There is a funny, neglected fact about communication. Effective communication has clear intentions. You must decide what you intend to say and why. This works well when your body is ready to do the work. It works really well when…
Happy New Year, Everyone! We are back after a much-needed break. This, of course, means that my inbox is overflowing with inquiries and requests. One of the themes I notice more when the volume of email is high is the…
I am currently working on From The Diary of Virginia Wolff by Dominic Argento. A work I have performed many times before. Besides the fact that I feel rusty still (thanks, pandemic), it feels like putting on a favorite coat.…
Humans are masters of finding a way to do the same things in the same ways over and over again. We call it a process or a framework. And, they sometimes help us to meet standards and/or stay organized. We…
There are all sorts of reasons people omit thoughts from a conversation, some of them quite good. Still, some omissions make good communication falter. These are a few: If you avoid speaking because it shows what you don't know yet.In…
Sometimes it feels like we can't find the right words to communicate our wants and needs. As if finding those magic words would change everything. Perhaps they exist, but I haven't found them to be necessary. Far more impactful to…
"Difference is not Disorder." I'm not sure where exactly I first heard this concept but it quickly became fundamental in my teaching. The point is this: If a sound fails to match your expectation for that sound, that doesn't mean…
Plosives. Those sexy sounds that cause us to articulate a puff of air as we utter them. They really are the super stars of articulation. Get these right, pay them the respect they are due, and your speaking clarity will…
When was the last time you thought about where exactly your tongue was as you pronounced a vowel? Never? You are not alone. Vowels are lovely and necessary, and far too often, nebulous. This can make language hard to understand…
Your lips are great multitaskers. Showing expression, kissing, and helping make language sounds all day long. I want to dedicate today to those sounds that require both of the lips to press together in order to come into the world.…