I dream of crazy things. (This blogpost was going to be about achieving your dreams, but that’s not the way it turned out – I’ll talk about that another time.) Sometimes I have dreams about my students or musical colleagues, as either main or peripheral characters. Sometimes they’re really amusing dreams, sometimes terrifying and post-apocalyptic,Continue reading “But when I dream….”
Author Archives: Mezzoid Voice Studio
Another Way to look at BRAAP™
If you have studied with me or read anything I’ve written over the past 10+ years, you probably know that I have created an acronym for my approach to basic vocal technique. This acronym is B – Breath R – Resonance A – Alignment A – Articulation P – Phonation Or – BRAAP™, which myContinue reading “Another Way to look at BRAAP™”
‘Tis the Season to be Overwhelmed
Now that Thanksgiving is over, it’s time for us to start our holiday planning in earnest. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, Festivus, or a little bit of everything,, it is the busiest time of year for most of us. This year, we don’t have the added scheduling of holiday concerts and the rehearsalsContinue reading “‘Tis the Season to be Overwhelmed”
Grounded Joy
On this Thanksgiving afternoon in 2020, it’s hard to find a lot to be thankful for. A year ago at this time, Thanksgiving was a respite from a busy fall of performing and teaching, to be spent with family. This year, it seems like just another day. We’re still preparing wonderful food (including a newContinue reading “Grounded Joy”
Breaking Down the “I Am” Song
A few weeks ago, I talked about the role of the “I Want” song in a musical. From that blogpost, I created a series of questions that the actor needs to ask themselves when preparing that song and gave it to my students for our studio class on the topic. Tonight, we will be exploringContinue reading “Breaking Down the “I Am” Song”
Taking Things Personally
This is my biggest personal flaw. Which is not a good one to have when you are in a field where rejection is a major factor more often than not. And as a singer, it is easy to take rejection as a personal affront, because after all, your instrument is a part of your body.Continue reading “Taking Things Personally”
Practicing for Progress – Your Own Way
Today I wrote to a potential student’s mom about what to expect from voice lessons. And when I wrote about what I expect from my students, I wrote: Students are expected to practice at home to the extent they need to make progress. I don’t require proof of practice in writing or any journal –Continue reading “Practicing for Progress – Your Own Way”
Don’t Give In
What does it mean to be “dissed?”
- Disrespected
- Discouragement
- Disapproval
- Disavowing.
Make a Fool of Yourself!
Today I attended a masterclass hosted by Susan Hanlon, a voice teacher in Dallas, and Izzie Baumann, a voice teacher and performance coach in Mainz, Germany. The clinician was Christian Borle, Broadway star and Tony award winner (Peter and the Starcatcher, Something Rotten). He worked with six singers from the US to Germany. He wasContinue reading “Make a Fool of Yourself!”
When you hear no…
The great Kelli O’Hara went to the same school as Kristin Chenoweth, and studied with same voice teacher, force of nature Florence Birdwell. Obviously, Ms. Birdwell knew her stuff (she was still alive last I heard, so I should say, “knows” her stuff), since both of them are Tony-award winning artists. Kristin Chenoweth is knownContinue reading “When you hear no…”