Confessions of a Karaoke Convert

​by Pamela Jordon Woodard 
​I used to be a shy singer. Like… painfully shy. The kind of person who could harmonize just fine from the back row of the church choir but would rather fake laryngitis than sing a solo. I was in choirs growing up—even a competition choir in high school—but the moment I had to open my mouth alone in front of people? Cue the internal scream.
Fast forward to today: I’m dressed like Left Eye from TLC, rocking two high side ponytails, spitting bars in No Scrubs like my life depends on it. What happened? KaraOakland happened.

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I joined this epic karaoke competition during the fall 2024 season, landing on a team called Billie Eyelash—yes, it’s exactly the level of fabulous you’re imagining. And somehow, this quirky, chaotic, glitter-sprinkled journey completely rewired my brain. We ended up winning that season (surreal!), and then went straight to the finals again in the spring.
But honestly? Winning is just a cherry on top. The real prize? The people. The confidence. The freedom.
We’re a glorious, ragtag band of misfits—like if The Breakfast Club and Glee had a baby and raised it at a Rocky Horror Picture Show. We’ve got theater nerds, punk rockers, moms, professors, techies, and people who could argue constitutional law before grabbing a mic and breaking into a Destiny’s Child medley. Ages 25 to 60. Wild ideas. Big personalities. Zero shame. And somehow, this wonderfully eclectic bunch just works. We’re loud. We’re weird. We’re over-the-top. We’re a little too into costume themes. But we’re family. The kind you choose, glitter and all.
There was one moment I’ll never forget: performing This Is Me from The Greatest Showman during the fall season. I opened that first verse, and something in me just— unlocked. I felt empowered, seen, and fully alive. For someone who used to hide her voice, that moment was pure magic. Like I wasn’t just singing—I was stepping into myself.
Now don’t get me wrong—karaoke with KaraOakland isn’t all sparkles and spotlights. There are rehearsals, choreography, dramatic group chats, costume malfunctions, and the occasional “Wait… are we supposed to have a fog machine for this number?” panic. It can be stressful, chaotic, and way too much fun. But once you hit that stage with your team? It’s a full-body, soul-deep release.
​Someone once said KaraOakland is better than Therapy. I say it’s therapy with sequins, dance breaks, and slightly too much eyeliner. And some nights? It might even be better than sex. (But let’s keep that between us.)
So if you’ve ever thought, “I could never do that…”—I’m here to tell you, yes, you absolutely can. Whether you sing in the shower, on a stage, or not at all yet—there’s a place for you here. Join a team. Find your weird. Belt it out. And if you’re lucky? You’ll walk away with not just a mic in your hand—but a family behind you.