Angelia Williams

Angelia Williams Enterprises LLC, United States

Title: Professional Soul Singers, Well-Being and Optimal Performance: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

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Biography

Dr. Angelia Williams is a Performance Psychologist, Professional Vocal Coach, and Independent Recording Artist. Her doctoral education in Performance Psychology allows her to marry her extensive knowledge of music and psychological well-being together to help clients that work in high-performance domains become their optimal self not only vocally, but psychologically. 

Clients of Angelia Williams Enterprises LLC (formerly The Voice Studio of Angelia Williams) are not only taught how to become better singers/speakers physiologically, but receive psychological skills training to help minimize issues such as state anxiety, a lack of confidence, and other mindset challenges that can be debilitating during live performance events. The Voice Studio of Angelia Williams was the recipient of the Nashville’s Best Award in the category of Vocal Coach 2013-2024 consecutively, the recipient of the American Psychological Association 2025 Professional Poster Award for her research, and continues to work with singers/public speakers/performing artists in multiple markets internationally.

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how professional soul singers described the lived experience of optimal performance as it relates to positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and accomplishment (PERMA) in the southern US. The researcher utilized the Seligman (2012) PERMA model as the theoretical framework that outlines positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment as viable tool for a life of flourishing that leads to well-being. This well-being leads to a pathway of improved vocal performance outcomes. The research question posed for this investigation was what are the lived experiences of professional soul singers with achieving optimal performances through positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment? Nine professional soul singers participated in semi-structured interviews, providing rich data on their experiences. Analysis using Giorgi's phenomenological method revealed four main themes: the importance of mindfulness in achieving optimal performances, the relationship between meaning and engagement, the role of psychological preparedness through positive mindsets and relationships, and the detrimental effects of negative mindsets on confidence and emotional regulation. These findings underscore the PERMA model's potential as a framework for enhancing well-being and performance, and highlights how the understanding of psychological interventions can lead to superior vocal outcomes. Future research may explore the applicability of the PERMA model across different music genres and performance contexts.