I just learned that I have made 50 posts on this page over the past few years. These posts cover everything from “diaphragmatic” breathing to allergies to vocal health/injuries to projection to learning accents to hoarseness to owning a room. In case you missed any, here’s a complete list:
continue readingWhy James Earl Jones’s voice was so great (and did you know he used to stutter?)
The legacy of James Earl Jones as an actor is tremendous, and he was universally beloved as a genuine mensch in real life. From Fences on Broadway to Roots on TV, from the iconic voices of Darth Vader and Mufasa on film to to the respected voice of CNN, one universal truth shone brightly:
That voice.
But what was it about that voice that made it s great? The answer might surprise you.
It’s not just about that deep resonance.
continue readingSingers: Your speaking voice is more important than you think
While I am not a singing teacher per se, I do help singers rehab vocal injuries and address technical issues. We often work on the speaking voice (as opposed to singing) most or all of the time. Here’s why.
continue readingA dialect coach prepares
I’m starting the research for my role as dialect coach in a large, new musical. I’m not allowed to post about the details yet, so will speak in general terms about my process as I get ready to meet with the cast.
continue readingReal notes to an actor who lost their voice
A peek behind the scenes! An actor in a play I am vocal coaching got very sick and therefore hoarse. They asked for suggestions, and I wanted to share them with you.
continue reading5 everyday words that make a foreign accent more (or less!) pronounced
One of the keys to sounding natural in any language is rhythm. Emphasis and stress are often at least as important as getting the correct speech sounds. The five common words below have special pronunciation rules that affect the whole rhythm of a sentence, and make a huge different in the way a speaker’s accent/speech is perceived. The words are:
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