On Key
by Brianna Westland
Latest episode
Stuck in a Rut with Music: Remembering Why You Fell in Love With It
Stuck in a Rut with Music: Remembering Why You Fell in Love With It
About this podcast
Welcome to On Key, hosted by Brianna Westland, where we explore the personal stories of musicians, educators, and artists who have made music their passion. Through engaging interviews, we uncover their journeys, mentors, and challenges. Each episode offers insights into their experiences and triumphs. Whether you’re an aspiring musician or a music lover, join us for conversations that celebrate the transformative power of music. Tune in and get inspired!
Episodes
The newest 20 of 26 episodes
- Stuck in a Rut with Music: Remembering Why You Fell in Love With It · 15 min · Season 1 Episode 25Have you ever felt like music has become more work than joy? Between practicing, preparing for performances, auditions, classes, and the pressure to keep improving, it's easy to…
- Music and Taking Risks: Finding Courage · 12 min · Season 1 Episode 24Why can making music feel so vulnerable? Whether we're singing in front of someone, performing on stage, auditioning, trying a difficult piece, or simply allowing ourselves to be…
- How to Practice When Life Gets Busy · 12 min · Season 1 Episode 23Do you ever skip practicing because you don't have enough time? Maybe you think if you can't fit in a full 30, 45, or 60-minute session, it's not worth practicing at all. In this…
- What Recitals Are Really About · 15 minPerformance anxiety, mistakes, adrenaline, comparison, pressure… if you’ve ever performed music, chances are you’ve experienced at least one of these. In this solo episode of On…
- Why Genre Matters in Vocal Training · 17 min · Season 1 Episode 21Not all singing is the same — and the way we train shouldn’t be either. In this episode, we’re diving into genre-specific vocal training and what that really means for singers…
- The Truth About Talent: The Iceberg of Growth · 23 min · Season 1 Episode 20We often celebrate “talent” in music — the big notes, quick learners, and impressive performances. But what we don’t see is the massive foundation underneath every successful…
- Professor Jana Young on Finding Your Path in Music · 1 h 8 min · Season 1 Episode 19What does it really take to build a life in music? In this episode of On Key, Brianna sits down with her former voice teacher, Jana Young, to talk honestly about the realities of…
- How Music Teaches Us Patience and Discipline · 13 min · Season 1 Episode 18In today’s episode, Brianna dives into a side of music education that often gets overlooked—the quiet, unseen moments that shape a musician long before they ever step onstage…
- When You Stop Comparing, You Start Singing · 18 min · Season 1 Episode 17Every voice has something unique to offer. Instead of comparing, what if you leaned into what your voice does best? This episode is all about finding confidence in your sound…
- Why Music Belongs in Every Life - With My Nephew, Jettson · 11 minMusic isn’t just a hobby—it’s a part of being human. In this episode, Brianna and her nephew Jettson talk about why music matters for everyone, not just musicians. From boosting…
- What I’ve Learned from My Students This Year · 14 minIn this solo episode, Brianna reflects on some of the most meaningful moments from her past year of teaching voice and piano. From lightbulb breakthroughs in vocal technique to…
- Can I Still Pursue Music as an Adult? – with Erin Milligan · 1 h 14 min · Season 1 Episode 14In this episode of On Key, I sit down with my good friend and student, Erin Milligan, to talk about what it looks like to carry music with you throughout life—not necessarily as…
- Happy World Voice Day! (with a special guest—my nephew Cove!) · 9 min · Season 1 Episode 13In this fun episode of On Key, we’re celebrating World Voice Day—a day to appreciate the amazing gift of our voices! Whether you’re a singer, speaker, storyteller, or a…
- When Things Don’t Go as Planned on Stage · 10 min · Season 1 Episode 12🎤 Host: Brianna🎧 Podcast: On Key Every performer has been there—something unexpected happens on stage, and you have to think fast! In this episode, I share some of my own…
- How to Choose a Song to Play or Sing · 9 min · Season 1 Episode 11In this solo episode of On Key, Brianna breaks down the process of choosing the right song to play or sing. Whether you're preparing for a performance, an audition, or just…
- Finding Your Voice in Worship: Confidence, Calling, and Authenticity with Aaron Schneider · 59 min · Season 1 Episode 10In this episode, I sit down with Aaron Schneider, the Service Programming + Worship Director at Reliant Ministries in Dallas, GA. Aaron shares his journey into worship ministry…
- Exploring the Connections Between Theatre and Music: with Matthew Hendrix · 1 h 6 min · Season 1 Episode 9What It Means to Do the Work: Exploring the Connections Between Theatre and Music In this episode of On Key, I’m joined by the talented Matthew Hendrix, Theatre and Technical…
- Grace Johnston on Burnout, Choosing Teachers, and Inspiration · 57 min · Season 1 Episode 8In this episode of On Key, we sit down with Grace Johnston—an accomplished violin and viola teacher, freelance musician, and mentor based in Northern Colorado. With over a dozen…
- Reflections for the New Year · 8 minAs we step into 2025, I’ve been reflecting on my journey with music—the lessons, the struggles, and the growth it’s brought me over the years. In this episode of On Key, I’m…
- Celebrating Diversity in Music: A Conversation with Christina Vehar · 47 min · Season 1 Episode 6In this inspiring episode of On Key, I sit down with Christina Vehar, a passionate music educator and advocate who has dedicated her career to making music accessible, inclusive…
