I auditioned for the role of Nat and wasn’t cast. A few
weeks into rehearsals, Joe contacted me after deciding he didn’t want a
recorded soundtrack for the show, rather live piano music. I reflected on his
request, and took my trusty pendulum to the test, before saying a whole-hearted
YES! (Let me know on the blog if you’d like more information about how tools
like pendulums can help you align your inner spirit with your outer voice
before making important decisions like this.)
This volunteer gig has been an amazing process, full of
learning, collaboration, and making beautiful music and theatre.
Joe, his partner, Valerie (an expert on physical movement on
stage who is directing her own show at the Pentacle Theatre right now) and I
threw several ideas out on the table (literally, my kitchen table) at our first
meeting. Those few musical ideas led to others, and before long…we had a roster
of songs that would work well to open the show, for scene transitions, and to
close the show.
Then this voice and piano teacher had to order sheet music
she didn’t have and start rehearsing.
I took piano lessons from Mrs. Hamre in Clark, South Dakota,
for a decade, from second grade through my senior year in high school. I
accompanied soloists back then. Tom Woods called me his “good luck charm,” as
every time I accompanied him, he earned a Superior 1 rating at state vocal
contest.
My Yamaha Arius electric piano is my trusted and cherished
instrument now; I couldn’t give voice or piano lessons without it.
Yet I was out of practice.
I’m not a professional pianist. I don’t know how to
transpose music into different keys; I’ve never even really tried. You can’t
use a capo with a piano.
Anxiety set in before my first rehearsal with the cast and
crew Friday the fifth of July. The cast had been together for weeks, working
this show, and I was playing on an old piano I’d never seen before. I was there
from 7 pm until 10:40 pm, getting over my nerves and becoming a part of the
show, realizing how the music we’d chosen would – or wouldn’t – work during the
scene transitions.
Would I rather be on stage acting? Maybe. Yet Patti plays Nat
so well, I can’t begrudge her the role; she’s consistently knocking it out of
the ball park.
After afternoon rehearsal the following day we’d worked out
most of the kinks, and everything started coming together.
Most of the pieces Joe, Valerie, and I had decided on at the
first meeting stayed. Thank God for Kids. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes. Que Sera,
Sera. Tears in Heaven. So In Love. Try to Remember.
And consider volunteering your beautiful vocal and
musicianship skills, even if you don’t feel you’re ready, to a local community
theatre, where joy is created, found and shared.
Please spread the love and pass this along to a
friend!
I would recommend this
class – and highly – to anyone finding or working with their voice. You are
delightful and encouraging. -Emily H.
This workshop was such fun – if I have any feedback, I
wish it was longer! Laura was warm and inviting and made us feel comfortable
from the start. -Michelle L.
I feel much more knowledgeable about my own voice and
have a few practical exercises to use and explore. -Jennifer F.
First time I have been comfortable with my voice.
Especially want to say I feel safe in class with Laura. -Sara G.
Lake Oswego’s
Transformational Voice®
Teacher (Transformational Voice® is a registered trademark of Transformational Voice® Training
Institute, LLC, and Linda Brice.)
The impact we speakers, singers, performers have on our audiences starts before our speech or song does. Check out this seven-minute vlog to learn how to improve your stage presence.
Please
spread the love and pass this along to a friend!
I hired Laura to be my
voice coach after hearing her speak at an NSA (National Speakers Association)
event. Laura is AMAZING! In just a few coaching sessions with her, I learned so
much about where my voice comes from, what my range is, and how to get the most
out of it. I absolutely love working with Laura! -Cathey A.
Speaker/Trainer/TEDx Speaker Coach
Lake Oswego’s
Transformational Voice®
Teacher (Transformational Voice® is a registered trademark of Transformational Voice® Training
Institute, LLC, and Linda Brice.)
When my voice teacher and mentor, Linda Brice, first started
teaching group classes in addition to individual voice lessons, she was
surprised to find people learn faster in a group setting.
I can’t explain the reason for this either, yet I’ve
witnessed and experienced it myself. Something magical happens when people come
together with a common intention and purpose.
My June 15thEmbrace Your Authentic Voice
workshop at Dance with Joy Studios in Sellwood, Oregon, was just such an
experience.
A comment led to a question, then to an explanation, which
raised more comments, and questions…and we were all learning and growing
together in ways that went way outside the Four Critical Pillars of Healthy
and Effective Vocal Technique. I don’t remember when I’ve had more fun! What
an honor for this voice (and piano) teacher!
One thing, way outside the intended curriculum, truly amazed
me. Each participant found her third register! (If you’d like to know about the
third register, please ask on the blog, and I’ll answer.)
This isn’t something that happens every day in any first
group vocal class.
The energy of the group made the magic happen.
If you would like to be a part of, or host, a group Embrace
Your Authentic Voice class, do let me know. Let’s spread the magic around.
Please spread the love and pass this along to a
friend!
I would recommend this
class – and highly – to anyone finding or working with their voice. You are
delightful and encouraging. -Emily H.
This workshop was such fun – if I have any feedback, I wish it was longer! Laura was warm and inviting and made us feel comfortable from the start. -Michelle L.
I feel much more knowledgeable about my own voice and
have a few practical exercises to use and explore. -Jennifer F.
First time I have been comfortable with my voice.
Especially want to say I feel safe in class with Laura. -Sara G.
Lake Oswego’s
Transformational Voice®
Teacher (Transformational Voice® is a registered trademark of Transformational Voice® Training
Institute, LLC, and Linda Brice.)
The Lake Music recital was awesome! Three of my students were brave and got right out there. I’m so proud of Reagan, Paige and Karley. And, dare I say it? I’m proud of myself, as I performed, too. As a teacher, it’s important I know what my students are going through, and to perform as often as I can. My performance wasn’t perfect, yet I’ve started to get over my nerves of public solo singing performance. Here’s a little video of my Folsom Prison Blues performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow6fAsgYzeI
Easily Affordable Vocal Workshop in Sellwood!
Embrace Your Authentic Voice:
Four Critical
Pillars for Effective and Healthy Vocal Technique
This
interactive and dynamic class teaches you how to:
Harness the power of the Breath to create maximum vocal impact without
weakening your voice or your throat getting hoarse.
Avoid harsh Onsets, which can cause damage to the vocal cords. (Internationally renowned pop singer, Adele, had to have vocal cord surgery due to this issue, not once, but twice.)
Create vocal Resonance,
so your voice carries to the back of room without a microphone, and without
pushing or straining your voice.
Speak in your natural, authentic Pitch to avert vocal fry.
Please
spread the love and pass this along to a friend!
I hired Laura to be my
voice coach after hearing her speak at an NSA (National Speakers Association)
event. Laura is AMAZING! In just a few coaching sessions with her, I learned so
much about where my voice comes from, what my range is, and how to get the most
out of it. I absolutely love working with Laura! -Cathey Armillas,
Speaker/Trainer/TEDx Speaker Coach
Lake Oswego’s
Transformational Voice®
Teacher (Transformational Voice® is a registered trademark of Transformational Voice® Training
Institute, LLC, and Linda Brice.)
Reagan in the Lake Music Lobby (Photo by Donnell Plumlee)
Lake Music Recital Saturday
I hope you’ve had as great a month as I have. May brought sunshine and warm temps to the Willamette Valley, and then rain just when it was needed. I planted a little patio garden with cilantro, basil, cherry tomato and jalapeno pepper plants. The roses in the front yard are starting to bud and blossom already.
Our voices can bloom
just like the plants. If you’re
interested in an introductory group voice workshop, I have one coming up June
15th in Sellwood…details to come!
Today, I have a
special announcement. Lake Music’s recital is this coming Saturday afternoon,
1:00, at Lakewood Theatre, 368 S. State Street, Lake Oswego, OR.
I’ve been teaching at Lake Music since last August and this is the first recital I’ve had the pleasure of participating in. We’re all really looking forward to it, and – if you’re local— you’re invited to attend! Here’s a photo of my 7-year-old piano student, Reagan, who will be playing in the recital. Approximately 30 students – from 5-year-old youngsters to beginning elders – will be performing, and the snack table will be nicely filled.
Guess
what? The teacher will be singing, too! A Johnny Cash song I’ve always been
fond of.
Come
on down if you can, and – if you can’t –
think well wishes for all of the students! And for yourself, in your own vocal
practice.
Remember,
there is no such thing as failure. The only failure is not trying.
I have
missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26
occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I
have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.
-Michael Jordan
Lake Oswego’s Transformational Voice® Teacher (Transformational Voice® is a registered trademark of Transformational Voice® Training Institute, LLC,
and Linda Brice.)
All the vocal training in the world can’t help with one
not-so-small thing, and that’s the inner critic. I call my inner critic
“Carla.”
Yes, after all my years of vocal training and teaching, that
critic still kicks in from time to time, especially when I have a musical
audition. Still, far less, these days.
The best way to combat the critic is to remember we’re just
playing. Playing with your voice is fun – you don’t need to be perfect. Music
is fun; music is healing and joyful!
Sing like your critic isn’t looking, and have fun! The
critic will start to know it doesn’t have as much of a hold on you. Especially
if you giggle. Please do giggle with great vocal technique.
Please spread the love and pass this along to
a friend!
Laura has helped me
find my true, authentic voice. She’s given me music I didn’t know I could sing
to help me realize I’m truly a singer, not just a person who can sing.
-Kenyon A.
Lake Oswego’s Transformational
Voice® Teacher (Transformational Voice® is a registered trademark of Transformational Voice® Training
Institute, LLC, and Linda Brice.)
