barbara


Voice Play Gym is series of six – 90-minute workshops for women over 40 who would like to improve their singing ability. This series is also about deepening a person’s self-confidence by exploring the techniques of singing.

The focus will be somewhat different in each session. While bringing your singing ability to another level is the central focus for the course, as stated above, the workshops also have a wider set of objectives…

We’ll work on techniques that will encourage you to:
1. Sing with more power
2. Speak with greater authority
3. Expand your range of emotional expression
4. Learn ways to have more focus
5. Breathe more deeply
6. Think more clearly
7. Stand taller
8. Feel more optimistic
9. Learn fun ways to improve your memory
10. Share an uplifting musical experience with others.
And overall, enjoy the process of rediscovering the more confident YOU – through singing.

Note –  You will find a sign up box at the bottom of this page if you are interested in being informed about upcoming workshops. By signing up below, you will be sent an e-mail about the upcoming workshops with no obligation to participate. Currently, this workshop is offered in the cities of Montreal and Ottawa, Canada only. If you are not in Montreal or Ottawa, but you still have an interest, please sign up and let me know where you live. Perhaps I can consider going to YOUR city.

ARE THESE WORKSHOPS RIGHT FOR YOU?
1. You do NOT need to be a singer to enjoy this course. But you must have an interest in learning to sing and/or learning to use your spoken voice with greater confidence and pleasure.
2. If you already sing, the workshop will offer you tips and techniques to build on what you already know.
3. You will not be asked to sing or speak in front of others unless/until you are ready to do so. You can learn a lot from working together and from watching others.
WHO AM I TO TEACH THIS WORKSHOP?
I approach this workshop – “Voice Play Gym” – with two distinct kinds of expertise:
– That of a singer – a long-time performer in her 60’s – who works daily to maintain a healthy, vibrant singing and speaking voice. My concerts involve doing both.
– And as a vocal coach with a private studio for 30 years; and as a Professor of Singing at Concordia University, Montreal for 10 years,
I have witnessed the magic that can happen in a vocal studio.  How a person who has given oneself “permission” to become more expressive and emotionally courageous can develop a much more attractive voice through vocal exercises, singing well chosen songs, and the genuine desire to express oneself more fully.

Over the years, I’ve interviewed well known voice therapists about the latest trends in helping to keep both singing and speaking voices in good shape.  Some of that information is here is on my singing web site.

I also use elements from meditation and mindfulness in these workshops to help participants feel freer to express themselves. The tone of the workshops is lighthearted.

HOW OFTEN WILL THE WORKSHOP BE OFFERED? 
At this point, there is a process:
I will send several potential chosen date(s) to all those who are on my mailing list. When 6 people have signed up, we will choose the date that works for everyone and begin. 

 Each of the 6 workshops will have a slightly different emphasis. But we will sing in every class!
Depending upon the needs of those present:
Week one –  is a broad overview of elements
Week two – will emphasize standing, breathing and inner calm
Week three – will emphasize better singing & speaking techniques
Week four  – we work on a song (melody, lyrics & memorizing)
Week five – we’ll put a chosen song into action
Week five –  is about refining our approach to lyrics and meaning
Week six – as in week one, this will be a broad overview, but at a higher level


IF THIS WORKSHOP INTERESTS YOU, PLEASE SIGN UP BELOW TO BE NOTIFIED ABOUT DATES AND TIMES.
Please know that you are under no obligation if you do sign up. I will send everyone an e-mail about possible dates and you will respond if/when you are ready to attend a workshop. Thank you for reading.