Kate's Voice

As humans, we are passionately driven to communicate. We want to be heard. We want to be understood. But to be heard above all the noise of our culture, you must have a voice that others will listen to. There has never been a better time to develop that voice. Resources for study and practice are abundant. Expertise is at an all time high and instead of taking on less importance as our technology advances, the human voice is more important than ever, adding warmth and humanity to a digital world. So if you are ready, make the commitment now. Find your voice in 2013 and use it. Here’s how:

Find it at home: Sing in the shower. Hum while you work. Practice your talks out loud in your living room. Above all, have more conversations that matter with your friends and family.

Find it at work: Volunteer to give more presentations…and make them good. Speak up in meetings. Take advantage of trainings that are offered on communication skills. Bring in a speaker for a brown bag lunch workshop on getting over stage fright. Have more conversations that matter with co-workers. Keep your intention aligned with your message and both with the sound of your voice.  Listen.

Find it with a coach: Perhaps this is the year to take a class in public speaking or singing,  take a workshop on communication,  OR maybe it’s the year to finally get a private coach.  Get recommendations for vocal coaches in your area and take some lessons with a few until you find the one that is right for you. Sign up for a course of study. Ask questions. Commit time to practice.  Do the work.

Find it in your community: Join Toastmasters. Join a community choir. Audition for a play or a musical. Be the voice for those who cannot speak on their own behalf. Speak out for a political or community cause. Join the speaker’s bureau at a local charity.

Find it online: Create a video and put it up on YouTube. Make comments on blogs and polls. Reach out to others of similar interest. Create a pod cast and share your expertise with others. And, of course, subscribe to Kate’sVoice and read it regularly for more voice tips and techniques!!

The sound of another voice and the touch of another hand are among life’s most precious offerings. In the end, connection with others is at the core of our desires. Creating clear communication takes consistent, focused attention and work, but it is work that will bring the greatest rewards that life has to offer. Make this the year that you find your voice and use it to connect with others, get more of what you want out of life, and make a difference for all of us. Happy New Year!

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It’s not a secret.  I am  a singer.  I have a Master’s Degree in applied voice and began teaching singing in graduate school, which was far too long ago (but it’s given me at least 10,000 hours doing it!!)   I have taken what I learned as a performer and vocalist, and applied it to my work with speakers.  It’s a little different approach from others who do this kind of work and it has been highly effective as well as  very interesting for me!

My professional singing career has spanned from classical to jazz, and I have  several recordings.  This holiday season, I am pleased to point you to my Holiday CD, a digital download (mp3).  The name of the album is Christmas Caravan.  Here is the title song (and the album cover):

It’s an eclectic mix…hence the name.  One reviewer said:

“Describing the ultimate product is a challenge. Several pieces are classic jazz (including the opening “Carol of the Bells,” “We Three Kings,” and a very funky “Little Drummer Boy”); other tunes have a strong new age aura, using ethereal synthesized sounds and vocal tones (“Shalom” and “A Thousand Candles”). One song is cleanly Celtic (“Gathering”) with some great fiddlin’; another sways with Caribbean influences (“Mary’s Little Boy Child”). Kate Peters demonstrates her Broadway musical singing chops on “Candle in the Snow.”

My favorite cut among the 12 tracks is the dramatic “Coventry Carol,” which has an orchestrated flavor similar to Mannheim Steamroller and carries through with excellent vocals. It’s a wonderful piece.

“Christmas Caravan” deserves high marks for creativity, dynamic multiculturalism, and musical virtuosity. It’s an impressive package.”

The producer was Doug Simao, and the other artists include Baba Elefante, bass, Ron Kobayashi, keyboards, and Steve Dixon on drums, with Rusty Gillette on percussion and Richard Cook on bagpipes.  Please check it out and let me know what you think.