Interview: Mindy Pack
Mindy Pack has been performing since the age of eight. Her original goal in life was to be the world’s first “singing Heart Surgeon”. Unfortunately, medical school didn’t pan out; so, she decided to heal the world through music and as a result, she has been studying different vocal techniques, voice science, and vocal health her entire life. Mindy has studied with many nationally and internationally renowned vocal instructors and was a vocal performance major at the University of Utah.
Mindy is part of some incredible voice teams and music industry professionals throughout the world. Some of these team’s consists of Laryngologists, ENT’s, Artist Development, Managers, Record Labels, Vocal Arrangers, Producers, Music Directors, and many others. Mindy holds a certificate in Clinical Vocology from The National Center for Voice and Speech. Mindy holds certificate in laryngeal manipulation and in 2020 became a Licensed Massage Therapist.
Mindy is the owner and creator of The Voice Straw. The Voice Straw is a vocal training tool for singers, actors, and speakers that helps relieve tension, strain, breathiness, cracking, and flipping in the voice. The Voice Straw is scientifically shown to improve technique for singers, voiceover actors, and anyone who relies on voice projection as part of their work. It’s a must-have tool for anyone looking to improve their sound and strengthen their voice!
Mindy has a full studio in Salt Lake City, Utah and a satellite studio in Los Angeles, California. She also has clients around the world via online sessions. Her studio has a roster of clients from the novice to the professional, all genre's and styles, actors and voice over artists, the injured or rebab voice, transgender, motivational speakers, and any other voice user seeing out her help. Clients are in all genres and styles of the music. Clients such as Brandi Carlile, Justin Timberlake, The Lumineers, Emily Sailers of the Indigo Girls, Shaed, Halsey, Austin Mahone, Common, Royal Bliss, Tesseract, Nahko and Medicine for the People, and many others have seen the value of combining Mindy's technique and Vocal Tract Reconditioning for the longevity of touring. Other clients have been seen on world tours, national Broadway tours, AMA's, Grammy's, Saturday Night Live, International Award shows, You Tube Sensations, College Scholarship Winners, Reality TV Shows, Cruise Lines, and local and national performances to name a few.
Mindy is currently the co-producer for the Vocal Master Class Series, A Conference for a Cause with Dr Reena Gupta and the Osborn Head and Neck Series which is a non-profit organization that provides ENT services to third world countries. Mindy Pack and Dr Gupta recently formed a new education and community outreach company called the Svara Project which provides quality education for voice coaches, voice users, and voice professional’s around the world. For over 12 years Mindy has been in charge of education for an artist development camp in Los Angeles as well as International Teacher Training Programs. She is frequently asked to present at voice conferences for singers, actors, voice over professionals, video games, Speech Language Pathologies, ENT's and Laryngologists worldwide.
Not only is Mindy a technician she is also a performer, so she understands first hand the demands and stresses on artists. Mindy’s performance career has taken her all over the world. One of her most favorite was when she had the opportunity to perform with some of those considered “Broadway Royalty” on an Album by composer Scott Alan, “Live from Birdland”. Mindy has been both behind the director’s chair as well as on the stage through Utah.
In 2015 Mindy was awarded Best of Stage for Voice Instruction and has received Best of Salt Lake City for Private Music Instruction for the past five years.
Mindy understands how hard it is for artists to make connections to the music world. She is known to bring in top industry professionals to not only help her clients connect and network but to help artists and musicians’ home in on their skills and further develop themselves and their artistry.
Mindy is a member of the Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA) and The National Teachers of Singing (NATS)
We had the pleasure of checking in with Mindy and she was kind enough to respond to a few interview questions.
Super excited to be chatting with you today. Thanks for your time today! You have a new single coming out. It is a cover of a Christmas song. Can you share more about the song with us? Why did you pick this as a cover to release?
Thank you so much for letting me be a part of this! I have sung this song since I was 12 years old. It was originally a choir piece that was sung in my church. I loved the melody and the message.
I would find myself singing it throughout the year! About 6 years ago I was asked to be a session singer for a local composer, Daniel Carter, who was recording demos. I was in the studio recording and had this “Ah-Ha” moment where I realized this Daniel was the one who wrote this song.
I froze. It was a very surreal moment for me. Well fast forward a few years and he ended up marrying someone in my family. We constantly sit around the piano and sing and work together on projects.
However, Shine for Me, Star of Bethlehem was one of his all-time favorite pieces he has ever written. Last year when I was on tour, I was talking about this song to one of the music arrangers. I asked him if he would help me re-arrange the song and help turn it into a powerhouse vocal with a gospel choir as a surprise for Daniel. Originally, I wanted to pitch the song to another client but when I heard it, I knew I had to record it.
Within in a month we had refigured the arrangements, brought in the strings, and played around with the melody and choir. I am in love how it turned out. We surprised Daniel with the final product and there were many tears. I really want the listeners to feel the passion of the lyrics and message about this song. This song is all about HOPE and who doesn’t need to feel hope, not only during the holidays but particularly this year!
How did you first get into music? Do you remember the first song you sang?
I don’t ever remember a time where I wasn’t singing. Singing is a part of who I am. I am sort of the freak in my house. My dad is tone deaf and my mother is not a singer. So, I have no idea where I came from. I guess my first experience getting into music was my first audition. My first audition is actually pretty funny! I still cringe when I think about it. I was 9 years old and I was trying out to be in the performing arts program that was all about singing and dancing. I had never auditioned before and I am the first one in my family to sing and perform so this was a unique experience. My mom just said to sing my favorite song. So I did! I sang Your mama don’t dance and your daddy don’t rock and roll by Poison.
I’ll never forget the directors face when I got to the part where the lyrics go:
“I pulled into a drive-in and I found a place to park
You hopped into the backseat where you know it's nice and dark
We're just about to move and thinkin' it's a breeze
There's a light in my eye and a guy says "Out of the car, long hair"
"You're coming with me", the local police”
I mean, here I am a little 9-year-old singing these lyrics. It’s a great story and a lesson I learned very quickly in how to audition. However, I sold that song with conviction and made it into the group, so I guess when it was all said and done, I did a great job! This performing group started my love for singing and performing! I still give my mom grief over allowing that to happen. I also have a great story to tell clients when they are getting ready to audition!
So not only do you sing but you are also a vocal coach and you have worked with some impressive names. What lead you down this path?
I am incredibly lucky to be where I am at. I have studied and worked so hard to be where I am today. I always knew from a young age that I wanted to help people and be a part of music in any way. I wanted to be the coach that I was always looking for in my own voice. As a singer and performer, I understand the demands and pressure artists deal within their careers. I have worked my whole life to understand all the different genres and styles of music but went back to school and became a certified Clinical Vocologist and now a Licensed Massage Therapist. I deal with artists who are novice to the professional. From rehabilitation to tour prep/maintaince, and helping creatives find their own unique artistic fingerprint. For me it’s about providing a service, allowing choices, and opportunities to help those who have the drive and power to become greater. To enhance and enable their own gifts and talents so that the artists can experience the possibilities in their own voice. I want artists to be limitless instead of limited.
If you have followed my Instagram, then you would know that the past few years I have been really lucky to help some top level celebrities maintain their vocal longevity on tour and recording and have had the opportunity to see the world because of it. How many people can say that they are doing what they love. I LOVE going to work every day. I am very blessed.
What advice would you give a young artist starting out?
One of the best pieces of advice I received was when I was attending a workshop with Alan Menkin. I asked him this same question and it has stuck with me every day. I asked him ‘what advice you have for people starting out?” He said, “Love the process and NOT the result”.
We get told NO more than we get told YES, but if you love it then keep doing it. Knowledge is power so keep homing in your craft. Keep working, developing and growing. Surround yourself with people who encourage you to be greater than you are and who build you up! If you don’t invest and believe in yourself how can you expect anyone else to invest and believe in you!
If you had to pick one artist to collaborate with dead or alive - who are you picking?
Only one…. This one is hard because I have a list. Manifestation baby! But if I can only pick one then I would say Pink. I love powerhouse women vocalists so I would love to throw down with her!
Tell us where we can get your latest single and where to find you on IG.
On Instagram you can find me @mindypack and website is www.mindypack.com
You can stream the song on all platforms including these:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1OMJJcNpDld9H9IoxVil0V
Itunes: https://music.apple.com/us/album/shine-for-me-again-star-of-bethlehem-single/1538827885
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/shine-for-me-again-star-of-bethlehem-single/1538827885
