Baby vs. Bathwater

Baby vs. Bathwater (sourced on Snappa.com, Feb. 1, 2024) We hosted a guest voice class from one of our most prominent and successful alumni the other day, Jane Archibald (check her out! janearchibald.com), and she provided our students with some wonderful insights and...

Taking up space

All the colours of the rainbow (taken on Hallowe’en, October 31, 2023) This week a big theme in my voice studio has been allowing oneself to Be Large. Regardless of one’s physical size, it’s a fact that for many of us, the idea of taking up space is...

When words are not enough

From “Heartbreak” by David Whyte There is a saying in vocal pedagogy circles that when words are not enough, we sing. And then in CCM (Contemporary Commercial Music) pedagogy, they add “when singing is not enough, we belt. When belting is not enough,...

The journey inward

When I first began this blog in 2019, it was my intention to delve into the connection of a singer to themselves. Over many years of guiding singers on their path, while travelling my own journey alongside them, I increasingly recognized the intimate exchange between...

Wintering

Winter on the cow pasture (photo by Markus Philipp, December 2023) It’s the quiet time of year. As a solstice baby (December 21 Birthday greetings accepted by email or other means!), this season holds a special place for me. It’s also the end of term, and...

Face to face

Estruscan tomb (Kimberly Barber, Volterra, Italy, 2014) The impetus for me to begin blogging about Singing and Self was the desire to explore the interconnection between voice and identity. This exploration particularly pertained to the singing voice; both my own...