On The Voice

As we prepare to release Season 2, we are revisiting some of our earlier conversations! Please enjoy our talk with Telly Leung from November 2025. Be sure to catch Telly as Ryuk in Frank Wildhorn's Death Note: The Musical, now making its West End debut at London's Barbican - based on the smash-hit manga (and anime) of the same name! 🎉 In this episode of On The Voice, Telly joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, to discuss discovering and treating a vocal pseudocyst, navigating recovery after surgery, and how the experience redefined his relationship to stamina, identity, and the “show must go on” mentality. He reflects on learning to balance artistry with longevity and what it really means to sustain a professional singing career across decades. Telly Leung is a Chinese-American, New York–born actor, singer, and educator whose career spans Broadway, television, and international stages. You may have recently seen him as The Phantom in Masquerade, the immersive reimagining of The Phantom of the Opera. On Broadway, Telly has appeared in Aladdin, Rent, Godspell, In Transit, Allegiance, Pacific Overtures, and Flower Drum Song, and he originated the role of Boq in the Chicago company of Wicked. His screen credits include Glee, Warrior, among many others. A Carnegie Mellon graduate, Telly is also a director, theatre educator, and producer of the new holiday musical The Nice List. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary - always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

As we prepare to release Season 2, we are revisiting some of our earlier conversations! Please enjoy our talk with George Salazar from October 2025. You can catch George as Eddie/Dr. Scott in the Broadway revival of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Studio 54, beginning August 25th! 🎉 In this episode of On The Voice, Mackenzie and Jenna sit down with George Salazar - a half-Filipino, half-Ecuadorian actor, singer, and musician best known for originating Michael Mell in the Broadway hit Be More Chill, a role that earned him a Lucille Lortel Award, two Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards, and nominations from both the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle. His show-stopping act two number, "Michael in the Bathroom," has been streamed over 50 million times worldwide. George made his Broadway debut in the 2011 revival of Godspell and has since starred in the Off-Broadway productions of Here Lies Love, tick, tick… BOOM!, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, and as Seymour in the Pasadena Playhouse's critically acclaimed production of Little Shop of Horrors opposite MJ Rodriguez and Amber Riley. His television credits include American Crime Story: Impeachment and NBC's Superstore, and he recently voiced "Happy" in Disney's live-action Snow White film. In this episode, George opens up about his path from the 2nd National Tour of Spring Awakening to Be More Chill, how he artistically crafted the character of Michael Mell, and what a vocal hemorrhage taught him about pressure, identity, and redefining success as a vocal athlete. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary - always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Season One is a wrap! 🎉 New episodes return Wednesday, September 16th . In this special finale, Mackenzie and Jenna reflect on an incredible first year - 21 episodes, 5,400+ plays, 800+ hours listened, and over 2,500 unique listeners reached. Thank you to every guest and listener who made this possible Mackenzie and Jenna share was is to come in Season Two: a new online resource platform, appearances at BroadwayCon and beyond, and some very cool merch. Have a guest suggestion or a story of your own? We'd love to hear from you. 🎙️

In this episode of On The Voice, Dr. Marita Stryker, DMA, PAVA-RV, and Joanne Bozeman, BM, join hosts Mackenzie Bykowski, MM, and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, PAVA-RV, for our first-ever double guest episode. Marita and Joanne are the researchers and educators behind ChronicallySinging.com, a platform dedicated to gathering stories and resources for singers navigating invisible, dynamic chronic conditions. Marita holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Contemporary Voice Pedagogy from Shenandoah Conservatory, where she was the first graduate of the program, and is an Assistant Professor of Contemporary Voice and Musical Theatre at St. Olaf College and a PAVA-Recognized Vocologist. Her performing background spans musical theatre, opera, and years as a lead singer on Celebrity and Holland America cruise lines. Joanne has taught singing for nearly fifty years, most recently on the faculty of Lawrence University's Conservatory of Music, and is co-author of the ground-breaking book Singing Through Change: Women's Voices in Midlife, Menopause, and Beyond. Marita and Joanne walk us through the science behind Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS), and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD) — and how each can directly affect vocal production, from breath support and stability to the way collagen and connective tissue changes show up at the level of the vocal folds and larynx. We dig into what the emerging laryngology research says about vocal injury risk in this population, how dramatically these conditions can fluctuate day to day, and what it means to be strong in rehearsal on Monday and struggling by Tuesday. We also talk candidly about stigma - the pressure singers with invisible conditions feel to prove how serious their symptoms are while also downplaying them so they aren't seen as a liability, and what disclosure really looks like as a professional risk calculation. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

In this episode of On The Voice, Etai Benson joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski, MM, and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, PAVA-RV. Etai is an Israeli-American actor who studied musical theater at the University of Michigan and most recently appeared on Broadway as Paul in the five-time Tony Award-winning, gender-bent revival of Stephen Sondheim's Company alongside Patti LuPone. He originated the role of Papi in the ten-time Tony Award-winning musical The Band's Visit , for which he won a Grammy Award as part of the cast recording. Other credits include Broadway and national tour productions of Wicked as Boq, An American in Paris as Adam Hochberg, and the Off-Broadway production of Wonderful Town at New York City Center Encores. Etai walks us through navigating a vocal injury during the original Broadway run of The Band's Visit — the panic of losing access to a critical high note mid-run, the physical tension and body alignment patterns tied to his character that contributed to it, and the recovery work he did with speech-language pathologist Christine Estes. We also talk about what it's like to return to the same role, Boq, across multiple productions and years, balancing vocal demands with early parenthood, and his reflections on originating a role versus stepping into an iconic one. Along the way, Etai shares what it's been like building a life and career alongside his wife, actress Alexandra Socha, including playing romantic leads opposite each other on stage. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

In this episode of On The Voice, Sarah Kervin, MS, CCC-SLP, joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski, MM, and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, PAVA-RV. Sarah is a voice-specialized speech-language pathologist at the Sean Parker Institute for the Voice at Weill Cornell Medicine, currently pursuing her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences at NYU, and remains an active working musician throughout NYC. Her path to the field wound through opera, jazz studies, and years of gigging and teaching — including a five-year stretch commuting between New York and a faculty position at Berklee — before a vocal fold injury of her own led her into voice therapy and, eventually, into the clinical and research side of voice science. Sarah walks us through her current research on the known effects that sex hormones have on the voice, including a deeply personal case study in which she scoped and tracked her own voice daily for over 500 days to capture how vocal function shifts across the menstrual cycle. The conversation also covers what's known — and what's still unclear — about how pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and menopause can affect the speaking and singing voice, and why so much of this research is still in its early days. Sarah makes the case for validating what voice users feel in their own bodies, even when the data hasn't fully caught up yet. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

In this episode of On The Voice, Stephen Mark Lukas joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski, MM, and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, PAVA-RV, to share his story publicly for the first time - a nearly five-year vocal rehabilitation journey navigated entirely while continuing to perform at the highest level of his profession. Stephen Mark Lukas is a Broadway actor and musical theatre leading man whose career spans some of the most vocally demanding roles in the canon. He made his Broadway debut in The Book of Mormon as the standby for Elder Price, later performing the role in the show's Chicago sit-down production and on tour. He most recently appeared on Broadway in the critically acclaimed revival of Funny Girl, understudying Nick Arnstein opposite Lea Michele before going on to lead the North American tour in the role. He also originated the role of Gaston in Disney's 30th Anniversary production of Beauty and the Beast, currently touring across North America, and has appeared in leading roles at premier regional theatres including Paper Mill Playhouse, Goodspeed Opera House, and Ogunquit Playhouse, in productions including Oklahoma!, Camelot, South Pacific, and Damn Yankees. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Lucian Sulica, MD is the Sean Parker Professor of Laryngology and the Director of the Sean Parker Institute for the Voice at Weill Cornell Medical College, and Past-President of the American Laryngological Association. His practice is limited to voice disorders, with a special interest in the medical and microsurgical treatment of vocal fold injuries from voice use, particularly in performers. He was awarded the American Laryngological Association's Casselberry Award for distinguished research on the mechanics of vocal fold injury, and has authored more than 110 journal articles, 45 book chapters, and 3 books. His work has been devoted to establishing clear, evidence-driven principles for the treatment of voice conditions. In this episode of On The Voice, Dr. Sulica joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski, MM, and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, PAVA-RV, for a comprehensive conversation on phonotrauma - the physical stress placed on the vocal folds from voice use itself. He breaks down what phonotrauma is, what kinds of injuries can result from it, and why approaching vocal injury through the same lens as any other repetitive strain injury changes how we understand and treat it. The conversation also explores how different lesions behave and recur in distinct ways, and what the research actually tells us about risk, recovery, and long-term vocal health. Dr. Sulica also discusses his role in advancing office-based procedures for the treatment of voice disorders, reducing the need for general anesthesia and expanding access to care for professional voice users. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

In this episode of On The Voice , Natalie Weiss joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski, MM, and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, PAVA-RV, for a wide-ranging conversation on the evolution of her career as both a performer and vocal coach. Natalie reflects on her early musical influences, her path through musical theatre and American Idol , and the development of her now widely recognized “Breaking Down The Riffs®” approach. She shares how her ear for detail and collaborative instincts shaped her work in studios, classrooms, and across digital platforms, offering insight into how she approaches storytelling, riff construction, and vocal decision-making across styles. Natalie also speaks candidly about her experiences with vocal injury, including multiple hemorrhages and the uncertainty that comes with navigating a career while managing vocal health. She discusses the psychological impact of injury, the process of recovery, and the awareness she has developed around her voice over time. Throughout the conversation, she offers an honest look at the balance between performance, teaching, and sustainability and what it means to build a career that adapts alongside the voice itself. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

In this episode of On The Voice , Morgan Anita Wood joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski, MM, and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, PAVA-RV. from aspiring performer to Broadway’s Hamilton , where she has spent nearly eight years with the production and made her Broadway debut as Eliza in 2024. Morgan reflects on the full-circle path that brought her from observing Hamilton auditions at Telsey to performing the role herself, and discusses the personal and artistic growth that has come from sustaining one of Broadway’s most demanding leading tracks. Morgan also opens up about experiencing a vocal injury just 4 weeks ago during her current Broadway run, describing the frightening onstage moment she realized something was wrong, the emotional aftermath of vocal injury, and the shame, fear, and isolation that occurs as a result of the stigma surrounding injuries in professional voice users. In a candid and moving conversation, she speaks about recovery, resilience, and the unexpected community she found through sharing her story - offering an honest look at what it means to navigate vulnerability while performing at the highest level. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

In this episode of On The Voice , Christine Schneider, LMT, HMS, joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski, MM, and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, PAVA-RV, for an expansive conversation on the voice as a full-body instrument. Together, they explore how vocal function is influenced far beyond the larynx through movement, pressure management, asymmetry, and the nervous system. Christine Schneider is the founder of The Visceral Voice, where she and her team provide advanced laryngeal and TMJ therapy for professional voice users. She is also the co-founder of Amplified Voice Manual Therapy and serves as the movement coach for the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Program. Through her global platform, podcast, and Vocal Resilience Academy, Christine educates voice professionals on anatomy, biomechanics, and sustainable vocal function. The conversation dives into the concept of the body’s 7 Central Line Diaphragms, the impact of asymmetry on vocal production, and how patterns of compensation— whether from injury, choreography, or daily use — can directly affect vocal stability and freedom. Christine also offers insight into working with high-level performers, from Broadway to opera, and how external demands like staging, costuming, and physical strain influence vocal outcomes. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

In this episode of On The Voice , Erika Henningsen joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski, MM, and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, PAVA-RV, to share her story of discovering a path to healing after experiencing vocal difficulties and the complex relationship between voice, identity, and nervous system regulation. Erika opens up about the physical and emotional realities of performing at a high level - from originating roles on Broadway to managing intense vocal demands across stage, television, and voiceover work. Erika Henningsen is a Broadway actress, singer, and screen performer best known for originating the role of Cady Heron in Mean Girls on Broadway. She was most recently seen as Sandra Dee, opposite Jonathan Groff in Just in Time. Her credits also include voicing Charlie Morningstar in Prime Video’s Award Winning Animated Series, Hazbin Hotel and portraying Ginny in Netflix’s The Four Seasons starring opposite Tina Fey and Steve Carrell. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Aaron Johnson, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a researcher and speech–language pathologist specializing in voice habilitation, vocal rehabilitation, and the neuromuscular science of how the voice adapts to training and injury. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Co-Director of the NYU Langone Voice & Swallowing Center. His NIH-funded research examines laryngeal neuromuscular plasticity — exploring how the vocal mechanism changes in response to vocal training, vocal injury, and aging. As a clinician, Dr. Johnson works on a multidisciplinary team treating voice disorders in professional voice users, including singers, actors, and performing artists. Before entering research and clinical practice, he spent over a decade as a professional classical singer and voice teacher, a background that continues to shape his work bridging voice science, vocal health, and performance. In this episode of On The Voice , Dr. Aaron Johnson joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski, MM, and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, PAVA-RV, for a conversation exploring the science behind vocal injury, vocal recovery, and long-term vocal sustainability for singers and professional voice users. Together, we explore the aging voice and how it begins a lot sooner than we thought! We discuss what actually changes across the lifespan, how singers can adapt and embrace their instruments over time, and why vocal training continues to matter at every stage of a career. This episode offers a rare look inside the research shaping the future of vocal health, voice science, and clinical voice care for singers and performing artists. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

In this episode of On The Voice, Jay joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski, MM, and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, PAVA-RV, to publicly share — for the first time — his experience working through vocal injury and the psychological aftermath of returning to a high-stakes contract and re-learning that he can trust his instrument. Jay speaks candidly about vocal anxiety, identity, full-body connection, and the tension between resilience and self-preservation in an industry that often rewards pushing through. Jay Armstrong Johnson is an actor, creative producer, and educator whose career spans Broadway, national tours, concert stages, and television. His Broadway credits include Parade, On the Town, Hands on a Hardbody, Catch Me If You Can, Hair, and The Phantom of the Opera. He most recently led the North American Tour of Moulin Rouge! The Musical as Christian — one of the most vocally demanding roles in the contemporary musical theatre canon. Offstage, Jay is the creator and executive producer of I Put A Spell On You, Broadway’s iconic Halloween benefit supporting The Ali Forney Center, and co-founder of Bridge Arts Project, a mentorship initiative for emerging artists nationwide. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Mike Ruckles, MM, SVRS, PAVA-RV, is a New York–based vocal technician and singing voice specialist who maintains one of the city’s premier studios for musical theatre and pop/rock singers. His students include Tony, Grammy, and Oscar winners, with clients appearing on and off-Broadway, the Metropolitan Opera, the West End, and national tours. As a production vocal coach, his work spans some of Broadway’s most vocally demanding shows, and as a rehabilitation specialist, he collaborates closely with leading laryngologists to guide injured voices safely back to performance. A longtime educator at NYU and the University of Northern Colorado, Mike’s work bridges artistry, science, and care — with the singer always at the center. In this episode of On The Voice, Mike Ruckles joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski, MM, and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, to unpack what it really means to support singers at the highest level of the industry. From his work as a Broadway production vocal coach to his role as a singing voice rehabilitation specialist, Mike speaks candidly about vocal load, sustainability, and why collaboration between voice teachers, speech-language pathologists, and laryngologists isn’t optional — it’s essential. Together, we explore advocacy, transparency, and the evolving responsibility of care teams in an industry that often asks performers to push past their limits. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Leo Ash Evens is a performer, educator, and voice professional whose career spans Broadway, the West End, national tours, and regional theatre. His Broadway credits include School of Rock , Shuffle Along , and Jesus Christ Superstar , with extensive work in West Side Story across London’s West End, the 50th Anniversary U.S. Tour, Houston TUTS, Barrington Stage, and North Carolina Theatre. His regional work includes Ragtime , Cabaret , Peter and the Starcatcher , Somewhere , and Gypsy , starring Patti LuPone. In addition to his stage career, Leo is a nationally recognized voiceover artist and the current voice of Simon Markets for Goldman Sachs. He is also the Owner and Director of Musical Theater College Auditions (MTCA), where he is entering his eighteenth year preparing young performers for college auditions through a rigorous, artist-centered approach. In this episode of On The Voice , Leo joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, PAVA-RV to discuss his experience with ulcerative laryngitis - a rare and serious vocal condition that resulted in sudden voice loss and an extended period of recovery. He reflects on the realities of complete vocal rest, the emotional impact of losing his primary means of communication, and the patience required to rebuild trust in his voice again. The conversation explores the pressure performers feel to push through illness, the difficulty of deciding when to call out, and the long-term lessons Leo carried forward into his performing, teaching, and leadership work. This episode offers an honest look at vocal load, sustainability, and what it means to care for the voice across a demanding, multifaceted career. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Milan R. Amin, MD is a Professor of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery at NYU Langone Health, Chief of the Division of Laryngology, and Founder and Director of the NYU Langone Voice Center. Since establishing the center in 2005, he has transformed it into an internationally recognized hub for cutting-edge voice, swallowing, and airway care — pioneering office-based laser and injection techniques and authoring more than 120 peer-reviewed publications. His work continues to shape the landscape of modern vocal health for singers, actors, educators, and professional voice users worldwide. In this episode of On The Voice, Dr. Amin joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, for a deep dive into the specialty of laryngology and what professional voice users can expect during an evaluation. He breaks down how to identify symptoms that warrant a scope, the value of baseline imaging, and why multidisciplinary care is essential for both diagnosis and long-term vocal success. The conversation explores vocal fold scarring and sulcus — how they form, why they affect vibration, and the tiered decision-making behind treatment, from behavioral strategies to microsurgery. Dr. Amin also shares insights on vocal health during illness, emerging research in aging voice and rare diseases, and the future of wearable voice-tracking technology. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, financial, or other professional advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Samantha Joy Pearlman is a New York–based multi-hyphenate: a performer, singer-songwriter, writer, and voice teacher whose career spans original musical theatre, new work development, and contemporary music. She originated the role of Deb in The Art Tour Off-Broadway at Theatre Row, appeared as Mary Jane Gumm in Chasing Rainbows: The Road to Oz at Paper Mill Playhouse, and wrote and starred in the solo musical Devotedly, Sincerely Yours . Her band, Joy and the Wildfire, has toured throughout the Northeast and opened the pre-show party for Heart at Bethel Woods. As a vocalist, her sound has been praised as “rich, textured, and utterly captivating—like if silk and fire had a baby,” and she is the proud founder of SJP Voice Studio. In this episode of On The Voice , Samantha joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, to discuss her journey through multiple vocal hemorrhages, navigating pseudocysts, understanding vocal load, and recovering from parathyroid surgery. She speaks candidly about resilience, vocal identity, and learning to embrace the voice she has rather than the one she thought she was “supposed” to have. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary — always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Telly Leung is a Chinese-American, New York–born actor, singer, and educator whose career spans Broadway, television, and international stages. He’s currently starring as The Phantom in Masquerade , the immersive reimagining of The Phantom of the Opera . On Broadway, Telly has appeared in Aladdin , Rent , Godspell , In Transit , Allegiance , Pacific Overtures , and Flower Drum Song , and he originated the role of Boq in the Chicago company of Wicked . His screen credits include Glee , Warrior , among many others. A Carnegie Mellon graduate, Telly is also a director, theatre educator, and producer of the new holiday musical The Nice List . In this episode of On The Voice , Telly joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP, to discuss discovering and treating a vocal pseudocyst, navigating recovery after surgery, and how the experience redefined his relationship to stamina, identity, and the “show must go on” mentality. He reflects on learning to balance artistry with longevity and what it really means to sustain a professional singing career across decades. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary - always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

In this episode of On The Voice , Mackenzie and Jenna sit down with George Salazar - a half-Filipino, half-Ecuadorian actor, singer, and musician best known for originating Michael Mell in the Broadway hit Be More Chill , a role that earned him a Lucille Lortel Award , two Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards , and nominations from both the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle . His show-stopping act two number, “Michael in the Bathroom,” has been streamed over 50 million times worldwide. George made his Broadway debut in the 2011 revival of Godspell and has since starred in the Off-Broadway productions of Here Lies Love , tick, tick… BOOM! , The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical , and as Seymour in the Pasadena Playhouse’s critically acclaimed production of Little Shop of Horrors opposite MJ Rodriguez and Amber Riley. His television credits include American Crime Story: Impeachment and NBC’s Superstore , and he recently voiced “Happy” in Disney’s upcoming live-action Snow White film. In this episode, George opens up about his path from the 2nd National Tour of Spring Awakening to Be More Chill , how he artistically crafted the character of Michael Mell, and what a vocal hemorrhage taught him about pressure, identity, and redefining success as a vocal athlete. Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, financial, or other advice. Views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the hosts. Individual experiences and results may vary - always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.