Center Stage Voice Coaching

Hey, Everyone,

Today is World Voice Day. And unlike all the holidays that make you feel like you have to buy a gift for someone, this is the day to give yourself the gift of using your voice.

That could mean using your literal voice to sing your favorite song in the shower or with a band, speak truth to power, or read to a child.

It could mean using your figurative voice to work on a poem, write your congressperson, or create a social media post.

Any or all of these voice actions can release the butterflies in your belly, get your heart pumping, or bring you great joy.

And if the idea of using your voice causes your mind to scream “Danger, Will Robinson!,” it’s almost always because of the #1 voice fallacy:

If you weren’t born with a confident voice and don’t like the sound of it, you were not in the line where they were passing out “good” voices. You can’t change things now.

Do you have to spend the rest of your life wondering what it’s like to belt out a high note with power, or inspire people with your TED Talk? It does if you settle for that…

With all the craziness in the world right now it might feel impossible to figure out “What actions should I take?”, ‘What is my purpose?’, "How can I possibly make a difference?"

It’s all about claiming your center stage, the place where you’re willing to find your voice–and use it.

I invite you to choose one little thing you can do today to shift how you use and feel about your voice…

Then tell us about it in the comments below.

HAPPY WORLD VOICE DAY!

Come Sing From the Bottom* of Your Lungs!

This coming Saturday, May 11, Portland Sings! is at it again, bringing you the sing-along experience you know you want.

We'll bust out in song from 2:00 to 4:00 at Artichoke Music, 2007 SE Powell Blvd. It's going to be HOT outside, so come INSIDE and cool off with some group singing fun!

Lyrics will be provided online, so bring a phone, tablet or laptop, and we'll sing some of the best 60s/70s songs you love!

Sliding scale is $8 to $15, and no one will be turned away for singing harmony or creative melodies...

Bring your open heart and voice, and join us for big fun.
Questions? [email protected]

*The conventional idea of singing from the top of your lungs doesn't engage your true vocal power like singing from the bottom of your lungs!

Hey, Sing-Along-Singer!
It’s been a long time (almost a month!) and I’m excited to say we’re singing together again at Artichoke Music, located at 2007 SE Powell Blvd - Portland.

The date is Saturday, April 13th. Doors open at 1:30 and we’ll sing from 2:00 to 4:00. Cover charge is a sliding scale of $8 to $15 either in advance at:

https://artichokemusic.org/product/9472/Portland+Sings!+-+Saturday%2c+April+13th+2024

or at the door.

If you’re new to Portland Sings! we sing songs mostly from the 60s and 70s with a few outliers added in. Genres include Motown, Pop, Rock, Folk, Soul, Blues, Country, Broadway, and more.

Bring a friend and have a blast listening, singing the melody, singing a harmony or…?

So many of us feel vulnerable/ashamed/less than about our voice. You may be one of those folks who don’t feel comfortable singing in front of someone, speaking to one or more people, or any kind of impromptu use of your voice.

You are not alone.

And, in light of an important holiday this week, I want to share an easy way to help yourself move forward with more vocal confidence.

Did you know that Friday is National Kazoo Day? How did this slip under the radar, you may ask? I’m not sure, but I’m glad it’s here.

And that’s because a kazoo is not something you blow to make sound–you have to hum into it to do that. And humming is like a gateway drug–the first one’s free, but it will probably lead to singing!

Here’s my invitation: if you don’t own a kazoo, go buy one. They’re inexpensive, fun for EVERYONE (really) and they can help you take an important vocal step.

Pick a song you like and kazoo to it (yes, I just made kazoo a verb.) Once you’ve done that, “air kazoo” the song (meaning pretend you’re humming into one.) The next step is to add the lyrics to your “air kazooing.”

The final step is to realize you were just singing. That may not be a big deal to you, but for many, it will be. Millions of people think they can’t use their voice with confidence because they equate singing, public speaking, etc. as being able to do it perfectly.

A person isn’t a singer because they sing well, a person is a singer because they sing. Once you own that concept, you can take the next step, if you’re inspired to, and learn the nuts and bolts of how to use your voice in a way that you can’t wait to share it with others.

Imagine what that would feel like.

Okay, go kazoo something and please share your experience with us…