We were lucky to catch up with Raffa & Camilla DeFaria recently and have shared our conversation below.
Raffa & Camilla, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
From Camilla:
That’s actually a very interesting question—one I’ve reflected on in the past when thinking about what it means to be effective and successful. I’m no stranger to being the only one in the room who looks like me. I’ve been the youngest, the only female, the only one with an accent. Interestingly, I never considered those things until afterward because, in the moment, they didn’t matter.
I’m a firm believer that success comes from within. If you believe you are successful, you’ve already won the battle against self-doubt and impostor syndrome. You know that what you have to contribute is valuable and worth being heard—not in an arrogant or entitled way, because I don’t believe we are owed anyone’s time or resources until we’ve proven that we can make a difference, but in a grounded, tested kind of way.
When you walk into a room, it means you’ve earned your seat at the table—regardless of your background, gender, or skin color. That is your stage. Own it. Present your ideas with facts and conviction. If what you bring serves the purpose of the room, then you’ve accomplished what you came to do. From there, it’s out of your hands, and you can walk away confident that you did your absolute best. More often than not, that mindset has led to successful outcomes for me.
When you walk in from victory, not for victory, you’ve already collected the spoils.
From Raffa:
As the common saying goes, “If you’re the smartest person at the table, you’re at the wrong table.” If being the only one who looks like me means I’m surrounded by people walking in the shoes I want to walk in someday, then I’m exactly where I need to be.
I can’t speak to others, but over time, I’ve learned that being effective and successful doesn’t depend on how you look, but on what you do, how you behave, and how much heart you put into your work. Success takes time, effort, and an unshakable will, it’s built on dedication, discipline, and focus. To grow, you must eliminate distractions, stay open to learning, be patient, be bold, and never fear failure. Learn from mistakes, dust yourself off, and keep moving forward.
Along the way, not everyone will cheer for you. Some will love you; others may not understand you, and that’s okay. I’ve learned to focus only on the people who are genuinely part of the journey, those who push me to grow and believe in the vision. Anything else is just noise and distractions.
Being truthful with yourself is not always easy. Growth demands that we face our flaws, even when it hurts. But that’s how we evolve, by being honest, working on ourselves, and embracing who we are.
I am my biggest fan! I’m the first one to like my own posts on social media, even if it’s considered “lame,” not out of vanity, but out of self-respect. The way I see it, if I don’t believe in my art or in myself, how can I expect anyone else to? The same goes for who I am. If I don’t accept myself, love myself, and become my number one fan, it’s unfair to expect others to. Stop using distractions as a crutch or an excuse for not trying harder.
Harry S. Truman said: “When Franklin Roosevelt died, I thought there must be a million men better qualified than I to take up the presidential task, but the work was mine to do and I had to do it and I tried to give it everything that is in me”.
When I know the work is mine to do, nothing else matters but giving it everything I have, and that’s how I define success.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Camilla DeFaria and Raffa D. are a force to be reckoned with. This husband and wife duo, multifaceted artists, award-winning vocal coaches, and founders of Radical Coaching Studios, just can’t stop finding ways to reach singers everywhere and help them achieve their best sound. Nearing the celebration of its 10th year, the studio has experienced different phases, and each one has focused on adapting in order to expand its reach. Since the decision to transition to fully online (except for some aspects of the recording studio), Radical Coaching Studios has grown into a creative hub for vocalists, songwriters, and performers at every level from across the globe. From Broadway and national TV to the next generation of performing artists and contemporary Christian singers finding their voice, the studio has been honored to be awarded Best Music Service of the Year (East USA) by Prestige Awards UK, and has coached singers who went on to shine as stage performers, recording artists, and even on national campaigns and global streaming platforms. And now they have a brand-new project in the works that is unlike anything in the market. Again, the focus is on reaching more singers and providing them with the ultimate tool to help them grow and become the singers they know they can be. But before discussing this project, there is value in looking back at their personal journey and seeing how they arrived here.
For more than two decades, they have built a music career rooted in creativity, authenticity, and a shared passion for helping others unlock their full potential through music. Through the years, they have learned that they are truly better together. It might sound cliché, but it is the truth. They have realized that their commonalities bind them, their differences strengthen them, and that by paying attention to each other and trusting one another, they grow even more. Music has been a constant thread in their lives since childhood. Long before they met, they were already performing solo or in choirs, trios, and ensembles, developing their voices and their love for singing. Though in their mid-twenties, their “day jobs” didn’t necessarily reflect that, they both knew their true calling had always been in music, so they took a leap of faith, packed up everything, and moved to Texas to study music. They had little money and didn’t know a soul there, but that move changed everything. Within three years, they became full-time worship leaders at one of the most creative churches in the country. That experience shaped their understanding of musical excellence, teamwork, stagecraft, and leadership. Eventually, they were ready to take their vision even further.
Every time they felt it was time to advance, education was always the pathway of choice; no wonder offering what is most current in training in their area of expertise is so important to them. They pursued advanced studies at some of the world’s leading institutions, earning certifications from New York Vocal Coaching School and Berklee College of Music, where they graduated with top honors and were twice featured in Berklee’s TakeNote magazine. Today, Camilla is completing her Master’s in Voice Pedagogy (Musical Theater) at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, and Raffa is finishing his Master’s in Music Technology at Southern Utah University, where he was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi, one of the nation’s most prestigious honor societies.
From that inherent desire and passion for growth and development, in 2016, Radical Coaching Studios was born, a space dedicated to helping singers and artists reach their best sound through a balance of passion, science, and mentorship.
What drives them is simple: authenticity, emotional connection, and intentional growth. Whether through private sessions, group coaching, songwriting mentorship, or upcoming projects, their mission is to help artists build confidence, embrace their individuality, and thrive creatively in every aspect of their musical journey.
At the core of their work is empowerment, helping artists grow as performers and as people. They want every artist they work with to walk away not just with better technique, but with a stronger sense of identity, purpose, and confidence.
Enter Ignite Club, to be released before the end of the year (Join the waitlist to secure an early bird discount on your membership: https://form.jotform.com/igniteclubrcs/igniteclub-waitlist ), a virtual club where singers of any level and background, all styles and ages, can find the most comprehensive support on their musical journey. Ignite Club is more than a platform; it is a community. It is the heart of Radical Coaching Studios, a shared space where a singer’s voice is more than just a sound; it is their whole self.
Within Ignite Club, singers have access to all the tools they need to grow—not just to sing well, but to develop their artistry, learning from expert coaches who have the background and passion to help them achieve their goals. Once inside the community, they enter a space with different areas designed for growth: the Lounge, where singers can share ideas and experiences with others; the Studio, where they meet with expert coaches and get real, practical advice on vocal exercises, music production, nutrition, and overall wellness; and the Academy, where they can focus and hone their skills with weekly voice lessons, monthly expert guest speakers, and the Vocalize Vault, a place to master specific exercises and build confidence in performance.
Singers also have access to courses on music theory and The Art of Being Ready, learning how to position themselves so that when opportunity arrives, they are never caught off guard.
This next step in their journey will help many singers. From those who either do not know where to start or have tried standalone videos on the vast world of the internet without much success because they lacked individual support, to even serious singers who want more and a way to keep their voice always in shape, with 24/7 access to expert training and advice from top coaches in the industry.
And that is what you can learn to expect from Raffa & Camilla DeFaria: with each project and each new way to reach their audience, you can always find them at the intersection of excellence, passion, and results.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three qualities that have shaped their journey the most are resilience, adaptability, and intentional learning. Each one was born from real-life challenges that tested not only their artistry but also their faith, their health, and their purpose.
In 2014, Raffa was diagnosed with advanced Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It was a life-altering moment that instantly redefined everything for him and for his wife, Camilla. There was no surgery option, only aggressive treatment: 12 rounds of chemotherapy, 28 rounds of radiation, and countless hospital visits over the span of a year. The prognosis was serious, and the emotional weight was heavy.
What hit him hardest wasn’t just the diagnosis; it was hearing the doctors tell him to forget about singing. They warned that the treatment would likely damage his lungs so severely that even speaking would be difficult. But he refused to accept that. He told them, “Singing is what will get me through this.”
And it did.
Throughout the grueling treatments, he kept singing. He did daily vocal exercises, even when breathing was difficult. He sang softly at first, then louder, sometimes with tears in his eyes, barely standing. But he never stopped. He led worship on 50 out of 52 Sundays that year. Not only did he preserve his voice, but it actually improved. His doctors were stunned and began using his case as an example of how vocal work can support physical and emotional healing.
Meanwhile, Camilla showed the same unshakable resilience. For over a decade, she’s faced Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition that affects the thyroid and can take a major toll on energy and voice. When her vocal range began to fade and her tone grew hoarse, she refused to give up. Instead, she poured herself into learning new vocal techniques designed to heal and support her instrument. Through discipline, experimentation, and patience, she not only recovered her voice but her range expanded. She continues to inspire others by showing that perseverance and smart technique can turn adversity into artistry.
Those experiences taught them resilience to face the unthinkable and keep moving. They taught them adaptability to adjust, reinvent, and find strength in new methods. Not only did those qualities lead them to growth, they deepened their commitment to learning and to never stop exploring and questioning.
These lessons now shape everything they do at Radical Coaching Studios. They bring that same mindset to every session, every song, every artist they work with. They believe that music is not just art, it’s therapy, purpose, and transformation.
For anyone at the beginning of their creative journey, their advice is this:
Build resilience. Things will get hard, that’s a given. Don’t let setbacks define you; let them refine you.
Stay adaptable. Be willing to change, experiment, and evolve. Don’t become attached to methods, leave room for experimentation and be open to see new results.
Keep learning. The best artists are lifelong students. Master your craft inside and out, the technique, the technology, the business. Knowledge is freedom.
As they say, success doesn’t come to those who never fail but to those who keep refining their ways until they succeed.
When they started, they didn’t have a clear roadmap. They had to learn everything the long, hard way, from what gear to buy and how to use it, to understanding vocal health, songwriting, collaboration, and music release strategies. That experience became their mission: to help artists skip the guesswork and move forward with clarity, confidence, and direction. There is power in your own journey.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
We are a family business, and family is at the core of everything we do. That does not mean we came from perfect homes or even that we live a fairytale life. But our parents have taught us the value of strong ethics, hard work, and continued education. Those are elements no one can ever take away from you. You can age, change cities, jobs, and schools—no matter where you go, you always take yourself with you. It’s a fact. Who that person is going to be is up to you.
Ethics is a non-negotiable for us. Our word is as good as done, and we have always thrived in transparency. Every student, every collaborator, and every person who has contracted our services can attest to that. Honesty and transparency have been imparted to us from a very early age. Neither of us came from a wealthy background, but both of us had parents who showed us that hard work is the talent when the talent doesn’t work hard. Showing up is half the battle, and opportunity doesn’t just show up—it’s chased after.
Finally, they always placed a premium on education. They worked really hard to make sure not only that we had access to the best schools growing up, but that we knew how valuable their efforts were, and we never took that for granted.
We honor their legacy to this day, as we never settle for the status quo, but in every step of our learning journey, we’ve devoted every effort to receive our education from the top institutions in our area, and by inspiring our students to do the same.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.radicalcoachingstudios.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radicalcoachingstudios/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radicalcoachingstudios
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@radicalcoachingstudios7237
- Other: https://igniteclub.circle.so/
Image Credits
The one photo with the large Radical Coaching Studios logo on the left was taken by Amanda Passinato ( https://www.instagram.com/apassinatophotography/ )
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
