Vocal Freedom Podcast

My guest this week is Pamela Bezzina, a Speech and Language Pathologist, Singer and Vocal Coach (Founder of Vocal Booth Studios) from the beautiful island of Malta.  Join us as we discuss her journey into the world of voice, helping others connect with their voices and how training and access to training has changed since we were younger.  Pamela continues to enjoy a heart-felt connection to music and expressing herself through her voice.  We also chat through her involvement with the Eurovision Song Contest as a performer, backing singer and vocal coach for many appearing artists as well as the valuable lessons she has learned from her experience so far.  Check show notes below for a walk-through and for relevant links. 0.00 Welcome and Introduction 1:45  Singing from very very young!  2:00 Stevie Wonder (I wish), Mariah Carey (I'll be there), Celine Dion (Think Twice) from age 6-7 3:15 Experimenting with my voice was fun! 4:00 Meeting my Classical voice teacher from Bulgaria, big voice at age 70! 5:00 Moving from being a performer 5:30 How did you get into the Eurovision content journey? 6:45 As a performer I am not really into competitions 8:30 Don’t let a competition result define your self-worth 9:15 The value of your experience, what is most important 10:30 I still look for teachers, it’s important to keep learning 10:45 Believe in yourself and love what you have! 11:30 The more you gain, the more obstacles sometimes 12:30 If you have this love in you (for music) nothing and no one can stop you from doing it. 13:10 I get lightbulb moments every week with my students 14:25 It feels like we do magic! It’s true! 14:50 A lightbulb for me was exploring the idea of ‘mix’ voice 16:20 Share your own strengths and weaknesses 16:35 Rehearsal riffs (Pamela breaks down Yebba Riff) 17:15 A singer should know their voice 17:45 Helping singers getting to know their voices 18:30 Taking responsibility for the care of your voice 19:15 Keeping a journal to monitor your vocal lifestyle 20:10 What we do (as coaches) can really make a difference 21:15 Trading lessons with different style voice teachers! 22:55 Who do you love to listen to? Bobby McFerrin (from me to you live) - Jacob Collier live - Tori Kelly (Coffee, live) - Alicia Keys (Underdog) Yebba (My Mind) 25:00 What does your voice mean to you? 25:00 Total vocal rest for 3 weeks 26:15 Realising I’m human as well! 27:25 Leighs mouldy voice story! 29:30 Everything we pass through, event worst times, are there for us to learn 30:50 Whats it like being Pamela singing on stage? 32:00 We are fragile artists, this is what I believe 32:45 Balancing the technique and heart in your expression 34:00 Whats coming up? 34:30 What I learned and explored during the pandemic 35:00 Vocal Troupes (Hold the line) directed by Pamela and Pamela singing live 36:30 I love singing and sharing music with others, this is the ultimate, the highest grade you can get!    If you like the episode please consider leaving us a review on our Facebook page Thank you for listening!   

This week I am joined by Singing Teacher, Dance Facilitator and Researcher Elizabeth Drwal who is based in gorgeous Ireland.  It was a joy to hear how it all started around Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers! I used to watch those old movies with my lovely Mum when I was a little girl too! All the links shared here are in essence educational and could benefit you or someone else you know who uses their voice (or is aiming to become a voice professional), or who has any health issues with their voice.  Please help by sharing anything you find useful x Show notes and links (timings are approx) 0:00 Intro and welcome Elizabeth's Website (about) 1:30 How would you describe the journey with your voice? 2:30 Packed off to Music School in Coventry 3:00 Vocal Suppression led me to run away to the theatre! 4.00 Classical arias didn’t really help me find my soul 5:00 The difference between strict traditional approach and more playful expression 5:36 Finding the love of singing English Art Song 6:40 What’s in your ear helps. 7:00 Next steps in the journey, voice coaching for actors. 8:10 The Golden Age of Musical Theatre! 9:15 The use of imagery and using visualisation and imagination 13:00 "I wanted to walk down the avenue with my cane and top hat!" 13:55 "I remember President Kennedy’s assassination and how it upset the TV Schedule!" 14:45 What singers you love and who could you never tire of listening to? 15:07 The Story of Marni Nixon (short). Plus Shall we Dance from the King and I 16:40 Feeling robbed at The Greatest Showman 17:10 Les Mis movie, do we feel robbed there? 18:10 What do you know now you wish you had learned sooner? 18:55 "Your breath and your body are so connected" 19:16 A little Reset & Manifest course feedback 20:50 "The importance of really taking time to really let go" 21:35 Working our teaching magic! 22:39 Teachers can be so empathetic 23:20 Becoming a more reflexive teacher 23:50 "Lesson plans can be debilitating to some degree!" 24:30 What do you find most valuable in caring for your voice? 25:00 Related: Dr Vox Products for Vocal Rehabilitation and Health and Dr Vox Product Video Shorts  26:15 Shocking statement about an old teacher!  27:20 "A lot to be said for mindful, caring empathetic teaching" 28:15 "What I didn’t know back in the day..." 29:45 "We all development at different stages and we have to let go of comparing" 30:15 What does your voice mean to you? 30:30 "I wanted to speak with Received Pronunciation"  31:50 I’m beginning to enjoy singing for myself! 32:00 Petula Clark singing Downtown (in an interesting jacket? is that PVC?) 33:00 The songs from Heartbeat, from my childhood, "more innocent times" (in the charts) 34:45 "I am much more open to listening to contemporary music now" 35:45 "Synchronicity of movement and sound is so beautiful" 37:00 "Actors are so open I found it so liberating working with them!" 38:00 Passing on our excitement to our students! 38:42 What is Vocal Freedom to you? 39:45 Just Singing and not being bothered!   40:35 Workshop story and what cropped up the next morning 41:10 The Mental Post-It note tit-bit 41:50 It works! I shut that voice straight up!  42:30 Farewells and do come back soon!  To learn more and join our growing community of voice and wellbeing practitioners and supporters of the podcast visit our home page or facebook page for  episode updates and useful shares. To communicate with me regarding the podcast or any of the vocal freedom coaching services please email me directly at [email protected] Leigh xx

My guest this week is Singing & Music Theory Specialist and Music Consultant Joanna Wilson.    Joanna started her musical career playing violin as a child and was fortunate to tour with Manchester Youth Orchestra before moving to London to start her professional training at 18.  As you’ll discover, Joanna had to move on from the Violin and it is here she moved into her singing training, from which she went on to work as a professional Opera Singer, living the 8-shows-as-week lifestyle, before branching into teaching others from 2009.  It has not always been easy to manage but I find it helpful to hear about the struggles as well as the successes and note the value in all we experience.  Even the toughest of times, that might have felt heart-breaking at the time, can steer us onto our true path and become a valuable part of our story.   Approx times 00:00 - 1.25. Introduction to Joanna and her background 1:25 - How would you describe the journey with your voice? 2:25 - Music gave me opportunities and this early start fuelled the passion 2:50 - Moving to London at 18! Feeling like a small fish in a very big sea! 3.50 - Amazing teacher Elizabeth (Libby) Hawes and how singing allowed me to stay a musician 6:25 - Winning the leavers prize the Singing Faculty Award. 8:00 - Life took over for a bit then professional work followed 8:35 - Living my best life - costumes, make up, wigs! 9:00 - The stress of trying to generate the next job 10:20 - Becoming a Creative Arts teacher with young children 10:45 - Teaching became my day job “Miss Joanna’s Music Box” 11:45 - Working with a rapper! 12:45 - Underpinning with solid technique, starts with the breath 14:00 - Singing is everything to me! My Voice is my job! 14:25 - Special memories from touring in Italy 17:14 - Realising I want to stand up there in front of the Orchestra 18:15 -Visit Gallery on Joanna's website to see some lovely costumes! 18:26 - Is there anything you know now you wish you had known sooner? 18:35 - Personal growth and how it has helped 20:45 - The inner critic verses the inner coach 21:55 - Deepak Chopra 21 day challenge 22:15 - Holistic approach to improving lifestyle and noticing old programming that holds us back 23:00 - Ambitious as a child and early manifestations! 25:00 - Music elevated me out, I was able to mix in a whole new way 26:45 - Musical instruments in schools these days? 27:15 - Expression and Music with young children 29:00 - Instilling a love of music and how it brings a rounded education 30:55 - Your body is your instrument 32:00 - When you do what you love it doesn’t feel like work! 32:55 - What voices inspire you? Ella Fitzgerald, Barbra Streisand, Billie Holliday, Sarah Vaughan, Glenn Mller Orchestra Elvis Presley, Bill haley and the comets 34:00 - When I saw Ella Fitzgerald headlining at the Royal Albert Hall! Barbra Streisand Donna Summer - No More Tears 36:00 - The journey into Opera 37:55 - The best voice ever - this is the one - my true love - Jessye Norman 41:30 - What does your voice mean to you? 42:20 - People pleasing and how life can send us turns in the road we weren’t expecting 43:55 - I’m so much better at saying No! 44:30 - We just want to give give give but we have to remember to keep ourselves healthy first 46:00 - Choice of song is so important, building rep based on what you relate to 49:25 - All about Joanna’s services 52:00 - Adapting and creating through adversity Stay informed as we add new episodes by joining our email list at www.colchestervoiceacademy.com/podcast Join our Facebook group to see posts related to Vocal Freedom! 

My guest this week is voice and piano teacher and choral director Sarah Burston, who I invited onto the podcast to ask about her journey into music and to discover more about the world of beautiful, traditional choral singing.  Sarah directs many young voice choral groups at the Royal College of Music (Junior Dept) and leads the choristers at Peterborough Cathedral as well as teaching in schools and having Assistant MD roles in several choral societies.  I have to confess, although I am not experienced singing it myself, I completely appreciate the beauty of this music and love listening to it, especially live in a church or cathedral.   The acoustics seem to allow the harmonics of the singers to do magic in the space and the feeling this arouses is peaceful and heavenly. I enjoyed chatting with Sarah about her ideas for developing a special sight reading app for singers and about her research for her MA in Professional Practice in Vocal Pedagogy.   Watch this space as we will definitely be speaking with Sarah about this more in the future!  Links and notes below.  Happy Friday Peeps! 0:00 - 1.55 - Introduction about Sarah and welcome! 1:55 - How would you describe the journey with your voice? 3:00 - Appreciating the beautiful acoustics of cathedral and church choirs 4:20 - A swift last minute change of direction for Uni 6:00 - How Sarah started conducting choirs 7:00 - Scary time for Peri singing teachers when work stopped March 2020 8:45 - What inspired the development of your sight-singing teaching? 10:30 - The importance of sight-singing skills 12:50 - Is there anything you know now, you wish you had learned sooner? 13:30  - How much we can do with the voice 16:00 - Lifestyle choice and the dedication needed by choristers and how Music allows us to express ourselves and connect with others 17:40 - Would you ever say ‘you can’t join the choir?’ 18:45 - Isn’t it exhausting teaching groups of children? 20:20 - lightbulb moment, the upside of lockdown! Online learning! 21:00 - Has all this lockdown time 'not singing' locked down the kids' voices? 25:00 - Using my voice to share my passion! 27:00 - Snakes and Ladders style 29:00 - Whose voices inspire you? Goosebump music? 30:25 - Bring Us, O Lord God - William Harris - Beautiful Voices - click to listen 31:25 - The feeling is palpable! 32:00  - Group cohesion, sharing the love of music 35:50 - Most ‘Unexpected Song’? 36:40 - The Influential teacher who helped Sarah shift to her Music Degree 38:00 - We will keep you all posted about the app! To contact Sarah, please visit her website.   To keep informed about future episodes as they are released, join the Vocal Freedom podcast community list here.    

My guest this week is Singer, Entertainer and Reiki Master Ian Geast, who I have to share is one of my very favourite human beings.  Ian has been an entertainer for many decades.  He’s what I would call an all rounder because he can do his magic anywhere, clubs, bars, private parties, restaurants, festivals, corporate events etc and he communicates creatively in the swing/crooner style.   Ian loves his 50’s, 60’s, 70’s music, some country music and he performs a tribute to the music of Cliff Richard.   Today we cover a variety of topics around voice, what it is to sing and entertain others and how we can enjoy being in the moment together.  Ian has a wonderful view of life and helping others see things from different perspectives to help nurture love and a positive mindset, so you too can believe you CAN achieve whatever you want to.   Raise your vibrations and you can change the outcome of your day.   0.00 - Intro 1.22 - Is this the start of a series of Ian episodes? 1.40 - Working one to one 2.12 - Learning from our mistakes 4.20 - Life is like a see-saw 4.40 - How we met and learning about Reiki 5.15 - Is being an entertainer a need to be loved? 6.00 - First taste for the stage and connecting with an audience 8.20 - The Ink-spots and other influences 11.00 - Ian about singing lessons 13.00 - Ian about his Reiki experience 16.25 - Ego can get in the way 16:55 - My kinesiology experience and Ian's view 20.30 - Sometimes we are not ready... 21.30 - You have to let go... 23.00 - Growing Resilience through 'bad' experiences 23.45 - How Ian met his wife at a gig 28.00  - The diary is starting to fill up again! 28.40 - What is Vocal Freedom to Ian and the T-Junction analogy 31.00 - Come back to yourself first 33.00 - Why concern ourselves with material things? 35.00 - Spinning lots of plates 37.25 - Having a positive mindset and not battling trying to swim upstream 39.20 - What does your voice mean to you? Ian’s nodules story 45.00 - The minute you’re gone song 47.20 - Leave your ego in the wings 49.40 - PERFORM the performance 52.00 - Fun stage story and ice breaker tips for nerves

My guest this week is Clinical Voice Disorder Expert, Speech and Language Therapist Sue Jones, who I am thrilled to connect with at a pivotal moment in her life as only last month, after enjoying a very fulfilling career, she has now fully retired after a whopping 38 years service at Wythenshawe Hospital.  Throughout her career, Sue has been instrumental in developing voice clinic services, as well as developing standards of competency at all professional levels - from student to expert practitioner.  She is used to leading teams of voice specialists who perform, interpret and teach laryngeal endoscopy - otherwise known as taking a good look inside people’s throats with specialist cameras and equipment, to assist with understanding and diagnosing a whole variety of speech, voice and swallowing disorders.  Sue has lectured nationally and internationally and has been an integral cog in bridging the divide between the ENT, the SLT, the voice teacher and patient which has led to the gradual development of more multi-disciplinary voice clinics, suitable for voice professionals as well as others. Times and Topics 0:00 -  Introduction and welcome 2:20 - Loving retirement so far and what’s next 3:35 - Reflecting back how much has changed 4:00 - The beginning of the journey 6:15 - More voice clinics and early laryngeal examinations 8:00 - Sue’s musical background 10:45 - How voice disorders can affect your emotions 12:20 - How habits can be damaging 13:20 - Managing the professional singer through voice recovery 15:45 - How things developed into the multi-disciplinary voice clinic 17:30 - What music do you love and connect with? Carrie Underwood - Don't forget to remember me ABBA - Waterloo Ultravox - Vienna Rhiannon Giddons with Francesco Turrisi - Met Live 19:00 - Sue on ‘not feeling your age’ 19:30 - Occupational Hazard and Perceptual Studies 21:00 - What is most valuable thing in caring for your voice 23:00 - Favourite scoping tools and the importance of accurate interpretation 25:15 - A snap shot in time and another lightbulb moment 28:00 - Lightbulb moment concerning laryngeal movement, working with Kim Chandler 31:00 - Using Estill Voice Training as a Speech and Language Therapist 33:00 - the trap of disconnection through over thinking it 34:00 - DYT Choir 35:45 - Defying Gravity live link 36:00 - goosebump moments in the theatre 38:00 - Do you thing choir - youtube seasons of love and proud,  This is me from the greatest showman 40:00  - future plans - New edition of Sue’s Book is coming soon!! We will keep you all posted!

My guest this week is Health Intuitive, Masami Covey. Masami was born and raised in Japan in a bi-cultural family and she draws extensively from her blend of East-meets-West cultural, linguistic and energy healing experience.  Masami helps her clients and patients heal from physical, emotional and spiritual blockages.  Her own journey has been physically challenging as you will hear but she is now living her best life in Colorado with her dear husband Chris.   Masami’s physical health began to break down in 2010, eventually resulting in a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. Rather than utilising pharmaceutical medications, Masami turned to significant dietary and lifestyle changes to heal. Today, she is back to hiking in the Rocky Mountains and now helps others rediscover their health as a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (FNTP), Positive Neuroplasticity Practitioner and Medical Intuitive. Timings and links below: 0:00 -  Introduction 2:00 - Masami, inside the Candy Store 4.25 - Working with energy medicine and health issues 5.10  - How we can forget about ourselves 6:30 -  I could no longer ignore it 8.30 - Understanding your body better 9.45 - Shifting energy work to include nutritional considerations 12.30 - Embracing the woo woo - lets stop calling it woowoo! 13:20 - Digestive issues? Hormonal imbalance? PMS? Headaches? Eye problems? Tinnitus?  Try understanding your golden elixir! 15:35 -  What is Hara? Japanese ritual and seasonality - the difference between Heart, Head and Hara connection. 22:00  - Masami’s insights into high level performance 23:30 - Masami’s journey with music and singing 24:20 - Seasonality in our own bodies 25:20 - Musical family history link to Music Masami loves 25:45 - Biwa instrument This is the biwa 27:00  - From Japan to the Freezer box! 29:00 - Angry teenage years 30:45 - Releasing anger in the mosh pit 32:00 - Speaking her truth about how her voice was affected with a massive culture change 33.45 - Sweet honey in the rock  - The Third Place - Bernice Johnson Reagon 38:00 - When Masami studied at University College London and lived in Camden for a year 39:00  - Seeing Jessie Norman 42:00 - If you are feeling disconnected - skip to this part 45:00  - Bridging this into spirituality 46:00  - Struggling with your environment 48:00 - What is Vocal Freedom to you? 52:00  - getting away from labels - just be who you are! 53:00 - Diet & Healing, your daily practice, what you do for yourself every day matters 57:57  - The Intuitive Medicine Summit plus two other courses coming up  59:30 -  Masami’s - Top 3 life insights Thank you for tuning in!  If you would like to leave us a comment please visit our Facebook Page or consider joining our email list to join our community and be kept informed about future episodes you may enjoy.

  A short episode from your host Leigh Martyn Thomas - some late night reflections, some sharing occurs as follows:   1.10 What’s coming up: details of Estill Voice Training Intro Day opportunity 3.30 Reflections - focus on YOU this year 4.00 How is YOUR 2021 going so far? 5.00 Feeling stuck as we can’t easily travel or plan to travel yet? 5.30 Connecting globally, spreading your wings... 6:50 What are you missing most about ‘going out’? 7:30 Best night out ever? where? who with? what are you listening to? 7:50 Missing small intimate gigs... 8:20 Christina Bianco link to viral video of her singing Let it Go (impressions) 9:20 What happened when I met Jeremy Jordan... 14:45 Coming up next on the podcast... 15:00 Reconnecting with old friends, the nostalgic wave and reaching out 17:20 Listening and tuning in to YOU 17:45 How does this year rate, compared to 2020? 18:00 What is this decade going to mean to your bigger picture? 19:30 Your inner talk matters, developing online still works! 22:20 Tuning into the ethos of the High Level Performer and how to reach out to the Vocal Freedom host, community and movement.

My guest this week is singer/songwriter Emilia Quinn who is today, on International Women's Day, March 8th, releasing the single "Girl Talk" which is now available to download on all platforms and to listen to on Spotify.    Featuring 24 females on the track, including one of my dearest muso friends, drummer Linda Stix (amazing work Linda!) and loads of other amazing artists, this song is encouraging a conversation about gender equality and it pokes fun at stereotypes and common issues womxn face, including casual sexism, being ghosted and the expectation to fit a certain aesthetic. During the episode we learn more about Emilia's background, motivations and influences.  Musically, she has moved through many genres, now feeling very much at home in roots music, encompassing country, rock and blues.  Last year her second EP "Firecracker" won the prestigious UK CMSA award for EP of the year so beyond supporting this single, do check Emilia's other music out and give her a follow her on the usual socials. Facebook: www.facebook.com/emiliaquinnmusic Instagram: www.instagram.com/emiliaquinnmusic Twitter: www.twitter.com/emiliaqmusic Website: https://www.emiliaquinnmusic.com/ Check out this emotive live version of this song Emilia also mentioned Beth Hart's Leave the Light on.  Another amazing woman to celebrate today!  Happy International Women's Day 2021!     

My guest this week has overcome tremendous life challenges and yet is one of the most positive souls I have ever had the joy of knowing.  Karen Parker has had several interesting careers starting out in the police force, which was a natural move for her, growing up the daughter of a Police Detective.  Karen married her sweetheart Jon, who was also a policeman and she was seven months pregnant with their daughter, Hannah, when Jon was tragically killed while at work.  After a lengthy career in the Police, Karen later moved into education, as a teaching assistant in a Primary school, a job she loved, using her voice to support children.   Now she works supporting families in crisis, who need extra support through a company called Always Precious, who are a stop gap to help keep children, who are at risk of going into care, with their families. A delightful chat with an amazing woman who I believe inspires everyone she comes into contact with.  We wonder what do they call it when snow comes where you live?  With regards to singers who resonate with Karen, she is a big fan of the voices of Brandi Carlile, Dolly Parton and Freddie Mercury.    If you would like to share your thoughts, do join our Facebook page, where you can also check out other episodes and stay informed about new ones.  Take care of yourselves xx