hello, Batsy! Fancy seeing you here tonight! Are you here to fight again?
You know, we really shouldn’t keep meeting like this. Perhaps you can take me out to tea sometime?
I promise you, I’m not crazy! I just think different than everyone else. You should understand what that’s like…you do too!
You see, we are really not that different. We both dress in outrageous costumes. We both have lost someone important in our lives. I think we might even be seeking the same thing.
JUSTICE.
“HANDSOME JACK”
Comedic
You see, this is what I don’t get about you bad guys: You know the hero’s gonna win, but you don’t just die quickly.
This one guy in New Haven, right? City’s burning, people are dying left and right, yadda, yadda, yadda… This jackass rushes me with a spoon, A FRICKIN’ SPOON! And I’m dying laughing, right? So I scoop out his stupid little eyeballs with it and his kids are all, ‘WAAAAAAH!’ And-ahahaha… I can’t even… ahahahahah! He can’t see where he’s going, he’s bumping into stuff and…
I dunno. Maybe you had to be there.
“SLY COOPER”
Dramatic
It all began when I was just a kid, bouncing on my father’s knee.
You see, I come from a long line of master thieves who kept all their secrets of sneaking and stealing in an ancient book: the Thievius Raccoonus. Anyone who reads it learns to be especially sneaky, which is why we specialize in stealing from criminals. After all, there’s no honor, no challenge, no fun stealing from ordinary people.
You rip off a master criminal, and you know you’re a master thief.
“ANIME”
Dramatic
You don’t understand! Why do you not believe me when the signs of evil are all about you?
Look at me… LOOK AT ME!! I am the only one who can save you… the only one who…who knows how these creatures think…who know their weakness…Why do you laugh as if I were a madman?
Wait a second… WAIT, WAIT… where are you taking me?… WHERE ARE YOU TAKING ME? Don’t you see they are coming? Just answer me! DO YOU NOT SEE THE SIGNS? When the last of the day’s light has disappeared from the horizon…you will see…Yes…yes, you WILL SEE!… And by then.. it will be too late…
No… Please don’t take me… NOOOOOO!
“WACKY MOM”
Comedic
Oh hi there!
I was just trying to bake a cake. You’ll never guess where I am. I’m near a volcano. I was curious about where chocolate comes from and thought I’d see if the rumors were true, the one about volcanoes having an endless supply of cocoa mix for the perfect cake.
Oh, it’s hot, ohh, ow!
(Hot embers start to land by where she is standing at the portable oven.)
Video Game Voice Over Scripts
“TIK THE GOBLIN” TO CAMERA
Comedic
Hi there, my name is Tik the Goblin. I’m a tinkerer of chaos and a builder of boom.
You see, I like lots of things, but nothing more than little trinkets that go BOOM!
I also like to sometimes find myself in a temporary state of forgetfulness after getting a little too close to my disastrous detonating toys.
Weeeee!
“DARK ELF WARRIOR” DIALOGUE
Dramatic
Your time has come. All things must pass.
Protectors are saved, and intruders are slain.
I have yet to realize my purpose. I must persevere.
“ANNA” DIALOGUE
Dramatic
Good job, Ben. You’ve landed outside the radar cover, and the security team hasn’t detected you yet.
Ben, there’s a communications antenna ahead. If you plant the transmission device, I can hack into Zaphire’s security grid.
Great, tapping in now… A… secured door is ahead, and the passcode is… 0119. Do you read? 0119.
This door has some heavy security. I can’t help you unless you plant the transmission device.
You’re entering the helipad control room. Security expected you to land here, so you should be able to catch them with their pants down.
FINAL FANTASY IX: VIVI’S LETTER
Dramatic
I always talked about you, Zidane. You were a very special person to us because you taught us all how important life is. You taught me that life doesn’t last forever. That’s why we must help each other and live life to the fullest.
Even if you say goodbye, you’ll always be in our hearts. So, I know we’re not alone anymore.
Why was I born…How I wanted to live…Thanks for giving me time to think. To keep doing what you set your heart on…It’s a very hard thing to do.
We were all so courageous…
What to do when I felt lonely…That was the only thing you couldn’t teach me. But we need to figure out the answer for ourselves…I’m so happy I met everyone… I wish we could’ve gone on more adventures.
But I guess we all have to say goodbye someday.
Everyone…
Thank you.
Farewell.
My memories will be part of the sky.
“FLUFFY” TO CAMERA
Comedic
My name is Fluffy, except in the rain, which makes me scruffy to my disdain.
(HOWL)
Help me get my fluffiness back!
Click right here to get me on track.
“JET FIGHTER PILOT” DIALOGUE
Dramatic
Let’s go!
Fire up your burners, boys. We've got bogeys on our 6.
Meet back up at the Alpha waypoint.
Phoenix-out.
KINGDOM HEARTS: ANSEM’S REPORT
Much of my life has been dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. That knowledge has guarded this world well. Not a soul doubts that. I am blessed with people’s smiles and respect. But though I am called a sage, there are things I do not understand. I believe darkness sleeps in every heart, no matter how pure. Given the chance, the smallest drop can spread and swallow the heart. I have witnessed it many times. Darkness…Darkness of the heart. How is it born? How does it come to affect us so? As ruler of this world, I must find the answers. I must find them before the world is lost to those taken by the darkness.
4 Ways Singing Benefits Your Mental Health
Singing has a number of psychological benefits that can positively impact your mental health and well-being. Here are just a few:
Singing reduces stress and anxiety.
A 2017 study measured the amount of cortisol, the stress hormone, in participants’ saliva before and after they sang.
Researchers in that study found that the amount of cortisol was lower after singing, an indication that people felt more relaxed after they’d belted out a tune.
There’s a small catch, though: Cortisol only goes down if you’re singing in a place that doesn’t make you anxious. A similar 2015 study tested salivary cortisol levels after a singing performance, concluding that cortisol levels went up in this scenario. Finding a safe and inclusive environment to sing in can help combat the additional pressure and anxiety that can come up in performance and social situations.Singing increases your pain threshold.
Studies have shown that singing can increase your pain threshold through the release of endorphins.
Endorphins are neurotransmitters produced by the body that has a similar chemical structure to opiates (such as morphine). When released in the brain, endorphins bind to opioid receptors, which are located throughout the body and brain and involved in pain perception. When endorphins bind to these receptors, they can reduce the transmission of pain signals, effectively blocking the sensation of pain.
When you sing alone, collectively, or one-on-one with a coach, singing helps to alleviate pain symptoms, thus improving your overall quality of life. Pretty rad, huh?
Singing improves cognitive function.
Come to think of it, singing in itself is an incredibly mindful activity!
There is so much going on in your body and mind when you sing that when you are doing so, you are fully focused on your experience. This allows you to ‘turn off’ your stream of consciousness and live completely in the moment, distracting your mind from negative thoughts, focusing on the sound, the action, the breathing, the feeling and the pleasure of song.
Mindfulness has been shown to have many benefits, including increasing focus and mental clarity. This can be particularly beneficial for my neurodivergent honeys and those who struggle with cognitive disorders.
Singing boosts your mood and confidence.
And it doesn't even matter if you're any good.
When people sing together, a neurochemical called "oxytocin" is released. Oxytocin is a hormone that is commonly associated with social bonding, trust, and positive social interactions. When oxytocin is released in the brain, it can activate regions associated with social reward and motivation, such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, which may help give you a heightened sense of connectedness and inclusion.
Overall, reducing stress and anxiety, giving your brain the resources to be more resilient towards pain, and possessing a clearer mind for better focus and concentration could offer anyone more self-confidence.
Why not give it a try and see how it can help you? Whether you sing in the shower, join a choir, or take singing lessons, there are many ways to incorporate singing into your life and experience its mental health benefits.
Silverman, M. J. (2013). Effects of group singing on effect, cognition, and immune function of people with depression: A pilot study. Journal of Music Therapy, 50(4), 241-260.
Grape, C., Sandgren, M., Hansson, L. O., Ericson, M., & Theorell, T. (2014). Does singing promote well-being? An empirical study of professional and amateur singers during a singing lesson. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 37(5), 1-13.
Fancourt, D., & Steptoe, A. (2018). A longitudinal analysis of the relationship between changes in wellbeing and hours singing in a choir. British Journal of Psychiatry, 212(4), 225-231.
Lomas, T., Ivtzan, I., & Fu, C. H. (2019). A systematic review of the neurophysiology of mindfulness on EEG oscillations. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 107, 1-20.