Duration of the online course: 1 hours and 26 minutes
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Sing with confidence and get gig-ready skills in this free online course—build your portfolio, rehearse smarter, and perform like a pro.
In this free course, learn about
Career paths for vocalists and the mindset needed for sustainable professional success
How to balance active vs. passive income streams as a working singer
Core and extra skills that make vocalists more versatile and employable
Entrepreneurial thinking: creating value, identifying opportunities, and building a music career
Building a singer portfolio and audition materials that highlight your strengths
Clear communication with musicians using shared musical language and rehearsal etiquette
How to analyze song forms and label sections to guide performance and band direction
How to describe and communicate grooves effectively (especially drum feels) to a band
Choosing comfortable keys and understanding key names to match your vocal range
Writing/using chord charts and arranging cover songs into your own style
Band-leading fundamentals: running efficient rehearsals, cues, feedback, and time management
Budgeting rehearsals and making practical choices about space, tools, and preparation
Creating practice routines and maintaining vocal health habits for longevity
Performance skills, gig strategy, and when/how to work with agents, promoters, and managers
Course Description
Turning a strong voice into a sustainable career takes more than talent. This free online course helps you think and work like a professional singer, so you can show up prepared, communicate clearly, and create opportunities in the music world. You will explore how working vocalists make career choices, develop a practical mindset, and understand the difference between income that requires constant effort and income that can grow through smart systems and planning.
As you move from passionate performer to reliable collaborator, preparation becomes your advantage. The course guides you through building a portfolio that reflects your strengths and fits the expectations of auditions, bands, and employers. You will also strengthen the behind-the-scenes skills that make artists easy to hire: organizing materials, using modern tools to manage songs, and presenting information in ways musicians can act on quickly.
Musical communication is another core focus. You will practice thinking in song form and groove so you can talk to a band in specific, efficient terms. Instead of relying on vague directions, you will learn to describe what you want in a way that supports tight rehearsals and confident performances. You will also work with key choices that respect your vocal range, making it easier to deliver consistent results night after night.
Professional singers are often asked to lead, even when they are not holding the baton. You will develop leadership habits that improve rehearsal flow, help you give clear cues, and support respectful feedback when something needs to change. Budget awareness and rehearsal logistics are addressed as real-world factors, so you can protect your time, your energy, and your money while still raising the quality of your live show.
Because your instrument is your body, the course emphasizes vocal health and long-term consistency. You will connect daily routines to performance readiness, learning how smart habits reduce avoidable setbacks. Finally, you will sharpen performance skills that help you connect with an audience, make the most of gigs, and approach the business side of music with clarity—knowing when to seek support from agents or management and what to focus on first as you grow.
Course content
Video class: The Professional Singer with Ashlee Varner | Course Overview | Berklee Online | 1/2502m
Exercise: Which of the following is NOT a role that Ashley Varner has undertaken in her career?
Video class: The Professional Singer with Ashlee Varner | Career Choices for Vocalists | Berklee Online | 2/2501m
Exercise: What is one of the key mindsets that the lesson suggests a professional vocalist should develop for career success?
Video class: The Professional Singer | Active vs. Passive Income Sources | Ashlee Varner | Berklee Online | 3/2503m
Exercise: Which type of income stream requires active work to earn money?
Video class: The Professional Singer with Ashlee Varner | Required Skills for a Vocalist | Berklee Online | 4/2502m
Exercise: Which of the following skills is NOT directly mentioned as necessary for a professional vocalist but can make one more versatile and competitive in the industry?
Video class: The Professional Singer | Developing Entrepreneurial Skills | Ashlee Varner | Berklee Online | 5/2503m
Exercise: What is the primary goal of a successful entrepreneur in the music industry according to the text?
Video class: The Professional Singer with Ashlee Varner | Building Your Portfolio | Berklee Online | 6/2502m
Exercise: When preparing materials for a vocalist audition, what is the most important element that potential employers will evaluate?
Video class: The Professional Singer | Communicating with Musicians | Ashlee Varner | Berklee Online | 7/2500m
Exercise: Which of the following is NOT a skill that you will learn in this lesson of the 'Be a Professional Singer' course?
Video class: The Professional Singer with Ashlee Varner | Analyzing Song Forms | Berklee Online | 8/2504m
Exercise: Which element is NOT typically used to help distinguish between different sections in a song?
Video class: The Professional Singer with Ashlee Varner | Analyzing Different Grooves | Berklee Online | 9/2505m
Exercise: What is an effective approach to communicating the drum groove to a band when preparing to perform a song?
Video class: The Professional Singer | Comfortable Keys in Your Vocal Range | Ashlee Varner | Berklee | 10/2503m
Exercise: Why is it important for a professional vocalist to learn the letter names associated with keys?
Video class: The Professional Singer | Writing Chord Charts for Your Band | Ashlee Varner | Berklee | 11/2502m
Exercise: Which of the following is NOT an advantage of using online chord charts when working with instrumentalists?
Video class: The Professional Singer | Arranging Cover Songs in Your Style | Ashlee Varner | Berklee | 12/2504m
Exercise: What is the first step you should take when transforming a rock tune into a jazz style according to the provided text?
Video class: The Professional Singer | The Vocalist as a Band Leader | Ashlee Varner | Berklee Online | 13/2501m
Exercise: As a band leader, which aspect is crucial for running an efficient rehearsal?
Video class: The Professional Singer | How Vocalists Prepare to Rehearse | Ashlee Varner | Berklee Online | 14/2503m
Exercise: Which tip suggests the use of apps for organizing music?
Video class: The Professional Singer | Optimizing Rehearsal Time | Ashlee Varner | Berklee Online | 15/2505m
Exercise: What is an important consideration when setting up the rehearsal space according to the text provided?
Video class: The Professional Singer | Practicing Vocal Cues with Your Band | Ashlee Varner | Berklee | 16/2503m
Exercise: Which of the following cues typically indicates a request for a softer volume in a live band performance?
Video class: The Professional Singer | Your Band: Giving03m
Exercise: When providing feedback during a band rehearsal, what is the recommended manner for a band leader to address a specific issue?
Video class: The Professional Singer | Budgeting Your Rehearsal Spending | Ashlee Varner | Berklee Online | 18/2505m
Exercise: Which of the following is a key factor when choosing a rehearsal space for a band?
Video class: The Professional Singer | Creating a Practice Routine | Ashlee Varner | Berklee Online | 19/2501m
Exercise: Which of the following practices is NOT mentioned as beneficial for a vocalist's career in the provided text?
Video class: The Professional Singer with Ashlee Varner | Maintaining Vocal Health | Berklee Online | 20/2504m
Exercise: According to the Berklee Online text, what is NOT listed as a healthy habit for vocalists to maintain their instrument?
Video class: The Professional Singer with Ashlee Varner | Performance Skills | Berklee Online | 21/2505m
Exercise: Which of the following techniques is NOT recommended for engaging with an audience during a live performance?
Video class: The Professional Singer with Ashlee Varner | Making the Most of Your Gigs | Berklee Online | 22/2503m
Exercise: What is a recommended initial step for a professional vocalist to gain more live performance experience?
Video class: The Professional Singer with Ashlee Varner | Agents, Promoters04m
Exercise: What should a singer primarily focus on before considering building a team for their music career?
Video class: The Professional Singer with Ashlee Varner | Hiring Outside Management | Berklee Online | 24/2504m
Exercise: Which of the following statements best summarizes the primary role of a manager for a professional singer?
Video class: The Professional Singer with Ashlee Varner | Course Recap | Berklee Online | 25/2502m
Exercise: Which of the following skills was NOT covered as a necessary aspect of being a professional vocalist in the course?
This free course includes:
1 hours and 26 minutes of online video course
Digital certificate of course completion (Free)
Exercises to train your knowledge
100% free, from content to certificate
Ready to get started?Download the app and get started today.