Pulling Back the Curtain
A Singer’s Journey to Authenticity
by Deanna Breiwick
What happens when the dream you’ve spent your life chasing begins to fracture the very voice that brought it to life?
Available worldwide November 4, 2025!
“Discovering and honoring one’s authentic voice seems to be the greatest gift and the greatest challenge—Deanna guides us along the path.”
About the Book
In Pulling Back the Curtain, internationally acclaimed soprano Deanna Breiwick offers an intimate, soul-baring exploration of life behind the operatic spotlight. More than a memoir, this book is a reclamation—a raw and radiant call to singers everywhere to rediscover the power, truth, and healing within their own voices.
Through vulnerability, personal stories, and deep reflection, Deanna peels away the layers of perfectionism, fear, and silence that so often shape a performer’s journey. She shares the heartbreaks and triumphs of her career, the unraveling and rebuilding of her relationship with her voice, and the transformational practices that led her home to herself.
Whether you’re a young artist, a seasoned performer, or someone longing to reconnect with the voice within you, this book will meet you where you are—with honesty, compassion, and hope.
This is more than a story of singing—
It’s a story of coming home to your voice—and to yourself.
“Your voice is not separate from you—it is a part of you, beautifully woven into every fiber of your being. When you reclaim your voice, you reclaim your life.”
— Deanna Breiwick
Praise for Pulling Back the Curtain
Deanna’s vulnerable exploration of a singer’s journey—the obstacles and triumphs alike—offers invaluable insights not just for aspiring singers, but for anyone pursuing their dreams in creative fields. Deanna’s honest perspective on the unspoken truths of our industry makes this essential reading and a gift to all young singers.
— Beth Roberts, Professor of Voice, Cali School of Music, Montclair State University
In Pulling Back the Curtain, Deanna expresses what so many of us feel so deeply day-to-day in this career. We have these discussions behind closed doors, seeking quiet help and guidance where we can, yet all the while maintain a (supposedly) unbreakable facade. It’s time to pull back the curtain further and discuss the reality of this career.
— Isabel Leonard, Three-Time Grammy Award–Winning Mezzo-Soprano
Pulling Back the Curtain will resonate with many singers at different steps in their singing careers. Deanna Breiwick probes deeply into the intersection of voice, body, and mind, asking tough and insightful questions at every point. Singers, teachers, and coaches can all benefit from this book.
— Brian Zeger, Artistic Director, Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts, The Juilliard School
Who This Book Is For
Singers and musicians seeking a more sustainable, heart-centered path
Teachers, coaches, and arts leaders who mentor emerging artists
Creatives in any field navigating pressure, perfectionism, and burnout
Anyone yearning to reconnect with their authentic voice
What Readers Will Discover
Practical ways to move through fear, comparison, and “shoulds”
How to rebuild trust with your voice—and yourself
Gentle, embodied practices (breath, reflection, presence) that support artistry
A hopeful roadmap for creating from wholeness, not performance alone
About the Author
Deanna Breiwick is an award-winning soprano, sought-after vocal coach, certified Yoga teacher, author, and course creator. She is a graduate of The Juilliard School and the founder of Practice with Deanna. With years of experience performing at the highest level on the world’s great stages—combined with the transformational practices she has developed and teaches—Deanna is a leading voice for a more holistic, heart-centered path for singers.