Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Radina Veliova of Culver City

Radina Veliova shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Radina, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
One of the main reasons I do what I do is to help people find confidence — whether that’s confidence in their voice, their singing, or their speech. It’s the chills I get when a student belts out a note they thought they couldn’t sing, when a child says their first words and I get to be part of that moment, or when an older client regains the confidence to communicate freely again. Those moments make me proud — proud of them, and proud of myself for being part of their journey.

Our sessions are also filled with laughter. They’re fun, dynamic, and full of life — which makes every day in this work even more rewarding.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Radina Veliova, and I’m a Vocal Coach, Speech-Language Pathologist, and the founder of two connected ventures — Vocals on Stage™ Music Academy and the Voice & Speech Therapy Center in Culver City.

At Vocals on Stage, we help kids and teens develop their voices through contemporary singing, piano, and artist development programs that build confidence and creativity. At the Voice & Speech Therapy Center, my team and I specialize in voice therapy and speech-language services for both children and adults — from helping a child say their first words to guiding a performer or teacher through vocal rehabilitation.

What makes my work unique is the intersection between art and science. I’ve spent my career blending the technical and expressive sides of the voice — using evidence-based therapy tools alongside musical artistry to help people connect with themselves and communicate with confidence.

Right now, I’m especially focused on expanding our programs, supporting more families in the community, and continuing to create spaces where every voice — whether spoken or sung — can be heard, nurtured, and celebrated.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed I was shy. I was definitely more reserved and preferred to observe rather than be in the spotlight. Even now, I’m naturally introverted — but over time, I’ve learned that being introverted doesn’t mean being shy. It just means I recharge differently. Through my work and life experiences, I’ve learned to step out of my comfort zone, use my voice, and connect confidently with others. Most people who know me today would never guess that I once thought of myself as shy.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I think there have been many fears that have held me back at different points — the fear of failure, imposter syndrome, the fear of not being enough. But I’ve learned to take a very direct approach when it comes to fear: face it. I don’t like to run away or hide, especially from the things that stand between me and growth.

The tricky part is recognizing when fear is actually guiding us. Am I staying small because I truly want to — or because I’m scared to grow bigger? That self-awareness has been a big part of my journey. I’m still growing and still facing new fears at new heights, but the difference now is that I’m no longer afraid to face them.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
I believe in manifestation and faith. I’ve seen plenty of evidence of it in my own life — moments when things aligned perfectly, opportunities appeared, and hard work met the right timing. But can I prove it to someone who doesn’t believe in those things? Probably not. They might say it all comes down to effort, and of course, hard work is essential — but I’ve always felt that success is a mix of both: dedication and a bit of divine timing. You have to be open, see the opportunities, and act on them. That, to me, is the power of manifestation — even if it can’t be scientifically proven.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
I love the philosophical aspect of this question. It’s not an easy one to answer, because I’ve always defined so much of myself through my work — it’s a huge part of who I am. But at my core, I’m a mom, a partner, a friend, a sister, and a daughter. Those roles shape me in ways that go beyond any title or achievement.

If I laid down my role and possessions, I know I would rebuild — maybe in a different form, but with the same drive and curiosity. I’m a creator at heart, and my entrepreneurial mind never really rests. It’s not just about ambition; it’s about the joy of building, imagining, and bringing ideas to life. I think that creative spark would always remain, no matter what I let go of.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.voicespeechcenter.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voicespeechcenter
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/radina-veliova-249b9ab/
• Other: https://www.vocalsonstage.com