This is a reprint of an August 2017 blogpost – I recently had a rehearsal where a conductor asked us to do this and it’s something that just goes against me. Here’s why (things I’ve added are in bold and brackets): ****** This morning, the subject of my meditation app involved a lot of focusContinue reading “Suspending the Breath – Why I Don’t Teach It”
Tag Archives: Vocal technique
Takeaways from the NATS Conference – July 4, 2022
🎵 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 fromContinue reading “Takeaways from the NATS Conference – July 4, 2022”
Authenticity
I’m absolutely swamped this week with recital prep, so here’s a quick little quote from Kelli O’Hara in Classical Singer magazine (October 2021) regarding authenticity:* “The biggest advice I ever give is this authenticity thing, which is to be who you are and not make yourself into something you’re not, vocally or otherwise, ever. Because, again,Continue reading “Authenticity”
Yoga and Voice Practices
As I mentioned in a recent blogpost, Grit and Creating a Practice, I committed to doing 30 consecutive days of yoga at the beginning of this year, using videos by Adriene Mischler of Yoga with Adriene. And, surprisingly, I’ve kept it up! While I’ve written before about how cross-training relates to singing (mainly based onContinue reading “Yoga and Voice Practices”
Phlegm Happens – but why?
During cold and flu season, I’ve had many students interrupt their singing by coughing, clearing and pointing at their throats, saying, “Oh, sorry, phlegm.” And my response is usually, “Hey, phlegm happens. And please try not to clear your throat.” For years, I have wanted to create a sticker for my studio that says: PHLEGMContinue reading “Phlegm Happens – but why?”
I Meant That
My husband and I working with a designer for our house because, while we’re pretty good at picking out pieces – art work, rugs, colors – we’re not so good about actually putting them up on the walls (and I get absolutely paralyzed about window treatments). When we met with him yesterday to discuss someContinue reading “I Meant That”
Pro Tip Tuesday!
So (and i know a lot of people are annoyed by people who start sentences with “So,” but I do, so – so?) I thought about the Pro Tips I could offer today and possibly on subsequent Tuesdays. Here are a few, off the top of my head, gained from my XYZ number of yearsContinue reading “Pro Tip Tuesday!”
Golden Age Musicals Are NOT Going Away
Golden Age musicals are NOT going away. Even if things have changed and some of the themes are problematic, they still have much to offer, vocally and dramatically.
Wholistic or Holistic Voice Lessons?
Should you be taking voice with a holistic voice teacher or a wholistic one? Is there a difference? Is the latter an egregious and somewhat pretentious misspelling of the former (some would think so)? And what the heck is “wholistic/holistic” voice training, anyway? Definitions differ depending on where you look. According to Merriam-Webster, “wholism” isContinue reading “Wholistic or Holistic Voice Lessons?”
Make It Look Easy
Awhile back, I posed the question about whether you want to be a performer who shows up or shows off. Following up on that, are you someone who wants to draw attention to your process as an artist or do you want to make it easy for them? I have become smitten with the contraltoContinue reading “Make It Look Easy”