This Blog Has A New Home!!

Hi everyone and thanks so much for reading and subscribing. I haven’t updated in quite some time because I’ve been working on a new site for this blog – and it’s finally ready to go (with a few kinks still left to work out)!

From now on, please visit www.kellyvoelker.com/wordpress and follow along there. You might need to re-subscribe, so please do so if you still want to keep up

Thanks again for reading and looking forward to talking to you on the new site!

-Kelly

Happy Father’s Day

Mount Everest is 29,028 feet tall.

I learned that when I was about six. I remember sitting on my dad’s lap reading National Geographic Magazine and he would quiz me on little facts like that one. More than 20 years later I still remember it (although now it’s said to be 29,029 feet – but close enough!).

It’s funny the things that stay with you when you think about your childhood and growing up. My dad has always taught me to have goals, both immediate and long term. I’m sure he doesn’t know it, but every January or so I still sit down with a notebook and think about my goals and accomplishments for that year. What I want to become and what I should be doing to get there. I’m sure he thinks his advice fell on deaf ears when we were kids as we rolled our eyes at the suggestion… but it’s stuck with me.

And other things have too, like always making a big deal about holidays and get-togethers, finding myself repeating one of his many sayings (“Keep it under 100!” “If you can’t sh*t on it, you break it.” “Suuueeeezzzzzz!”), or concentrating very hard to make sure every last inch of bread is covered by butter/mayo/jelly/peanut butter/whatever.

Have you ever met my dad? His energy and zest for life is unlike anyone I (or you, I promise) have ever met. The room lights up when he walks in – like he’s on stage. You want a party? Jack Killian will give you a PARTY.

The best thing about him is that I’ve never met someone who loves his family more than he does. As the only guy in the family, he’s been the “odd man out” for years – but somehow he knows exactly how to fit right in and be the kind of role model a family of girls needs. To this day, if I’m ever feeling frustrated or defeated or like I can’t do something, I think of my dad, who has always told me I could do anything. I don’t know why he believes in me so much, but the fact that he does is enough to make me want to go for whatever it was that I might have given up on… to keep making him proud.

We say “I love you” all the time, but sometimes I wonder if that is enough. I want my dad to know how much I see his influence in me. How important he is to me and how I think about him every day, even if it’s been a while since we last talked.

And my long-term goals, Dad? To be just like you for my kids one day.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad.

LEAD Atlanta – I’m in!

It’s been quite the year so far. From travels to recording studio visits to having Mike home in Atlanta for more than a week at a time – things have definitely been exciting.

And this morning I got some more good news!

I applied for a program called “LEAD Atlanta,” which, according to the Web site is “an intensive nine-month leadership development and community education program targeted at promising young professionals between the ages of 25 and 32 in Metro Atlanta.” Yes, that’s a mouthful. From what I’ve heard about the program, it is pretty competitive and I’ll get to meet some amazing people around the city. I checked out the roster this morning and I was like, um, how did I get picked for this!? I’ll be one of about 50 people chosen for this year’s class. I am definitely excited.

The program runs from September – March and I pretty much can’t miss a single session, so please do not plan your wedding on one of these days.

While I know it’s going to be a great experience, I also think the program is going to be really tough.

We’ll spend a lot of time discussing the issues Atlanta is facing and how we can affect change in the community. One of the experiences I’m really looking forward to (but I am also a little afraid of) is a shadowing experience where we will explore a “day in the life” of an impovershed child by traveling with him from school to his neighborhood to his home.  I’m not scared in the sense of feeling danger, I just worry that I will do something stupid like cry or something (You know me, I’m SUCH a wuss…) And isn’t this kid going to think I’m such a bitch for tagging along with him!?

Anyway. If I’m certain about one thing, this will definitely be an experience that will challenge me. Push me out of my comfort zone and make me think.

That’s exactly what I need right now.

My First Recording Studio Visit

This weekend was completely surreal.

I don’t know how I’ve had such good luck, but this weekend was unbelievable.

A few weeks ago I got a phone call from an extremely generous former colleague of mine who had bid on a recording session with Dee Town Records in New York and won at a charity auction. She wasn’t going to be able to use it, so she offered to give it to me. I could not have been more shocked or humbled or honored that she thought of me – I also practically screamed when I got off the phone with her because what a crazy bucket list experience! I never dreamed I would actually do something like this.

On Friday I got to go into the studio for a meet and greet and to just talk about the kind of music I like to sing. I toured the studio and met a lot of the producers and writers. This studio in particular does a lot of film soundtracks, so on there were posters all over the walls of all of the big box office hit movies that have used their music. I swear I was like a little kid. All I could think about the whole time was just “be cool be cool be cool!”

Then, I got to meet Ali, the owner of the studio, who is definitely one of the coolest guys I’ve ever met. His spiky hair was bleached blonde and he was just one of those people who doesn’t even need to try to be trendy. He was so friendly and easy to be around – even though he should be absurdly intimidating… This guy is SO busy and he spent 45 minutes just talking to me and playing music for me. And it’s all ridiculously fun stuff that I would be thrilled to sing.

And, I can now say that a record producer has heard my voice. Crazy right?? I followed Mike’s advice to sing Pat Benatar’s “We Belong” and I actually did fine! I was so nervous before I got there, but everyone was just so nice and easy to be around I didn’t feel any pressure. Besides, this is just for fun – so why get all worked up about it?!

So they’ll be sending me my own original song to learn and record in a few weeks. I’ll go back up to the studios and spend half a day creating the recording. It just doesn’t feel real for this to be happening… It’s definitely one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had in my life.

More exciting stuff to come – I’ll let you know when I get some music in my hands!

Happy Mother’s Day

When I graduated from high school, my mom bought me a book of poems about a mother’s love for her daughter. She told me that before she gave it to me, she sat in her car, read through it and cried.

I loved the book, but I’m not sure I fully appreciated it at the time.

Ten years later, as Mother’s Day approached this year, I took the book out and flipped through it. The poems talk about how having a daughter is life changing and special. She showed me, through this small book of poems, the incredible meaning of being a parent. Of being a mom.

I realize not every mother and daughter have a relationship like my mom and I do – and I feel so incredibly lucky to have someone as amazing as her in my life.

So I share with you one of my favorites from the book that captures the beauty of being a mother, and the uniqueness of the love a parent has for a child. I hope someday I will have something even close to this relationship with my kids. And if you’re anything like me (or my mom), you’ll read though it this Mother’s Day and find yourself with a tear or two.

Did you know, sweet daughter of mine,

That my world changed forever

When you came into my life?

No one could have prepared me

for the depth of love

That sprang into my heart for you

And I continually think of ways

I can let you know

How very special you are to me.

You truly are a treasure,

And I will cherish you all of my life.

I will brag about you and show you off

Every time I get the chance.

And though I don’t know how it’s possible,

You become more dear to me

With every year that passes by.

- Cheryl Barker

Happy Mother’s Day, Mom – I love you more than you know!

I recorded my first song!!!!!

So, I went through this  a few times in my head and tried to figure out a way to talk about this in a non-geeky, overly excited way… and I really couldn’t come up with anything.

So.

I RECORDED MY FIRST SONG EVER!!!!

Now, mind you, this is not my song. It’s just a Sara Bareilles song, Bluebird, that I chose to sing in my voice lessons… so honestly, in the grand scheme of things, this is really not a big deal. People do this all the time! Well, people who are not me, that is. I guess that is why I am so excited — this is literally the first time my voice has EVER actually been recorded.

It’s incredibly strange to listen to your own voice. It’s like hearing someone else, but the sound is SO familiar… And I guess it’s not too bad for a first try. I have so much learning and practice and refining to do now… but it’s cool to have something tangible in front of me as a starting place. A benchmark sorta…

This week’s lesson is to take this song and sing along with myself (weird). Then I need to come up with harmonies and background vocals. It should be fun! (Did I mention how much I am LOVING this!?)

So here it is for your listening pleasure… my first song recording

Choosing A Song

Last week I had my very first voice lesson since high school. It was such a… freeing experience. I don’t really know how else to describe it.

I was nervous for some reason. It’s been a long time since I’ve really sung, and I know I’m rusty. As I went through the scales and she tested my pitch and range, I could feel my hands and feet start to sweat. I had to take off my shoes.

My nerves held me back at first. All that was going through my mind was how much I’ve forgotten. How do I do this again!? Breathe through your diaphragm. Watch your vowels. Take soft breaths. Support your notes. Focus on pitch. Don’t slide from one note to the next.

OhmygodIhaven’tsightreadinmorethan10years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can’t do this.

We sat down and tried a jazz song I’d never heard of, but as I started to get the hang of it, I just sort of let go of all of the things that have been holding me back. It was like I left my body and was overcome with this feeling of power and freedom and vulnerability all at the same time.

So what if I’m not the BEST singer? At least I’m singing.

30 minutes seemed like 30 seconds and I left feeling unfulfilled. Since that moment I can’t get enough. It’s like I’ve been keeping myself from music all of these years because it was “just for fun.” A hobby.

Unimportant.

I felt my time should be focused on work and school and the things that I should be doing. And now that I’m letting myself have it guilt-free I’m on an full out, face-stuffing binge. And I don’t feel bad about it one bit.

So here’s the assignment for the week. Pick a song that I want to sing.

Sounds easy, but I can pick ANYTHING. I am a parameters person. This is hard for me. The only requirement is that it needs to be something that will be challenging. I’ve been cruising iTunes, and I think I have it narrowed down to two by Sara Bareilles. Both will definitely be really hard to sing well…

Which one do you like better?

Bluebird:

Hold My Heart:

I may have forgotten all of my technique… but the sadder thing is that I forgot how incredibly happy singing makes me feel. I’m so glad I’m getting back into it – even a half hour a week.

Let me know which one you think and I’ll let you know how it goes. I can’t wait until next week!