I promised I’d share my takeaways from the NATS Conference this summer, and here’s the first one!!
(These are from the report I submitted to the MDDC NATS chapter on October 23.)
July 1:
- “That was Intense! Cool-downs for Vocal Athletes” presented by Gwendolyn Walker and Edrie Means Weekly (off-site at Roosevelt University)
Takeaways: Alexander Technique based tools to create vocalises (for cool-downs and warm-ups), which also can be used to diagnose and address individual issues in student singers. Vocalises included gentle SOVTEs and oohs, self-massage, and “whispered ah”/body mapping work. The self-massage exercises were of particular interest, especially those pertaining to masseter and trap release. - “Rock the Musical Stage: Auditioning for Musical Theater with Pop/Rock Songs” presented by Valerie Maze and Brian Kemer (also held at RU)
Takeaways: Singers need to be aware of the subsets of rock and know which styles to audition with based on the show (e.g., don’t audition with folk rock for a punk rock show). Copying is not a bad thing, at least initially, to find your own style. Unlike musical theater (or opera), where context is set, you set your own context with a pop rock song. Don’t sing songs from jukebox musicals in the context of the jukebox musical – sing it in the context you create (i.e., not in character)- Know the historical/societal significance of the style – it varies greatly!
- Gender bending is fine!
- Don’t bring in tracks or sing a cappella
- Step by step prepIdentify overarching musical style of a showWhat is the worldview/cultural relevance of the style?Create a story for yourself
- What is your created character’s POV?
- How do all these influence your vocal choices?
- What is your why?
- “Repertoire for Trans/Non-Binary Students: A Panel Discussion” presented by Deonté Warren, Juanita Marchand Knight, Liz Jackson Hearns, and Brian Kremer
Takeaways:Elements of genderIdentity: Who I know myself to beExpression: How do I show it?- Perception: How does everyone react/relate to me based on their own identity. Find the authentic use of your voiceYou have a voiceYou have autonomy
- You are an artist
- Goals for assigning repertoire
- Flesh out your bookSkill development
- The fach system should serve the singer rather than the other way around
- The Great American Songbook can be a great source for finding non-binary repertoire (David Sabella)
- Perception: How does everyone react/relate to me based on their own identity. Find the authentic use of your voiceYou have a voiceYou have autonomy
- “Disobedient Singing: Break All the Rules – A Personalized Approach to Singing for YOUR Body from a Physical Therapist and Voice Teacher Team” presented by Liz Fraser and Abby Halpin
Takeaways:If you stretch your neck up and then open your mouth, the stretch releases!Abby: “Muscles work best in their middle range.”Liz: “Unstable is okay; uncomfortable is not.”- Ask your students if they have had injuries/surgeries
- Find a PT who is understanding of the athleticism involved in singing
That was a lot for the first day! Stay tuned for the subsequent days!
