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.

This week I am starting a weekly post to give you tips for maximum impact with your voice and in all your communication. If you would like to receive these weekly tips in your inbox, please send me a note via my contact form to be added to my list. We will not share your information.

Just do it!

Not to steal Nike’s tagline, but the next time you give a talk,  take time to inhale and exhale deeply just before you get up to speak.  Then, as you start to speak, breathe into your first words.  Do this every time you give a presentation. You’ll be more relaxed thus improving your credibility.

Breathe, breathe, breathe and breathe again.  Of course, breathing isn’t everything.  Talent, skill and your message are also important, but if you are short of breath, you’ll be hard pressed to demonstrate those wonderful talents and skills, and you’ll struggle to make your message come to life. And if that doesn’t work, call me. We’re taking new clients.

For more on this, please read Breathe Life Into Your Talk on my blog.

More resources for breathing:

Breathing: 3 Exercises  from Andrew Weil

Breathing, the Seductive Key to Unlocking Your Vocal Variety on Six Minutes

Breathing Techniques from the University of South Florida

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