Studio Blog
What IS Posture Anyway?
We all know that ‘good posture’ is important. It helps us move through the world with confidence. It helps us have presence in performance or public speaking. It’s the foundation of singing. We feel and look better with it. But if you ask people what good posture is,...
Constructive Rest – Peace in the Midst of Busy
It’s mid-April. For those of in the academic and music performance cycles, that means BUSY. With concerts, finals, and an increasing number of commitments, it’s easy to feel like there just isn’t any downtime. I try to build periods of rest into my life, but some...
You Are Your Instrument: The Power of the Breath, part 2
In last month’s blog, I explored the idea of noticing your non-doing breath. Not long after I sent it out, one reader wrote to ask: “Can you give us tips on how to incorporate breathing techniques into daily life?” Absolutely! First, let’s finish talking about the...
You Are Your Instrument: The Power of the Breath, part 1
Earlier this month, I had the joy of partnering in an event at the Spirit and Place Festival, a unique, 10-day long event in Indianapolis exploring the intersection of the arts, humanities, and religion. This year’s theme was “Power.” An ensemble from Indianapolis...
Under Construction
I grew up in Michigan, where, like much of the northern US, there are two seasons: winter and construction. It’s a joke, of course, but it has some interesting parallels with the speeds and seasons of our lives. I looked at winter in a blog post marking the Winter...
You Are Your Instrument, pt. 1 – My Singing Journey
When people find out that I am a singer, voice teacher, choral conductor, and Alexander Technique teacher, it sometimes isn’t immediately clear how all of it connects. Some musicians who have heard of Alexander Technique see plainly how the work can help...
You. Have. Time.
Today is December 21. Perhaps your email inbox has been like mine: every retailer from which I’ve ever purchased anything needed to remind me that there are only a few more days until Christmas, and that I needed to buy something today for it to arrive in time. There...
The Confines of Fear – Politics, Media, and the Fear Response
I started writing this post in July. It got put on the back burner, but resurfaced this week for two reasons. One, if you haven’t heard yet, Donald Drumpf was elected president, in a turn of events that many people I care for see as a direct threat to their lives...
A Proven Approach to Self Care
The idea of Self-care has been abuzz in the world around me these last several weeks. For those of us attuned to the academic calendar, whether as teachers of university or grade school students, or parents of children in school, the mid-fall rush has gathered. We’re...
Permission to Not be Right
Take a minute and think through a typical day. How many times during the day do you feel that you have permission to not be right? By that, I mean you are not expected to: know the answer, build it so it works the first time, even wear socks that match… in general, do...