In this episode, our dear friend Lindsay Carretero, a Voice Coach from Jupiter, Florida, offers an amazing voice and body warm up for kids or for those of us who are kids at heart. It's structured so that voice teachers and coaches working with kids can literally plug in a device in the classroom and play the sequence, or kids can practice the sequence at home in their own time. There is some partner work involved, so feel free to do this sequence with a friend. Enjoy and if you have any qu...
Oct 31, 2019•26 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In this episode, Christine talks to friend and colleague Janette Smith. Janette is a freelance director and actor trainer, and has a lot of interesting thoughts about what she's looking for from actors vocally. This episode is especially relevant for actors who are in training or who are thinking about training, but is also useful for all professionals! Themes that come up are: - actors need to know their instruments: how to use them and what their limits are. - There is nothing worse for t...
Oct 31, 2019•25 min•Season 2Ep. 4
In this podcast episode, Christine talks to her friend and teaching colleague at ArtsEd, Dan Bird. Dan is an acting teacher and director, and has some really useful thoughts for actors about what he's looking for vocally from performers when he's directing. The big theme that emerges is the importance of vocal color and a sense of play with pitch range variety, so that the voice is responsive from moment to moment to what's happening in the text. Here are other themes that come up...
Oct 31, 2019•27 min•Season 2Ep. 3
In this episode, we discuss some helpful alternatives to throat clearing, which, in this cold and flu season, can really get in the way of your presentation or performance. Whether it be mucous or a dry throat, the need to throat-clear can create anxiety in public speaking situations. The good news is, there are some things you can do to prevent the situation and also things you can do in the moment to help ease the mucous/dryness. Themes that come up are: Drinking Water ahead of time Avoiding c...
Oct 31, 2019•14 min•Season 2Ep. 2
This is our first podcast episode in our new format, where Lindsay and I discuss a question from YOU, our listeners. The question we talked about in this episode is: It’s strange- when performing I find speech easier and more controlled but in social settings I often find myself stumbling over my words or find it difficult to make my words clear. However if I try and use the techniques I use to speak clearly on stage in social settings I find it comes across as wrong for the situation. How can I...
Oct 31, 2019•23 min•Season 2Ep. 1
This is a 5-minute vocal warm up that’s designed for you to do right before you walk into your audition or presentation. The idea with this is that you’ve done a longer warm up at home, but then you’ve traveled to your audition/presentation, and you need something to get your voice and body back in gear.
Oct 06, 2019•7 min•Season 1Ep. 15
If you know you have a tough talk coming up, this episode is a sequence that is designed to help you get physically, vocally and emotionally prepared for it. You can do this before the difficult conversation, or just do it and use the principles of it the next time a tough talk comes up.
Oct 06, 2019•17 min•Season 1Ep. 14
This episode is all about using voice work to help you find a sense of focus and concentration. A little-known side affect of the body work that comes along with working on the voice is that it’s great to help you tune in and gain a sense of focus and concentration. This sequence is useful if you are embarking on a new project, a new school year, a new job, or looking to renew your sense of focus towards your existing ventures. It gets your body releasing and breathing, builds your proprioceptio...
Oct 06, 2019•19 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Thinking about how you use your eyes (and how you see the world) is an easy way to check in with your alignment and your perspective. Being in your alignment is key to finding groundedness, presence, and grace. It also makes breathing easier, which makes speaking easier. This will be an especially useful sequence for you if you tend to get rigid when finding your alignment, or if you tend to hyper-focus with your vision.
Oct 06, 2019•10 min•Season 1Ep. 12
We have many sequences on previous podcast episodes that help you warm up and prepare ahead of a performance or a presentation, but what about that moment right before you get up to speak? That moment, while you are waiting, is often nerve-wracking. This is a short sequence that coaches you through where to place your focus in that moment before, allowing you to stay present, rather than in another world thinking about how nervous you are. You can listen to it ahead of time and then keep the seq...
Oct 06, 2019•13 min•Season 1Ep. 11
This episode is a gentle rib opening sequence that will help you breathe more easily. This is great if you find deep breathing difficult or if you find you often hold your ribs in place and they don’t seem to move with ease. Having easy rib movement is key to a powerful voice. So get something comfortable to lie on and grab some pillows– you definitely want to be comfy for this gentle sequence. Happy breathing!
Jul 22, 2019•25 min•Season 1Ep. 10
If you have ever been told that you don’t sound authoritative enough, or that you aren’t grounded enough, then the sequence in this episode is for you. This week, we explore finding an authoritative sound that feels authentic to you and helps you connect on a deeper level to what you are saying. It’s good for public speakers who want to convey their message with credibility and for actors (or anyone!) who feel like their emotions cause them to constrict and lose their ground.
Jul 22, 2019•18 min•Season 1Ep. 9
This is the sequel to our episode from a couple of weeks ago about Voice for Camera . The first sequence focused on your vocal power, and this one focuses more on your speech clarity. Both are important to being understood. This is a great sequence if you work on camera or you are using microphones at live “performance” events (whether that be acting or giving presentations).
Jul 22, 2019•9 min•Season 1Ep. 7
This episode is a sequence to help you support your voice when you’re working on camera or when you are using a microphone. Microphones only amplify what’s already there, so this sequence helps ensure you’re still supporting and directing your sound in a way that allows you to be heard. It’s great for actors and public speakers.
Jul 22, 2019•7 min•Season 1Ep. 7
This Wonder Woman-inspired episode is designed to help you communicate to yourself and to others in a strong, supported way. There’s a story behind this post. While Christine was traveling back to the States for a visit, she decided to finally watch ‘Wonder Woman.’ She was on a plane and, thankfully, she had the whole row to herself, because she had about three uncontrollable sobbing fits while watching this movie. We are not exaggerating. She was hiding my head behind my pillow as tears streame...
Jul 22, 2019•20 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Did you know that teachers make up over half of the population that has to take sick leave for voice rest in the UK? We don’t want that to happen to you. So teachers, let’s be mindful about how you’re taking care of your voice. This episode is designed especially with you in mind, teachers, but it’s also useful for anyone looking for a good daily voice warm up.
Jul 03, 2019•21 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Are you applying for a new job? This week’s audio guide is a sequence to get you physically and vocally grounded and present for your next job interview. This sequence is great to do before any communication event where the stakes are high and/or you are feeling some nerves– interviews, auditions, annual reviews, presentations, performances, etc. Let us know how it goes (we especially want to hear if you got that job!) and please share this with anyone you feel might benefit from this. Good luck...
Jul 03, 2019•13 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Learn how to find your alignment! Finding your alignment is about stacking the bones of your body from the crown of your head to your toes. It all starts with the feet. Finding this alignment allows you to stand with grace and move with ease. It’s a timeless posture that will keep you more comfortable and allow you to breathe more easily when you stand up. Easier breathing means easier speaking. It can be used as a prelude to a vocal warm up or as a way of checking in right before you begin to s...
Jul 03, 2019•15 min•Season 1Ep. 3
This is the second part of our Breath Support series, where you can learn how to connect to your voice on a deeper level. This episode is more like a class. It teaches you about the importance of literally being inspired in your communication. Inspiration has to do with thoughts but it also has to do with breathing in. Learn how to breathe in effectively to connect to your thoughts and communicate them with authenticity!
Jul 03, 2019•38 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Ever wondered how you can have a more powerful, authentic, connected voice? This episode is a class that teaches you about how the voice works, and the muscle you can learn how to engage to connect to your voice on a deeper level. This is part 1 of 2. Enjoy!
Jul 03, 2019•31 min•Season 1Ep. 1
