Total Voice
Express Your Truest Self
by Kate DeVore
Filed Under: Accent Modification, Dialects for Stage, Voice for Stage, Voiceover
I have developed a niche specialty within the world of dialect coaching, and that is helping British actors (or anyone interested) to sound authentically American.
Perhaps I am especially well-suited to this because my native dialect for the first few years of life was, in fact, English. My mom is English and I have a deep understanding of both British and American accents. So here are a few tips specifically for the Brits.
continue readingby Kate DeVore
Filed Under: Being Heard, Breath Support, Owning the Room, Powerful Speaking, Professional Speaking, Stage Fright, Voice for Stage, Voiceover
In the past week this topic has come up in two different contexts for clients. One example is what you might expect, a professional speaker who noticed that he could hear his breaths during a TED talk. The other, perhaps less obvious, is someone who has been doing a lot of job interviews and noticed that she can hear herself gasp for air when answering questions.
Different settings, same problem: tension causing audible inhales.
continue readingby Kate DeVore
Filed Under: Being Heard, Powerful Speaking, Professional Speaking, Vocal health, Voice for Stage, Voice Therapy
Clenching or grinding the teeth can be related to various physical problems, but I’m interested in it because it can mess with voice and speech! So let’s look at why we do it and, most importantly, how to stop.
continue readingby Kate DeVore
Filed Under: Being Heard, Owning the Room, Powerful Speaking, Professional Speaking, Vocal health, Vocal Injury, Voice for Stage
I’m frequently asked to help people sound more authoritative in the work place. The request may come from their own feelings about their speech, or from a supervisor who notes this as an area for improvement. Spoiler: lowering your pitch doesn’t help!
conitnue readingby Kate DeVore
Filed Under: Being Heard, Myth Busters, Owning the Room, Powerful Speaking, Professional Speaking, Voice for Stage
Clients often tell me they talk too fast. They either notice this themselves, or a supervisor gives them that feedback, or they observe people often ask them to repeat themselves. When we get into the details, though, their rate is often not the problem.
continue readingby Kate DeVore
Filed Under: Accent Modification, Dialects for Stage, Voice for Stage
We’ve all seen it. Accents that make you want to cringe (apologies to poor Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins for using him as an example here). But how amazing it is when we are completely fooled! How glorious to be engaged with a character and story that uses a dialect to enhance the experience. How do the Meryl Streeps of the world do it?
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