Can't Wait to Hear You

Your whole body is the instrument when you’re singing or speaking, and no part of that instrument is more crucial than your mind. Your feelings of comfort and confidence, your sense of self, and the connection you want to make with your audience all have a deep influence on how your voice sounds and feels. This time I’ll share some examples of how the mind has affected my voice and the voices of my students, and some ways you can cultivate the state of mind that helps you project yourself in the ways that feel right for you.

To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528

Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. 

Yes, you can sound better! Opt-in for a free video training on my website: https://mvmusik.com

A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-19. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email [email protected]. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.

Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.

The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

I’m honored to introduce you to my good friend Matthew Brown. Matthew is a speech-language pathologist, a keyboardist, and one of the warmest, kindest souls I’ve ever known. In this episode, he shares how learning to sing the Psalms supported him through a really hard time. Maybe not surprisingly, the singing was so helpful that this musical, spiritual practice has stayed with him, five years later. 

For more resources on singing the Psalms, visit Russell Stutler’s Website: http://www.stutler.cc/russ/sing_psalms.html including audio examples and notated music: http://www.stutler.cc/russ/st_meinrad_tones.html

Cat Psalms: Prayers My Cats Have Taught Me, by Herbert Brokering

https://bookshop.org/p/books/cat-psalms-prayers-my-cats-have-taught-me-herbert-brokering/8980406?ean=9780806644981

To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528

Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. 

Yes, you can sound better! Opt-in for a free video training on my website: https://mvmusik.com

A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-18. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email [email protected]. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.

Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.

The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

In my last episode, I talked about how to prepare when you only have two weeks before an audition. But how do you keep yourself from feeling overwhelmed when the big, scary thing is happening in two minutes? Here are some techniques for helping you feel into your body, and keep yourself grounded and centered when you need to show up in the face of natural anxiety.

To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528

Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. 

Mentioned in the episode:

Register for the next session of Get Ready With Me! https://www.mvmusik.com/in-a-group/

Episode 16, Help! I Have An Audition In Two Weeks: https://www.mvmusik.com/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-16/

Episode 9, Your Whole Self is The Instrument: https://www.mvmusik.com/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-9/

Episode 5, Why YouTube Warmups Might Not Work For You: https://www.mvmusik.com/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-5/

Opt-in for a free video training on my website: https://mvmusik.com

A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-17. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email [email protected]. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.

Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.

The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

Auditioning for something often comes with a lot of anxiety, and time pressure only adds stress! Fortunately, it is absolutely possible to polish a song and get yourself into an audition mindset, even on short notice, without dropping everything else in your life. Here is my tried and tested three-step plan that will help you cultivate peace while you learn your piece.

To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528

Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. 

A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-16. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email [email protected]. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.

Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.

The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

Getting stuck on a project happens, including when you’re developing your voice. I’ll discuss some different kinds of “stuck” and share what’s helped me and my students get moving again. There aren’t any magic bullets, but a little trial and error, some curiosity and self-compassion will help you find what you need. 

To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528

Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. 

A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-15. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email [email protected]. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.

Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.

The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

The practice of art, no matter the medium or your experience level, is a powerful tool for helping us process emotion. Very few people know this better than my wonderful friend Michelle Favreault. Michelle is a multi-disciplinary artist and teacher who helps people find the spark of their creativity, and access it to stay grounded and centered when they’re working through big feelings. I’m so grateful that she’s here to share her wisdom, and I can’t wait for you to hear our conversation.

To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528

Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. 

Mentioned in the episode:

Michelle’s website is https://riteherenow.com

Rabbi Adina Allen, Dr. Pat Allen, and The Jewish Studio Project https://www.jewishstudioproject.org/adina-allen-bio 

The Way It Is, a poem by William Stafford https://grateful.org/resource/the-way-it-is-william-stafford/

A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-14. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email [email protected]. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.

Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.

The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

I keep a tiny hand mirror in my vocal studio and sometimes invite students to look at their mouths when they’re singing or speaking. It sounds a little awkward, right? So why would I suggest it? Most of us work way too hard when we’re using our voices. There are so many muscles that try to help that aren’t actually helping. The mirror shows us that, which helps us to do less, which helps our voices sound better and last longer. I share three great exercises for identifying and releasing excess tension. They’re easy to do!

To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528

Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. 

A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-13. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email [email protected]. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.

Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.

The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

Noticing What Is keeps you in the present, which is really the only place you can change anything about how you’re singing or speaking. Noticing What Is also decreases the chances you’ll waste time and energy judging yourself and your circumstances, which allows you to respond more effectively to them. Today’s episode contains a couple of simple, short exercises to increase your capacity for open, calm awareness, whether you’re singing or speaking.  

To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528

Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. 

Previous episodes on my Your Whole Self Is The Instrument framework.

Episode 9, Your Whole Self is the Instrument: https://www.mvmusik.com/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-9/ 

Episode 11, Opening Courageously: https://www.mvmusik.com/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-11/ 

A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-12. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email [email protected]. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.

Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.

The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

I’ve talked about opening courageously before. It’s one of the vital steps you can take to support the physical act of singing or speaking. It requires building awareness and strength in your body, but it’s not just about posture and muscles. Opening courageously engages your mind and your heart. It means developing a connection to your surroundings, and to the feeling of whether it’s safe for you to step forward in the moment. Here are some practices and reflections to help you start the opening process.

To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528

Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. 

Links to the resources mentioned in this episode:

Episode 5, Why YouTube Warm-Ups Might Not Work for You: https://www.mvmusik.com/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-5/ 

Episode 9, Your Whole Self is the Instrument: https://www.mvmusik.com/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-9/ 

Episode 10, Confidence Comes From Doing: https://www.mvmusik.com/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-10/

Improv actor and teacher David Rasowsky: https://www.davidrazowsky.com 

The Bach Museum in Lepzig, Germany: https://www.bachmuseumleipzig.de/en/bach-museum 

Danielle Laporte’s advice on love: https://daniellelaporte.com/advice-on-love/ 

A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-11. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email [email protected]. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.

Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.

The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

Generally, the more we do something, the better we get at it and the more confident we feel. A baby learning to walk is a really obvious example. But when it comes to speaking and singing in public, we often imagine that increased confidence will come from taking a huge risk, and then we wonder why we get stuck. Let’s talk about some smaller, more manageable steps that will build confidence faster than any big scary leap.

To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528

Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. 

A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-10. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email [email protected]. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.

Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.

The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.