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My philosophy of singing is a simple one. Singing is an extension of speaking, sustained, courageous speaking. Basically, I tell my students if you breathe naturally, give yourself permission to be heard, and mean what you say, you are already well on your way to your success.

There are as many singing techniques out there as there are singers. And a lot of them work for some people. And I’m all for whatever works. But I believe in the natural, organic production that each of us uses every single day to breathe and to emit sound. I know it to be the most effective and most glorious manner to communicate with song.
Singing, especially classical and operatic singing, is a full body sport. Anyone who can sing over a 120 piece orchestra in an arena or theater of up to 4000 people, without amplification, is an athlete. And like athletes, singers must be aware of and in control of their body, and then sing with their entire body, not just their vocal cords.

All physical disciplines begin with the core, and singing is no different. Natural breathing is key along with posture, a consistent actively moving support, from the core, using the body‘s natural amplification system of the facial mask, and natural pronunciation. Singing should not feel tense, or difficult, or effortful. In fact, when it is correct, and you are using your body as it is meant to be used, it feels magically easy.
And that is your sign you are on the right path. It should feel organically and quintessentially right and empowering. And when you have that kind of ease in your singing, you are free to act, express, and be the storyteller you want to be.

I believe that any good teacher is going to remind students what their body already knows, and knew the moment they were born. We come into the world with perfect projection and no limitation on the breath we take in or the sound we make. And then grown-ups tell us to use our inside voice, and the confusion begins. I help singers find their way back to an organic and natural way of communicating and expressing. Many singers interpret operatic performing as having to put on another face, and add layers to become someone other than or more than who they are themselves. In fact, the opposite is true, in opera and all art forms. As performers, we must take off all of the masks and all of the unnecessary layers, and be wholly and completely ourselves. One of my mantras for all of my students is this: You Are Enough. You are enough, just as you are, and it is you we want to see and hear.

Be all of who you can be. Get to know your body and make friends with it. Breathe in, ground yourself like the roots of a great tree, and send your words out on the wings of your breath.

Singing is the human’s first and highest vocal expression. As infants, we instinctively coo and sing to ourselves, and later rock ourselves to sleep for physical and emotional tranquility. Whether in joy or tragedy, when unaccompanied words are not enough, we turn to singing. Actors and singers provide an organic vibrational connection to their audience, and we the performers, speak or sing with both voices: the combined voice of the public and performer, raising the frequency of all. That exchange of vibration and sound is one of the vital components of life we have sorely missed, physically, emotionally, and mentally during the Covid pandemic.

All creative expression and self-help therapies share the same purpose and goal: to find, claim, and raise one’s voice. Painters, sculptors, actors, singers, dancers, musicians – are all artists expressing their voice, physically and metaphorically. But the search is not limited to performing artists. Every one of us needs and wants to be heard. Social media is in essence another tool, a vehicle for raising your voice and have it be counted, often through creative content. And finding that voice is the connection to one’s self and to the rest of humanity. Covid took away many of our outlets and avenues and now, more than ever, there is need for connection, vibration, and unobstructed sound and communication.

Singing is the ultimate mind/body/spirit connection. The benefits of singing are physical and emotional, prophylactic and therapeutic. I am stronger and healthier because I have sung all of my life, and most especially because I sang opera for 30 years. Breathing for a living, vibrating, resonating, expressing myself through my performing, has gotten me through terrible traumas and injuries. When used intentionally, it can be a complementary addition to other mental and physical health therapies. Physical benefits of singing:

increases lung capacity and function
strengthens the immune system
Lowers blood pressure
decreases stress by lowering cortisol
Releases endorphins, relieving pain
tones abs, diaphragm, and stimulate circulation
Improves aerobic capacity
strengthens concentration and enhances memory
helps improve speaking abilities in stuttering, Parkinson’s, and other conditions

And emotional benefits:

increase in self-confidence
empowerment
mood elevation
relieves stress and anxiety
decreases depression
keeps you in the present moment!

The path to finding one’s voice is an unveiling; a tool to help find relief from self limitations, PTSD, abuse, and trauma. It removes muzzles and gags. Singing enables us to express ourselves more deeply, and increases our ability to listen to each other. In my experience, veteran of performing for over 40 years, it is a never ending road of recovery and discovery. It’s a journey back to who we are, back to our source, to our Self, to Love.

Breathing, vibrating, spinning sustained tone on the wings of your breath is a healing and easily available tool of self-care. It is your own pharmacy; a mood lifter and anti-depressant, with no side effects! Feeling the organic, physical connection of your voice and body is a restorative healing therapy, administered by your own lovely self, and one that renews itself with each and every breath you take. And when you add Intention, the benefits multiply. So be intentional. Live deliberately. Take back your Health. Take back your Voice. Claim what is already yours.

Give yourself permission to be heard. Raise your voice and make a good noise. And take care of yourself while you’re doing it.