Anyone who knows me well and has been to my home knows that I LOVE holidays, and I LOVE to decorate for them. Halloween is no exception! My voice students have learned to expect seasonal and holiday decorations with every turn of the calendar. So, too, I love to change up the music I listen…
There isn’t a week that goes by that one of my voice students doesn’t ask the question: “How do I stop being so nervous to sing in front of people? I have such terrible performance anxiety!” This was especially true this week, as my college voice class students have their upcoming midterm, which entails having…
Every singer has heard the phrase “practice makes perfect” at some point in their studies. Haven’t you? And yet, what does that really mean? Whether you’re working on your singing, or learning how to make the perfect soufflé, if you just do it over and over, you’ll get better, right? Well, not so fast. Let’s…
If you grew up back East like I did, (or even if you didn’t), there is something magical about the coming of autumn. The air feels different, the light changes, there’s a cool tinge to the air, and the days quickly grow much shorter. Summer things get put away, and school days begin. The leaves…
Are you satisfied with the results you’re getting from your current singing practice or routine? Do you feel like the payoff is worth the time and effort you are putting in? Or, conversely, maybe you are NOT practicing much at all, and need a new guideline for vocal success to up your motivation. You can…
It’s the morning after my vocal studio’s annual Summer Recital, and as usual, I am exhausted and relieved, but also very, very grateful. Why do I have this attitude of gratitude? Because there are so many blessings to be found in an experience like this, for both the performers and the audience. And, there are…
Do you ever suffer with jaw pain? Is it hard to open your mouth all the way, or does your jaw pop or crack when you do? Have you ever had a spasm in the jaw while trying to eat or drink, or sing? If so, READ ON! You may have TMJ dysfunction, and it…
Can you believe it’s Labor Day weekend already?! Even here in Southern California, I already see subtle shifts in the seasons— the days are growing shorter, the quality of the sunlight is changing, and the hot summer is finally cooling off a bit. I even hear football fans cheering in the high school stadium near…
Need headache relief? Did you know that taking Aspirin or other NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, Motrin, or Naproxen) can be dangerous for singers? If you take any of these medications while you are singing, or even talking a lot, you run the risk of causing bleeding in the vocal cords! Yes, as wonderful as these medications can…
What picture comes to mind when you think of a vocal recital, piano recital, or even a dance recital? I’ll bet you see a charming little girl in an oh-so-adorable dress (with a bow in her hair, of course), singing a very sweet rendition of Mary Had A Little Lamb, or something similar. Or, you…