🎵 On the fourth day of July, NATS gave to me…. 🎵

July 4, 2022

• “The Non-Binary Songbook” presented by Liz Jackson Hearns and Alexandra Plattos Sulack
  Takeaways:
  Rather than providing an actual songbook (which is kind of what I wanted),this was based on exploring gender expansion via classical repertoire for the AFAB/non-binary singer from the perspective of:
  • Story
  • Person
  • Industry/Perception
    It’s okay to change pronouns and keys, even in classical repertoire
    I admit that I really want a repertoire list from this presentation, but there was some interesting work done here.
    

• “A Systematic Approach to Voice Studio Application” presented by Kari Ragan
  Takeaways:
  • Evidence-based teaching involves:
    • What I hear
    • What I know
    • Anecdotal
    • Kinesthetic tools
  • Worked with three different students and focused on different aspects of technique with each
    • Articulation – used tongue root massage for laryngeal flexibility
    • Respiration – MOVT
      
    • Breathwork – flow ball
      I first became familiar with the flow ball at Kari Ragan’s 2018 presentation in Las Vegas, and bought one at that time. However, I’ve lost a crucial piece to it. I did purchase some cheap knockoffs on Amazon this year for the studio, and they are not NEARLY as effective. 
      

• “Singing and Speaking Salvation” presented by Dr. H. Steven Sims
  Takeaways:
  Focus on gospel singers/preachers and factors in voice care for these underserved populations

• • • Stay focused on worship (or the story, if you’re not involved in church)
    • Don’t overcomplicate things – “We don’t always have to choose the hardest way”
    • “Showing up for rehearsals is a reasonable expectation”
    • “There is a time to rest”
    • “Check your attitude”
    • “Gospel singing is a gift” [Isn’t all singing a gift?]
    • “Any inhaled chemical [cannabis, tobacco, even medication] has the possibility to inflame your VFs”
      Even though I don’t do gospel singing or currently have any gospel singers in the studio right now, the things I gained from this session are applicable throughout various genres.
      

• “John Holiday Master Class”
  Takeaways:

• • “You have to know the bones first, then you can add all the other stuff” (ornaments)
  • “Everything, even the songs you don’t like, has to mean something to you before it can mean anything to anyone else.” [Sometimes you’re assigned things that you don’t want to sing – make it work!]
    Not that familiar with John Holiday (I haven’t watched The Voice), but this masterclass, to which I came late, and his concert the following evening were both absolutely wonderful.

• “The Effects of Virtual Reality Training in Reducing Performance Anxiety” presented by Bobbie Ticknor and Mark McQuade
  Takeaways: 
  • Interesting overviews of the causes of and treatments for Music Performance Anxiety (MPA)
  • Students with high levels of anxiety in life and in performance benefit from using virtual reality (VR) equipment and scenarios (studio class, juries) to prepare for the real thing
  • Students with only mild or moderate anxiety had less after using the VR but still found it beneficial
    I have no idea why I went to this session – but it was interesting. I don’t think I can apply any of it to my studio, but it was still interesting.
    

On Thursday, I’ll post about the last full day of the conference – there was one particular topic that I really want to delve into further going forward. Stay tuned!