Stress and the Breath
On a scale of 1-10, what is your level of stress today? On average people will rate themselves somewhere in the middle without actually considering how they feel. This is because many of us live in a state of chronic…
Observe: Principles
There are beliefs that are fundamental in all of us, things we hold true. These are our foundational principles and they create the scaffolding for our reality. When was the last time you looked at yours, not as an exercise…
Variance: Expand your Horizon (Repost)
Original post: March 19, 2019 If I notice one consistent thread in my sessions with speakers and singers it is that everyone, and I mean EVERYONE collapses their torso. Even male clients who tend to spread out in every other…
Perform: An Act of Kindness
The first full work week of the year is almost in the books and many of you have been busy. Trying to jumpstart health, kill it at work, and become a better version of yourself (among other things). All commendable…
Articulate: Baby Got Back
Back of the tongue that is. The tongue is a large and dynamic muscle which is capable of a lovely array of sounds. Interesting for me is how we as American English speakers neglect some of the juicy variations made…
Disrupt: The Wild Can Be Human Work
"The wild can be human work" from H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald We all live pretty designed lives. We design them to look a certain way and seem a certain way, in ways that are pleasing to us.…
Observe: I Want It That Way
Last week, a NYC subway car became a site for communal song contagion. A person walked on exhibiting one of the most irritating of subway behaviors, playing loud music. Within a few minutes the entire car was singing along. This…
Acquire: Electric Slide
Before you get too concerned we are not actually going to use the electric slide to acquire a new vocal skill. We are going to engage with the voice in a slide though. Vocal flexibility, especially encouraging air flow in…
Disrupt: Laugh it Up
Laughter is great medicine. The only problem is that laughter is elusive when you need it the most. Thankfully, THIS you can fake, especially in groups. Get some friends together and work to make eachother laugh. If someone is resistant…
Observe: Curiouser and Curiouser
All of the best speakers and vocal performers I know share a characteristic. They are curious. They seek knowledge, of facts certainly, but also about life. They seek to know about people, and their experiences. They question and follow those…