Shows
Can't Wait to Hear YouWhy It's All About the BreathYou’ve probably heard someone say that singing is “all about the breath.” It’s a simple saying that belies a surprisingly multifaceted practice. In this episode, I explainHow breathing precedes every sound we make with the voice (and why we often don’t notice).What’s going on anatomically as your brain, breath, and body collaborate to produce sound.Exercises you can use to understand and direct the possibilities of your breath.I’d love to know if this was helpful! Don’t hesitate to schedule a free 20-minute consultation or to reach out via em...
2026-02-1322 minCan't Wait to Hear YouExpanding Your Comfort ZoneYour voice is a core part of your identity, so it’s natural to feel conflicted about changing it, even if the change is ultimately for the better. In this episode, I explainWhy we often have emotional discomfort around changing our voices, even when using our body differently feels physically better.How our instinctive need for safety can complicate the process of learning to use the body differently.How to practice your next-level singing or speaking self, without making a sound.I'd love to know if this was helpful! Don’t hesitate to sche...
2026-01-3025 minCan't Wait to Hear YouPracticing ThoughtsWe all feel nervous when we’re doing Big Things, and singing in front of others is definitely a Big Thing. What would it help to be thinking when you’re doing something Big? In this episode, I explainThe mental and physical benefits that accompany the work of building your voice. Why feeling vulnerable is an important part of singing and speaking.How to reframe that vulnerability so that performing in public feels like a good thing. .Plus, a preview of a new group experience I’m developing this year.If you mi...
2026-01-1618 minCan't Wait to Hear YouTwo New Year’s ResolutionsHappy New Year! Here are two resolutions that will help you improve your relationship with your voice in 2026 and in all the years to come:Practice in the shoes you’re going to wear on the day you do the thing.Try not to judge your out-of-tune singing.Tune in to find out why, and in the case of judging yourself, what to do instead.To Register for A Singer's Advent: https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528I’d love to know if this was helpful! Don’t hesitate to schedule a free...
2026-01-0214 minCan't Wait to Hear YouHow Music Carries Us ThroughWhen things aren’t going well, we can let music carry us through.In this episode, I talk aboutThe profound connections music builds between people from all walks of life.How the experience of a group of people singing together can transform your day, even when you’re just watching.An example of the joy and community created when we share our singing with each other.The Leo Choir Boys performing for President Barack Obama: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=25037511122615392To Register for A Singer's Advent: https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/prod...
2025-12-1910 minCan't Wait to Hear YouWho Is Singing For?It might sound like wishful thinking, but I truly believe that everyone who wants to should experience the joy of feeling comfortable with and appreciated for their singing.In this episode, I explainWhy I believe that singing is for anyone and everyone.The themes and lessons that the Advent season holds for experienced and aspiring singers alike.The benefits of singing for your physical and mental health. To Register for A Singer's Advent: https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528How Singing Can Improve Your Healthhttps://www.bbc.co...
2025-12-0525 minCan't Wait to Hear YouHow To Hear YourselfI've had an epiphany about why listening to ourselves is so different when we're singing than when we're talking!In this episode, I explainWhat we focus on when we’re listening to ourselves, and how it changes when we’re singing vs. talking.How that difference contributes to the common anxiety we feel about singing in front of other people.Experiments you can try to help you hear yourself more precisely, and map out the contours of your unique vocal instrument.I’d love to know if this was helpful! Don’t hesitate to sched...
2025-11-2139 min
Every Day For A...Day 51 Gets Things DoneI see you doing that difficult thing. Keep going.Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. Her podcast, Can't Wait To Hear You, is at https://cantwaittohearyou.com, and her website is https://mvmusik.com.
2025-11-1403 minCan't Wait to Hear YouPracticing As a Reliable Behavior Practicing is a perennial challenge, but if we broaden our concept of “practice,” it can make the whole process more rewarding.In this episode, I explainWhy a rigid definition of practice can stifle our creativity.What distinguishes a habit from a behavior, and how we can take advantage of the difference.How to develop creative practicing behavior that will pacify your inner perfectionist.I’d love to know if this was helpful! Don’t hesitate to schedule a free 20-minute consultation or to reach out via email to letters@mvmusik.com.Another ep...
2025-11-0724 minCan't Wait to Hear YouSinging For Health Just a few simple habits can give you the best chance of living a long, happy, healthy life.In this episode, I explainThe four lifestyle changes you can make that will improve your odds of longevity and good health.Why singing, particularly with friends and family, is a rewarding way to check most of those behavioral boxes.How to start a singing-in-company practice without losing your mind from anxiety. I’d love to know if this was helpful! Don’t hesitate to schedule a free 20-minute consultation or to reach out via email to lette...
2025-10-2416 minCan't Wait to Hear YouWhat Conductors WantSinging in a chorus can feel safer than soloing at karaoke or going to an open mic, but it comes with its own set of challenges. In this episode, I explainHow our fear of failure can sabotage us in a group setting.Why singing in a group is a vulnerable experience for both the singers and the conductor.The one thing your conductor wants from you (even more than the right notes!) If you sing in a group setting, or you’re thinking about trying it, I’d love to know if this was hel...
2025-10-1019 minEvery Day For A...I'm Every Day The Eighth, I Am!Every day the eighth, I am, I am.I'm still trying to shrug off the vocal effects of this cold, and it's a good excuse to plug the podcast of my client Michèle Voillequé. Michèle is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. Her podcast, Can't Wait To Hear You, is at https://cantwaittohearyou.com, and her website is https://mvmusik.com.
2025-10-0202 minCan't Wait to Hear YouGravelly and StuckAre you frustrated by gruff, gravelly sounds in your voice? Do you wish there was a fairy godmother who could (gently) bonk you on the head and make them all go away?Me, too, dear listener. Me, too. And after years and years of looking, I’ve yet to find her. But there are exercises we can do to feel and sound better, often sooner than we think. In this episode, I explainWhere gravelly and stuck come from.How to loosen and clean things up.What you can do to help yourself sound and...
2025-09-2625 minCan't Wait to Hear YouMoving From Silent to SingingWhen I was in fifth grade, my classroom teacher told me I should "mouth the words" rather than sing with the class. For years after that, I was convinced I had a voice that nobody wanted to hear. And even though I loved to sing, I kept it mostly to myself.Do you feel that way about your voice? If you do, you’re not alone. I’ve helped lots of students go from silent to singing, and this time I want to share the reflections and questions I’ve collected that can help you start to think...
2025-09-1226 minCan't Wait to Hear YouThoughts that HelpLike it or not, the voice is affected by our moods. Whether we’re feeling confident, excited, schlumpy, or sad, our emotional truth can easily come out in how we sound. A lot of the time, this isn’t a problem at all. But sometimes, feeling a feeling, or suppressing a feeling generates muscle tension that makes it hard for the voice to work well. Finding a new way to think about our situation can often get us vocally back on track. We often worry about Whether it’s “okay” to singNotes that are hard to hitFeeling s...
2025-08-2924 minCan't Wait to Hear YouWhy Flat and Nasal Often Happen TogetherTwo complaints I often hear are, “I sound flat” and “my voice sounds nasal!” These very common problems are totally fixable, and they often happen together. In this episode, you’ll learn:What people mean by “flat” and “nasal”Why “flat” and “nasal” often happen togetherWhat you can do to make a more vibrant, ringing tone instead. Was this episode helpful? Do you have more questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out via email to letters@mvmusik.com.To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèle Voillequé is a singe...
2025-08-1526 minCan't Wait to Hear YouHiding Your Real Voice at HomeDo you have more than one voice? Most of us do. Often, the voice we use when we’re performing for an audience or practicing with a teacher is different from the voice we unleash when we’re alone. Whether you’re singing in the shower, in the car, or while you’re doing dishes, that effortless freedom can feel like your own special magic. What if you could capture some of that carefree confidence and bring it with you to your lessons?This episode, we’re talking about your “real” voice, how it’s different from your performance...
2025-08-0127 minCan't Wait to Hear YouOvercoming EmbarrassmentMany of my students report being embarrassed about singing in front of an audience, whether it’s around the house or on stage. Yet some people can get up at karaoke and murder a popular tune without feeling a flicker of shame.Why do so many of us feel self-conscious about the way we sound when we sing? And what can we do to get past that inner cringe? This time, we’re digging into:The developmental roots of self-consciousness about our voice.What embarrassment is trying to signal about safety, and why it’s misleading.The di...
2025-07-1825 minCan't Wait to Hear YouBeliefs that Make Change EasierHow we sound is so connected to who we imagine ourselves to be that it’s natural and expected to find ourselves full of doubt, fear or resistance when we try to change our singing or speaking voice. Managing these emotional hurdles is essential if we’re going to make vocal progress. In fact, when we tackle the physical and the emotional work together, we usually sound better so much faster. Over the years, I’ve uncovered many beliefs that make the process of vocal change easier when we can embrace them. I share a few of t...
2025-07-0428 minCan't Wait to Hear YouAlternatives to PerfectionismPractice makes perfect. It’s the mantra invoked by parents and teachers to encourage us to keep at it when we’re grinding through the discouragement of learning how to do a new thing. It’s meant to remind us that improvement is a matter of hard work and perseverance, and of what we can achieve if we stick with it.It’s also a trap.I’ve heard countless students, who should have been proud of how far they’ve come, express frustration and disappointment because they hadn’t reached “perfection.” Their attention is so captured by tin...
2025-06-2020 minCan't Wait to Hear YouWhy Taking a Deep Breath Doesn't Always WorkWhen you’re nervous or stressed out and you can’t calm yourself down, taking a deep breath is maybe the most common advice you’ll get (maybe even from yourself!). And it can make a difference. But the experiences of my students make me think that it’s not always as effective as we think it is.Why is that? Often it’s because the image of a deep breath we have in our minds makes a lot of noise and tightens a lot of muscles, but doesn’t actually move that much air into our lungs. The a...
2025-06-0628 minCan't Wait to Hear YouMore on The Possibility of ChangeLast episode, I shared about how I’ve been dealing with something called Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion. It’s one of a whole class of functional disorders that can affect the body. We call them functional disorders because the actual body parts (the throat and vocal cords in my case) are perfectly fine. But for some reason, my brain and body are reacting to my environment in a way that keeps them from working the way they should.I’m fortunate that I’ve had a lot of amazing helpers as I learn how to manage my function...
2025-05-2327 minCan't Wait to Hear YouIs Change Possible?The question of whether change is possible is fascinating. On one level, the answer is an obvious yes. Things change around us all the time. But when we’re asking about intentional change, change within ourselves and our abilities, suddenly the answer can seem a lot less certain. What I know from experience – my own and my students’ – is that there is a simple, doable process for changing your voice. If you’d like to sound different than you do today, I absolutely believe that’s within your reach. Tune in to learn more!Episode 44, Waking Up With A Sore...
2025-05-0932 minCan't Wait to Hear YouMusic as a Place of RefugeThe way the world feels now, we could all benefit from more joy, more comfort, more solace and sanity. In fact, to take effective action in the world, we need to be as strong, calm and grounded as we can possibly be. Even ten minutes of listening to music can restore you to a better state. Not just having it on in the background, but really sitting and listening will allow your mind to rest, your heart to calm and your body to breathe a bit easier. It’s a habit worth practicing. To Register for A Sin...
2025-04-2525 minCan't Wait to Hear YouLook For The HelpersThere are a lot of reasons to feel angry and frightened by the state of the world. A lot of us are struggling with the frustration of not knowing what to do or where to start. Raising your voice - in anger, in resistance, or in defense of those you hold dear - is one way to make a difference. But if you’re not prepared for them, the raw emotions we’re all wrestling with can get bound up in your body, causing tension and pain that can get in the way of your expression. I have some tech...
2025-04-1126 minCan't Wait to Hear YouHow Reading Music Can Set Your Voice BackMany of my students, especially the ones who are just starting to explore their voices, tend to think of singing and reading music as parts of the same skill. I don’t think that’s exactly right. They’re related, of course, and they’re both great things to learn. But knowing what the dots and lines on the page mean is a very different thing from getting in touch with your whole body instrument and allowing those notes to flow into the world. In my experience, focusing too much on reading the notes can actually get in the way of l...
2025-03-2826 minCan't Wait to Hear YouThree Questions to Help You Prepare for Any PresentationHow do you manage stage fright? Do you have calming rituals, or ways to pump yourself up? Do you try to ignore it and power through, or are you channeling the energy of that anxiety into your performance? Maybe more importantly, when are you managing your performance anxiety? Do you plan for it in advance? Or is it something you only face when you can feel the racing heart and sweaty palms?In my years of teaching and performing, I’ve discovered that the most common sources of fear of performing are about relationships. Between you and you...
2025-03-1430 minCan't Wait to Hear YouManaging The Anxiety That Comes With GrowthChange is scary. Even when it’s change you’ve chosen, embraced, achieved through hard work and dedication. Changing something as personal and intimate as your voice can raise fears of rejection, abandonment, disappointment, and the worry that you won’t like the sound you’ve worked hard to develop.In my experience, the best way to manage that anxiety is to give ourselves something more specific to work toward. Instead of simply setting out to grow your voice, let’s think about what kind of voice you want to grow into. This time, let’s talk about why ch...
2025-02-2828 minCan't Wait to Hear YouWaking Up with a Sore ThroatThis morning I woke up with a sharp, stabby pain in the back of my throat, the kind that feels like you’re gargling with tiny knives every time you speak. I was tempted to skip recording, but it occurred to me that you’ve probably woken up with the same kind of pain, and thought there was nothing you could do but not speak until it went away. Let me show you some easy ways to (gently) exercise your instrument when it hurts to use it. To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/produ...
2025-02-1433 minCan't Wait to Hear YouHow to Get Out Of Our Own WayThis week, I’m giving myself permission to rest, to be patient with myself, and to resist the feeling that I’m not doing enough. I want you to tell you why that self-generosity is so important, and share some ways you can manifest it for yourself. To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. Yes, you can sound better! Opt-in for a free video training on my website: https://mvmusik.comA transcr...
2025-01-3113 minCan't Wait to Hear YouSome Ways to Think About Breath SupportFew things are both as universal and personal as our breath. Everyone needs good breath support to sing or speak effectively, and we all describe what that feels like differently. In this episode, I share some physical practices and ways of thinking that will help you figure out what "breath support" means for you. To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. Yes, you can sound better! Opt-in for a free video training on my w...
2025-01-1736 minCan't Wait to Hear YouThree Skills You Need, Regardless of Vocal StyleDifferent genres of music make different demands on the voice. But no matter what style, era, or canon you’re singing from, communicating the emotional energy of a song to your audience is all about using your body well and managing your emotions. Here is my take on how genres differ from one another, and three basic skills you need to bring any song to life.To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. Yes...
2025-01-0331 minCan't Wait to Hear YouWhy Private Lessons for Choral Singers Are A Good IdeaYou can learn a lot from singing in a good choir or chorus, and having one-on-one lessons will more effectively show you how to make the most of your instrument. This time I want to talk about why your voice is worth the investment of private lessons, and how taking the time to explore your unique needs and capacities will make the time you spend singing in community so much more rewarding.To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher liv...
2024-12-2024 minCan't Wait to Hear YouI Love Music, But I’m Not Musically InclinedThe title of this episode, dear listener, is an actual sentence an adult man said to me recently. We were talking about what was preventing him from performing music, despite the passion he has for listening to it. Like a lot of people, he had internalized the belief that he was missing something, some innate talent or capacity that enables other people to make the music he loves. With love, he is 100% wrong, and if you believe something similar about yourself, well, you’re wrong too! This time, I want to talk about why the process of learning music ca...
2024-12-0622 minCan't Wait to Hear YouMy Mom and Leading By ExampleWhen life is a difficult place to be and the world feels fraught, it can feel like nothing is ever going to get better. We all manage that discouragement in our own way, but we have to work at it. Because giving up is the surest way to lose all the progress we’ve made. This time, I want to tell you a personal story to illustrate that we have, in fact, made real progress. It reminds me to be thankful, and to look forward to more and better. Then, I’ll tell you how music can help you regu...
2024-11-2221 minCan't Wait to Hear YouUsing Your Breath Generously, or Me and The Mack TruckYour whole body is your instrument, and that doesn’t just mean when you’re performing. The memories you carry in your body are powerful tools you can tap into when you’re learning and practicing and growing your voice. When I’m singing long phrases, I lean on a vivid image from my childhood, of a massive truck sharing the narrow mountain highway with my family's tiny car. That memory helps me access the power I need for long, connected phrases. I’m certain you have a similar experience you can draw on to help your body feel the power...
2024-11-0819 minCan't Wait to Hear YouCapable of MoreChange is scary! Developing the voice you want to project requires time and effort, but it also requires faith – confidence that you have the capacity for growth, and certainty that the work you’re putting in is moving you in the direction you want to go. But holding tight to that belief in yourself can be really hard. What to do on those days when you’re just sure you’ve come as far as you can, and you don’t know if you’ll ever have the guts to get going again? I’ve been there, and so have my studen...
2024-10-2520 minCan't Wait to Hear YouI’m Afraid of Long Notes!When you’re looking at a piece of vocal music, what’s the most intimidating thing you can imagine? For a lot of my students, a single note that gets held for 4, 8, or 12 beats is right at the top of the list. But why is that? What is it about a long note that makes us feel vulnerable or unsure of our vocal abilities in a way that shorter notes don’t? Let’s talk about where that anxiety comes from, and some strategies that have helped my students embrace the expression of a long, powerful sound.To Regis...
2024-10-1128 minCan't Wait to Hear YouI Don't Know How To Sing Anymore!Strengthening your voice is a lifelong journey, but when you’re trying to learn something new - a technique, a piece of music - it can feel especially long and arduous. Changing old habits of using your voice can leave you feeling like you don’t know anything at all anymore! But take heart. Every one of us who wants to use our voice more fully has to deal with this untethered feeling once in a while. Here are some techniques you can use to feel less alone, and more certain about the progress that (I promise) you’re making...
2024-10-0220 minCan't Wait to Hear YouWhen You’re Freaking OutWe’ve talked before about how nervousness is a normal, even positive, part of performing with your voice. We’ve talked about practice strategies to help you manage and harness your nerves. But what about when you’re in the moment, feeling your heart racing so fast you can’t focus? This week, we’re talking about two simple things you can do to help reign yourself in. Whether you’re about to go on stage, or you’re having trouble staying calm during a hard conversation, these tips will help you stay on your own side and use your voice wit...
2024-09-1314 minCan't Wait to Hear YouVocal Takeaways From The DNCThe stage at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago was packed with people who’ve built careers on their ability to give stirring speeches. But they didn’t get there by accident. They practiced techniques to help them speak louder, longer, and with more emotional resonance. You can learn a lot by watching and listening to people who’ve developed strong vocal delivery, so let’s put politics aside and talk about the techniques and practices that help professional speakers deliver.To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèle Voille...
2024-08-3018 minCan't Wait to Hear YouThe Voice and AgingA number of things affect the voice as we age – our hormones, our physical fitness, our attitudes about aging – just to name a few. I’ve worked with many students experiencing age-related changes to their voices and I’ve experienced plenty myself. In this episode, I talk about some of the changes you can expect throughout your lifespan along with strategies for navigating them. To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. Useful links:The Ma...
2024-08-1622 minCan't Wait to Hear YouFinding Time to PracticeYou know who sometimes struggles to find time for practicing their songs, speeches, or presentations? All of my students AND me. It can feel really challenging to look at your calendar and imagine squeezing in enough time to improve the way you want to. But there are some easy ways to change your thinking about how and when to practice that will make it seem less overwhelming. Let’s talk about the different types of practice you can work at, how to take advantage of shorter practice times, and why you deserve to commit time and energy to your ar...
2024-08-0233 minCan't Wait to Hear YouMy Top 5 Tips for SpeakersAs promised, this week I’m revisiting my top tips for using your voice, but we’re putting the focus on speakers. Projecting your voice with confidence can be an incredible experience for you and your audience (even an audience of one). But some of the ways your body tries to signal strength and security can actually interfere with the sound you body makes. Let’s talk about how to feel what’s going on in your body, and how to troubleshoot your instinctive responses so you’re not wasting energy fighting your own physicality. LInks to more detail on these t...
2024-07-1919 minCan't Wait to Hear YouMy Top 5 Tips for SingersA new student recently asked me if there was a CliffsNotes version of the concepts I teach, and I realized that would make a really good podcast episode! This time, I’m sharing my top five “bumper stickers,” advice I’ve shared with just about every student I’ve ever had. (These slogans are for my singers, but don’t worry, speakers, we’ll be back with more for you shortly.) We’ll cover how your body makes sound in the first place, and ways to make sure various parts of your body are contributing to that process. Look below for resour...
2024-07-0519 minCan't Wait to Hear YouCommitting to A YearIt’s been a little more than a year since we hit publish on the first episode of Can’t Wait To Hear You. I want to celebrate that milestone with you by talking about commitment. The work I had to do - emotional, mental, and physical - to commit to podcasting is similar in a lot of ways to the work of developing your vocal instrument. If you think about it all at once, it can feel overwhelming. But with some changes in mindset, the right support, and enough compassionate accountability, a big project can start to feel like...
2024-06-2130 minCan't Wait to Hear YouHow to Make Progress When You're Not Feeling WellWhen you’re sick, using your voice can be painful, and even dangerous. I want you to know that it's okay to be sick, to put your feet up, to watch trashy TV, to not think about your voice beyond resting it. But if you are sick, and you're scared that you're losing time, that you're falling behind, that your performance is coming up and you're just going to faceplant because you're not prepared, there is always something you can do. I’ve developed some practices that will help you engage with the material you’re trying to learn in a m...
2024-06-0731 minCan't Wait to Hear YouGeeking Out about the Voice with Michèle and MatthewWhen I first invited my dear friend, speech language pathologist Matthew Brown, onto the podcast, we talked about how singing has helped him maintain his equilibrium through emotional challenges. In the interest of fairness, I agreed to give Matthew a chance to ask questions of me! This time, we discussed the challenges I help my students face, and how their journeys compare to the often scary work Matthew’s patients have to do when they’re rehabilitating from brain injury. I find the parallels between those experiences fascinating, and I hope you do, too!Episode 18, Singing Through Grie...
2024-05-2436 minCan't Wait to Hear YouThe Only Way to Improve is to Embrace FailureFew things make me happier than the annual return of major league baseball. This year, as the season gets into full swing, I’ve been thinking a lot about baseball and the role failure plays in getting better at a skill. Like singing or speaking in public, hitting a fastball is a mental exercise as much as a physical one. Trying, missing, and trying again is a key part of releasing the anxiety that makes the whole thing harder. Let’s talk about what America’s pastime can teach us as we work to find your voices. My vide...
2024-04-2627 minCan't Wait to Hear YouHarmony Singing Q&AThis one is for all my singers out there. (Don’t worry, speakers, I’ll be back for you soon.) Many of my students are either singing in groups or are hoping to get into a group situation, so they’re nervous about blending in with other voices. I love singing in harmony. Being part of a group sound can be so restoring for the spirit, and I want you to love it, too! So let’s answer their questions, and hopefully help you feel less anxious about fitting in while still being your full, glorious, singing self.Episod...
2024-04-1228 minCan't Wait to Hear YouWhen Death Is NearWhen death is near, music can comfort us: it can ease our pain, it can help us grieve. Songs can transport us back in time to a summer picnic, a winter fireplace, the road trip to grandma’s, and to so much dancing! Recent events have me thinking about mortality, and how music helps us remember those we’ve lost. I’d love to share with you, and honor some amazing people I’ve been fortunate enough to connect with through music.To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèle...
2024-03-2930 minCan't Wait to Hear YouBiden and Britt and How Your Face Affects Your SoundWhen you’re working to hone your vocal technique, watching experienced singers or speakers use their voices can be very useful. President Biden’s State of the Union address, and Senator Katie Britt’s response, provided two very different, but very instructive examples. They demonstrate how facial expression, posture, setting, and other choices can radically change the way your voice sounds, and how hard you have to work to project it. Let’s talk about how their techniques can inform your voice practice.To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèl...
2024-03-1527 minCan't Wait to Hear YouShould I Copy Someone Else’s Voice?Learning to speak as an infant is an instinctive process of mimicking the sounds and voices around us. It only makes sense that the intentional practice of honing your voice might involve trying to imitate someone whose voice you like.Your own voice is uniquely shaped by your body, your heart, and your mind, so in the end you’ll always only sound like you. But studying other voices can help you understand what moves you, and what sort of effect you want your voice to have in the world. This time I’m sharing my approach to l...
2024-03-0130 minCan't Wait to Hear YouVocal VulnerabilityYour whole body is the instrument when you’re singing or speaking, and no part of that instrument is more crucial than your mind. Your feelings of comfort and confidence, your sense of self, and the connection you want to make with your audience all have a deep influence on how your voice sounds and feels. This time I’ll share some examples of how the mind has affected my voice and the voices of my students, and some ways you can cultivate the state of mind that helps you project yourself in the ways that feel right for you...
2024-02-1628 minCan't Wait to Hear YouSinging Through Grief with Matthew BrownI’m honored to introduce you to my good friend Matthew Brown. Matthew is a speech-language pathologist, a keyboardist, and one of the warmest, kindest souls I’ve ever known. In this episode, he shares how learning to sing the Psalms supported him through a really hard time. Maybe not surprisingly, the singing was so helpful that this musical, spiritual practice has stayed with him, five years later. For more resources on singing the Psalms, visit Russell Stutler’s Website: http://www.stutler.cc/russ/sing_psalms.html including audio examples and notated music: http://www.stutler.cc/russ...
2024-02-0225 minCan't Wait to Hear YouGet Ready With Me!In my last episode, I talked about how to prepare when you only have two weeks before an audition. But how do you keep yourself from feeling overwhelmed when the big, scary thing is happening in two minutes? Here are some techniques for helping you feel into your body, and keep yourself grounded and centered when you need to show up in the face of natural anxiety.To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. M...
2024-01-1927 minCan't Wait to Hear YouHelp! I Have an Audition in Two Weeks!Auditioning for something often comes with a lot of anxiety, and time pressure only adds stress! Fortunately, it is absolutely possible to polish a song and get yourself into an audition mindset, even on short notice, without dropping everything else in your life. Here is my tried and tested three-step plan that will help you cultivate peace while you learn your piece.To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. A transcript of this epi...
2024-01-0528 minCan't Wait to Hear YouWhen You're StuckGetting stuck on a project happens, including when you’re developing your voice. I’ll discuss some different kinds of “stuck” and share what’s helped me and my students get moving again. There aren’t any magic bullets, but a little trial and error, some curiosity and self-compassion will help you find what you need. To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-t...
2023-12-2235 minCan't Wait to Hear YouWhat to Do with Grief and Other Big Feelings, with Michelle FavreaultThe practice of art, no matter the medium or your experience level, is a powerful tool for helping us process emotion. Very few people know this better than my wonderful friend Michelle Favreault. Michelle is a multi-disciplinary artist and teacher who helps people find the spark of their creativity, and access it to stay grounded and centered when they’re working through big feelings. I’m so grateful that she’s here to share her wisdom, and I can’t wait for you to hear our conversation.To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products...
2023-12-0826 minCan't Wait to Hear YouWhy Should I Look In The Mirror?I keep a tiny hand mirror in my vocal studio and sometimes invite students to look at their mouths when they’re singing or speaking. It sounds a little awkward, right? So why would I suggest it? Most of us work way too hard when we’re using our voices. There are so many muscles that try to help that aren’t actually helping. The mirror shows us that, which helps us to do less, which helps our voices sound better and last longer. I share three great exercises for identifying and releasing excess tension. They’re easy to do!
2023-11-2428 minCan't Wait to Hear YouNoticing What IsNoticing What Is keeps you in the present, which is really the only place you can change anything about how you’re singing or speaking. Noticing What Is also decreases the chances you’ll waste time and energy judging yourself and your circumstances, which allows you to respond more effectively to them. Today’s episode contains a couple of simple, short exercises to increase your capacity for open, calm awareness, whether you’re singing or speaking. To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice...
2023-11-1026 minCan't Wait to Hear YouOpening CourageouslyI’ve talked about opening courageously before. It’s one of the vital steps you can take to support the physical act of singing or speaking. It requires building awareness and strength in your body, but it’s not just about posture and muscles. Opening courageously engages your mind and your heart. It means developing a connection to your surroundings, and to the feeling of whether it’s safe for you to step forward in the moment. Here are some practices and reflections to help you start the opening process.To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik...
2023-10-2722 minCan't Wait to Hear YouConfidence Comes From DoingGenerally, the more we do something, the better we get at it and the more confident we feel. A baby learning to walk is a really obvious example. But when it comes to speaking and singing in public, we often imagine that increased confidence will come from taking a huge risk, and then we wonder why we get stuck. Let’s talk about some smaller, more manageable steps that will build confidence faster than any big scary leap. To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèle Voillequé is a si...
2023-10-1320 minCan't Wait to Hear YouYour Whole Self is the InstrumentNearly every vocal problem has a solution, and those solutions often grow out of treating your entire, integrated self as your instrument. Physical strength, neurological calm, and a grounded sense of being are all critical to the work of singing or speaking. It might sound overwhelming, but I bet you’re already working on those things in different areas of your life. Let’s talk about how you can access those same practices in service of making your voice heard. To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèle Voille...
2023-09-2928 minCan't Wait to Hear YouQ&A #1Today I'm answering your questions!If you have a question you’d like answered in a future episode, please email me at letters@mvmusik.com.[01:19] Question 1. What if lip trills really don't work for me? (in response to Episode 5)My lip trill tutorial video: https://www.mvmusik.com/ltv/Helpful YouTube videos on straw phonation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utMGP8h75nM&list=PLRIAPPEO39k7bAwealQC6eAiF0E98R2Lu&index=2https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xYDvwvmBIM&list=PLRIAPPEO39k7bAwealQC6eAiF0E98R2Lu...
2023-09-1533 minCan't Wait to Hear YouBefores and Afters and the Steps In BetweenBelieve me when I tell you that no one is "born ready" for the stage. Really, no one. Sounding amazing, or even simply adopting a new vocal habit takes time and effort, and a ton of self-compassion. Today's episode is heavy on the compassion. To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-7. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear Yo...
2023-09-0116 min
IFAF Podcast - Idaho FallsEp. 7 - Hip hop 50th! BYU-I shorts! Curry Pizza! Ms. Pac Man!Manatees, malt, Eastern Idaho State Fair food, doughnut burgers, Reed's Dairy maple bacon sundaes, Curry Pizza and Boba Luv in Rexburg, shorts allowed at BYUI, conspiracy theories about Maui, Trump 6'3" and 215, Greek Fest, Tom's Gyros and Cielito Lindo and Pho King Tastea in Pocatello, mole, Off The Rails, Honeybaked Ham is coming, Landon's Sweet Lovin' Corn, corn porn, Papa Tom's cauliflower crust, Ms. Pac-Man, Snake River Animal Shelter, Gain scented lint rollers, pet tags and dog cookies at Splash, back-to-school, the 50th anniversary of hip hop, Eminem, Michele Voilleque performs Little Bunny Foo Foo. IFAF is for entertainment...
2023-08-281h 10Can't Wait to Hear YouVocal Remedies that Really WorkWhat should you take when your throat feels scratchy, phlegmy or just plain awful? Science has an answer for you! Listen in to learn what the research says about honey, lemon, ginger and a host of other remedies. I also share what works for me, including some of my favorite recipes. To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. Visit https://www.uu.edu/dept/music/library/safety/VocalHealthInformation.pdf to download an amazing reso...
2023-08-1823 minCan't Wait to Hear YouWhy YouTube Warm-Ups Might Not Work for YouYouTube is a fantastic resource, and if you’ve gotten frustrated looking for the “perfect” vocal warm-up video, you’re not alone. What works for one person won’t necessarily work for another, and our needs vary from day to day. Learning what your whole self needs to sound the best it can is a practice all its own – and it’s one you can develop. This episode will get you started!If you’d like help learning to lip trill, try out my free tutorial! Visit http://www.dibblemusic.com/lesson-resources.html for a collection of voca...
2023-08-0426 minCan't Wait to Hear YouMe and Performance AnxietyAs I see it, performance anxiety is a fact of life – as long as we care about what we’re communicating, we can expect to feel anxious about it sometimes. The challenge is to manage the anxiety. That starts with listening to it, and treating ourselves kindly.Visit http://mvmusik.com/fpa to download the meditation mentioned in this episode.Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-4. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear Y...
2023-07-2137 minCan't Wait to Hear YouWhy It's So Hard to Change How You SoundIf you’ve tried to change how you sing or speak and you feel like you’re not getting anywhere, you’re not alone. Changing the voice is hard! Understanding what we're up against – namely, our neurobiology and sense of self – makes it easier. To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-3. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you ge...
2023-07-0722 minCan't Wait to Hear YouI Want to Save You Some TimeI want to save you some time. I want to tell you three things that when I learned them, it was like the heavens opened up. Like, “What? Why didn't anybody ever tell me that?!”I hope you’ll listen to the episode, but if you’re in a hurry: • your lungs are not in your shoulders.• using your voice is a physical activity.• the floor isn’t going anywhere.To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voi...
2023-06-2315 minCan't Wait to Hear YouWhy I Can't Wait to Hear YouI wasn’t always a singer and a voice teacher. In fact, as a child I was told to “mouth the words.” Listen in to hear more about that, and how I found my way to singing, and why, if you struggle with singing or speaking, there’s hope for you, too. To Register for A Singer's Advent https://mvmusik.mvsite.app/products/courses/view/1189528Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-1. You can subscribe to...
2023-06-0912 minCan't Wait to Hear YouWelcome to Can't Wait to Hear YouWelcome to Can’t Wait To Hear You, a podcast about the relationship between your voice and your body, your heart, and your mind. Singer and voice teacher Michèle Voillequé shares the expertise and encouragement you need to use your voice with confident ease. She has helped hundreds of people sound better and feel more comfortable, even when they’re under pressure. She can help you, too.Using your voice well is a skill, not a talent. To learn more about that, subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get your podcasts. If you have...
2023-06-0804 min
Aaron's Radio Show – The PodcastEpisode 50 : My Three Songs with Michèle VoillequéThe 40th in a series of shows called "My Three Songs", where my guest selects three memorable songs and we discuss why those songs are meaningful to them.This recording includes the full interview but does NOT include licensed music. To hear all episodes including the songs we discuss, please visit AaronsRadio.show.
2022-05-1731 min
Aaron's Radio ShowEpisode 50 - My Three Songs / Michèle VoillequéEnjoy the 40th in a series of episodes where a guest selects three memorable songs and tells me why they chose them for the show. Guest Michèle Voillequé discusses three memorable songs from her life, including "Dimming of the Day" by Bonnie Raitt.
2022-05-1643 min