There are some tips I find myself telling student after student to help them really elevate their performance of a song and these tips apply across the board, no matter if you are recording, auditioning, or doing a gig, they are equally important. The same applies to an acting piece, for example a monologue. But for the sake of this article, I’ll refer to music.

1. KNOW THE SONG - That means know your lyrics, know the notes you are singing (the melody) know where you can take a breath before a big passage, basically know it like the back of your hand. That way all of your energy can go to connecting to the song and to your audience, you don’t want to waste effort remembering lyrics or hoping you make that high note in the chorus and so on.
 

​2. THINK ABOUT DYNAMICS - What do I mean by dynamics? I mean parts of the song that might get louder or softer, more dramatic or more reserved. It is colouring the song, you don’t want the song to sound all one level, all same-same, the next step will help you achieve this.

3. WHAT ARE YOU SINGING ABOUT? -What do the lyrics actually mean to you? If you wrote them then this is the easy part, if you are singing a song written by someone else, then how could the lyrics relate to something going on in your life that can help you connect with them more? For example, you are singing a song about heartbreak, pretty easy to connect to this right? Think about that person who broke your heart while you sing and watch the emotion of the song come to life.
 
 
4. HAVE AN OBJECTIVE - What do you want from the song? Who are you singing it too? What do you want from them? Have this in mind as it gives you focus.
 
I worked with two students doing a duet recently, and once they knew what they were fighting for in the song, it came to life. They weren’t just singing the notes, they wanted something from the other person. For example, one student wanted the other to say yes to the major life change they were proposing they share, the other student wanted them to give up, back off, well initially anyway, as the first student got their objective and by the end of the song, the other agreed to give it a try.

5. REHEARSE - Put all the pieces together and rehearse it, know it, love it, nurture it, iron out any remaining technical difficulties,
 
 
6. CONNECT - Now you know the words, know you know the melody, know you know what the lyrics mean to you and how they connect to your lived experience, plug into it. Allow yourself to be emotionally vulnerable and open, forget about being vocally technically correct, you have rehearsed all of that in remember?
 
 
 
7. HAVE FUN -  This is the most important one. Now you have put all the pieces together, settle in and enjoy it. Trust the process, trust you have done the work and you can now shine.
 
I know some of these concepts might sound intense or a lot for just singing a song, but they are tools you can use to stand out from the crowd and grab an audience by the heart when you perform and remember I am always here to help you out. 
 

No matter what is going on in the world, and let’s face the world is a scary place right now, there is a soft place you can land for moments of respite from all of the turmoil.
 
I am talking about creativity.
 
I am talking about emerging yourself into whatever form of creative expression it is that lights your fire. For me, it is singing, music and writing-see my book below! (and gardening, baking, reading.. oh so many more…)
 
For you it might be pottery, baking, cooking, drawing, colouring, painting, making ceramic ducks, you get the idea! 

​It is hard to stay in the darkness when you are completely absorbed by an activity that brings you happiness, that gives you a sense of accomplishment, that makes your brain tick and your soul dance.
 
Singing is obviously a big one for me, and for you! You don’t need to be a professional to sing your heart out to your favourite tunes. You don’t need anyone’s approval, permission, or attention to belt it out, hairbrush in hand.
 
I love hopping in the car, blasting my current favourite song obsession and singing my heart out. Anyone who sees me in my car would think I was having a moment and may need assistance, but I don’t care. I gave up feeling embarrassed a long time ago. The point is, when I sing, I feel a release, from all the shit going on in my life, or in the world around me. Even if I am singing through tears, I keep singing and letting it out. Talk about cathartic!

Why do we care so much what other people think of us, why do we seek approval or permission to take precious moments for ourselves? Why do we feel the need to give over every moment of our lives to our families, our jobs, our daily responsibilities?
 
You don’t need to ignore them forever, just for a little, so you can recalibrate, remember who you are and what is important to you.
 
Find your thing(s) jump in completely and immerse yourself. Life is too short to live a life lacking in creativity and joy. Work isn’t everything, the dishes can wait, the emails can wait, the cleaning can wait, the washing will get done, the kids can hang five..
 
Being creative is form of self-care. Embrace it beautiful ones.
 
Peace.

Welcome to the New Year!
 
I can’t believe we are already at the end of January. I have a long list of things I want to accomplish this year both personally and for the studio and have slowly been moving through my list. Over the break I have taken the opportunity to get lots of things done here at the home of Voicehaven Studio, a massive landscaping project has begun, the house is prepping for painting and Voicehaven Studio has some new wheels to get around in.

​That did mean I had to suspend in person lessons for a short while but I am looking forward to welcoming students back in February,  I do have some places open to add some more students to the studio and remember online lessons are always available.
 
So what are you goals for the year? Do you set any?
 
Vocally, I want to do some more study on vocal effects such as scream and fry singing, mainly because it fascinates me when singers do it well without vocal damage. I have some fun online courses planned and am loving seeing Voicehaven Studio grow. Oh and I will be walking the dogs daily!

​But how about I throw you a singing challenge? Or a singing ‘suggestion?’
 
I suggest you spend 15 minutes a day on vocal exercises and learn one new song a fortnight. If you do that, that is 26 new songs by the end of the year! (just throw a couple extra in to cover January)
 
Remember I am always here to help you with your vocal and performance goals, please reach out of you have any questions or would like some advice.
 
Let me know how you go!

​Recently I was working with a young student whose faith in themselves was minimal at best. I know that for new singers, singing in front of others, especially voice teachers can be very daunting. I work hard to make sure my students feel safe, supported and valued. I do not EVER tell someone they can’t sing, because I don’t believe that. All I focus on is the potential, and everyone has potential.

This lovely student was singing through a song I had never heard them sing and stopped themselves at a certain point in the song. They said, ‘I can’t sing this bit,’ and tears welled in their eyes. I’m sure you understand how vulnerable it can be, firstly to sing but also to connect to a song emotionally, thus making yourself even more vulnerable.

I had never heard them sing this song, I didn’t know if they could or couldn’t sing the part, all I could see was their self-doubt and fear and honestly maybe even a little shame. I encouraged them to continue. They picked the song back up, and it was beautiful.
 
Now why did this moment happen? Maybe they just felt shaky in this section of the song? Maybe their throat felt tight? Maybe their larynx was too high? Maybe they were singing over a break in their voice? Maybe they just didn’t like the sound of their voice in this section? Maybe all of the above? OR just maybe someone who had heard them sing this song before had told them that it didn’t sound good. Guess which one it was?

So now as I work with this beautiful person and their voice, I need to undo the damage of someone else’s opinion (a completely invalid one at that) I need rebuild their confidence and help them reach their highest potential. I want them to know how amazing they are, I want all my students to see how brilliant they are all in their own unique ways.
 
When I was a very young singer, before voice lessons, I asked someone,
​
'Do I sound good or am I just loud?’ They said I was, ‘Just loud’ I laugh now because I am loud, ask any audio engineer I have worked with! But imagine if I had listened to that person and stopped? I wouldn’t have lived my life exploring my passion. I wouldn’t be helping others do the same. I wouldn’t have lived my life filled with the joy of performing, recording, writing and singing.

​The point is, don’t do this. You know the old saying:
 
‘If you don’t have something nice to say, say nothing,’
 
No one has the right to squash someone else’s joy, to mess with their confidence, their dreams. Just get busy living your own life. An aspiring singer might only want to get better at singing in the shower or they may want to sing to their spouse for their birthday or maybe kill it at karaoke and that is bloody brilliant!
 
If you want someone in your corner supporting you and cheering you on, then reach out.
 
I’m here to help.

One of my first headshots. :)

Just a quick little post here as I feel like this is an important thing to address as a female singer in the rock metal music scene, which is traditionally a heavily male dominated genre.
 
It probably isn’t surprising that when Linkin Park announced their new singer as Emily Armstrong (co-founder of Dead Sara) there were going to be some noses out of joint. Initially it was an attempted character assassination, which I won’t go into, as it has been covered thoroughly and Armstrong herself has made a public statement about it. Another reason I won’t go into it is because it is nonsense. I mean David Draiman literally signed bombs that the IDF used to kill Palestinians and he is still singing.
​

​Then the attacks focussed on her vocals, she doesn’t sound like a dude! He doesn’t sound like Chester Bennington, well no sh*t. She isn’t him.
 
What I do think is that the swift attempt to cancel Armstrong before she had even kicked off is because of the obvious fierce loyalty to Bennington (he was brilliant and very missed) but also because people are pissed that Mike Shinoda replaced him with a female singer.

​Honestly, I think having Armstrong sing original Linkin Park songs is setting her up, because Bennington was a brilliant singer and no matter how good she is, she cannot and never will sound like him. But on her own she is an awesome scream singer. Their launch single, The Emptiness Machine, in which Shinoda and Armstrong share lead vocals is a catchy, bore into your brain hit and I love it.
 
I have seen some footage of their current tour and she holds her own and is a great front person. I think in order for people to enjoy the new Linkin Park, they need to let go of the old Linkin Park, hold it dear in their hearts, but embrace their new direction and their new singer, yes, it’s tough to not compare when they keep playing old songs, but not impossible.

​I know there are many levels of controversy around the rebrand of Linkin Park, but if the music is good, then really, what is the problem? Would Bennington want Shinoda to never play their songs again? I don’t know, Shinoda would know and made his choice, and that choice can weigh on his conscience. But it took seven years after Bennington passed for Linkin Park to release a new single, so the choice has not come lightly.

For those still with their noses out of joint because Armstrong is in the band, honestly it’s time to chill, it is band, nothing more, nothing less. There are much bigger issues in the world right now. Worry about them instead.
 
Female singers in rock and metal are growing in numbers and are here to stay and I am absolutely here for it. And to the man who had the audacity to tell my twelve year old, music obsessed daughter not to listen to Linkin Park because Armstrong is a ‘bad person'
​Kindly shut up.
 
Peace.

​In the midst of the slow down of school holidays, the pause in work commitments, I have taken the chance to watch the latest season of The Bear (Season 3) It is one of the best shows to hit television of late, and if you think it is just a drama about running a restaurant, you are mistaken. It is funny, moving, and exhaustingly brilliant.

​Everyone in this show is exceptional. Every single actor brings so much charm and depth to their roles that I find it captivating. But for me, the absolute stand out is Jamie Lee Curtis, even though she is a minor character in terms of screen time. Jamie, perhaps most well known to some as the scream queen in the Halloween franchise, plays the matriarch of the Berzatto family.

​Now superficially, her face carries the lines and stories of her years and trauma, and it is brilliant. Donna Berzatto has lived, a hard life and carries a lot of emotional weight and with her, which she often unwillingly dumps in the rest of the Berzatto clan.
 
And that brings me to the reason for my post.
 
She is so immersed in the role, in being Donna, that you forget she is Jamie. She is an actor who commits with every inch of her soul. Without words you will see every thought, (this is the point) every emotional moment of turmoil, etched painfully into her face as she struggles to contain herself. She has left me stunned, tearful, and heartbroken. Season 2- Episode 6 Fishes, was one of the best dramatic episodes of a show I have ever seen and that is largely due to Jamie Lee Curtis, but the ensemble work was also exceptional.
 
And now in season 3, Episode 8 Ice Chips, again she brought me emotionally undone, even though it didn’t carry the same prolonged intensity of Season 2’s episode.

It is this commitment, this emotional vulnerability and connection that we as performers, singers, actors, must allow ourselves to sink into. It is what our audiences deserve.
​
When it comes to singing, having a beautiful voice and technique is one thing, a good thing for sure, but if you stand up and sing with no connection, no emotion, no vulnerability.  Your audience will get bored. They may feel something is missing, although they may compliment you on your lovely voice, it goes no deeper than this. It is a missed opportunity and your audience and you deserve more.
 
This is one of the reasons I focus on more than just vocal production in lessons, I work with students to help them reach deeper levels of connection so they become well rounded and outstanding performers.
 
Taking some acting classes is something I would recommend for singers/performers. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable, choosing repertoire that you can connect too, or finding the common threads between the words and your motivation. It is all essential.
 
Be brave lovely ones.

I cannot count the amount of times people say to me, ‘God you wouldn’t want to hear me sing!’ or ‘I’m tone deaf’ or ‘I can’t sing at all,’ and so on and no matter what I say to assure them that isn’t the case they won’t hear it. It makes me cranky and a little sad and I wonder, why do so many people think this about themselves?
 
Is it because they have been told by somebody one day that they sound bad? Is it because they hear themselves and think they sound awful? Perhaps they have tried lessons with a crappy teacher and walked away feeling disheartened? Perhaps they really don’t sound too good at that point in time. Does that mean they can’t? Or never will? Well in my opinion no it doesn’t.
 
I believe everyone can learn to sing. Yes, it’s true there are different levels of talent, of starting points, but everyone can improve their voice, their pitch, their performance, and confidence with some lessons with the right teacher.

You don’t need to be the next Ariana Grande or Beyonce to sing.  And you shouldn’t want to be, you should want to be the next you. After all, there is only one of you, just like there is only one Ariana and one Beyonce. There are millions of different voices in the world, each one unique and with its own gift to offer.
 
I can still hear you arguing, but ‘I really am tone deaf!’
 
Honestly you aren’t.

True ‘tone deafness’ or Amusia is actually very rare. Amusia is a cognitive disorder that does not allow an individual the ability to detect, recognize or preproduce musical notes. Now if you are telling me you sound off, then you can HEAR that you aren’t singing the right note. If you can speak with different pitches, you are not tone deaf. So let that misconception go.
 
Singing the correct pitch, or singing in tune is essential for the singer, no one wants to listen to a singer singing out of tune, but rest assured, singing in tune is a skill you can practice.

This is how I suggest you start. If you have a keyboard or stringed instrument, choose one note that is comfortable for you, that sits within your normal speaking range or a range you feel comfortable singing in and strike that note. Listen carefully to it and then recreate it with your voice. Play random notes within your comfort zone and repeat the process. Do this for a couple of minutes a day and your ear will improve and you will get to the note faster. Don’t do it for too long because your ear, brain and voice will become weary, just a couple of minutes once or twice a day will suffice.
 
Once you feel comfortable with this, then you could try singing a verse of a song you love, again, one that sits comfortably in your range and see how you go. If this doesn’t eventually work for you, then perhaps there is another vocal issue going on. But have patience, you are learning a new skill.

​I said it makes me cranky when people say they can’t sing, and that is not because I am cranky with them for thinking that but because they have probably been told they can’t, or maybe they compare themselves to singers who have had years of training and experience. That is not being fair on themselves. I don’t want anyone who has loves to sing to hold themselves back.
 
My point is if you want to sing, don’t let anyone, including yourself stop you and I can help. I have a special offer currently running where I am offering vocal assessments for half price. So, let’s chat and see what we can achieve together.

​To sum up.
 
1.Everyone can sing. Yes even you.
 
2.Practice tuning your voice:
            Play a note on a piano or stringed instrument.
            Listen to it.
            Sing it.
            Repeat process on different notes.
            Once comfortable, sing a little of a song you love.
 
3.Book in for a half price online vocal assessment.
 
Happy Singing.

If you are a singer, or a singing student or even a shower singer, it is important that you take some easy steps to look after your instrument.

Yes that's right, your voice is an instrument and because you cant pop down the local guitar shop for a restring, you need to take steps to make sure it is protected and cared for.

​Here are some of my top tips to get you started. ​

1. HYDRATE - As a singer, it is essential that you keep your water intake up. This ensures that your vocal folds/vocal chords are properly hydrated, otherwise they may tire easily and take longer to recover. It is also important to drink enough water throughout the day and not just when you are singing as drinking water only as you sing is not enough to ensure hydration. Staying hydrated, apart from being excellent for your health in general, helps ensures vocal cord lubrication and reduces the risk of damage. The other benefit of having a drink bottle with a straw close by is that you are able to do some straw phonation which is super easy and kind of fun and is also a perfect segue into the next tip.
​

​​2. WARM UP YOUR VOICE - Warming up the voice is essential for singers and speakers, as it helps to gently stretch and prepare the vocal cords, improving flexibility and reducing the risk of injury. It is never advisable to sing without warming up, you are at risk of strain and pain if you do this. It is also a good idea to warm down after singing. Treat your voice and your vocal chords with the respect they deserve. Just as a runner would warm up and warm down after a marathon, your vocal chords need the same love and care.

Try some gentle humming, or some lip trills (bubbles) moving up and down a scale. For straw phonation - fill a cup with enough water to be able to blow bubbles using a straw, and then do your vocal exercises through the straw. It’s as though you’re taking a sip of water but instead you are pushing air through the straw into the water as you phonate your exercise. This is a great way to warm up the voice and gently expand your vocal range.

5. SLEEP - Quality sleep is paramount for singers as it allows the vocal cords to rest and repair, enhancing vocal endurance and performance consistency. Adequate rest also promotes overall well-being, ensuring singers remain mentally and physically prepared for demanding rehearsals and performances. It isn’t unusual for singers to keep irregular hours, touring, gigging, even recording can go late into the night, so try and catch those zzz’s when you can. If you are on a tour bus, make sure your sleeping area is dark and wear and eye mask, also get some noise cancelling headphones to ensure quiet. Without adequate sleep it won’t take long until you begin to unravel vocally.

​If I had a buck for every time I hesitated moving forward with a creative project due to imposter syndrome, well I’d have many more cats and tattoos by now. I have decades of experience, decades of knowledge, training, performing, writing, teaching, you name it… and still sometimes I feel like a fraud.
 
But what is Imposter Syndrome?
 
Imposter Syndrome is a term used to describe when you feel like a ‘fake’ or ‘phony’ despite any knowledge and successes you may have had. It is a feeling that one day you will be ‘found out’ and people will realise you are a fraud. It can be absolutely debilitating at worst and annoying at best and it can strike anyone,
 
“I have written 11 books, but each time I think, ‘uh oh, they’re going to find me out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.’” Maya Angelou
 
As a singer, or someone who might be considering taking some singing lessons, you might feel like it isn’t a step you are ‘allowed’ to take. Maybe someone has told you can’t sing (they’re wrong), or that they don’t like your voice (who cares?), or they might think you are wasting your time (you’re not).
 
Maybe you believed them?
 
Maybe you want to act, or write, or perform in some way, but again who are you to do that? Well, you are YOU and there is only one you. There is only one person in the world with your knowledge, your expression, your voice, your passion, your dreams, your way of connecting.
 
There is only one you! And you are freaking awesome.  
 
If you think everyone who is showing up, putting themselves out there and moving forward with their passion thinks they are all that, well, let me let you in on a little secret. Nine times out of ten they don’t, they are bluffing.

But what they ARE also doing is showing up, they ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’. That’s the trick, you keep going, you take the next step, you quieten the voice nagging you in your head (or is that just me?) and you just do it.

HOW TO OVERCOME IMPOSTER SYNDROME

I don't think Imposter Syndrome ever goes away but there are some steps you can take to quieten that voice a little.

• ​IGNORE THE NAYSAYERS - They aren't the one putting themselves out there.
• BREATHE- Sounds simple but taking some deep breaths and relaxing your body can help you deal with any stress you may be feeling.
• HUM - Humming activates the Vagus Nerve (the main nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system) Breathing does this too!
• FOCUS ON FACTS - Is your brain telling you the truth? or have you achieved more than you give yourself credit for.
• FIND A MENTOR OR COACH - Have someone positively reinforcing the steps you are taking and encouraging you keep moving forward. 
• CELEBRATE YOUR WINS! - Reward yourself, celebrate when things go well, or even when they don't. Just keep moving in the direction of where you want to be.

Remember, even the most outwardly confident of artists can suffer imposter syndrome... even Lady Gaga!
​
​‘I still sometimes feel like a loser kid in high school and I just have to pick myself up and tell myself that I’m a superstar every morning so that I can get through this day and be for my fans what they need for me to be.'

​

Now if she can feel it, anyone can, so don’t beat yourself up about it, and don’t let it stop you either. Remember, you don’t have to be Lady Gaga, you just need to be you.

I’m here to remind you and give you permission if you need it, to follow your creative heart wherever it may lead you. Enrol in the acting class, the art class, start writing that novel, pick up the guitar, or even book a singing lesson!