Zoom/Skype is working for me now. I have learned to keep my hands from reaching into the screen to adjust an alignment or to soften a tense jaw.

It seems strange but there is an especially nice  freedom/focus at being able to look at you with a sustained  intimacy that  isn’t threatening.  My voice work operates just as well  which has amazed me.   What’s more, it’s a nice challenge  for me  as an educator because I have to be super clear in my instructions to you.

Here’s an exercise for you The Wallow in Vibrations Experience…….. 1) Hum on a a long, indulgent “m” sound with your lips  gently closed.  Feel where the vibrations fall.  (You might like to touch your face lightly with your finger tips to increase the tactile nature of the sounds.)  2)Then….. without opening or moving  your lips, allow your lower jaw bone to drop just a little inside your mouth.  3)Keep humming and you will feel the vibrations more intensely. 4) Release your belly for breath to replace whenever you need to and  4)enjoy the sensation.

I KNOW THE SECRET

Well, I know the secret for me.   Decades and decades of coaching people to achieve their full human potential have distilled into this knowledge.  The voices that make me want to listen, the voices that make me fall in love with them, are those who have been trained to speak with a thrilling  but unobtrusive balance of vowels and consonants.   In a wide generalized statement I submit that Vowels play music to our listeners’ ears, while the consonants engage their intellect.  Together they communicate our human presence.  Listen to voices this week  – some people are speak with lots of oompah-oompah vowels heavy noises.  Others lean into speaking with very crisp and over-emphatic consonants.   What is your balance?

Do you like your voice?

If you don’t like your voice, then do something about it.  Your voice will be yearning to be free and expressive.  People who have to listen to you also will be yearning for you to sound “better”.  It’s not hard.  I’ve spent a life-time doing this work and while it is challenging, it’s very pleasant to do.  BTW, someone said they didn’t come to me because I look so fierce in my website image. Well, I am fierce but I’m very friendly to my clients.  Yawn, stretch the throat, yawn again. Keep your throat easy. Dianne

Finding a voice

I wanted to let you know that as a common theme for pretty much all of the students, they said that your sessions with them really helped them break through their barriers. They said your class was challenging but also the most rewarding and that they are all so grateful to you for pushing them and helping them let go of their insecurities, reach new emotional plateaus, and find their voice. (Nicola Scott from The Factory, Helensvale)

Break through the barriers

I wanted to let you know that ……………. the students, they said that your sessions with them really helped them break through their barriers. They said your classes were challenging but also the most rewarding and that they are all so grateful to you for pushing them and helping them let go of their insecurities, reach new emotional plateaus, and find their voice.

 

First Prize Winner!

Both presentations went extremely well however, and I won a prize for best presentation by an Honours student. Thanks very much for your help, your guidance was much appreciated. B.M. Faculty of Business. University of Queensland

 

A review from first year actor from a private school

I just wanted to say thank you for teaching us all the beautiful lessons not only in voice work and acting but also life. You truly are a beautiful soul and even though at times you are very hard core, it pays off for a good performance. You have helped me grow exponentially in the confidence within myself as a person and also my voice as an actor. Your harsh criticism is what makes you one of the best because we know we truly have someone who cares about us and our careers, helping and guiding us to be the better versions of ourselves. Thank you, thank you, thank you Dianne!
Much Love, Chelsea x

TEACH YOUR VOICE TO LAUGH HEALTHILY

TEN TIPS TO LAUGHING HAPPILY

An Actors Guide to Safe Stage Laughter

1. Rest and hydrate all through your run.

2. Warm up your voice before the show.

3. Maintain supported breath in an open chest, throat, and vowel space — the more relaxed your system, the less stress on it!

4. Gentle on the inhale — laughing is a breathing pattern, and the inhales can be short and sharp. If you can inhale through your nose, do so.

5. Start slow and low — give yourself somewhere to go.

6. Take breaks in the laughter — don’t “freight train” the work. Stop and sigh it out throughout. This also keeps the laughs natural.

7. Make sure the text is understood — this will put focus on the words and not the laughter, and help you treat the laughs lightly. The words matter more.

8. A little bit of hysterical laughing goes a long way — you don’t really need to sell it as hard as you think.

9. Reset with a sigh — a beautiful series of happy exhales of relief can “reset” the body, breath and ribs so you’re ready to move into the next moment.

10. Ramp up slowly — return to natural conversation with your breath supported, and your chest, throat and vowel space open and relaxed.