Sing Something Scary

“At some point, some part of your wild has got to be let out onstage.”

Lost & Found: Finding The Power In Your Voice

Remember that teen classic Say Anything starring John Cusack and Ione Skye ? I don’t know about you but I must have watched that movie at least half a dozen times! I was obsessed with seeing people so moved by love that they could hardly control themselves. Singing is quite similar in how it demands you show up willing to be vulnerable.

Oftentimes when I speak to people wanting to explore their voices, they share that there has been a block on their part. Maybe they haven’t had the time or finances (real challenges that can make it difficult to commit to singing) but also they fear what others might think or say if they really let their voices ring out. Sometimes that ringing out isn’t just performing in front of others but it might actually mean standing up for something you strongly believe in. There is an equal sense of adrenaline and fear.

This is the reason that I believe in marrying vocal technique with mindset, and physical and emotional self-awareness. If you want to feel fulfilled and empowered when you step onstage or give a public presentation, then grab a copy of my latest book and schedule a free phone consultation so you can learn what ways I can support you on your voice journey.

4 Ways To Prep For A Show

Living music is back you all! So how are you preparing your instrument and your full to shine and move people? Very often when singers/sounders reach out to me one of their main concerns is getting support to prepare for a live performance or recording. So I thought I would share some tips for fine tuning your voice, body and mind in order to go onstage or in the studio.

1. Develop a solid vocal routine. Make sure you have a good, consistent vocal warmup so you can hit your high notes and low notes and smoothly execute anything in between. Having good technique allows you to fully focus on the meaning of the story and the emotion you want to convey.

2. Play your music A LOT. Play your set or material on your phone or stereo and play through it live. Whether you play an instrument, use a track or have a band, practice singing your music so much that your brain knows it even when you’re half asleep and delirious.  

3. Slow it down. I often recommend people practice a version of their song in a much slower tempo in order to work out where they’re going to breathe and to articulate each word to get the best clarity and resonance from your voice.  

4. Dance to the music. As Sly said, dancing is where it’s at. I don’t fully trust a musician who doesn’t dance. Moving to the music is integral to our human experience and if you’re feeling or appearing stiff, practice dancing to your songs to release your breath and to unearth your onstage movement persona.

5. Visualize how you want to feel. Similar to playing through your set often, visualizing your performance is something that can truly help a performance day have that extra pop or feeling of everything falling into its right place. Take time in the weeks leading up to a performance or recording to fully see things play out as you would like. See and feel everything from your self-confidence to your clothing and your connection to the audience. 

If you want more help working through any of these points or maybe an additional one, please reach out to learn about my 3 month program for women/non-binary folks. Building a voice routine can feel super empowering both on and offstage.

Does Anyone Really Like The Sound of Their Voice?

Years ago I was working with a student who wanted to free her voice and connect with it from a place of ease. She was a professional dancer and had always struggled with the sound of her voice. Of course this made singing even more challenging because whenever she opened her mouth to speak a part of her contracted or pulled back because there it was again, that sound. I knew right away when this person joined one of my programs that I wanted to give her a positive and new experience of her voice. My main thought was “it’s got to be playful and it’s got to be easy”. 

So I went along as I often do in first lessons and in the first several months of working with a student. I introduced her to vocal warm ups focused on releasing the voice. And I often broke the patterns down into even simpler exercises because she was new to singing. However, despite being new to voice lessons this student had a great ear for copying the sounds I made. After a few warmups her voice would start to glide and follow mine with great skill. It was still a bit harder for her to capture this smoothness when speaking but over time it didn’t distract her as much.

Then one day  I invited her to enjoy the sound of her voice, to enjoy the feeling of singing. She looked at me like I was a little crazy. Pleasure and the voice had been two entities that never overlapped but I put it in the context of connecting to her body. As a dancer and mover, she was accustomed to the pleasure of listening to her own body through movement and even stillness. So we began the same kind of witnessing while singing.

Low and behold she started to focus less and less on how her voice sounded and more and more on the release of breath and the joy of singing! Are you yearning for a simple and pleasurable experience of your voice? Email here to find out about my 3 month group program. 

How To Have A Vocal Breakthrough

So often people want a breakthrough with their voice to get over it sounding thin, or raspy, or too quiet, or not feeling authentic. But in order to get to your dream voice, you need to sit in the parts of your voice that often make you feel most vulnerable, scared, and or even embarrassed. Many people would love to learn to belt out their favorite song and touch others deeply while feeling deeply connected to themselves in the process. But in order to reveal yourself through music, you have to literally reveal yourself in your training and know that it’s okay if it’s not always “pretty”.

Here's the thing: in order to have that kind of magical breakthrough in singing, you actually need to show up and show up and show up. Part of the magic comes from your consistent commitment. It doesn’t have to be hours everyday, it can even be minutes. But this isn’t like a tik tok video or movie montage scene where everything comes together in less than a minute.  Many people lose their ability to focus during their vocal practice (I used to be like this) because they may sound off in the beginning and negative feelings can come up. If they don’t have additional support like a mentor, teacher, coach, therapist, like minded community or all of the above, then they’re likely to stop practicing and therefore have mixed results.  

I want you to get the artistic results you’ve been dreaming of! Part of my mission as a voice and movement teacher is to create spaces for singers/sounders to stay true to their artistic goals and also see them blossom. So if you’re wanting a positive process with positive results in your voice and overall confidence, then I suggest choosing a space or program where you can regularly show up even when it seems that your voice has a mind of its own. Joining my 3 month program is a great way to prioritize your voice and its deep connection to you so that you can fully express yourself while staying grounded and confident. To find out more about vocal breakthroughs, email here.

Healing Through Music

What is it about singing that can create so much fear and also so much satisfaction?

Last weekend a colleague and I helped prepare several upperclassmen at the Clive Davis Institute at NYU for their end of the semester performance. These singer/songwriter/producers rocked it and yet throughout the Fall they went through many hills and valleys of uncertainty to put themselves fully out there. For many people that I speak to, their longing to sing is deeply related to a desire to heal their connection to their voice as well as the power which their voice holds.

I can wholeheartedly relate. For years I struggled off and on with voice loss and it was an ongoing heartbreaking and fear inducing situation until I started training in Somatic Voicework, the LoVetri Method. 

The great thing about music is that it’s an incredible way to heal while also just having fun (that is if you center fun in your practice). Even for the highly successful and in demand musicians that I know, making music is as much about joy and liberation as it is about paying the bills.

If you’re wanting to start connecting more deeply to the power of your voice, one way to begin is to sing something that you 100% resonate with. Whether it’s a favorite album from your childhood, a spiritual song and or chant, improvising in the shower or writing your own composition, this will inevitably open your heart. (This is one of the reasons I love singing my original music). Another crucial tool is having a simple and effective vocal warm up to regularly free your voice and any constriction affecting your vocal range or life. 

If you’re wanting a fun and easy way to heal through music or just a way to have fun and ease singing, consider joining The Embodied Voice Starter Kit. I know for myself as well as others it can be extremely fulfilling to make an official commitment to an area in your life which you want to prioritize. Hoping to hear from you soon!

How To Unlock Your Sonic Color Palette

Every couple of years I get more insight into why I became infatuated with vocal technique. In the beginning it was the final relief and confidence that singing freer and without strain gave me. My original music and covers became SO much easier! I wasn’t worn out at the end of a night of performing and if I was, I knew what to do as a “cool down” to bring my voice back to “neutral”. As a result I became even more passionate about making music but also how the music making process could be easier for other singers and instrumentalists alike. 

In recent years I’m more and more taken with the array of sounds one can create with their own voice. I realize that this infatuation and pursuit of various vocal sounds has always been my true north ever since I was little. Unfortunately, I think that sometimes people limit their potential in this capacity because of the genre they may sing in or maybe because they might have labeled themself (or been labeled) a particular voice/type. This tends to feel like singing has a finality to it, like one’s voice is stagnant when it’s not.  

If you ask me, vocal technique, singing and improvisation are incredible tools to help you discover and expand your sonic palette. And why does that matter? It matters because the timbres, or colors, in your voice tell a story and that is in great part what singing is about. Whether you’re telling an abstract or non-linear story or a more direct narrative, storytelling and the human experience resonate and captivate humans and even animals:)

So how do you discover your sonic color palette? By building a consistent vocal routine that includes vocal technique, exploratory singing (or improvisation) and also regular music making (whether that’s performing with a group or recording or just singing in your own living room). You can build a wide sonic color palette and vocal routine through my Embodied Artist Group Program starting next January 2024. To schedule a free phone consultation, email here.

How To Finish What You Started

Do you ever get tired of your creative projects? Like you start composing music for a new album and after three songs you feel like you’re repeating yourself or you wonder if anyone will like what you’re doing. I know from personal experience that often the start of an artistic project is just sooooo much more alluring than sticking with it and actually finishing. 

It’s been so heart warming to receive the messages of encouragement from friends, family and colleagues for writing and releasing my first book. I sometimes have to remind myself that it’s real because life moves on after you hit a finish line. 

One of my biggest achievements recently (besides my daughter rocking it at college) was not just writing on a book, it was letting myself finish it! Can I get a head nod and a “uh-huh”? Because perfectionism seethes through this culture (and many peoples’ minds) including my own. But when I started writing my book I specifically told myself this would be the main creative focus of my life for the next few years until I finished. 

I can’t tell you how hard that was for me you all!! I’m a person who gets lots of ideas. I had ideas for screenplays, art installations, new bodies of music and I so wanted to carry them out but I knew I would feel so let down  if I didn’t actually complete this particular thing which has meant so much to me. I knew that I would make myself proud if I could keep on keeping on until the end.

So how about you? Do you have a music project that you’re desperately wanting to finish? Have you been trying to improve your singing to record/complete an EP or full album yet you keep starting and stopping ? Well that’s okay. I created The Embodied Artist Group Program because I know how easy it is to get distracted with daily responsibilities, passion for life and art and also bogged down by some fear as well. It’s easy to become disenchanted with continuing.

However, I discovered one of the secret pills for finishing. Being part of a group!! One of the most valuable pieces that helped me complete my book was joining a writing group to support me along the way. Even if you’re incredibly disciplined on your own, being a part of a like minded, safe and encouraging community can help with other blocks that may come up such as fear of promoting yourself and your music for example. So email here to find out about The Embodied Artist Group Program. 

The beauty of completing one creative project is that you get to carry on with others. So now that my book is done I feel very happy releasing myself to play in other creative pastures. The main one being making music:) If you haven’t already, make sure to save the date for my show on Sunday, November 19th at Rizzoli’s Bookstore. Until then see you in person or online!

Music As Prayer, Music As An Offering

It is said that playing music is like praying twice. Add that music has the potential to double the power of envisioning. Every musician should be playing for peace at this point in the world”

-John Shannon, guitarist/composer

Sometimes the noise of social media, the news, relationships, and financial obligations, can be overwhelming. Sometimes the struggles of day to day life can make it difficult to remember the healing power of music and art. Even with the best of intentions as a teacher and performer the muck of living can be distracting from what’s really important  - why we choose creativity

For whatever reason my parents didn’t raise me with any specific religion. We didn’t go to church or temple or say grace before each meal. We celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas and birthdays, and my mom was an enthusiast for all spiritual gatherings and religious traditions. A chance to gather, break bread, sing, pray in any form was universal to her. It didn’t belong to one group or text. 

The main thing that was emphasized in my home growing up was creative expression of all kinds. Dancing in the morning, singing in the afternoon, listening to salsa in my dad’s pale yellow Ford as we rode over the Manhattan Bridge to school. Even in their 70s my parents continue to look for creative outlets and something new to learn that lights them up.

And light is crucial in this time of political/darkness. This last week and a half the news reports have grown only more horrific than the past months. I know family and close friends who are battling challenging court cases, add to that war, earthquakes, flooding and the day to day challenges of life, and it’s really not easy to sort out why anything matters. 

However, this is when I’m reminded of the energy of music and what it does for a person and a community. Even when I watch a fictionalized funeral in a tv show and a person gets up to play a song at the piano, I feel how music helps us articulate pain and connection. Being a performer and also mentoring and teaching other performers I regularly see how music enables people to communicate things they might not have otherwise been able to because of differing opinions, language barriers or just the inability to express complicated emotions. 

Next month on November 19th at 5pm I’m going to be sharing a bunch of songs at Rizzoli’s Bookstore in Manhattan. Some old and some new works inspired by my book. I hope that you will come out to support music that is alive, living and breathing and to also join minds and hearts to envision something better for this planet and humanity.

Why You Need To Prepare For “The Haters”

Have you ever watched a star athlete perform on tv or in an arena as the crowd booed incessantly? Ever wondered what your threshold for being disliked is? Most of us aren't performing in massive arenas but many people (between the ages of say 13 and 60) spend a fair amount of time on social media these days accumulating likes for their various interests and accomplishments - from graduations to awards to lunches with friends. Although it's nice to imagine that this isn’t affecting us, it’s been scientifically proven that each time we see an additional like, it boosts dopamine, that addictive happy chemical, in our brain and body. And that’s just social media. We’re not even talking about in-person likes. So what’s your stamina for “the haters” like?

I don’t know about you but I generally don’t enjoy or look forward to other people disliking me. However, I recently watched a film that made me re-consider one’s tolerance for outside criticism in relation to artistic success.

When I was a child admiring my favorite music artists it never occurred to me that they were enduring a large amount of negative onlookers along with their swooning fans. But the truth is if you want to be seen and heard, then you’re going to attract more like-minded audience members as well as folks who don’t appreciate what you do. 

I spend so much time encouraging my students to give themselves a break because we all know that WE are usually our biggest critics, but there are outside critics as well. So it’s good to know that as you are growing an artistic project, that you may have a few trolls groaning under the bridge too. 

With the launch of my first book and stepping back into performing with a new vigor, I thought I’d share some of what’s been coming to me, so that neither of us get stopped on the creative journey. 

If you haven’t purchased a copy of Lost Found: Finding The Power In Your Voice, you can grab one here. And if you’re wanting support on YOUR voice journey, reach out to schedule a free phone consultation so we can discuss where you want your voice to take you next:)

Happy Travels!

Flowing Into Fall

Ready or not, it’s Fall. Ahhhhh! Anyone else feeling some hints of summer longing, dread or even a little fear as we head into this new season? Fall can be soooo beautiful, especially on the East Coast, but it’s often the part of the year that also feels like we’re white water rafting for the first time every time. Not that I’ve ever been but the speed, rises, dips and sharp turns make it seem relatable. 

After quite a FULL summer, I’m refocusing on how to slide into Fall. Remember Baloo from the Jungle Book riding on his back down the river? That’s what I’m looking for. Anyone else interested?

Last week I taught my second to last Embodied Artist voice, movement and writing workshop where we centered on flowing into Fall. We explored what kinds of messages one’s deeper self could offer to make the beginning to this season feel a little smoother, aligned, easeful, creative and perhaps abundant 

Well, one thing I can usually count on for opening my creative energy and shaking out the overwhelm, underwhelm and or stress is to sing. So I’m starting this season with several offerings where you can indulge your senses in the joy and pleasure of music. This coming week I’ll be singing at the opening for my husband, Nikolai Moderbacher’s, latest sculpture exhibit. It’s only two days long and I’m performing two  sets this Thursday, September 7th at 7p and 8p. For more details check here. For those of you wanting to get your sing-on, I will be offering my first LIVE and IN PERSON Vocal Gym session at the same location of 386 First Street between 6th and 7th Avenues in Brooklyn. I hope to see you at one of these Fall festivities!

The Top 8 Ways My Mind Makes Music The Monster

Sometimes my worries can transform music from a healing, empowering force into a bit of a monster exaggerating many of the fears I wish I still didn’t have. But I’ve worked with enough people and know enough artists to hear them say the same. These are some of the ways my mind can blow things slightly out of proportion.

1. Over Preparing

I know, I’m feeling stressed when I start over checking my work, or creating multiple upon multiple back-up plans. Preparation is great but so is remembering the intention and experience you want to create as an artist/musician.

2. Trouble Turning Off 

Sometimes inspiration strikes and I want to follow, but other times I can’t turn-off and it’s because I just don’t feel there’s ever going to be enough time in the day. That’s when I know I need to have a talk with myself and say “self, thank you but it’s time for you to take a back seat”

3. Forgetting To Eat

As much as my friends and family like to joke about my commitment to carrying food with me wherever I go, I had to learn to do that because of my tendency to overly focus on work and forget to eat. Now I recognize maintaining my energy enhances my focus and ability to create more impactful work. 

4. Forgetting To Step Away 

You know that feeling when you know you’re not making great creative decisions anymore but you just won't step away from the computer/piano/etc? I think this comes back to that fear that there isn't enough time. The irony is I always feel such a sense of relief and shift in my perspective if I go outside and take a walk or dance break or something unrelated for a little while. 

5. Skipping Time With Friends

If I don’t manage my time well, I can easily get too drained to even want to spend time with friends. And while I know I have to honor time alone (because I need it to refuel my energy), I also need community to fill up and feel right again. Scheduling time with family/friends is a good way for me to prioritize self-care in how I plan my work week. 

6. Beating Myself Up For Not Being “farther along”

This is a big one! I hear it from my students and I know the trappings of my own thinking as well. It’s really easy to fall down the rabbit hole of “I’m behind and everyone else is getting things accomplished but me”. The truth is art takes time and honoring your own pace is one of the biggest components to being a thriving artist. 

7.  “Everything Needs To Be Better!”

I have a vivid imagination and very often my mind gets a spool of ideas that I am left trying to sort out. Once I select something to focus on however, my imagination can often go wild thinking of bigger and bigger things to do, leaving little old human me to put more and more pressure on myself to “make it happen”. This is where breathing and breaking down my goals into smaller steps is crucial.

8. “I’m Not Good Enough For This”

I’ve gotten over the initial big hill of this self critical idea but it still pops up from time to time and that’s when I often remind myself of what I regularly say to my students. The reason you are questioning yourself is because you care for music that much. In fact it’s a sign of love and respect for music, so why not start again with the intention to share your love for music through music? This always feels so much better and genuine.

So let me know if you can relate to any of these dementor-type thoughts. If you’re looking for more reaffirming experiences around the challenges of art making and finding your artistic voice, check out a copy of my recent book Lost & Found:  Finding The Power In Your Voice. Hope to see you or hear you somewhere soon.

Why You Need To Do Something Unrehearsed

Do you ever just want to get out of your head and in the zone ?

One of the things that really inspired me to write a book was that it was new and unexpected…meaning I didn’t really have big expectations (especially in the beginning). Expectations can sometimes get in the way of the creative process. Writing was primarily a relaxing way for me to be in my creative flow.

I don’t know about you but as much as I LOVE music, there was a point where working as a bandleader and releasing original recordings while being a young mother pushed me to a point of burnout and perhaps near break down. My health started going awol and I could never get to the top of the hill or music mountain that I was aiming for. This made music amazing but also disappointing and depressing at the same time. 

As a result I started doubting what the heck I was good at. Because it was difficult balancing my time with family, touring and performing, I started pulling back on performing and that lack of visibility made me sort of doubt myself even more. (Ugh, damned if you do and damned if you don’t!)

So I have spent years and years cultivating practices and rituals that help me quiet the monsters of my mind and the habits that they would like me to take on. I’m not saying I’m perfect at this at all but there are a lot of things I’ve figured out that I WISH someone could have taught me when I first graduated from college and wanted to make a living as a professional artist. And just to clarify I’m not talking about being a struggling artist, I’m talking about being a thriving artist. If you’re interested, I invite you to pick up a copy of my newest book Lost & Found: Finding The Power In Your Voice. I’d love it if you sent me a “belfie” ( a selfie of you/your book:) and or a comment about something that you enjoyed.

Hope to see or hear you soon!

Finding Your Artist Path

Did you ever have that feeling that you were in the wrong place or somewhere at the wrong time? Dr John has a great song and interpretation of this. I know I’m not alone but there have been so many points in my life when I felt something was off with where I was in my development as an artist. Back when I was in college I started to experience the beginning effects of being split in two (or even three) directions because I had interests in music and dance as well as writing. I eventually signed up to become a music major but it was after lots of trial and error. Still whenever I was in a music class some part of me felt like we ought to be moving and when I was in dance class, I thought we should be singing or playing more. I couldn’t understand why I was the only one who appeared to feel this way and why none of the teachers were doing anything to create a balance between the two. I didn’t realize it then but this was the beginning of my opening into voice and movement as its own discipline (which isn’t something I take credit for since music and dance have been practiced together in most traditions throughout the world).

Time and time again I am happily surprised at how advantageous movement can be in aiding singers to find their authentic voices. It’s also part of what propelled me to write my first book over the last few years. 

If you’re looking for some extra support along your artist path, make sure to take a look at my summer offerings. And I hope to see you on July 15th at the launch for my book Lost & Found: Finding The Power In Your Voice!

Music Spells for Self-Transformation

Be careful when you tell yourself a story 

It’s better not be not to tell yourself a lie

Life is full of wonder

There is glory

You don’t have to wait until you die

-”A Heart Is Not A Toy” by Abbey Lincoln

Whether I’m teaching or getting ready to perform I regularly like to call on the wisdom of Jazz vocalist/composer/musical ancestor Abbey Lincoln. There are so many lyrics one could quote from her catalog to use as a remedy, or antidote, for what you’re going through in life. Like the lyrics from “Throw It Away”

 “Keep your hands white open 

let the sun shine through 

cause you can never lose a thing if it belongs to you” 

Lincoln’s special notes and fragrances are like those your wild, great aunt stored in a book of recipes for you to turn to when in need of answers or encouragement like nourishing stew or comforting cookies.  I’ve been wondering how Ms. Lincoln’s notes apply to the path of being an artist and the inevitable ups and downs, self doubt, desire and frustration that will arise. Whether you have a professional career with mainstream success or niche success or choose your art as a hobby just for yourself, personal barriers often show up along the way. 

So that’s where I turn to Abbey. Abbey sang “the music is the magic” and while it’s a short and simple statement, it’s still a profound truth. Musicians are magicians. That’s our superpower should we choose to use it. And often the cure to life’s ups and downs is in how we engage with the music both on and offstage. We mix potions and powders, we whisper words and incantations while combining ingredients into sequencers, cymbals, microphones, nylon, steel, laptops and more. We write poetry that becomes the personal affirmations for hundreds if not thousands for decades. Just think of the list “Say it loud I’m Black and I’m proud!”, “One love, one heart let’s get together and feel alright”, “The creator has a master plan” and more. 

In a world of chaos, magic is most definitely needed. In a world of violence, where so many are starved for love, connection and purpose…where hopefully most of us want justice and joy for everyone, we need magic. 

The Porch Sessions are my latest aim at creating music magic. So if you are in need, our next offering will be on Wednesday, February 15th at 1pm live on IG. And if you know a great venue near you where you think The Porch Sessions would be a match, please send an email here.

Til the next time! Keep casting those music spells!

Art, Fear & The Power of Ancestry

I wonder how far back in time we would have to go to get to the point when humans first became fearful about making and sharing art. What event happened at that particular moment? It makes sense that any rite of passage would bring with it some level of anxiety or concern but art seems different. Since art hasn’t always functioned the same way in society, it’s hard to believe that our role as artists/artmakers and our interpretation of that role hasn’t also changed with it. Over time music, art, dance and theater has gone from a balm, a spiritual mobilizer, a means to mourn and celebrate to a commodity, a quick exchange often consumed as fast as food at a drive thru. 

Has it always been human nature to feel some sort of imposter syndrome, performance anxiety or pressure to be the best or did this arrive with colonialism, sexism, patriarchy and a move away from indigenous spiritual practices? I spend a lot of time thinking about art and fear, how it manifests, why and what to do with it.

Just yesterday I lead my monthly Embodied Artist workshop for women/nonbinary people. This workshop is something which I’ve been offering for the last 3 years and in special one off moments before the pandemic. Our theme this month was ancestry and how a connection to one's ancestors can help dissolve the myths, confusion and fear many people hold around authentic artistic expression.  Every time I teach an intro or full length workshop on this topic people are amazed at the insights and wisdom they receive from their personal and collective family stories. It’s the reason that I’m so convinced people ought to regularly review their unique stories time and time again.

If you’ve been struggling with self doubt and how to make an impact with your voice and art, then Tuning In is a great space to find like-minded community. I highly recommend this online artist support group! Need help with accountability, planning, breaking down steps to an artistic goal, carving out space just for you, finding time to practice? We got you! Same bat time, same bat place on Mondays at 11am EST. To find out more about how to make art your way and stay true to your values, reach out to us here.

How To Keep The Spark Alive…In Your Life

Do you ever wake up in the morning wanting to get right back under the covers? You swing your legs to sit up and notice the stiffness in your back or the fogginess in your mind. Then you stand and draaaag  yourself to your morning tea or coffee. As you run through the items on your to do list you realize, nothing excites about this day. Ok, maybe that’s just me. Lol! Hopefully you’re not feeling that way right now but if you are, there’s a way to revive yourself when life gets dreary. 

Everyone faces depressing, stressful, daunting and frustrating news, especially these last three years. Kids have had to learn how to go to school without social connection (one of their number one needs), adults have had to learn how to do everything from work to working out, from therapy to going to the doctor from home. People of all ages have been deprived of not only physical affection but emotional connection and we’re still facing threats of new challenges to how we thought life was supposed to be lived. So how do you bring the joy back to getting the dishes done and responding to those 10 emails in your inbox? Get creative!!

In my experience creativity and even more specifically rituals help draw the magic out of the everyday, mundane aspects of life. And in the West we often forget about the importance of magic as well as hard facts. For example one of the things that makes music so magical is the fact that we can’t see it or touch it. Music touches us but it is intangible and therefore has a kind of mystery to it. 

We all have lists of administrative tasks, domestic duties, practice sessions and various phone calls to tend to.  Some of these to-dos are fun and some are not. But you don’t want the general terms of being an adult to kill your creative spirit. 

What if you could bring the sparkle, or glimmer, back to life when you’re feeling low? Not for nothing but being inspired is good for your health! It’s good for your mind, your nervous system, relationships, not to mention your art and art making process and more. A lot of times when I find myself moving about without interest, I know it’s time to shake things up a bit. 

A Mini Ritual For Creating Magic In Your Day

1. Connect with an intention. You can set an intention, wish or gratitude before doing absolutely anything. From running errands to having a difficult conversation. Think of something you’re grateful for. Even the most benign things make me feel different in my body like “Thank you for such a relaxing shop at the grocery store” or “I’m so grateful for fresh water”.

2. Close your eyes and breathe thinking of your intention. This can take 1 minute or 30. It's up to you. It’s just a way to change your thinking and the way you’re experiencing life.

3. Light a candle or some type of scent you really like. Waking your senses is a way to shift your state of mind as well. Often when you’re working on autopilot, grumbling about the woes of life, you’re not as in touch with your sight, sound, smell, touch or taste. 

A ritual is a feeling of making things sacred to you. A next step can be finding a form of accountability from a group to a partner, coach, mentor or therapist. This month I am beginning another month of my Tuning In monthly artist support group for women/nonbinary folks who want to create with the awareness of what feels good for their bodies, minds and spirits. That way they don’t wind up steam rolling over themselves and their feelings (which never works) and then have to go back and redo what they did in order to find a sustainable way to work. Come join in this month to create more sparkle in your life and art:).

Finding Nourishment

Hey Everyone,

It’s Scorpio Season and today is my birthday!!  I don’t know about you but this semester started and I felt like I hit the ground running. Since then I’ve been trying to reassess my routines and find a normal pace again. So this month I’ve been thinking about how to recenter and nourish myself. Oftentimes this can be a combination of slowing down, finding sound and movement that energizes and supports me and going to see live art and performance (Follow my instagram to see what I’ve been going to lately)...

Whether you’re a teacher, artist, parent, caretaker, small business owner, or all of the above,  every so often we need a chance to refill our cup so that we can give to the people and projects we care about. Most of what I teach is built on this idea. In order to be truly successful and thriving artists, you need space and time, practices and community that will allow you to tend to your art, personal needs as well as relationships so you can give to your art while it simultaneously feeds you. Yes, you can actually make art in a way so that it doesn’t just take every ounce of your energy but instead so that it fortifies you. (This is definitely an art in and of itself:).

Teaching voice and movement programs helps me to give students a full picture of learning in this kind of surround/holistic sound way. Starting next January 2023 I will be offering a new round of my group program, the Embodied Artist Group Program for women/nonbinary people looking to strengthen their voices for singing and speaking while also building confidence in themselves. If this sounds like you, contact us so you can plant your artistic dreams and watch them grow!

Dancing With The Devil & Other Recipes For Courage

Dancing with the devil

I’m doing a slow grind

Dancing with the devil

Feels like I’m losing my mind

Oh I’m waist deep 

in the mud

I’m half asleep

Just because

-”Dancing With The Devil” 

from the upcoming hybrid memoir “Lost & Found” by Pyeng Threadgill

Do you ever have those thoughts when singing like “Ugh, I sound terrible!”, “Why does it sound like I have something stuck in my throat?”, “How long is it going to take before I really like the way sound?” It’s not easy building the inner resilience to withstand days and nights of refining your voice and singing. You’ve probably started the work to strengthen your voice but from time to time fall off of the wagon to your full self-expression. 

As often as self-doubt may arise (and can be disappointing and even depressing), sometimes there’s a little part of that hopeless feeling that just feels good. In the same way that it feels good to skip going to the gym and watch tv instead. Sometimes you just have to embrace the devil. In much the same way that many people throughout the US and abroad will be dressing up as alter egos this weekend for Halloween, there is something empowering and luscious about dancing with the devil. And by the devil I mean that split consciousness we all have. In African mythology the devil isn’t usually seen as an all or nothing entity. In African mythology the devil is often a trickster luring us towards temptation to often wake us up and or strengthen our inner resolve. 

In more recent years I have gone from trying to suppress all negative thoughts all the time to wondering “Is there some part of this that I actually secretly enjoy?”… because if there is, maybe they could serve me. For example when I surrender to the sound of my voice in the moment, I actually can connect more deeply with the music and my body. I also stop fighting what I still want to improve about my voice. Add a dose of movement and you have a secret remedy for performing.

So should you feel called to “dance with the devil,” or find more freedom through embracing your full voice, you might be interested in my upcoming voice and movement program entitled The Embodied Artist Program. Email to find out more!

The Art of Listening

One of the hardest things about learning how to sing, or just refining your skills to sing, is being able to withstand the sound of your voice when it’s not doing what you want. It’s easy to dip into vocal warm ups on youtube, one off classes, to sing along with your favorite artists as you shout at the top of your lungs in your apartment but it’s much harder to just be with you. The no frills and subtle thrills as you weather the storm of your own voice and the thoughts in your head.

I receive a lot of calls from prospective students wanting to return to singing, to put out their original music and play regular gigs. Most of them say how passionate they feel about singing and music in general and how much they would like to strengthen their voices to put their best music foot forward. But strengthening your voice takes two kinds of strength; one, physical strength (and flexibility) and two, mental strength. When I’m working with students on building their holistic vocal routines it’s often in the “mess” that people want to quit the exercise. However, this is exactly when the breakthroughs happen and quite quickly. 

I wish I had known this back when I was finding my way in college but my commitment to teaching voice and maintaining a regular voice practice stems in part from this realization. Vocalizing consistently with new awareness and new interest everyday has taught me how to listen to my inner voice and embrace my “outer voice”. I know you might be wanting to strengthen your voice too. You might be wanting to sing louder and higher, to captivate audiences, to sing your unique music and look and feel confident. Well, you can do that quite swiftly incorporating the art of listening. Listening to your body and not just your mind.  

Next week is the start of several offerings that I have created to support the strength of you as a singer and your creative spirit. I hope to see you somewhere soon!  

The Value of Make Believe

I think one of the best feelings of being a performing/artist (besides the connections made while creating work together) is when your efforts and skills are acknowledged. Being an artist (or creative person) can require giving loads of time to ideas that often go unseen, unheard and unnoticed making it tempting to walk away and leave projects unfinished. Drawing and composing sketches day after day you might wonder “Will this ever make it to the light of day?" or "Will anyone even show up when it’s done?” However, eventually with the right support and consistency you will have the opportunity to share those creative works that have meant so much to you. 

Years ago I got to be a headlining performer at the annual Charlie Parker Jazz Festival held in Tompkins Square Park with my own group. Even though I had played a number of international music festivals in Spain, France, Greece and elsewhere and toured throughout the country it was playing in my own backyard that truly revealed to me how far I had come on my artistic journey. Similarly, I couldn’t help but feel giddy and a bit taken last week when I got to see this recent Kate Spade campaign which I worked on earlier this year. I guess there’s something about coming home that always feels magical to me. This job in particular was also unique because I was asked to essentially “play” myself! How fitting for someone who teaches voice, movement and authentic expression.

This Fall I’m wondering how can I continue playing with all the things that I love to do. If you want some inspiration for your own play practice, come join me this Thursday when Elias Meister and I offer our first livestream lunchtime Porch Session.

And to see this photo and it’s accompanying video in person, just take a ride on the B/D/M/F train to Broadway Lafayette.

Hope to see you somewhere soon!