An interview with vocal trainer, worship leader coach, workshop presenter
Julie Kinscheck
Jonathan Broms at Worship Leader Central Magazine: Let me start by introducing our readers to this extraordinary Christian artist and trainer of worship leaders Julie Kinscheck, also known as Julie Alice Kinscheck, as a writer. She iis not only a voice professor at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, but is also author of the popular book and online course: Vocal Training for Praise Singers; She has released four full length albums as a Christian artist and is currently releasing a collection of singles under the loose heading of “The Black Mountain Sessions.” She leads various musical groups including The Harmony Jewels A ‘Cappella Caroling Band and Moon Glow Jazz, and presents vocal training workshops and Keynote concerts. You can always learn more about her teaching, projects and music at her website: www.julieksiings.com Now to our conversation…
Jonathan: Julie, it’s so great to have you with us today!
Kinscheck: It’s an honor to be here, thanks so much, Jonathan!
Jonathan: How was your Christmas?
Kinscheck: It was a very special time with family, thanks for asking. We got to see my 92 year old Dad and his wife along with my brothers Chris and Gary and their families before Christmas, then spent the actual Christmas Day with my 98 year old mother in law, brother in law and of course my husband Ralph and twins Caleb and Hannah. Shout out to Ralph, my awesome keyboard playing hubby.
Jonathan: 92 year old Dad and 98 year old mother-in-law- WOW! That’s amazing!
Kinscheck: Hey, my Grandpa Ray made it to 105! He said the secret was eating ice cream every night!
Jonathan: LOL! In addition to ice cream, tell us about some of your new projects you are passionate about.
Kinscheck: Nice segue! So I have a few new projects ahead of me in 2026. Let me say first that I am very passionate about Christian music. I believe that those of us singing songs either about Christ or to God have a huge responsibility. We are leading people to the throne of God.
Jonathan: I have heard you can be hard on yourself as a singer, does that play into that?
Kinscheck: Of course! I don’t expect more from others than myself. But most of us are our own worst critics, aren’t we. But what I meant is that we owe it to God and our listeners to be our best selves when on stage… not only so we look or sound good for ourselves, but so that the beauty of our presentation inspires the listeners to experience God more powerfully. Choral composers throughout history looked for ways to make their music more and more glorious to supposedly lead people closer to God. In face, architecture attempted to do the same thing through the centuries!
Jonathan: But you aren’t always teaching choirs are you?
Kinscheck: Well, I do teach workshops for choirs and praise teams, but I was only using that as an example. I train mostly contemporary Christian vocalists, and also those who sing parts on hymns. The point is that there are so many talented, faithful worship leaders out there who lack training. As a result, many of them strain while trying to hit the high notes, or struggle to navigate their break or different parts of their range. Others experience strain and the tension makes them sing off pitch. I am passionate about helping them to grow their vocal skills to be their best for God.
Jonathan: Is this connected to one of your projects?
Kinscheck: Oh, Yes! I digress! One of my main projects for 2026 is that I am putting together a wonderful collection of workshops for churches, colleges and conferences for 2026!
Jonathan: That sound like it would be SO helpful! Do your workshops address worship leading beyond just vocal technique?
Kinscheck: Absolutely! Singing for worship is so much more than just singing well. We need to have our heart right with the Lord. That can include facing pride, insecurity, envy, lack of forgiveness, discord, unrepentant sin and more. Our teams need to have clear leadership structure, unity, clear expectation, solid practice habits, overall musicianship and so much more.
Jonathan: That’s a lot of topics to add into one workshop!
Kinscheck: Oh, No! I wouldn’t include all those topics in one workshop. Clients can choose which topics would be most helpful to them based on their team’s needs from a list of workshops of different lengths and price points.
Jonathan: What inspired you to teach worship vocal workshops? I mean, you are an original artist, gigging and putting out music. I am sure that keeps you busy enough!
Kinscheck: For sure! I am putting out a new single every 6-8 weeks right now, I am certainly busy enough! Shout out to me incredible producer Neal Merrick Blackwood! (Please check out my next single “What Being Christian Means” releasing late January on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music etc !) YouTube Channel
Jonathan: That sounds exciting!
Kinscheck: That actually figures into my passion for teaching. You see, “What Being Christian Means” celebrates (with a funky groove) the incredible gifts of being saved; but I was a singer long before I was a Christian. And my drive to succeed and lack of vocal knowledge led me to get severe vocal damage. I got the dreaded vocal nodes! The resulting surgery and recovery journey taught me so much! It was at my lowest point, when I couldn’t even speak, when I studied the Bible and came to faith. God used my trial! Later, after I was baptized and began singing worship music myself, I noticed how many singers were losing their voices. The first group coaching I did was for The South Central Mass Choir in Milton, MA.
Jonathan: That’s an amazing story. Was that scary when you got the nodes?
Kinscheck: Oh, yeah! I was afraid my singing career was over. -And that was my entire life at the time. But God is SO GOOD!
Jonathan: All the time!
Kinscheck: Yup. It was an amazing time of self examination. I had to discover that I was loved even when I couldn’t sing. God came to me in my suffering. Now as a teacher, I can help others avoid vocal damage. Along my journey, I have also learned how to overcome envy and jealousy of other singers through the power of Jesus’ name; face my own pride and insecurity and overcome with scripture and more.
Jonathan: These are such powerful lessons! Do you address some off these things in your book: Vocal Training for Praise Singers, too?
Kinscheck: Definitely. The book not only has chapters covering various important vocal training topics like Breath Support or Registration, Vocal Health or Belting, but the entire manuscript is support with personal experience, scriptures and over 85 voice exercises. I use the book as curriculum in my workshops- and also something to take home to continue your training later.
Jonathan: This all sounds fantastic and so helpful. I can see why churches across the country are inviting you to speak. Did you tell me that you have also presented workshops abroad?
Kinscheck: Yes, so far we have brought the workshop to Berlin, Germany. There have been some recent inquiries to go to Nigeria, too! But my main focus is to visit more Christian collages in the U.S. and present at more and more Christian conferences. I can also combine the vocal workshops with master classes, private lessons or worship concerts!
Jonathan: So you could do a concert Friday night, teach Saturday till mid afternoon, offer private lessons late afternoon, then work with the worship team for a great service on Sunday! What an opportunity for a church!
Kinscheck: Thanks, Jonathan. I hope so! So you have unveiled my big combo project for 2026! And if you just want any one of those things… I can do that instead. Even do the keynote address for a conference or seminar interspersed with original Christian songs. That’s a Keynote Concert.
Jonathan: What’s a Keynote concert?
Kinscheck: That’s an inspirational speech interspersed with music. But that is a topic for another interview!
Jonathan: Wow! You are a busy woman! How do you do it all?
Kinscheck: God! Lots of prayer!- And more than average energy for my age! My catchword for 2026 is “FOCUS” – I could add to that “PRESENT.” Jesus accomplished so many things by being focussed on God’s will and being present wherever he was. I came up with my catchword in a goal setting workshop with Bree Noble just before Christmas. We all need our mentors! But that is a high call for me! Please pray for me!
Jonathan: I certainly will! In summary, how can interested worship leaders, conference organizers and college clients learn more about your offerings?
Kinscheck: The first place is my website: www.Julieksings.com
You can also contact me directly at MyVoiceTeacherJulie@gmail.com
My book is available on Amazon and all public platforms! Here is the Amazon link: AMAZON LINK
Jonathan: Julie, it has been inspiring to chat with you today! I do hope you. will be back to give us an update on your music, workshops and the new Keynote Concerts in the near future.
Kinscheck: Thank you so much, Jonathan, for having me! It has been a joy! Blessings to you and your family for the new year!
