Welcome to
 The Joyful Musician Blog

Most artists never get to experience their work the way musicians do. Here’s why making music is a rare, real-time creative privilege — and why it matters.

After years of sidelining his voice, a classically trained tenor facing burnout, shame, and crippling performance anxiety did something quietly radical: He showed up to his first audition. Not to impress, but to reclaim. This is the story of the audition he didn’t cancel — and the slow, brave return to a life shaped by presence, not perfection.

A decade-old ballet injury still flares up when I push too far. Strange how one reckless moment can linger for years. But here’s the thing — I see the same thing in musicians all the time. Not physical pain, but something else. Something quieter… and harder to spot.

If you’re a heart-led musician who's ever been called too sensitive, too emotional, or too much... and you've been burned by the industry or those in power — the problem may not be you. Let’s talk about it.

I found a game called Vampire Therapist — sounds ridiculous, right? Ancient, powerful vampires… in therapy for imposter syndrome. At first I laughed. Then I realised: I’ve met people like this. Not vampires — but musicians at the top of their game, still haunted by doubt. This reminded me of one singer in particular…

A 35-year-old opera singer was at a crossroads. Having taken a break from her career due to intense stage anxiety and crushing perfectionism, she was questioning everything: Was opera still right for her? Should she shift to another path entirely? All she knew was that singing had once been her lifelong dream — but now, even that felt uncertain.

A sheep went missing in New Zealand and wasn’t found for six years. By then, it had 60 pounds of wool — so much that if a predator had attacked, their teeth wouldn’t have gotten through. Not tougher. Just… softer. And it made me question this idea that musicians need a “thick skin” to survive. What if that advice is all wrong?

I came across the FIRE movement — Financial Independence, Retire Early — during the pandemic. On paper, it sounds smart. But what if you’re a musician? What are you retiring from? If making music feels so draining you fantasise about quitting… something’s gone wrong. Not with you — with the system that never taught you how to thrive.

Despite her experience and undeniable talent, she often felt disconnected from her voice. Some days, her anxiety showed up physically — tightness in the throat, sweaty palms, racing heart… Other times, it felt like her voice belonged to someone else entirely, creating a disorienting, almost out-of-body sensation. Her inner critic was relentless, especially during live performances. And even when things seemed to be improving, the sense of insecurity lingered.

If you’ve been meditating, journaling, doing all the “right things” — but still feel anxious on stage — you’re not alone. Most musicians are taught mindfulness in the wrong context. Calm settings don’t prepare you for chaos. It’s not that your brain is broken — it’s that your training never matched your reality. Here’s how to fix that.