Total Voice
Express Your Truest Self
by Kate DeVore
Filed Under: Myth Busters, Owning the Room, Powerful Speaking, Professional Speaking, Voice for Stage
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 readingby Kate DeVore
Filed Under: Myth Busters, Singing, Vocal health, Vocal Injury, Voice Therapy
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 readingby Kate DeVore
Filed Under: Dialects for Stage, Myth Busters, Voice for Stage
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 readingby Kate DeVore
Filed Under: Myth Busters, Powerful Speaking, Professional Speaking, Vocal health, Vocal Injury, Voice for Stage, Voice Therapy
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 readingby Kate DeVore
Filed Under: Accent Modification, Being Heard, Myth Busters, Powerful Speaking, Professional Speaking
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:
continue readingby Kate DeVore
Filed Under: Myth Busters, Vocal health, Vocal Injury, Voice for Stage, Voice Therapy
When a pro athlete has a knee injury, fans don’t jump to the conclusion that they must have poor running technique. Yet when a professional singer gets a vocal cord injury, it’s a different matter. Let’s shed a little light about what a vocal injury does and doesn’t mean.
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