Performance
Notes from Gina>Variance

Variance: Present Presentation

June 19, 2020
5 min read

One of my favorite podcasters, Akilah S. Richards recently used the phrase that she wanted to be present (adj), rather than present (v). I haven't been able to shake it because it resolves an issue for me.

What is it that makes some competent presentations seem so unimportant and some less flashy presentations so vital. I have always called this Presence but perhaps it is Present Presence. Not just a connection to the way the soundwave is traveling in the room, or the intention behind the words but also, mindfulness in that moment.

I also wonder how much miscommunication could be avoided if we actively sought to be Present (adj), just that. Being present means that you are interpreting what is not what should or could be. It observing your reality and being in it rather than moving past it. And, I suppose it appeals to me to be more completely true as I speak so that the actual me is connecting with others.

I will certainly be prioritizing being present (adj) in my work. I invite you to observe whether you are present in your own.

No items found.
Stay Updated with Our Newsletter

Sign up for the GROW Voice newsletter to receive updates on new blog posts, upcoming workshops, and voice training resources delivered directly to your inbox.

Related posts

An audience waiting for show to begin
July 31, 2025

What Opera Singers Know About Professional Performance

Opera singers master business, communication & peak performance skills that translate directly to professional success. Learn 5 practical behaviors to elevate your presence.

Performance
Process
Office Space>Productivity
June 3, 2025

What Happens in Vagus Part 2: Five Ways to Find Your Vocal Sweet Spot

This follow-up post delivers five evidence-based techniques for balancing your nervous system before, during, and after high-stakes speaking situations. Learn quick regulation methods like the Physiological Sigh (30 seconds) and Micro-Orienting (15 seconds) for in-the-moment reset, plus foundational practices like Coherent Breathing and the Voo Sound for vocal-specific nervous system preparation. Based on research from Stephen Porges, Peter Levine, and Bessel van der Kolk, these tools help speakers achieve "calm intensity" - the optimal state of high arousal matched with high regulation for dynamic, engaging performance.

Voice Body Alignment
Performance
Voice Use Strategies
Team presenting with Male team member directing and the female team member tries to shrink
May 29, 2025

When Voices Disappear: The True Cost of Silencing Ourselves in Collaboration

In "When Voices Disappear: The True Cost of Silencing Ourselves in Collaboration," I examine how we often diminish our voices in collaborative settings, believing we're serving the team when we're actually limiting everyone's potential. Inspired by a revealing moment on Project Runway, this post challenges the false binary between harmony and discord, offering a more powerful alternative: bringing our full "voltage" while remaining curious about others. Learn a simple five-step practice to maintain your authentic voice in your next collaborative project.

Performance