Blog | Total Voice

How to be your own dialect coach

by Kate DeVore
Filed Under: Accent Modification, Dialects for Stage, Voice for Stage

It goes without saying that the easiest way to learn an accent or dialect is to work with a professional dialect coach. The second easiest is to purchase training materials from a reliable source (such as accenthelp.com, which I am affiliated with), created by professional coaches for you to use at home on your own.

If you’re not in a position to access those resources, you can still work up an accent on your own. Like anything else, this comes easier for some folks than it does for others! Here’s the 5-step breakdown:

Don’t let your mask stop you from being heard!

by Kate DeVore
Filed Under: Being Heard, Breath Support, Powerful Speaking, Professional Speaking

You have probably noticed it can be hard to understand what people are saying when they are wearing a mask. You might be asked to repeat yourself more often than you are used to. That’s because a mask muffles your speech, making it quieter and less clear.

Good news! There are some strategies to help!

Kick “stage fright” to the curb in 3 simple steps

by Kate DeVore
Filed Under: Being Heard, Owning the Room, Powerful Speaking, Professional Speaking, Stage Fright

Sweaty palms. Dry mouth. Tight throat, Shallow breathing. Pounding heart. Tense shoulders. Butterflies in the stomach.

Do you recognize any of these common elements of stage fright? Congratulations! You are a human!

Now that you have passed the emotional CAPTCHA test, let’s talk more about how these effects of stress and anxiety affect our performance, and what we can do about it.

Insider secrets for saving your voice on Zoom calls

by Kate DeVore
Filed Under: Being Heard, Breath Support, Professional Speaking

Don’t tell anyone, but voice coaches can have vocal problems too. I know — shocking! And long hours on Zoom meetings can take a toll on anyone.

Here is the inside scoop on how to keep your voice feeling and sounding great on video calls, in 5 easy steps.

Stop wrecking your voice!

by Kate DeVore
Filed Under: Vocal Injury, Voice Therapy

Does your voice give out on you? Or get hoarse or raspy? Achy, sore? Do you lose it after loud talking?

You might have, or be on your way to, a vocal injury. Let’s nip that in the bud!

“Talking from the diaphragm” is BS

by Kate DeVore
Filed Under: Breath Support, Myth Busters, Powerful Speaking

Have you ever heard that you should “talk from the diaphragm” or “breathe from the diaphragm” for a powerful voice?

Well, it’s bull hockey.