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.
Ellen Lettrich , M.S, CCC-SLP, is a nationally certified speech-language pathologist, vocal coach, and theatre educator with over three decades of experience across Broadway and educational theatre. She served as Production Vocal Coach for Matilda and Hand to God and has supported performers from Wicked, The Book of Mormon, The Color Purple, Cinderella, The Crucible, and West Side Story, among many others. As the Founder and former Director of MTCA (Musical Theater College Auditions), Ellen has guided hundreds of young performers through the college audition process and now continues her work from Richmond, VA, while leading The Fund for College Auditions, a nonprofit providing access and support for aspiring theatre students nationwide.
In this episode, Ellen joins hosts Mackenzie Bykowski and Jenna Battipaglia, M.S, CCC-SLP, to share her journey through vocal paresis and two pseudocysts - and how those experiences have shaped her empathy, teaching, and philosophy on vocal health. From vocal rest and recovery to advocacy for access in the arts, Ellen’s story is an inspiring look at resilience, curiosity, and care for the human voice.
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.
Tyler Jones is a New York–based voice teacher and performer whose clients span Broadway, television, national tours, and the recording industry. A proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA, he’s performed in productions like The Book of Mormon and Apple TV’s WeCrashed, and has coached for projects including Hulu’s Up Here. Tyler combines his performance career with a deep commitment to vocal health, strengthened by an observership at the Sean Parker Institute for the Voice and his work as an associate teacher to Mike Ruckles. Find him at www.tylerjonesvoicestudio.com and on Instagram at @tylerjonesvoicestudio.
In this episode of On The Voice, Tyler talks with hosts Mackenzie Bykowski and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP about navigating vocal injuries from college through his time on the national tour of The Book of Mormon, the impact of surgery, and how those experiences shaped his teaching philosophy. He shares candid stories about the psychology of singing, what it’s like to perform under pressure, and why understanding voice science—and finding community in recovery—are essential for any professional voice user. His insights speak directly to singers, teachers, and actors navigating the realities of vocal injury and resilience.
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.
Nicole Zuraitis is a 2X GRAMMY-winning and 4X GRAMMY-nominated jazz singer-songwriter, pianist, and arranger, celebrated for her “heart as big as her remarkable voice” (Jazz Police). She’s a New York–based bandleader redefining vocal jazz and what she calls the “modern songbook.” Find her music on all streaming platforms, at www.nicolezmusic.com, and on Instagram at @nicolezmusic.
In this episode of On The Voice, Nicole talks with hosts Mackenzie Bykowski and Jenna Battipaglia, MS, CCC-SLP about life on the road as a full-time touring artist, balancing an intense performance schedule with vocal health, and her own journey through vocal challenges—including lessons learned about speaking voice habits, recovery, and resilience. Her candid insights offer encouragement and community to any professional voice user navigating a vocal injury or supporting someone who is.
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.
Episode 1: Meet The Hosts - Mackenzie Bykowski and Jenna Battipaglia
In their very first episode, hosts Mackenzie Bykowski and Jenna Battipaglia, CCC-SLP open up about their own journeys through vocal injury, surgery, and recovery.
Jenna shares how a vocal fold cyst in college led her from being a musical theater singer, and contemporary commerical music songwriter, to speech-language pathologist - and what it felt like to lose, and then reclaim, her voice. Mackenzie recounts years of managing scar tissue, a vocal fold surgery during the pandemic, and the impact of managing an unpredictable instrument.
Together they reflect on the identity shifts, the importance of vocal care, and the mentors and clinicians who helped them find their way back - not just to singing, but to themselves.
Whether you’re a singer, actor, teacher, or anyone who relies on their voice, this conversation offers insight, hope, and a sense of community for anyone navigating a vocal injury or supporting someone who is.
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.