As Thanksgiving approaches this year, I am reminded of a thousand blessings that keep me in a state of gratitude. In keeping with All Things Vocal, here’s a sampling of what’s on my voice’s gratitude list:
Knowing that vocal damage can completely healÂ
I know this from personal experience, after losing an octave and a half from an endotracheal tube down my throat for an extended time in the hospital. As a vocal coach, that experience has helped me help others. I have seen vocal polyps, nodules, and vocal cord paralysis disappear with corrective vocal re-training. Surgery can almost always be avoided if the damage is stopped in time.
Not having grown up with auto tune
I had to learn precision technique and control the hard way… and now it helps me teach you!
Conversations with other curious, caring vocal coaches
I have had fantastic conversations, in person and online with coaches including Jeffrey Allen, Jeannie Deva, Jamie Vendera, Lisa Popeil, Joana Cazden, Richard Fink IV, Mark Thress, and many others. Mr. Allen granted me permission to use his hook-shaped voice path in my teaching, and Joana Cazden suggested improvements to my vocal health document. I love sharing information as a member of NATS  (National Association of Teachers of Singing),  trading lessons and ideas in classical and contemporary voice with singers and teachers such as my dear friend Mark Thress! I’m grateful when a teacher or other voice expert comments on a post in this blog. We may not see things exactly the same way, but these conversations have all given me insight and made me a better and more effective teacher.
Great voices and music creators
Without the inspiration of incredibly talented singers, writers and musicians, my voice would be just a collection of various noises. My singing and speaking are influenced by decades of other voices from multiple genres and eras of music.Â
My vocal coach, Gerald ArthurÂ
When I moved to Nashville, I found that Gerald was the coach for the top studio session singers I worked with. I got in to see him, and he fit me into one of his 8:30am 1/2 hour spots, which helped get singers ready for their 10am recording sessions. The first thing he told me was to stop ‘guarding’. Many of you have received that instruction from me; well that’s where it came from. Gerald not only helped me get my damaged voice back and then some, he also taught me how to teach. He showed me that the voice is a deep part of the psyche and that a vocal coach often becomes part-counselor or life coach. I can’t imagine teaching someone without loving and caring about them. Gerald gave me that blueprint. His passing left a big hole in the vocal Coaching universe.
The gift of insight and intuition.
I’m just not that smart. But I know that if we are open, useful wisdom is somehow channeled to all of us from the ultimate source of all wisdom. I’m so grateful to God for taking all I’ve done in my career, adding other illumination and creating in me the ability to teach voice. I had no idea how fulfilling it would be for me to help nurture other voices and be the wind at someone else’s back. Now it blows my mind.
Every vocal student I’ve ever hadÂ
…especially the ones with toughest, peskiest problems. Your patience and your dedication to your training have led to breakthroughs and of course, to solutions for the next student who comes in with that issue. I love you for trusting me with your precious voices, and being willing to go down the rabbit trails we explored until we found your answers!
 My husband John and our son PeterÂ
John makes everyone I work with feel welcome, sometimes stopping by the webcam to say hello! He also helps me to remember to power down at the end of the day and gives me a great reason to. He is my most important critic, sounding board and encourager. He also joined me to create and perform our surprise last album “Here We Are“. There aren’t enough words for what that album means to us both!
Our son Peter is our most precious legacy. As a photographer, craftsman, digital designer and musician is a creator in his own right, and helps me with all things technical. I can’t imagine life without either of them.
Listeners
A good voice is said to have a ‘gift’. But If no one is there, how can a gift be given? Every once in awhile I still perform in front of listening audiences. I sometimes regale my family and friends with a song or two to get their reaction.  Thank goodness people not only have voices but also ears! I’m so grateful for everyone who has ever come to one of my shows or presentations and I love to take my turn listening to your performances, too!Â
Friendship, trust, inspiration, and support
My first question about how to sing something came from my fellow session singer/co-writer Carol Chase. She really sparked the idea in me to become a vocal coach. After a few years of teaching, I began creating my first Power, Path & Performance course at the request of producer/friend Dick McVey, who suggested that I record some vocal exercises for people. That was over 20 years ago. People like this have driven me to do things I’d never have otherwise done. Thank you!Â
Pineapple juice
I had no idea when I poured a little can of pineapple juice into that 13 oz glass of water that it would go on to be my best recommendation for dry or irritated throats! I rarely leave home to sing without it. Oh… and coffee. Without my morning joe, my voice would still be staring at the alphabet rather than stringing it together into sentences:)
The transpose button
A big thank you goes up to whoever invented the transpose button on my keyboard! That way my students and I can sing in for instance the key of B, while I play it in my fingers’ much preferred Bb or C! 😀
YOU
I am very grateful for you, dear reader and supporter of ‘All Things Vocal’. You are the reason I do this. If you have a suggestion for this blog or podcast to make it of more value to you please let me know. Your comments and reviews are incredibly important and I am so very grateful to those of you who take the time.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving…Â
And once more, thanks for being a part of this All Things Vocal village!Â
I'm an award-winning vocal coach, recording artist, live performer, public speaker, published author, songwriter, musician, studio producer, blogger, podcaster and vocal consultant with over 50 years of success in the music and voice industry.
As vocal coach online globally, I help develop, maximize and protect voices of singers & speakers who seek to make the world better with their messages and artistic influence. My students and recording clients have appeared on The Today Show, Letterman, Ellen DeGeneres, The Voice, American Idol, America's Got Talent, Grammys, CMA, ACM & MTV Awards Shows, New York Times Best Seller list. They include major and indie recording artists and labels, artist development companies, touring and studio background singers, national public speakers, radio & TV personnel, teachers and voiceover actors.
My career credits include being voted ‘Best Vocal Coach' by Nashville Music Pros, 'Vocal Coach in Residence' by TC Helicon's VoiceCouncil Magazine, #1 and other top-10 Billboard singles as artist on MTM Records, winner of Billboard's and ACM's 'New Female Vocalist' award, BMI 'Million Air' award.
I'm a published author with several vocal training packages on disc and as online video courses. My blog and podcast ‘All Things Vocal’ have received over 2 million views and plays.
With thousands of studio credits, I produce country, pop, rock, singer/songwriter and r&b projects, working in the studio online and in-person. I also specialize as vocal producer on teams headed by other studio producers, and create arrangements and sing background vocals.
Member of SAG-AFTRA, BMI, AFM Local 257, ACM, NATS, I'm based in Nashville, Tennessee.
Already a Member? Login Here.
Not Yet a Member? Join the Conversation Today!