Finding Her Voice: the Power of Artistic Mentorship with Georgia Heers and La Tanya Hall
Before she captivated Broadway audiences in Good Night, and Good Luck, Georgia Heers ’21 was a jazz voice major at Oberlin Conservatory—among the first students mentored by Associate Professor La Tanya Hall, a working artist and visionary educator. What began as voice lessons soon became something deeper: a mentorship grounded in trust, truth, and the transformative power of music.
In this episode of Running to the Noise, Oberlin College President Carmen Twillie Ambar sits down with Heers and Hall to explore how meaningful mentorship shapes artistic careers. From gospel choir performances and improvised studio sessions to standing ovations on Broadway, this is a story about risk, resilience, and redefining success on your own terms.
What We Cover in This Episode
A Conservatory Connection: How Hall helped build Oberlin’s jazz voice program from the ground up—and why it became the perfect space for Heers to find her artistic voice.
Finding Ella: The journey from Oberlin to Heers' breakout Broadway role as Ella in Good Night, and Good Luck—and how she embodied the spirit of jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan onstage.
Mentorship in Practice: Why Hall believes teaching jazz is more than technical training—it's about fostering courage, care, and creative risk-taking.
Safe to Fail: How their relationship built a foundation of trust, allowing Heers to embrace uncertainty, make bold artistic choices, and push through self-doubt.
Broadway Debut: Behind the scenes of Heers’ experience working with George Clooney, shaping the mood of the show with her voice, and interpreting iconic jazz songs for a new era.
Hard Truths and Second Chances: The pivotal moment when Hall challenged Heers to keep going—and how that moment led to Juilliard and ultimately New York City.
Art as Activism: Why telling the story of Edward R. Murrow’s stand against McCarthyism matters now more than ever—and how art can illuminate truth in dark times.
Georgia Heers and La Tanya Hall remind us that mentorship isn’t just about instruction—it’s about seeing the full potential in someone before they see it themselves. This conversation is a testament to the power of artistic relationships to shape lives, launch careers, and keep artists anchored in purpose—even when the path ahead is uncertain.
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