Client Journeys: Opera Singer Leah Partridge Finds Her Writing Voice
Before she ever stepped into my coaching space, Leah Partridge had already built a stunning career as an internationally acclaimed soprano. With performances at the Metropolitan Opera, Washington National Opera, and major houses across Europe and the U.S., her voice has been praised as “captivating in its beauty and grace” (Opera Now) and “silvery, elegantly supple” (Minneapolis Star Tribune).
But like so many artists who’ve experienced great success, Leah reached a point where something felt… off. The voice that had carried her through a career in opera was evolving. New creative callings were whispering to her—writing, flower farming, a deeper sense of artistry beyond the roles she had played on stage. And yet, something was holding her back.
That’s where our work together began.
In this conversation, Leah shares how she moved from feeling stuck to stepping fully into her artistry—on her terms. We talk about the power of healing, creative reinvention, and how she found not just a new artistic voice, but a deeper connection to herself.
Let’s dive in.
Jess: Leah, I’d love to hear about where you were before we started working together. What was going on in your creative world at the time?
Leah: Oh, I was completely spinning my wheels. I had all these big ideas—projects that I wanted to move forward—but they just weren’t happening. And I couldn’t figure out why. It was frustrating because I’ve always been a doer, but no matter how much I planned, things just… stalled.
Through our work, I realized something huge. Those big ideas weren’t going anywhere because they weren’t actually coming from the most grounded, healthy parts of me. They were coming from unhealed places—parts of me that weren’t ready to create, at least not in the way I was trying to force them. My inner artist needed something different. She needed a voice. And you helped me find her.
Jess: That’s such an incredible shift, realizing that creativity isn’t just about pushing forward, but also about understanding where the creative impulse is coming from.
Leah: Exactly. And that was something I didn’t expect. I thought I just needed structure, a plan, maybe a little accountability. I had no idea I needed healing first. But as soon as I saw that, everything started making sense.
Jess: What led you to reach out for this kind of work?
Leah: I remember seeing you put out your album, and something about that really struck me. You weren’t just talking about creativity—you were doing it. And you were doing it in a way that felt deeply connected to something real.
So many people talk about the creative process in this vague, motivational way, but the way you shared your work, the way you talked about artistry, I could feel the deeper purpose behind it. I knew I wanted that for myself. I wanted to get unstuck and actually bring my creative work into the world again.
Jess: That means so much. And now, looking back, what was the most surprising part of this process for you?
Leah: That I had healing to do before I could create. Hands down. I thought I just needed to push through, but I came to realize that certain parts of me were blocking that momentum for a reason. They weren’t just getting in the way—they were asking me to slow down and listen.
Jess: And once you started listening?
Leah: Everything changed. Suddenly, I wasn’t stuck in this frustrating cycle of avoidance anymore—I was actually understanding what was happening. I became aware of the parts of me that were resisting, the ones that were scared, the ones that still carried old fears about what it meant to put my art out into the world.
And because of that, I had one of my biggest breakthroughs—I finally hit publish on a story I had been holding onto for over a year. A year! It had been sitting there, ready to go, but I just couldn’t bring myself to put it out. Through our work, I was able to move through whatever had been holding me back, and that moment of finally releasing it into the world was huge for me.
Jess: That’s amazing. And it sounds like it opened up something even bigger for you.
Leah: It did. Because in that process, I finally admitted something to myself—I’m not just a singer. My creative voice is also in writing. And I had been avoiding that realization for a long time. But once I embraced it, everything clicked. I started writing with more confidence, and interestingly enough, that also started helping me reconnect with my singing voice in a new way.
Jess: That’s something I love about creative work—it’s never just about one thing. It’s all connected.
Leah: Yes! And now, instead of feeling like I have to choose, I feel like I finally have permission to integrate everything I love—music, writing, even my flower business—into something that feels like me. Before, they all felt like separate worlds, but now, I see them as part of the same creative identity.
Jess: And you don’t feel like you have to prove anything anymore.
Leah: Exactly. I used to have this constant voice in my head asking, Am I really an artist? Do I deserve to call myself that? But now, I don’t question it. I know I am. I take the time to create because it matters to me, not because I need external validation.
Jess: That’s such a huge shift. Where do you see yourself going from here?
Leah: I’m finishing my book. That’s happening. And I’m looking at how I want to reframe everything—my music, my writing, my flower business—so that it all aligns. I finally have the confidence to make these things happen, because I understand what was stopping me before.
Jess: I love hearing that.
Leah: And I just have to say—this kind of work? It’s necessary. A lot of artists think they just need more discipline or a better strategy, but when you’re really stuck, it’s almost never about that. It’s about something deeper.
Having someone like you who can see those patterns, who can hold space while you figure out what’s really going on—it’s invaluable. I think a lot of people feel like having an artistic coach is indulgent, but if you’re stuck, it’s one of the most important things you can do for yourself.
Jess: Thank you, Leah. That means so much.
Leah: No, thank you. I LOVE our sessions. They’ve changed everything for me.
Jess: It’s been such an honor to witness your growth. And I can’t wait to see where you go next.
If you want to check out Leah’s writing and ongoing transformation, I recommend starting with her amazing post “Madness at the Met” and subscribing to her Substack. I guarantee you’ll be inspired.
And if you’re interested in having an artistic coaching experience like Leah’s, click here.
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