As Thanksgiving approaches this year, I am reminded of a thousand blessings that keep me in a state of gratitude. My list goes on forever …
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- Finding that creativity has no age limit
I’m finding the older I get, the braver I create. As I worked this year on Runaway Home the Musical –
and then RE-WORKED it, writing new songs to a revised story even after a successful NYC reading of the old one – I’m no longer scared that the last song I wrote would be my best. I’m grateful to learn there’s always more where that came from, and I can pass that lesson on to you
- Knowing that vocal damage can completely heal
- Discovering that brick walls are just turning points, and that with time, sadness passes.
Everything I’ve lost, every dead end in life I’ve hit, has taught me more than the good times. That doesn’t make up for the loneliness, fear and deep sadness that many, for various reasons, face this holiday season. All I can tell you is that from my experience, waste can turn into compost for your life, and for your value to others. Hold on… take the time to process what you need to, and reach for those who care and can help. They are out there, and you are not done yet!
- Not having grown up with auto tune
I had to learn precision technique and control the hard way… and now it helps me teach you!
- Conversations with other curious, caring vocal coaches
- Great voices and music creators
Without the inspiration of incredibly talented singers, writers and musicians, my voice would be just a collection of various noises. My singing and speaking are influenced by decades of other voices from multiple genres and eras of music.
- My vocal coach, Gerald Arthur
When I moved to Nashville, I found that Gerald was the coach for the top studio session singers I worked with. I got in to see him, and he fit me into one of his 8:30am 1/2 hour spots, which helped get singers ready for their 10am recording sessions. The first thing he told me was to stop ‘guarding’. Many of you have received that instruction from me; well that’s where it came from. Gerald not only helped me get my damaged voice back and then some, he also taught me how to teach. He showed me that the voice is a deep part of the psyche and that a vocal coach often becomes part-counselor or life coach. I can’t imagine teaching someone without loving and caring about them. Gerald gave me that blueprint. His passing left a big hole in the vocal coaching universe.
- The gift of insight and intuition.
I’m just not that smart. But I know that if we are open, useful wisdom is somehow channeled to all of us from the ultimate source of all wisdom. I’m so grateful to God for taking all I’ve done in my career, adding other illumination and creating in me the ability to teach voice. I had no idea how fulfilling it would be for me to help nurture other voices and be the wind at someone else’s back. Now it blows my mind.
- Every vocal student I’ve ever had
- My husband John and our son Peter
Our son Peter is our most precious legacy. As a photographer, craftsman, digital designer and musician is a creator in his own right, and helps me with all things technical. I can’t imagine life without either of them.
- Listeners
A good voice is said to have a ‘gift’. But If no one is there, how can a gift be given? Every once in awhile I still perform in front of listening audiences. I sometimes regale my family and friends with a song or two to get their reaction. Thank goodness people not only have voices but also ears! I’m so grateful for everyone who has ever come to one of my shows or presentations and I love to take my turn listening to your performances, too!
- Friendship, trust, inspiration, and support
My first question about how to sing something came from my fellow session singer/co-writer Carol Chase. She really sparked the idea in me to become a vocal coach. After a few years of teaching, I began creating my first Power, Path & Performance course at the request of producer/friend Dick McVey, who suggested that I record some vocal exercises for people. That was over 20 years ago. People like this have driven me to do things I’d never have otherwise done. Thank you!
- Pineapple juice
I had no idea when I poured a little can of pineapple juice into that 13 oz glass of water that it would go on to be my best recommendation for dry or irritated throats! I rarely leave home to sing without it. Oh… and coffee. Without my morning joe, my voice would still be staring at the alphabet rather than stringing it together into sentences:)
- The transpose button
- YOU
Have a blessed Thanksgiving…
And once more, thanks for being a part of this All Things Vocal village!
- Finding that creativity has no age limit
I’m finding the older I get, the braver I create. As I worked this year on Runaway Home the Musical –
and then RE-WORKED it, writing new songs to a revised story even after a successful NYC reading of the old one – I’m no longer scared that the last song I wrote would be my best. I’m grateful to learn there’s always more where that came from, and I can pass that lesson on to you
- Knowing that vocal damage can completely heal
- Discovering that brick walls are just turning points, and that with time, sadness passes.
Everything I’ve lost, every dead end in life I’ve hit, has taught me more than the good times. That doesn’t make up for the loneliness, fear and deep sadness that many, for various reasons, face this holiday season. All I can tell you is that from my experience, waste can turn into compost for your life, and for your value to others. Hold on… take the time to process what you need to, and reach for those who care and can help. They are out there, and you are not done yet!
- Not having grown up with auto tune
I had to learn precision technique and control the hard way… and now it helps me teach you!
- Conversations with other curious, caring vocal coaches
- Great voices and music creators
Without the inspiration of incredibly talented singers, writers and musicians, my voice would be just a collection of various noises. My singing and speaking are influenced by decades of other voices from multiple genres and eras of music.
- My vocal coach, Gerald Arthur
When I moved to Nashville, I found that Gerald was the coach for the top studio session singers I worked with. I got in to see him, and he fit me into one of his 8:30am 1/2 hour spots, which helped get singers ready for their 10am recording sessions. The first thing he told me was to stop ‘guarding’. Many of you have received that instruction from me; well that’s where it came from. Gerald not only helped me get my damaged voice back and then some, he also taught me how to teach. He showed me that the voice is a deep part of the psyche and that a vocal coach often becomes part-counselor or life coach. I can’t imagine teaching someone without loving and caring about them. Gerald gave me that blueprint. His passing left a big hole in the vocal coaching universe.
- The gift of insight and intuition.
I’m just not that smart. But I know that if we are open, useful wisdom is somehow channeled to all of us from the ultimate source of all wisdom. I’m so grateful to God for taking all I’ve done in my career, adding other illumination and creating in me the ability to teach voice. I had no idea how fulfilling it would be for me to help nurture other voices and be the wind at someone else’s back. Now it blows my mind.
- Every vocal student I’ve ever had
- My husband John and our son Peter
Our son Peter is our most precious legacy. As a photographer, craftsman, digital designer and musician is a creator in his own right, and helps me with all things technical. I can’t imagine life without either of them.
- Listeners
A good voice is said to have a ‘gift’. But If no one is there, how can a gift be given? Every once in awhile I still perform in front of listening audiences. I sometimes regale my family and friends with a song or two to get their reaction. Thank goodness people not only have voices but also ears! I’m so grateful for everyone who has ever come to one of my shows or presentations and I love to take my turn listening to your performances, too!
- Friendship, trust, inspiration, and support
My first question about how to sing something came from my fellow session singer/co-writer Carol Chase. She really sparked the idea in me to become a vocal coach. After a few years of teaching, I began creating my first Power, Path & Performance course at the request of producer/friend Dick McVey, who suggested that I record some vocal exercises for people. That was over 20 years ago. People like this have driven me to do things I’d never have otherwise done. Thank you!
- Pineapple juice
I had no idea when I poured a little can of pineapple juice into that 13 oz glass of water that it would go on to be my best recommendation for dry or irritated throats! I rarely leave home to sing without it. Oh… and coffee. Without my morning joe, my voice would still be staring at the alphabet rather than stringing it together into sentences:)
- The transpose button
- YOU
Have a blessed Thanksgiving…
And once more, thanks for being a part of this All Things Vocal village!
Thanks for being YOU, Judy!
I am so thankful for you Judy. I won a half hour lesson through your newsletter and that one lesson has absolutely transformed my singing and my confidence. I had a nagging cough when I would sing for years and it is virtually gone now with the techniques you shared with me. You are such a blessing and I look forward to learning much more from you. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Bless you, Dwight… it was such a pleasure to work with you and your feedback on the results of the lesson really made my day!!! Keep singing, always… and keep in touch!
Pete… you have enabled me to be a better teacher. Thank you for making those HearFones!!!
Judy, I studied with Gerald for almost a year a very long time ago. Sadly all our lessons were on cassette. I am thrilled to have found you. Am going to watch some of your videos and hopefully regain the voice I had with Gerald. I would drive up from Alabama for an 8:00 am class❤️
Oh wow, Jilda, yes, Gerald was more than worth it! Most of the top session singers went to him. My lessons were at 8:30, and I was rarely on time:) But, yes, please let me know how you do with my videos, and also, fyi, I'm coming out with a whole series of video vocal courses later in 2022. You can always hit me up for a 1/2 hour lesson as well. Thanks so much for your comment; glad you experienced Gerald Arthur, too!
Why can't I take my singing to the next level.I don't practice but I do like my music and sing along. I have taken course on line but loose interest mainly because the instructor can't seem to get to the lessons without consent selling of themselves.