News

Due to popular request to release our full calendar of events in advance, we are so excited to announce our next THREE webinar series! The first webinar series kicks off on Monday, March 6th from 6-8 PM EST.

As always, for those who cannot complete the webinar series in real time, all participants can complete the course at their own leisure. All participants will have access to the video archive for 12 months from the final day of the course.

Cost Per Webinar Series: $150/$200 USD ($150 USD for Somatic Voicework™ graduates of at least Level I; $200 USD for those who have not completed any of their Somatic Voicework™ levels. A $50 USD COVID-19 discount already applied to both totals)

Bundle Discount for All Three Webinar Series: $400/$550 USD (participants receive a $50 USD discount  when registering for all three webinar series at once; $400 USD for Somatic Voicework™ graduates of at least Level I; $550 USD for those who have not completed any of their Somatic Voicework™ levels.)

Mondays March 6, 13, 27, April 3 2023 from 6-8 PM EST

WEEK I: Applying Voice Science In the Studio

We hear about voice science but it can be confusing. Why is it important? How can we make use of what science has taught us in a lesson? What’s the point of having scientific information about vocal production?

WEEK II: Transcending Vocal and Physical Limits

Even the most talented people have vocal limits. Training is supposed to help us transcend them, but often it just gives us different limits, sometimes ones that are even more restricting. How can we go past our own natural tendencies in a way that supports our physical body and our honest use of our voice? Liberated singing is a joy.

WEEK III: Finding Your True Voice – Is It Possible?

Discovering the true voice is an exploration of the deepest kind. It begins with the sound of the voice but it takes years to truly explore all of what any voice is capable of and what the voice and body find on their own as their true home. This discovery, when it emerges, is always profound, moving, powerful, and permanent. It takes courage, perseverance, dedication and patience but the reward, when it arrives, is always worth it.

WEEK IV: Exploring Belting with Kids & Teens

Is belting just yelling? Should kids belt? Does it harm them? Why would it be necessary in music? Is all belting the same? Are all kids voices the same? Does age matter? An excellent singing teacher needs to know the answers to these questions. Come explore them with us.

 

April Webinar Series

Mondays April 17, 24, May 1, 8 2023 from 6-8 PM EST

WEEK I: Why Manipulating The Inside of Your Throat Is Always A Bad Idea

If the mind and heart desire to make a certain kind of sound and the throat just doesn’t want to deliver it, what’s left to do but force it to behave? Treating the voice that way only works temporarily. After a while, the throat and body resist, eventually producing musical and artistic problems and sometimes leading to vocal pathology. It never works to move the structures in the throat where they do not want to go.

WEEK II: Recognizing and Respecting Stylistic Boundaries

Musical style is different than vocal production. Singers sometimes have one sound and apply it to everything they sing. This ignores the validity of the style and makes the vocalist less viable.  Learn the differences. They matter.

WEEK III: Singing Higher, Singing Louder, Singing Faster, Singing Longer — Extending The Natural Capabilities of the Voice

Functional vocal training is supposed to teach singers how to extend range, control over volume, accuracy when singing quickly, and sustaining both long phrases and singing for a long time. How does that happen? What kind of training do we need to do to get those results?

WEEK IV: Belting in Various CCM Styles

All belting is not the same. There are many ways to belt, depending on the individual, their voice, the music and the pitch range. Which kind of belting is best? How do you decide? What makes a belt sound work or not? There is much to know about this very popular vocal quality and it isn’t found in traditional classical vocal training.

 

May Webinar Series

May 15, 22 June 5, 12 2023 from 6-8 PM EST

WEEK I: Working with Vocal Pathologies 

When a singer has been given permission by a medical doctor or qualified speech language pathologist to return to singing lessons after a vocal injury (pathology) or illness, we must exercise great care when beginning that re-training. If you have no formal education to work with these recovering singers, there are some general things to know so you don’t accidentally re-injure them. Especially if you are the only singing resource person in your area, we urge you to attend this webinar.

WEEK II: Vocal Technique vs. Changing Someone’s Voice

Some singers mistakenly believe that vocal function lessons will permanently change their voices. They think formal lessons will cause them to lose their authenticity. Nothing could be further from the truth. Everyone who sings can benefit from functional training aimed at vocal health and stylistic honesty. You do not have to study opera to learn to sing well! We will show you the difference.

WEEK III: Exploring the Flexible Boundaries of the Voice and Body

A boundary is an edge or a perimeter. A flexible boundary is like a mesh net that stops debris but allows water to pass. Discovering where your voice wants to go and how much you can go beyond its typical comfort zone is crucial.  On a short term basis you can maintain your vocal and physical boundaries but still override them safely. Learn how in this webinar. 

WEEK IV: How Do You Teach Someone To Belt?

Singers who do not belt often associate the sound with yelling. Others think of it as a kind of squeezed shriek. And some people think it is something you are born with and can’t learn if you do not do it naturally. All of these ideas are wrong. Belting is a specific kind of vocal production which can be taught to any eager student. There is a process to teaching belting. Want to know what it is? Join us.