Discovering Vocal Freedom Through Present-moment Awareness

Posted on 8.13.11

Though voice is an inherently subjective and personal study, virtually every vocalist seeks freedom. Finding that freedom can become a lifelong pursuit, for the path is often not an easy one. Freedom—the “Holy Grail” of voice—eludes even the most faithful of devotees. In order to shorten our search and lessen our frustration, perhaps we could begin by asking ourselves some… Read More >

Experiencing the Authentic Voice

Posted on 7.5.11

While what is considered beautiful in singing is subjective and diverse (much less the techniques that create the variety of sounds), one clear methodology clarifies the path of vocal confusion: what has come to be called the “Authentic Voice.”

But what actually is the “Authentic Voice?” Although the term has been used loosely to describe “natural singing,” the Authentic Voice… Read More >

Redefining Our Profession Along Holistic Lines

Posted on 4.5.11

As published in the Spring 2011 National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Journal of Singing.

“When I was a student, the boundaries placed around voice teaching were tightly drawn. Voice lessons consisted of studying vocal issues and musical interpretation with the goal of becoming a professional classical singer. Discussion of… Read More >

Chinese New Year Ushers in Spring’s Awakening

Posted on 2.15.11

Gung Hay Fat Choi! Happy New Year! The Year of the Rabbit!

In the Chinese Zodiac, 2011 is The Year of the Rabbit, which began this year on February 3. According to tradition, the Rabbit (click for visuals) brings a year “in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves.” Here at the Institute, we couldn’t… Read More >

New Year…New Opportunities!

Posted on 1.14.11

Spring term began on the 11th, and thanks to the hard work of the staff, faculty, apprentices, and YOU, we exceeded our enrollment goal of 120 students and enrolled 136! This milestone is a major event in the life of a new organization, as it takes time to get to the point where it doesn’t lose money. That we achieved… Read More >

Sheila Hamilton Interviews Linda Brice on Kink.fm

Posted on 12.30.10

Hope everybody is having a joyful holiday (as is MoeMoe)! Make sure you listen to Sheila Hamilton, News Director and Morning Show Host of Kink 101.9FM, interview Linda Brice about the Institute. Catch the interview here.

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Self-Belief and Patience

Posted on 11.4.10

There is a myth in our culture that applies only to vocalists (not surgeons, attorneys, or engineers). We could call it “American Idol Syndrome,” and it goes something like this: If we really want to sing, we should be able to do so really well, right now, without any instruction, mentoring, experience or process of development. If we cannot—if our… Read More >

Finding the Extraordinary Within the Ordinary

Posted on 10.14.10

Two weeks ago, while soaking in remote hot springs in eastern Oregon, I sat alone underneath the canopy of the Milky Way and watched the constellations rise and set in an ink-black sky. It was silent and timeless, as if being present at Earth’s beginnings, a time millions of years in the future, or on another planet.

I had forgotten… Read More >