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)

• “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!

My kinda town, Chicago is!