PHOENIX AGAIN - voice tuition for speech and song

Private clients ...Corporate clients ...Schools & colleges ..Public & voluntary sectors

Private clients

One-to one

Private individuals often want to have voice training so that they feel more confident at a special family occasion, job interview or audition.

Sometimes people need help as they notice their voices are getting tired after a day’s work and they are looking for some tips to deal with this.

A course of six sessions (1 hour per session) is usual in order to go over the basic aspects of voice training and to allow time for practice in between sessions.

Corporate clients

Voice training and coaching is a prerequisite of effective communication. It is the foundation for presenting with impact but is often overlooked by focusing on the writing rather than the delivery. It is essential that this imbalance is corrected.

By placing the emphasis on voicework in combination with presentation skills, every client gains a perfect mix of relevant and practical training to develop and enhance delivery.

Communicating with conviction and impact needs a voice that is free
and flexible.

Business executives

Even the most experienced speaker may find it useful to have some extra help before a special presentation, radio interview or after dinner speech.

It could also be that the general daily vocal load (meetings, presentations, speaking on the phone, getting overtired and stressed) is causing some problems which need help.

Prevention is always better than cure and investing some time and money in vocal training now could mean avoiding the need for professional medical help later.
See the health and safety article in Hazards Magazine entitled ‘Work Hoarse’ for further information about the dangers of ignoring the warning signs: (http://www.hazards.org/voiceloss/workhoarse.htm)

One-to-one

Many business clients prefer to have individual sessions so that they can concentrate on specific issues and work at their own pace and according to their own work schedule.

These are based on the six-session format to allow for practice in between sessions.

English as a second language in business

In the global market place English is the international language but many speakers find they are not understood even when they are fluent in English.

Work on intonation, pitch, pace, pause and emphasis along with articulation practice, eye contact and body language can make all the difference between easy negotiations and unnecessary misunderstandings.

Group workshops

Others prefer to work in a group and more and more companies are investing in voice training and communication skills as a way of boosting not only personal training and development but also as a way of team building within a department.

The group dynamic is useful for exercises and feedback, showing people that they are not alone in having vocal problems and confidence issues.

Speaking in public is one of the most nerve-racking activities human beings can experience according to many surveys. Being able to practise presenting in front of a sympathetic group of colleagues and iron out any difficulties in a safe environment helps people to feel much more confident back in the workplace and in life generally.

Workshops can be of any duration from 2 hours to 2 days.

It is a good idea to have a follow-up session a few weeks after the initial training session in order to check on progress.

Follow-up sessions are an important aspect of voice training. Clients have had time to put into practice what they learnt in the first workshop and to discover any further problems or queries that may arise.

These can then be addressed in the follow-up session along with further practice.

Schools and colleges

Teachers, trainee teachers, PGCE and BA QTS students

Many newly qualified teachers and even well-established teachers as well as student teachers on PGCE and BA. QTS courses find that they start to suffer vocal problems.

This is often due to the fact that they have not had sufficient vocal health care information and practical voice workshops in their initial teacher training and before they go out into active teaching practice.

The Voice Care Network UK was started in 1993 to address this problem and has been responsible for highlighting the need for specific vocal training for teachers all through their careers.

As a result many more training courses include vocal training and more and more schools are including voice workshops in their INSET and twilight sessions.

These are run by VCN Tutors who are now countrywide. Liz McNaughton is an experienced tutor having been involved with VCN UK since the beginning.

One-to-one

Many teachers and trainee teachers come for individual sessions so that they can deal with their problems after school or in the holidays.

The basic six-session course is the recommended way of acquiring a tool-kit to deal with the vocal stresses and strains of the school day.

Group workshops

INSET and twilight sessions are being booked by many schools as part of their CPD training.

Teacher training establishments are also using specialist tutors for voice training sessions.

Ideally the number in the group should not be greater than 30 so that in schools or colleges with a larger staff or student body two or more sessions is recommended.

A follow-up session to check on progress is always advisable. To get the best out of the training investment, staff and students need to be encouraged to put the exercises into practice regularly. This requires perseverance and encouragement from the tutor as well as the teacher/student peer group.

It is important to note that working on the singing voice also brings significant improvements in the speaking voice. So even if you don’t believe you can sing have a look at the speaking and singing workshops suggested under ‘Voice – Singing Schools and Colleges’

Public & voluntary sectors

Local authorities and mental health trusts

Many local authorities and mental health trusts are making funding available for voice workshops and training sessions as the benefits of voicework are being more fully recognised.

As a result of this, over recent years funding has been made available from the Learning and Skills Council European Social Fund.

Carers

Many charities are running courses for their members as a way of improving well-being and quality of life.

Voicework engages the mind and body as well as the voice to improve difficult life situations.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers has run workshops where carers can learn to express themselves more freely and build up their confidence which can become eroded by the daily burden of caring for children with special needs or elderly and infirm family members.

There are reckoned to be more than 6 million carers in the UK alone all of whom need support to cope with the difficulties they encounter.

Women’s Institutes

The Women’s Institute is a lively organisation of women who involve themselves wholeheartedly in community matters and often need a few tips to keep their presentation skills and their voices in good shape to reach other women in towns and villages countrywide.

Social Projects

Many places run special projects to help those disadvantaged by homelessness and drug and alcohol abuse.

Courses and workshops on how to feel more confident are often run as participants in a particular project prepare to leave the safety of sheltered accommodation or hostels and re-enter the world on their own.

Voice workshops can help to make them feel better about themselves and give them the confidence and self-esteem to speak up and feel worthwhile members of the community.

Group workshops

Many charities are organising training courses and workshops to improve quality of life. Voicework is particularly appropriate as it helps people to be healthier and feel more confident. Usually workshops involve an introduction about the benefits of voicework followed by a practical session.

These may be a one-off or part of a series of sessions. They may often culminate in a small presentation or show devised by the workshop participants to practise their new skills and for the benefit of others involved in the charity.