Reawaken Your Voice | Singing, Find Your Voice Again, Holistic Vocal Warm-ups, Creativity, Share Your Music, Songwriting

Are you a singer who wants to write songs and make your own music, but you don't play an instrument?  Maybe you're feeling held back by your minimal or lack of instrumental skills and musical knowledge ~ but singing & songwriting just keep calling your name.     I know the idea of learning yet another new thing can sometimes feel like too much… and maybe you JUST want to sing…    So in today's episode, I want to encourage you and lay out the case for picking up an instrument and giving it a try… whether for the first time, or for the first time in a long time… brushing off the dust and giving it a fresh chance.     Here are 4 reasons why you should learn a musical instrument and how to begin with ease.  

Are you struggling to find time to work on your music?    In this week's episode, we're going to explore this elusive concept of time and how we can realistically make this whole singing / songwriting thing work in our ordinary, everyday lives.     Between caring for loved ones, kids, a spouse, aging family members, a household, our work, whether that be a 9-5, freelance work, full time, part time, running a business, juggling creative projects, cooking, cleaning, staying healthy… all the things… that can often leave our creative work untouched at the end of the day.   That's why I want to share with you my very simple “sprinkle and pour” method to keep you creatively nourished, so you can live a creative, fulfilling life as a singer songwriter ~ in addition to all the other titles / roles you carry.  

If you've ever struggled with starting, finishing, and following through with a creative project, this episode will give you 5 lessons to keep you moving through the creative process ~ start to finish ~ so you can bring your creative ideas to life as a singer, songwriter, artist, and musician.   Whether you're having a hard time starting or having a hard time finishing that creative project that's on your heart ~ I've been there, too, and you're not alone.     As artists, we face resistance at every turn.  We have more ideas than we know what to do with, and sometimes, it just feels so big that we don't know where to begin.  Or there are too many possibilities, we don't feel ready, we keep refining and perfecting our idea into oblivion… and we don't know how to put a bow on it and call it “complete.”   So today, in celebration of ONE WHOLE YEAR of this Podcast (yay!), I'll be sharing with you 5 lessons I learned from following through each and every week to release a new episode into the world.    These are lessons that I'll be applying to album creation ~ recording an album of original songs ~ and lessons that you, too, can apply to that creative project that's on your heart.  

Are you sick of tedious vocal exercises and traditional vocal drills?   When you're trying to get back into the flow of singing, moving through the typical vocal warm ups can be a real barrier to entry.  You just wanna get to the fun part… but you know it will feel better and sound better if you warm up your voice first.  Besides, you want to work on improving your singing voice and you know vocal warm up exercises can help you get there.   So you trudge through the tedious scales and arpeggios, dragging your feet until you lose all your steam and move onto something else… if you even make it that far.  Maybe you gave up on the idea before you even started.  So you stay stuck right where you were… not singing, and instead, burying your musical gifts.   What if I told you that you can achieve the same results ~ growing and developing your voice capabilities ~ by just changing the approach to warming up your voice? There is a way to go about doing vocal warm up exercises that also activates your creativity and helps you develop your ARTISTIC voice at the same time… not just your physical instrument itself.   If you're looking for a more creative, artistic way to warm up your singing voice and find your unique sound as a singer and songwriter, here are 5 ideas to do just that.  

You probably know that you have a gift.  Perhaps you've been told you're talented.  You've likely been praised for your singing voice.  Even if you've been too shy to really share your voice and so you haven't received this kind of feedback, the fact that you're here tells me you just innately feel a deep desire in your heart to sing… so there is a natural affinity for music and singing planted within you.     But that is only the beginning of the story.  Truly to sing requires much more than natural talent.     In this episode, I'm going to shed some light on the truth about natural talent as I share 3 truths about the art of singing and making music as a vocalist and musician.   Here's what you need to know about your creative gifts if you really want to use your voice to make music, sing your own songs, and express yourself creatively.

In the creative journey as a singer, songwriter & vocal artist, there are bound to be dry seasons of feeling depleted, empty, uninspired.  It's almost like you've reached the bottom of the cup or your stream of creative energy has run dry… and you just have no motivation to sing, create, make music, write songs.   That's why it's so important to have a go-to plan for times like these so you can get back to creating, singing, making music, doing what you love.    So whether it has lasted a week or a year or even a decade, these 3 steps will help move you out of that creative dry season and back into creative flow.   Because I know it's hard.  I've found myself in this place again and again.  That's how I have come to refine this step-by-step process ~ and that's how I know it works.

Have you ever considered what the comparison trap is stealing from you?     If you've ever compared yourself to others as a singer / artist and come up short in your mind, then today's episode will be the gentle nudge of tough love that you need to break free from this all-too-common creative block.     I'll be sharing with you 3 reasons to stop comparing your voice to others ~ and revealing the truth of what it's really robbing you of as an artist.     Because life is short. And the joy of creating and expressing yourself through your voice ~ as an artist, a singer, a songwriter, a performer ~ is available to you and possible for you.     But first, you must let go of the comparison, the self-doubt, the judgment, the fear ~ all the creative blocks that are keeping you from living your most creative life.  

If you've been feeling disconnected from your voice and have spent some time away from music for one reason or another, this episode will help you get those creative gears moving again and reignite that desire in your heart to sing.   It can be so hard to dust off the cobwebs and start singing again when the distance between you and your art feels like it widens more with each passing day.  That's why I've put together 3 ways you can kickstart your singing practice and build momentum towards your creative desires and musical aspirations.    So whether you are trying to pull yourself out of a creatively dry season or are ready to return to singing after some intentional time away, these ideas are sure to help you reintroduce music into your life in a way that makes you remember why you love to sing in the first place.  

In the second part of our conversation about exploring songwriting as a creative outlet, I go deeper into what you need when you're getting started with writing your own songs.     Whether you're a writer whose strength is in the lyrics, a singer who doesn't play an instrument (or lacks confidence in your existing instrumental skills), a musician who plays by ear and wants to find your unique voice, or you can relate to bits and pieces of all of these, I'll break down the essentials for you so that you can just get moving.   I'll give you an overview of what you need in terms of musical skills, song structure, where to begin, and how to bring your own artistic voice and style into it ~ so you can move beyond singing other people's songs and into the creative world of writing your own music.  

Have you ever felt the desire to explore songwriting as a creative outlet?    Whether you are just playing with the idea, wondering where to begin, or you've got notebooks full of songs and you're wondering what to do with this treasure trove of ideas, you're sure to find something of value in today's episode.    I went on a little bit of a journey here, sharing my story of the pivot I made over a decade ago, when I stepped away from the opera profession and shifted to writing and singing my own songs... So much of a journey that I decided to break this episode into 2 parts, with part 2 going deeper into what YOU need when you're getting started with exploring songwriting as a creative outlet.  So stay tuned!    In part 1, I talk about why I felt called away from the well-trodden operatic path and into the wilderness of blazing my own trail as I began writing my own music and rediscovering my voice through songwriting.    I pray that hearing my story will ignite some spark of inspiration in you to follow your inner voice, follow your heart, and answer the calling that's leading you to find your own artistic voice... so you can experience the joy and freedom of expressing yourself through your voice ~ in your own words, with your own stories, your own melodies, in your own creative style.  

Are you a singer who wants to make your own music and explore songwriting as a creative outlet?  Do you feel like you have songs inside of you, but you're struggling to get them out for one reason or another?     Singing other people's music is great and everything, but you have your own stories, your own experiences, your own feelings and emotions and concepts that you want to bring to life through music.  And you want to do it in your own unique voice, with your own artistic style.     But where to begin with all the moving pieces... the musical skills, the words, playing an instrument, the vocal style, the whole production of putting all these things together into a cohesive work of art?  Or maybe for you, it's not so much the “how,” but all the other creative blocks that seem to get in the way.  The resistance.  The inner critic.  The everyday life stuff...   Well in this episode, we're going to get into all of that as I lay out 5 common roadblocks singers have to writing their own music and singing their own songs.  But not only that ~ we'll also bust through each obstacle one by one so you can get to the freedom and joy that come with creating something of your own and expressing what's on your heart.  

Are you longing to experience the freedom of singing and the joy of making music without all the technical stuff and the noise of the mind getting in the way?   As a vocal artist and highly creative person, you know that being free to express yourself and create for the sake of creating is a feeling like no other.  But it can sometimes get lost in the pursuit of mastery, of conquering vocal technique and gaining the musical skills and knowledge to translate what's coming through you.   So if the answer to vocal freedom and creative flow isn't found in vocal technique and musical mastery, then what SHOULD we focus on to get us to that place of feeling free in our voice?   In today's episode, I'll dive into the ONE thing you need to focus on in order to truly set your voice free and express yourself creatively through singing and songwriting.  And not only that ~ I'll also share with you what that one thing opens up for you, what it allows you to do as an artist, how to get started with it, and why it's important on your vocal, musical, and creative journey.   Because once you get a taste of that freedom… you'll want to find your way back to that place again and again.  So whether you've experienced it before and are seeking to find your way back, or you're looking to experience it for the first time… perhaps in a long time… then listen in.    

There are seasons of the vocal journey when we step away from the stage, lean into the silence, and spend some time away ~ whether we're seemingly forced into it or we intentionally choose to take a break from performing.  And sometimes we even shut down our voice and stop singing altogether ~ I've been there.   If you've been in such a season, it can feel a bit intimidating to get back into it and start sharing your voice again.  Maybe you're thinking... I'm so rusty, my voice is out of shape, I feel like I've reverted and lost my confidence, I don't even know if I've still got it…   Deep breath… Ease your mind because in this episode, I'll be taking you step by step through the planning, preparation, practice, and performance phases of the process, offering tips for each stage as you get back out there, start singing for audiences, and take that initial step towards sharing your voice again ~ with ease, and joy, and peace.   I pray these 4 tips will help encourage you to go out there and just get that first performance under your belt ~ and help you ease back into it with peace and JOY.   You can sing again.  

In this episode, I share 3 simple vocal tips that will help you open your voice, find vocal freedom, and improve your overall tone quality as a singer and vocalist.  These are quick remedies to common mistakes that I see and hear singers making time and time again.  When you know how to bring awareness to them, they are actually quite easy to fix.     No matter where you are on your vocal journey, these minor adjustments will guide you back to the importance of the foundational elements of great singing ~ and make a major difference in your overall sound and tone quality.    So listen up, take out your notebook and a pen, and get ready to hear a big shift in your voice when you apply these three small tweaks to your vocal technique.    

If you want to uncover your unique sound and find your artistic voice as a singer, there are 3 things that stand out to me as critical parts of the process.     In this episode, we dive into each of these 3 essentials as I explain why they're important, how they help you get to the heart of your creative voice, and how to actually implement them in your life and practice as a singer, songwriter, and vocal artist.   So if you've found yourself comparing your voice to others, judging your sound, wishing you could just figure out what your own unique style is and confidently lean into that with true authenticity, then you're gonna want to listen in.   Let's talk about what it REALLY takes to liberate your artistic voice from the inside out ~ and sing your song in the way that only YOU can.  

This one goes out to all the singing mamas out there, the musical mamas to be, the singers who also aspire to be mothers one day.     Can we just say… motherhood is hard!  It is both the most difficult thing I've ever done AND the most rewarding.    So what does all of this mean for your creative life, your music, your voice, your art?    Today's episode is more of a candid, open conversation in which I'll share a bit of my story, but I also want to give you some ideas in terms of what has worked for me when it comes to balancing motherhood and artistry as a singer.  I hope this episode will give you a dose of encouragement to keep singing through it all, and reassurance that you can do and be both.    Though it may look different and require adaptation… though it may feel impossible to find the time and energy for singing and making music when you've been pouring everything you have into your children… you can be BOTH a mother AND an artist.    

One of the best practices for opening your voice and creativity is Vocal Improvisation.  In today's episode, I'll walk you through what it is, why you should weave it into your singing practice, and what you need to get started.    At the end of our conversation today, I hope to leave you with a roadmap that leads you to creative flow and vocal freedom ~ one that you can take with you on an experimental journey of self-discovery.    So make it your own, add in some detours, take the scenic route, and enjoy the process!   Let's Play!  

If you've ever considered yourself to be a perfectionist, then today's episode is for you.     As a “recovering perfectionist” myself, who has learned to see the truth through the lies and who has found a way to deal with these tendencies when they inevitably creep in, I want to share with you some of the tools that have worked for me.     Because if you allow perfectionism to take over and infiltrate your creativity, it can completely derail you as an artist.  And it doesn't have to be that way.     You can create beautiful work without beating yourself up along the way.     You can achieve greatness without the pressure of never feeling like it's good enough.     You can move beyond the paralysis of tearing yourself up throughout the creative process and back into playful, joyful creating while still making beautiful music.   Here are 3 questions you can ask yourself to discern between the destructive energy of perfectionism and the constructive energy of reaching toward excellence so you can rediscover the joy in singing.    

Sharing your voice in the world requires vulnerability.    Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.     Stepping into the unknown and allowing people to witness you in it.     Being seen and heard in this way can bring up a lot of fear and insecurities when it comes to your singing voice and your creative expression as a whole.   The good news is that when you practice doing this, it becomes familiar, it becomes known.   Through practice, preparation and repetition, you begin to feel at home in your voice and on stage ~ whether it be a physical stage with spotlights and a live audience, or a metaphorical stage where you're stepping in front of the microphone to record something you'll share later, or in front of the camera in a virtual space… or even just opening your mouth to sing in a group of people sitting around a campfire.     But how do you get to that place of being comfortable singing in front of people, opening your voice and sharing your heart so vulnerably?     Well that's what this week's episode is all about. I want to share with you 5 tips to grow your confidence and expand your comfort zone so that you can overcome the fear of singing in front of people and confidently share your voice with others.   And hey – You got this.   I believe in you.     It's time for you to start believing in yourself.   Here's how.  

There's a seed within you that was planted long ago and is only awaiting your activation in order to crack open, rise up, reach for the light, open and blossom.  And that seed is your desire to sing, to make music, to use your creativity and your voice as an instrument to express what's in your heart.    But it's all too common to allow that seed to go dormant, burying it deep, fearful of what may happen if we begin to acknowledge it and water it and allow it to grow roots in us.     I've heard from so many people just like you throughout the years who have expressed their sadness in realizing how much they have denied themselves permission to follow their passion and have suppressed their desire to sing.     Today, I want to help you eliminate this denial and take that pivotal step of giving yourself the permission to sing.  By making this simple yet essential decision to nurture your voice, you allow the natural growth process to unfold ~ so that you can move forward in giving that seed everything it needs to thrive.   May this episode help your voice to grow and flourish with ease!  

Big creative dreams can sometimes feel out of reach… unrealistic even… and so we often stop ourselves before we start.  Or we start and stop and start and stop as we cycle through overwhelm, fear, and doubt.     But those dreams are planted inside of you for a reason ~ they are yours to nurture and cultivate and bring to life!   That's why I want to devote this episode to dispelling a few common blocks or limiting beliefs that too often keep gifted, passionate, creative women like you from really pursuing the dream to sing and make music and make a difference with your voice.     By shining a light on the truth about each of these perceived obstacles, I hope to offer you encouragement and inspiration to say YES to the creative vision you see inside of you.  It's time to stop denying yourself the permission to follow your heart and pursue your passion for singing & making music, and to start living a life where your creativity gets to have a voice ~ fully expressed.  

Often as we enter a new year, we're thinking about what we want to create... what goals, dreams, and aspirations we want to focus on or work towards this year.  There's something about the calendar turning over that gets us dreaming again…    But too often, these new creative projects and goals can be derailed by perfectionism.  And so we stop before we even begin… or we start and then beat ourselves up for not being perfect from the get-go.     That's why it's so important to approach these new beginnings with a healthy mindset ~ this is where the concept of the Beginner's Mind comes into play…   Is there something you want to start, or begin again, or learn anew, a new path, a pivot, a shift, a different way of doing things that is calling you, but you feel like you should be further along?  Like you should know that by now?  If you're struggling to allow yourself to start messy, or want to learn something new, and do it with a fresh perspective, less pressure, more freedom ~ I have 5 tips to help you start with a Beginner's Mind.   This is the beginning of something beautiful.    So just start.  Meet yourself where you are and begin.   Here are 5 tips to help you do just that.  

You're in for a special treat today ~ a *mini reTREAT* for you and your creative spirit ~ to close out the year and step into a renewed vision for yourself as an artist in the new year.    So set aside some time for yourself and your creativity (and if you need convincing that it's not only okay, but essential to your well-being to devote time to nurturing your creativity, check out my previous episode 34 about releasing the guilt and embracing a little self-nourishment for the soul!).     Gather your art supplies, your colorful pens, blank paper, paints and a blank canvas, collage materials, whatever your creative spirit is drawn to use ~ because we're about to tap into our inner visual artist to connect with our inner voice!     I'll walk you through a 5-step process to “cultivate your creative garden” for the new year while allowing your intuition ~ your inner voice ~ to lead you deeper through visual art.     We'll touch on:   Celebrating the Harvest ~ what flourished? What needs pruning? What weeds need pulled? Name Your Season What are you planting anew?   You ready? Let's PLAY!  

One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is time with your art to nurture your creativity.   And yet, so many of us struggle to give ourselves that gift.   We think it's selfish.   There's always something else we think we should be doing instead…   But if we want to live a creative life… to be the artist we were designed to be, to use the gifts we've been given to serve others, we must be willing to pour into ourselves, the same way we so willingly pour into others.   So today's episode is dedicated to the mission of encouraging you to release the guilt of setting aside time for your own creativity and to give yourself permission to receive that gift.     I hope it will leave you feeling inspired to set aside some time during this very sacred season to nurture your creativity and spend some quality time with your art ~ your music, your voice, the song in your heart.     And as we move into the new year, I pray this time will be fruitful for you and will yield a renewed vision for what you'd like to do with this beautiful gift of creativity that you have at your fingertips… on the tip of your tongue… just waiting to be given a voice.  

In this episode of Reawaken Your Voice, I'll be walking you through a 3-step singing exercise that will help you not only open your singing voice, improve your tone quality, and create more resonance in your sound, but will also help you get more comfortable with being vulnerable… allowing yourself to be seen and heard ~ which is essential if you want to sing with feeling and share your voice with others.   So yes, we'll be touching on vocal technique and getting into some practical, actionable tools to bring into your next practice session, but it really goes so much deeper than that.  This is a practice in awareness and a practice in vulnerability.  Because as you open your singing voice, you're opening your heart, and opening your capacity to share what's inside with others.     So if you feel like you've closed off your voice, or your sound feels trapped inside of you and you're wanting to open it back up again, tune in for step-by-step guidance to do just that.  

Aaaah, yes.  The inner critic.  The enemy of artists everywhere, throughout all of time.     As singers, it can stop us in our tracks and leave us feeling like our voice isn't worth listening to.  So we shut it down, bury it in silence, and try to forget about our deep longing to sing.  If we give it power and believe the lies it spews, we may even give up singing altogether.  I know because I got really close to that, myself.  I don't want that for you.     That's why in today's episode, I'm sharing with you 3 creative ways to release the inner critic ~ so you can find freedom from the negative self-talk as a singer and vocal artist… and keep singing that song in your heart.     I pray this blesses you and helps you find relief from the noise.   Because the world needs your voice ~ and so do you.  

Today we're talking about one of my favorite tools to open and free the voice ~ and that is… Vocal Improvisation.     We'll go over what it is, why it's such a powerful tool, and how it not only helps to free the singing voice, but also helps to unlock creative expression while taking you on a journey of self-discovery.   If you're looking for a fun, practical way to explore your voice, experience the freedom of musical expression, and access creative flow, you'll love this episode.     Tune in for 10 ways that improvisational singing can teach you to go deeper with your voice, creativity, and expression ~ both in singing and in life itself ~ so you can release the inner critic, embrace your unique sound, and sing freely with confidence.  

Whether it's been a few weeks or a few years, if you've felt distant from your voice and disconnected from your creativity, it is my prayer that today's episode will help you come back home to that part of yourself that loves to sing and make music and create.   I'll walk you through 3 of my favorite ways to rekindle that creative spark.  These are some of my tried and true methods that I've used over and over again throughout the years whenever I'm feeling bored, uninspired, or life has carried me away from my art for awhile and I'm wanting to get back into singing and making music again.   So if you've been stagnant or put a creative project on hold, or if you've been in a silent, desert season for what feels like years… even if the reality is that it HAS been years… here are some ways to begin opening yourself up to creating again ~ starting now.     Today is a new day.  And sometimes, we just need a little refresh, a little renewal, that breath of fresh air to fill our lungs before singing out with a new song, ready to begin again.  

In today's episode, I'm going to walk you through 7 tips for taking care of your singing voice when you're sick with a cold, sinus infection, congestion, or sore throat.     Personally, I'm feeling run down with a sinus infection at the moment, so I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to give you some of my best tips I've gathered over the years in hopes that they will help you through these common respiratory ailments.   I'll share a blend of natural remedies & basic vocal care tips to protect your instrument while you're under the weather so you can get back to singing as soon as possible with a fully restored voice.   Wishing you health and wellness now and always!  

Today's episode is all about Vocal Embodiment.  What it is, what it means as both a singer and as an artist, and how to achieve it.  I'll share with you 3 phases to bring the music inside of you into the world through your voice ~ not only becoming the embodiment of the music itself through your singing voice, but also becoming the embodiment of the dreams and vision you have for yourself as an artist and singer.   We'll talk about how to integrate your voice with your power, bringing together the emotions you're expressing, the fully embodied sound of your physical instrument, and the confidence to bring that sound forth into the world ~ with heart.     So join me inside to learn how to use the voice as a bridge not only in singing, but also in the creative process itself ~ hearing the music within you, giving it a voice, and integrating that with your heart… so that your voice has roots keeping you grounded and wings for you to take flight and soar to new heights as a singer and artist.  

Do you ever feel like your true expression is stuck inside of you, or like you've put yourself in a box creatively that you're aching to break free from? Does singing sometimes feel rigid? Do you ever find yourself holding back the full power of your voice, like your sound is trapped inside that box and can't go beyond the confines of its walls?   When you find yourself in this place of suppressing your voice, being careful to stay inside the boundaries of what's accepted or allowed, coloring inside the lines ~ how do you break free from that box and liberate your voice to discover true freedom and flow in singing?   In today's episode, we're going to talk about that box.  What is it, what does it consist of, and how to dismantle the walls and chains keeping you captive ~ in 4 steps. I'll also share with you my favorite singing practice ~ a practical tool to liberate your voice and open up to your true, natural design as a creative, freedom-loving soul with a unique voice that carries great power.  

If you've been trying to figure out a starting point for sharing your voice in the world and you've been searching for a place where your voice feels at home, then today's episode is for you.     I'll walk you through a journaling exercise consisting of 10 questions to ask yourself to determine how you want to use your voice, what kinds of opportunities to seek out, and how to begin sharing your singing voice wherever you happen to be on your vocal journey in this season of your life.   This will also get you thinking about your desired style of singing, your platform of choice, possible venues, outlets, places where you'd like to be singing, different ways you'd like to be sharing your voice, the kind of music you're wanting to make, and the direction you're longing to go as a singer and artist.    Most of all, this will help you start where you are with that one step that's right in front of you ~ the one that is unique to you and aligned with who you are.   So bust out your favorite pens and your journal, cozy up with your favorite beverage, and let's get into it!  

Have you been shying away from those high notes? Are you afraid to lean into them so you back off and don't give them the full power of your sound?   Or maybe you're someone who isn't afraid to go for it, but when you do reach for those high notes, they feel tense, closed off, pushed, forced or even harsh? Almost like you just hit a ceiling and you're trapped underneath?   In today's episode, I'm giving you 6 tips to help you approach those high notes with freedom and ease.  And these tips all share one thing in common that is crucial to singing ~ and that is ~ imagery.  Using your imagination.    I'm so excited for you to implement these into your practice and begin tapping into the power of your imagination when singing.  It makes such a big difference and it's also a lot of fun!   So let's get into it!  

Have you ever had a performance where everything went wrong? Or where one thing didn't go well, but that's the part you remember and so it just feels like the whole thing was a complete train wreck?   Have you ever received negative feedback after sharing your voice and singing your heart out and it left you feeling beaten down, wounded and timid, unable to ever sing again?   I know I've experienced both of these throughout my vocal journey.   In today's episode, I'll share a couple of those stories with you and I'll also talk about how I was able to get back up and keep singing after what may have seemed like failure, rejection, or just an embarrassing mistake that shook my confidence.   As singers, we must learn how to build resilience and develop a thick skin without building walls around our heart… because it is the beautifully vulnerable heart that creates real connection when we sing. So let's talk about finding that balance and finding the courage to get back up after we fall so we can sing again.  

Hey Friend,   In today's episode we're gonna talk about all those unfinished songs and unused ideas that may or may not be piling up in scattered places throughout your mind, your computer, your phone notes, your journals, scraps of paper, bits of recordings... aaahh, yes.  Such is the way of the creative spirit!    You see, I've recently had a perspective shift around this ~ from beating myself up for all that I've left unfinished, to embracing the nature of the creative process ~ and I'm here today to share that with you.    I'll also give you a little window into how I use writing and journaling to work through the noise of the inner critic and reconnect with my heart.   My mission for this episode is really just to encourage you and give you some perspective on the creative process and why it's OKAY that some of your ideas have gone idle or dormant ~ so you can stop with all the internal criticism and instead, embrace your beautiful, wild and creative mind!  

Have you been feeling like your voice and expression are stuck inside of you?     Maybe you've suppressed your voice for a long time, or maybe you're finally feeling like things are moving, but it's kind of lopsided or clunky.  Maybe something just feels out of alignment and you can't quite get your voice to do what you want it to do.     In this week's episode of Reawaken Your Voice, we are diving into the 3 foundational pillars that you need in place in order to confidently bring your voice from inside of you and out into the world.   I'll walk you through the key components to building a strong vocal foundation through balancing mindset with technique and performance ~ so you can develop the WHOLE singer… mind, body, and spirit.  We'll talk about what that means, why it's important, and how to get started.     Let's dive in!  

In today's episode, I'm covering another one of my favorite topics ~ expression.    How to convey emotion through your singing voice and sing with feeling.     I'll highlight 7 key ingredients that go into expressive singing ~    the kind that touches the heart,    the kind that moves people,    the kind that makes them feel things,   the kind that makes YOU ~ the singer ~ feel things.   How do you deliver a message through your singing voice that takes people on a transformative journey?   What, specifically, does it take to create and share the kind of musical experience that shifts something internally and leaves you in a different place emotionally than when you went into it?   Quite simply ~ how do you sing with feeling?  And what are some actionable, tactical things you can apply to your singing practice to be more expressive in your delivery?   We're covering all of this ~ from the technical vocal skills to the energetic heart pieces ~ in today's episode.  So gather your notebook and favorite pens, grab a cup of tea, get all cozy, and let's dive into the 7 key components you need to express your heart through your singing voice.  

Hey there, Songbird!   In today's episode, we're diving into a little bit of vocal technique ~ but don't worry ~ we're keeping it simple!   We're talking about getting to know your voice and its capabilities by gaining an understanding of your vocal range and how to navigate the different parts of it.   When you deepen your understanding of the resonance chambers within your body and how to tap into them as you move throughout the different parts of your vocal range, you can learn to access a wider spectrum of artistic choices and therefore be more expressive in your singing.   And when you have a better grasp of your instrument and how it works, your confidence grows, you begin to trust your voice, know your voice, and yes, even LOVE your voice.  

When did you stop singing?   What was it that caused you to shut down your voice?   And when did you notice that desire return?    When did you realize it wasn't going anywhere and all you could do was surrender to it?    This episode goes out to the wounded singer ~ the woman who shut down her voice somewhere along the way and stopped singing.  The woman who denied herself the permission to follow her passion and sing.  The woman who once sang freely with joy and ease, but then life happened…    Today I'm sharing a practical and powerful writing exercise to help you reclaim your voice and heal from the past so you can move forward and begin again with a new perspective of your singing voice and yourself as an artist.   Your voice is not lost.   Here's to a new beginning.  

Have you found yourself facing a really harsh inner critic anytime you listen back to a recording of yourself singing?    Or holding back your full sound because you're too worried about what it sounds like?  Maybe you're unsure of what it's even supposed to sound like…   In today's episode, I talk about what to do instead of the worry and the self-judgment, both when you are actively singing and when you are listening back to a recording of yourself singing.     So join me inside to release the inner critic and move past this roadblock that is keeping you from finding freedom and flow in singing.  

Finding your voice is a journey ~ whether we're talking about your singing voice or your authentic self-expression as a whole.    As you set out to explore and discover the truth about who you are, how you were designed, what makes you unique, what makes you just as human as the rest of us, and how you're called to use your voice in the world, you will inevitably be asked to step outside of your comfort zone and face the unknown.   In today's episode, we're discussing this step, taking the risk to travel beyond what is known and opening up to what isn't. Finding your voice.  Finding the courage to step outside of your comfort zone and into the unknown. And how this applies to your singing practice.   Because there is this beautiful phenomenon that occurs when seeking to find your singing voice ~ you actually find so much more.  

Hey Friend,   In today's episode, we're covering one of my favorite topics ~ how to use your singing voice as an instrument for healing yourself and others.  I'll share with you 3 ways to tap into the natural healing power of your voice and how you can apply them in your own voice practice and on your own journey from the head to the heart.   So if you have an inner knowing that your voice has healing properties and you're interested in experimenting with it on a deeper level, tune in for some ideas to get started.  

Hey Friend,   Do you have a creative passion project?  You know... the one that's been sitting on the back burner, collecting dust, waiting for the right time to begin again?  The one that's been on your heart for quite some time now, but you keep pushing it aside for someday? Yeah, that one… I know because I have one, too!        Well, what would it be like to take it off the back burner and bring it into focus, into the foreground, and simply begin? Or begin again? Or just to get moving in that direction, gain some momentum, breathe new life into your sails?   If there has been something on your heart that you're wanting to create, my hope is that today's episode will serve as a catalyst for you to get moving again.  I pray that it will leave you with the inspiration you need to take that creative passion project of yours off the back burner so you can begin again with a renewed sense of vision, clarity, and strategy to make it happen.  

Hey Friend!     In the moments leading up to sharing your voice and singing for people, there can be a lot of noise going through your mind as the butterflies take over and the nerves set in.  It's almost enough to keep you from doing it at all ~ if you let it.  But if you can move past that fear and sing through it, you'll rediscover your love of singing and find the joy in doing what you love, sharing your gift with others, and expressing your heart through your voice.   That's why I'm sharing my personal grounding practice in today's podcast episode ~ it's a simple  process to move through those anxious thoughts and the sensations they create in the body before stepping on stage and opening your mouth to sing.  I'll walk you through 6 steps, from backstage, through walking on stage, and into those first few notes and beyond.  Because the truth is ~ once you get up there, and get into the zone, and really let go… there is nothing like the feeling of singing your heart out!      So whether you dream of performing live on a big stage or you just want to record a new song to share online, this grounding practice will help you calm your nerves and find that inner sense of peace before opening your heart, opening your mouth, and sharing your voice ~ in whatever form that takes (virtual / live / recorded, etc.).     I pray this blesses you!  

Hey Friend!   As much as we would love to live in a state of constant creative flow, the reality is that we can often lose touch with our inspiration.  We can easily find ourselves distracted, stagnant, losing sight of why we started something in the first place, stuck in a rut of apathy or boredom.     If you've been feeling like your creative flame has dimmed, or you're hitting your head against a wall anytime you go to sing and make music and create, perhaps you're in need of a little creative revitalization.     In today's episode, I'll share 10 of my favorite ways to rekindle that creative spark and get back into flow whenever you feel that passion start to fade.  Take what works for you, add it to your artist's toolkit for moments when you need a little boost, and before you know it, you'll find yourself back on track to creating the art that is yours alone to create.  

Do you sometimes question whether or not you can call yourself a singer?     No matter your level of experience or musical background, this question may rise up in you along the vocal journey, whether you're just embarking on this new adventure or coming back to your voice after many years of distance. When you're going through a creative dry spell, or a period of not performing, or if you have the desire to sing but have yet to allow yourself to pursue that dream, this “imposter syndrome” can be so debilitating.     In today's episode, we're going deeper into artist identity and the importance of nurturing your desire to sing so that you can get beyond the mind games of the inner critic and start moving towards the desires of your heart.  I'll share with you 3 steps to work through this question of identity and embrace the artist within ~ the part of you that is longing to sing and create something meaningful.   See you inside!  

Struggling to find the time and energy to devote to your art?    I get it ~ the struggle is real.     If you've been having difficulty finding uninterrupted time for singing and making music, I want you to know that you're not alone ~ and there is hope.   In today's episode, we're having a little heart to heart about what it really takes to nourish your creative spirit and make your art a priority in your life ~ even in the busy seasons.  I pray that you'll glean some insights from today's show that will help you carve out the space and time that your soul is craving to really pour into your music.   Because the world needs your voice ~ and so do YOU.  

Hey there, Friend!   In today's episode, I guide you through a step-by-step creative exercise to help you heal your relationship with your singing voice.     If you're struggling with a harsh inner critic or suffering from a painful memory that makes you want to curl into a ball and hide away in a cave rather than sharing your voice, the expressive arts can be a powerful tool to move through it and beyond it.  By tapping into the natural healing power of your voice, your internal compass can lead you to heal the wounds from past experiences and release the self-criticism that may have caused you to stop singing, shut down your voice, or hold it all in.   In 5 steps, I'll show you how to harness the power of your creativity to unearth and release the blockages that are keeping your voice locked up.    Let's dive in!  

Hey Friend,   Ahh, yes.  The comparison trap.  It shows up in all areas of life as human beings, so it's no surprise that as singers and artists, it has the potential to derail us from even believing our voice is worth sharing.     But this doesn't have to be your story.  This is a trap that is completely avoidable when you recognize it, see it for what it is, and learn to embrace the beauty of your own unique sound.     So in today's episode, I'll share some words of encouragement and insights that will help you dismantle the lies of the inner critic and come back to the truth of your one-of-a-kind gift ~ your authentic voice.  

Hey there, Songbird!   Perhaps you know by now that the desire to express yourself through your voice ~ to experience what it feels like to sing with freedom and feeling ~ that desire is not going away.  When the calling ~ the deep longing ~ is there, I believe it was planted there for a reason.  That means it's IN you ~ the music, the gift, the song in your heart.  It's just a matter of tapping into it.  But how?   In today's episode, I'll outline my B.R.E.A.T.H.E. formula ~ the 7 physical AND energetic keys to unlock your singing voice from the inside out.  This will help you identify where you may be getting stuck and what you can do to open it up… and *hint*... it may not be what you expect.  Because beautiful, expressive singing goes far beyond vocal technique.   So if you want to know how to access the natural beauty, expression, and unique sound of your instrument, to uncover the music that's already inside of you, calling you to set it free ~ tune in.  

Hey Friend,   Some call it performance anxiety.  Others call it stage fright.  Whatever name you give it ~ it's that feeling you get in your gut when you even think about singing in front of people.  That feeling when your breath gets shallow, your palms get sweaty, your heart starts pounding, your body starts shaking uncontrollably and your throat closes up.  I know it so well because I've been there! And I'm here to tell you ~ you can overcome this!   If you're struggling with this fear of singing in front of others, but your heart is longing to sing, to perform, to share your voice with freedom and feeling, today's episode is especially for you.   I'll guide you through 4 steps to find your courage and build the confidence to sing in front of people so you can move beyond the fear and make your dream of singing a reality.   You can do this.