Returning to the Blog: Supporting Singers Through Change, Growth, and Connection

By Elizabeth McDonald

In 2008, I launched a little blog called From the Voice Of…, a space where I shared thoughts on voice teaching, repertoire, performance, and the ever-evolving life of a classical singer in Canada. It became a place to explore the questions at the heart of our art: How do we train voices with integrity? How do we prepare for a career that is both deeply personal and relentlessly public? How do we stay connected to the joy of singing?

Those questions deepened in 2020, when the world paused, and with it, the careers and confidence of so many artists (especially singers). In response, I partnered with soprano Emily Martin to create em2CONNECT, a consulting practice that supported classical singers through the isolation of the pandemic and beyond. We offered one-on-one career guidance, storytelling support for grant writing and project proposals, and wrote a series of candid, compassionate newsletters that invited artists to reflect, reframe, and rebuild.

From 2020 to 2024, em2CONNECT became a space where singers could imagine next steps, find language for their evolving identities, and advocate for themselves in an uncertain industry. Though em2CONNECT has since closed, Emily and I continue this work independently—not because the need has diminished or our collaboration has lost value, but because life and career paths have led us in different directions. The work we began together remains deeply important, and its relevance has only grown in today's shifting artistic landscape.

Now, in 2025, I’m returning to blogging with that same spirit of curiosity, mentorship, and momentum. I’ll be writing about voice training, yes—but also about artistic identity, career development, funding strategies, and the kind of resilience that comes from knowing you are not alone in this work.

I hope that the From the voice of… space will once again become a hub for conversation, learning, and connection, just as it was when it first began. Only now, with more voices, more complexity, and perhaps more courage.

💬 Let’s Start a Conversation:

What’s one shift, big or small, that’s changed how you think about your career since 2020?
Drop a comment, send a message, or share this with someone navigating a similar journey. I’d love to hear from you.

xoE

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