BODY AWARENESS WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHERS AND CHOIR DIRECTORS

LET'S FACE IT

We live in a culture that is continually asking us to ignore what our bodies are feeling....

…you're not really hungry - just drink some water!

..... no pain no gain!

......lift your ribs HIGHER! Chest up!

......shoulders back!

.....ugh, so many examples....

It’s time we change this: what we feel and experience matters, and it affects our singing.
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This is why I work with groups to develop Body Awareness for singers. It helps singers turn inward and figure out what they’re really feeling and how it affects their voices, demystifying the singing and breathing mechanisms in the process.
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Explaining how our whole body is involved in the breathing
​and singing process to Miles.


​Lack of body awareness and understanding is something I address with all of my clients. This lack of body awareness combined with misinformation on how the body and singing voice work together can tie us in knots and make it difficult to access our air and make a free sound. 

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Body Awareness works well online, too!
​We're freeing the jaw to get the breath to flow more freely.
In fact, this lack of awareness can create all kinds of problems that we often don’t associate with our bodies:

…unstable tone

…inability to sing long lines

…strain in the higher notes

…lack of flexibility in dynamics

...strident tones

…and singing just not feeling good (I mean, this is why we do it!!)
I’ve studied the Alexander Technique, Body Mapping, and Postural Restoration in my quest to demystify our voices and how they can work WITH our bodies. I include concepts from all of these methodologies in my teaching and workshops.
I currently collaborate with Doctor of Physical Therapy, Abby Halpin of Forte Performance and Physical Therapy for our Disobedient Singer program to educate pro-singers and singing teachers on how to incorporate these concepts into their own singing and voice studios. (Link to info on this.)

Workshop and masterclass for groups:

  • I lead the group through exploratory exercises while educating them on the singing/breathing mechanisms (in a fun way!). The exploratory exercises are ones that they can play with at home.

  • Take a 2-week break so that singers can practice the exploratory exercises on their own and then come back for a masterclass with me. 

  • This format is effective for both in-person and online formats.
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  • I’ve done versions of this workshop/masterclass format with other voice teachers’ studios, choirs, as well as a yearly workshop with Seattle Opera’s Teen Vocal Studio.

Workshop for voice teacher and/or choir conductors:

  • I lead groups of teachers and/or choir directors through exploratory exercises that they can use with their singers to increase body awareness and demystify the body and voice.
  • This format is effective for both in-person and online formats.
  • I’ve done versions of this workshop at national conferences, for school district choir directors, as well as for the Washington Music Teacher’s Assocation Conference.

contact me for more details

THE SALTY VOICE TEACHER