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In this conversation with my friend and colleague Chris MacLean, we talk about her life and career as a singer/songwriter, community choir leader, retreat host, circle singer and so much more. We talk about the logistics of running a choir, fear of death, how to make a living and how we both believe it is everyone’s birthright to sing.
Here is how you can find out more about Chris, her recordings, retreats, performances and her choir. Chris MacLean
Here is how you can find out about Circle Singing.
Here is how you can find out more about the end of life singing know as Threshold Choirs
And here's the link for my final in person event of the year!
Click here for the messy transcript
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In this quick solo episode, I'm exploring boundaries and how to speak up and set yours.
Q. Do you feel like you can stand up for yourself?
Q. Can you speak up to defend others?
Here are a few ways that I'm suggesting that you might check your boundaries.
How does your body feel in the moment? Hot? Clenched stomach? Are you making a fist? How is your breath? Give yourself a moment to feel into it and try to get clear on what has made you feel uncomfortable? Take a few slow breaths, let your system get regulated again. Take your time, you don't have to respond in the moment.
Before you say yes to someone else are you saying no to yourself at the same time? Take the time to check in and see if this way of spending your time or energy is really aligned to your path, your goals?
Communicate with clarity. Keep it brief, when you are making it clear to people. Generally use fewer words.
Get comfortable feeling uncomfortable. Growth is uncomfortable, honest self expression can be excruciating.
Be prepared for pushback. Not everyone is going to like you setting your boundaries and saying "no" and that's ok.
“The more brightly you shine your light for other people, the more you show the way of kindly setting boundaries and clearly communicating your needs, you are demonstrating that for other people.”
Sign up here for Julia’s newsletter list to be the first to hear about groups, retreats and online workshops.
To learn more about Julia’s final In person workshop of the year CLICK HERE
You can also follow Julia on the following social sites:
Instagram
YouTube
Facebook
LinkedIN
For the messy transcript click here
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Manglende episoder?
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On this episode of Your Free Voice, I’m delighted to bring back into the studio celebrity voice coach and founder of The Voice Straw, Mindy Pack!
You may have listened to episode #32 where I talked to Mindy about her experience being a celebrity voice coach, well we ran out of time to talk about straws so I had to get her back again.
We’re going pretty deep into how to use the straw for rehabilitation after a cold or injury and how to prevent injury doing video game call outs and efforts prepping with the straw!
I met Mindy about 5 years ago when she was co-hosting a conference in LA for voice teachers and singers with Dr. Reen Gupta. I loved her energy and generosity from day one and have been using straws with my clients ever since.
You may have attended a workshop or listened to Episode 7 which gives you the basics of straw phonation, but if you haven’t, listen to that one first, it’s ever so short.
Here’s why I’m such a fan of straws and this version in particular…
“The Voice Straw is the complete training tool for singers, actors, speakers, school teachers, and other frequent voice users. Using your voice should be effortless! Our straws are uniquely designed to release tension, relieve strain, and reduce vocal breathiness, cracking and flipping.
The Voice Straw is backed by over 20 years of scientific research that has proven to benefit voice users by encouraging more efficient vocal fold movement, adjusting the vocal tract into peak position and creating vocal balance.” www.voicestraw.com
About Mindy“My dream as a child was to be the world’s first “singing heart surgeon.” Medical school didn’t quite pan out, but throughout my career, I have combined my love of singing with my interest in health and physiology to help vocalists of all levels meet their potential.
Clinically certified both in Vocology from The National Center for Voice and Speech, and as a licensed massage therapist, I specialize in vocal structural integration. In my coaching, I aim to not only help my clients connect in the industry, but to help them develop in their artistry through collaboration to find the best possible solutions for their career.
In 2019 I applied my knowledge of voice science and vocal production to create The Voice Straw, a vocal training tool for singers, actors, and speakers that has been clinically proven to help relieve tension, strain, breathiness, cracking, and flipping in the voice.
With locations in Salt Lake and Los Angeles, and virtual worldwide clients, my roster includes singers, artists, voice over actors, professional speakers, rehabilitation, newscasters, and transitioning voices. I would love to connect with vocalists of all levels!”
Taken from https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-pack/
More links and discounts…
Follow Mindy on instagram here
Follow me on instagram here
And here’s my 10%discount coupon for you for the Voice Straw https://voicestraw.com/discount/JULIANORTON
If you enjoyed this episode PLEASE share it with a friend and help me get the word out!
Happy voicing!
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My interview with my friend and colleague Ruth Phillips.
Ruth Phillips is a modern and baroque cellist, a mindfulness coach, founder of The Breathing Bow and co-founder of InsideOut Musician and a writer. Alongside her rich and diverse career as a concert cellist and teacher. Ruth is internationally sought after as a performance coach and meditation teacher, helping people who suffer from tension, stage fright or lack of focus overcome the physical and mental strains of the music profession.
Ruth primarily works with instrumentalists, but her insights into the source of suffering when we practice, how the body holds and moves with the breath and how to prepare for performance using meditation and loving kindness are very powerful and equally applicable to singers and actors.
I do hope you enjoy our conversation where we talk about all these things and more. ❤️
You can find more about Ruth at:
Ruth Phillips
On Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ruth.phillips.752
And Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/ruthphillipscello/
Like and subscribe and share this episode with a friend!
If you would like to work with me on discovery a full and free connection to your voice visit my coaching website
or sign up for my newsletter here to get the inside scoop on workshops and voicey insights.
Thank you for listening!
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This episode is a bit of a first, because I am the one being interviewed!
Rush Dorsett reached out to me to be part of her Awaken Your Voice Summit in October 2023. It was a great series where she interviewed 10 different thought leaders around the singing voice over 10 days. There were some really great interviews with people I've admired for a very long time (Chloe Goodchild anyone?). I honestly felt very lucky to be part of this event.
We talked about many things including ...
• What got me into the Mind, Body and Spirit of the voice approach in the first place.
• Alfred Wolfsohn, Roy Hart theatre, Carl Jung and Voice Movement Therapy.
• Why it's not all about a 'pretty voice'.
• Our vocal conditioning or predispositions.
I also took her audience on a 10 minute guided vizualization to meet their Shadow Voice.
You can get your copy of that vizualisation by clicking here.
If you're interested in coaching with me privately set up a free 30 minute call here.
If you're interested in Begin to Sing all the details are at www.yourfreevoice.com/events
"Julia is an inspiration! I Took this remarkable course earlier this year and it opened my eyes and my heart and helped me to deal with, tame, and even banish self-imposed limitations that have gotten in my way for too long. It is a wonderful adventure and learning experience I confidently recommend." Maria Makis. Voice Actor/Singer NYC
Thank you so much for listening!
have a great week!
Julia
P.S You can find me and message me with questions or insights about your shadow voice on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/depthvoicecoachingwithjulia/
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Join me in this episode for my personal reflections on 2023 and also some suggestions for how to have a more aligned, intentional focus for the year ahead. It doesn't actually matter when you listen to this episode, the exercises are relevant whenever you need to recalibrate and stop yourself from getting overwhelmed.
If you joined me in my Goal Setting Workshop in December, use this as another chance to make sure you haven't snuck sneaky 'shoulds' onto your list!
If you weren't able to join me, but would like to listen to the audio of the main body of the workshop and play along (which includes the Wall Visualization, but not the personal shares) You can grab that here.
Or if you'd just like to try the professionally recorded Wall Visualization 'cos it's only 10 minutes and you'd like a quick reset, you can grab that here.
Personal note: 😭 There is a LOT of shadow projection happening in the world right now and it is causing untold amounts of grief and tragedy. Let this be the year that we all do our part, learn about and integrate our own shadow material and do our part to reduce the suffering.❤️
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This episode is not only long awaited … apologies again for the long break, but also a break from the usual. Instead of waxing lyrical by myself or interviewing an industry expert in voice or physical freedom, I’m interviewing a former Voice Movement Therapy client of mine, Chris Portka.
Chris came to me a number of years ago hating his job, not really loving life and generally feeling “What’s the point?” about everything. His ‘musician self’ was fully in shadow and he was riddled with anxiety at the prospect of revealing him. What’s more he could no longer stand the status quo. He was suffering. He realized “My desire to make music is never going away, it’s always going to be eating at me”. He said it was finally, “more painful NOT to do it, than to do it.”
Over the last few years I have been watching him flourish ever more courageously in his life and am so impressed by his creativity and generosity.
In this very candid episode Chris Portka tells us what it’s like to go from “crippled with anxiety” to someone who will release tracks of his shadow made bare, sing live on instagram in a bathrobe and santa hat and go on tour with the Al Harper a band all over the USA.
I loved this conversation with Chris, he’s real, raw and funny and his tunes are excellent too!
Here are links to his music and his bio:
Chris Portka Music
Chris on Instagram
Chris Portka, a musician based in the Bay Area, has channeled his lifelong passion and internal struggles into a unique genre he calls "trash music" - releasing the eponymous album on vinyl in 2023 and numerous other full albums throughout the years. Initially a drummer drawn to 90s grunge, Chris was held back by crippling anxiety that muted his voice. At 31, he undertook a transformative five-year odyssey through Voice Movement Therapy, gradually unlocking the joy and power of his own voice. He now plays solo acoustic shows around cafes in the bay area, in a relaxed robe on instagram Live, and is going on tour later this year, playing guitar and singing with the Al Harper Band. Chris’ solo produced music oscillates between ethereal glitch rock and raw folk, often venturing into the avant-garde. With tracks like "Ambient Jazz Metal" and "A Candle is a Raging Fire," Chris delves into subconscious conflicts in his ongoing quest for self-acceptance. Also known as djpants.eth in the NFT music community, the previous album "The #NFTBlues" reported on the ecstatic highs and vacuous lows of the never-ending simulation which exploded in 2021.
Pull Quotes / Articles
"...after hearing the radio for a few minutes, 'Trash Music' might just be the palette cleanser that you need" - Alt77
"' trash music' is akin to a grand canvas, a symphony of musical mastery, where Chris Portka artfully wields his brush and adds hues of both vivid brilliance and haunting darkness, giving birth to a truly peculiar and dreamlike album." - Indie Boulevard
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Julia Norton on Instagram
If you are ready to bring your singer or creative self out of the shadow I encourage you to join my transformative group coaching program called Your Free Voice Lab, details here, the next round starts in January.
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Rachel Finlay is a prolific performer, director, voice & speech coach, conference presenter and faculty member at Arizona State University. We met on a hot day in Sonoma County looking for lunch and immediately bonded over great food, cold drinks and all the voice things & being a person things that we shared in common. I knew I had to entice her onto the show!
Join me in this extended conversation and learn about Rachel's detour from a start wanting to be a director, to being an actor, to encountering Fitzmaurice Voicework and Knight Thompson Speech work in grad school, and the freedom that gave her physically, but also emotionally the lack of diversity and representation through her education which led her to co-found The BluePrint, which is a non-profit for advancing the training and careers of actors of color, taught by actors of color. Her incredible insights into dialect work and what's actually useful for the actor and how she found herself becoming an Intimacy Director.
She is a sought after conference presenter and having been to one of her workshops I can't recommend her work highly enough. You may have to listen to this episode twice, she drops a lot of truth bombs.
Links of note:
Rachel's website https://rachelfinleyarts.com/
Rachel's INsta https://www.instagram.com/rachel_finley_arts
Fitzmaurice Voicework https://www.fitzmauriceinstitute.org/fitzmaurice-voicework
The Freedom and Focus Conference in LA in August 2023
Knight Thompson Speechwork https://ktspeechwork.org/about-the-work/
Your Body Knows by Jana Tift
https://www.amazon.com/Your-Body-Knows-Movement-Actors-ebook/dp/B0845Y71J1
Global Majority Intimacy Conference
Intimacy Coordinators of Color https://www.intimacycoordinatorsofcolor.com/
Conference in India https://vachikavoicework.com/residential.php
Transcript at www.yourfreevoicecom/podcast/episode35
The Blueprint is an educational organization that focuses on:BIPOC FOLX...WE GOT YOU Training actors who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color
Uplifting professional BIPOC artists and connecting them with emerging BIPOC artists for mentorship and collaboration
Establishing mental health resources and practices as an integral part of the curriculum
Positioning BIPOC artists to be multi-hyphenate creators so they have sustainability in the industry
Building family among The Blueprint community and deepening intersectional relationships within the BIPOC community at large
Through The Blueprint, actors get access to a myriad of growth opportunities including roundtables, masterclasses, intensives, educational content and whatever other solutions emerge as we encounter our students’ needs.
VASTA https://www.vasta.org/
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In this weeks episode I get over excited about Jungian Coaching because I really honestly believe it's the most transformative coaching tool out there for creatives. It's deep, it's fast, it taps into the spiritual and creative space we hold in our hearts.
I break down some of the terms and why it's important to understand what might be in your shadow, how to let go of old dreams and step fully into making ALL the decisions in your life moving forward.
For a special treat I'm also offering you this free visualization/meditation to help you uncover what might be stopping you from reaching your creative/vocal goals. Try it, I'd LOVE to know what you discover.
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I am so very sorry for the massively huge break in shows! 😳😭 Life got me all distracted, but I'm back!
I recently challenged myself to get on instagram with video everyday for 7 days. Why? because I found it really challenging, not only technically, but also all the embarrassment that comes from seeing yourself on camera saying stuff and being weird lol.
Anyway, here's what I learned...
When you keep making yourself do something that you wish was easier, but you're feeling held back...it actually gets easier!
Also, the tech stuff isn't that hard and I actually enjoyed myself by the end!
So, if you want to see the silliness unfold and get my Seven Days and Seven Ways to Reconnect with Your Voice reels on Instagram come on over and find me @voxchops
This episode is the cliff notes of that week long experiment. Sometimes I say the day number, sometimes I say thing number, but you know what I mean. Lol.
Don't forget to sign up for my free 5 minute warm up
or jump into my next FREE warm-up Bootcamp at https://yourfreevoice.com/events/
Thank you for listening it really means a lot!
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This week I'm very excited to bring you my interview with celebrity voice coach and creator of The Voice Straw Mindy Pack.
Mindy has studied vocal technique, voice science, and vocal health with nationally and internationally renowned vocal instructors, educational institutions, and accredited programs throughout the world. Mindy’s philosophy is the minute I stop learning is the minute I stop teaching. Mindy has mastered the complex ins and outs of voice science. She has a thorough understanding not only of producing the best sound, but also of keeping the vocal apparatus in optimal health. Mindy holds certificates in Vocology from the National Center for Voice and Speech and is an accredited and licensed massage therapist in Utah and in California.
Mindy is part of some of the best voice teams and music industry professionals throughout the world. She works closely with laryngologists, ENT’s, artist developers, managers, record labels, vocal arrangers, producers, music directors, and more. Mindy is currently contracted with the voice teams of Ent Specialists in Salt Lake City where they are doing bio feedback sessions on voice disorders and manual therapy and with laryngologist, Dr Reena Gupta at the Center for Vocal Health headquartered in Beverly Hills, CA where she works in rehabilitation and technique training to not only the singers but voice actors, voice over artists and all voice patients.
Mindy has a full studio in Salt Lake City, Utah, and a satellite studio in Los Angeles, California, but she sees clients from all around the world via online sessions. Her roster includes novices and professionals of all genres and styles. She also works with actors, voice-over artists, motivational speakers. Additionally, she has experience working with transitioning clients and clients who have sustained vocal injury and are in rehabilitation and habilitation.
Mindy works directly with some of the biggest names in the industry as their primary vocal coach. Such as: Miley Cyrus, Lil Nas X, Brandi Carlile, Justin Timberlake, The Lumineers, Emily Sailers of the Indigo Girls, Halsey, Austin Mahone, Common, Royal Bliss, Tesseract, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Shaed, Chris Mann, and many others. These artists have applied Mindy's technique and Vocal Tract Reconditioning to help them achieve optimal performance on long tours. Mindy’s clients have been on world tours, national Broadway tours, AMA's, the Grammy's, BET Awards, Saturday Night Live, and International Award shows. Some have become viral YouTube sensations, college scholarship winners, TV singing show contestants, and cruise line performers.
In this episode we dig into what it takes to be a touring vocalist at the top of their game and what it takes to be their voice coach!
"Dream bigger, because the only person that can tell you "no" is you" Mindy pack
For more info on Mindy check out her website. www.mindypack.com
I'm actually going to include the voice straw info in the notes of our next interview, because that's what it's all going to be about!
If you want more info about me or how to join in any of my upcoming programs go to www.yourfreevoice.com
Lets sing soon! ❤️
By the way if you enjoy this podcast PLEASE rate and review and share with your friends thank you SO much.
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This week's episode is a little different because I decided to open the metaphorical 'mail bag' and answer some excellent questions that have been sent in by listeners. Remember to email, message or pigeon me your questions so I can have a go at answering them next time I do this. :)
These questions range from: Getting emotional when you're singing, through to how to practice without annoying your housemates to vocal textures and running out of breath for voice over.
I hope you enjoy it!
And here's the link for the upcoming live workshops with me if you're ready to have a different relationship with your voice.
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In this episode, I'm talking about the presentation I gave last weekend as part of the International Association for Voice Movement Therapy conference , 'Voice as a Lifeline'.
I was invited to talk about how Voice Movement Therapy informs my work as a voice actor and it was really fun. I did do an earlier episode about what is Voice Movement Therapy if you want to dig a little deeper, it's episode 17, and the association website is www.iavmt.org,
but in this episode I talk about:
How perfectionism might be limiting your creative expression How you might only currently be using 15-20% of the paints in your vocal paintbox How having a system for naming expansive vocal components is super helpful shorthand when creating charcters. How vocal expression is a whole body experience. How understanding how your own vocal apartus works is the most helpful thing you can do for yourself.Also if you'd like to join one of my upcoming events visit www.yourfreevoice.com/events
Thank you so much for listening, please let me know if you have topics you'd like me to discuss in future episodes.
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When you've had plenty of training, or used to sing or act or be confident in front of groups, but you aren't any more, it's no use just "rearranging the furniture" by taking more singing lessons or buying a new mic. You need to uncover what's really stopping you from having the relationship with your voice that you want and deserve.
If you'd like to join me for live events either in person or virtually, please click here for updated info www.yourfreevoice.com/events
I have one coming up on March 25th 2023 quickly followed by an intensive 5 week live group course starting on April 12th.
Join me and discover Your Free Voice!
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Last November I had the absolute pleasure and privilege to interview my dear friend and vocal powerhouse, Carol Grimes.
In this interview we explore her decades spanning career paying particular attention to her broad range of singing styles and genres. The following, which I took from the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club website in London, gives you a bit more of an inkling of her stature as a singer and the deep respect she commands as a vocalist, especially in the UK music scene.
Enjoy!
Carol Grimes is one of the finest singers in British music. Her deeply personal project, 'The Singer's Tale', is an autobiographical show combining theatre, music and a grooving band! The show weaves its stories, sometimes shady, mad and bad, but with music and song at their heart. Street Busker to Ronnie Scotts, from Notting Hill to Nashville and Memphis to San Francisco from Hackney to Texas and Eastern Europe but always returning to London. This raw, in your face, sublime performer takes you with her on a musical journey through her extraordinary life.
CAROL GRIMES A much-loved performer infusing folk, blues and jazz, came to the notice of the public when she joined the band Delivery in 1969 and recorded one album before departing for a solo career. Her debut solo album, Warm Blood (1974), was recorded with members of Area Code 615 and the Average White Band. She recorded her second album in Memphis, Tennessee, with the Brecker Brothers, Donald "Duck" Dunn, and The Memphis Horns. She founded the band Eyes Wide Open in 1984. Her career expanded into teaching and working in musical theatre. In the 1990s, she worked with the choir The Shout. As you can see below, in Carol’s own words, she has been, and continues to be so much more:
“My name is Carol Grimes. I have been singing for my supper since the late 1960s. I began as a young, nervous Busker and fell in love with singing. Over time I became a Singer-Songwriter, Performance Poet, Voice Movement Therapist and Musical Director, founding the Sing for Joy Choirs in London, for people with neurological and other conditions and directed them for many years. I have recorded in the UK, USA, Sweden, The Isle of Jura and Poland. I became angry, seeing injustice, poverty and cruelty all around me and became an activist. The first Musician to step up for Rock against Racism, Sexism, Reclaim the night, singing for the striking Miners, the fire service, the Brunswick Women and refugee centres. In my life, I performed both in the UK and Internationally with my own Music with wonderful musicians and for Contemporary composers such as Orlando Gough, who directed The Shout, a contemporary opera, theatre company touring internationally with them for 12 years. From Japan to South Africa Canada and the USA and beyond, including performing at the Albert Hall in the Proms as a soloist - Blimey! I had my first book ‘The Singers Tale,’ published in 2018 and many songs and poems published, recorded and performed over the years. I love writing as much as I love music. For more information, click on my Blog. The Singers Tale https://wordpress.com/posts/carolgrimes.com also on Amazon Carol Grimes The Singers Tale, where there are some lovely reviews. Thank you.”
https://soundcloud.com/user1698211
For full show notes and link to all the music played here go to www.yourfreevoice.com/podcast/episode28
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Between you and me, I have always had a bit of trouble answering when people asked me what kind of singer I am. I describe myself as a 'singer of all sorts' which feels about right.
But what if you're a bit like me, but you feel stuck? You feel stuck because you feel like you don't fit into any of the categories the music industry machine decided we should fit into.
Are you a jazz, pop, funk, R&B, musical theatre or metal singer? OK, so if you're a metal singer, or a classical or operatic singer you're more likely to be focussing on the one style, but not necessarily.
In this episode I'm talking about decision fatigue and how to make a choice.
It's OK you CAN make a choice, because do you know what?
You can always make another choice later.
The important thing is to be singing now instead of putting it off because you don't want to make a mistake.
To jump on my newsletter list so you know when I'm offering getting unstuck workshops and all kinds of other tools for singers and avid voice users, you can sign up here ... and yes, you can unsubscribe any time this isn't giving you what you need.
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What would it be like if you could love your voice exactly as it is right now?
Think about your voice as a friend that offers support, expresses your deepest feelings, tell jokes and stands up for others.
If you’ve ever lost your voice for any time at all, you quickly realize how valuable it really is.
Then there are the opinions like “My voice isn’t manly enough’, “it’s too loud, too soft, too high”.
Who says?
Early conditioning and cultural norms have a huge impact on how we use our voices, so digging into some of those stories is super useful. You get to decide if you agree with it or not, but first you have to know how that opinion got there.
Technical stuff like range, flexibility, etc can all be trained. You just have to decide how much you really want it. Tiny incremental changes to your behavior are WAY more likely to stick and become a habit. So try warming up for just 3-5 minutes a day, that’s it!
What not to do. Let go of trying to sound like someone else, it’s not going to happen, I mean that’s aside from trying to match someone’s styling to learn jazz etc.
• Love your voice, it is so uniquely yours.
• Love your voice today, 1% more than you did yesterday.
• Play with sounds. Get creative.
And if you don’t know where to start grab my free 5 minute warm up and get going!
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A New Year seems like such a great time to set new intentions and set goals doesn't it?
But how many of us can honestly say we follow through and achieve them?
It doesn't make us bad or wrong btw, just goes to show how much our brains are wired to stay the same.
In this episode I suggest a few ways to get clarity around your goals and break them down into smaller actionable and measurable steps, to feel good on a daily basis and actually turn your goals into a year end reality.
If you're needing a little bit more help designing steps around warming up your voice or getting better vocal health, jump into these resources to get you set up for success.
If you enjoy this podcast please share it with your friends, rate or write a review, I would totally appreciate it.
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Just before I take a break for the festive season, I wanted to send you my very best wishes and thanks for listening this year. The Winter Solstice is a fabulous time for reflection. What can we celebrate from the year that has passed and what are we ready to let go of, perhaps an idea of perfection? We are after all made up of light and dark, it's what makes us human.
I've also included a recording of Gaudete sung by a children's choir in Sherborne Abbey last week. What a delightful accident that was.
Be safe, have a wonderful festive season and I'll see you in the New Year!
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In this episode I guide you through a very, VERY simple way to create a brand new song, using an existing song as a template.
Have a listen and tell me what you think?
Even better, write your own song and record it or post your new lyrics to an existing holiday song and tag me on instagram @voxchops ❤️
Have fun!
- Vis mere
