This week I am joined by Singing Teacher, Dance Facilitator and Researcher Elizabeth Drwal who is based in gorgeous Ireland. It was a joy to hear how it all started around Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers! I used to watch those old movies with my lovely Mum when I was a little girl too!

All the links shared here are in essence educational and could benefit you or someone else you know who uses their voice (or is aiming to become a voice professional), or who has any health issues with their voice. Please help by sharing anything you find useful x

Show notes and links (timings are approx)

0:00 Intro and welcome Elizabeth's Website (about)

1:30 How would you describe the journey with your voice?

2:30 Packed off to Music School in Coventry

3:00 Vocal Suppression led me to run away to the theatre!

4.00 Classical arias didn’t really help me find my soul

5:00 The difference between strict traditional approach and more playful expression

5:36 Finding the love of singing English Art Song

6:40 What’s in your ear helps.

7:00 Next steps in the journey, voice coaching for actors.

8:10 The Golden Age of Musical Theatre!

9:15 The use of imagery and using visualisation and imagination

13:00 "I wanted to walk down the avenue with my cane and top hat!"

13:55 "I remember President Kennedy’s assassination and how it upset the TV Schedule!"

14:45 What singers you love and who could you never tire of listening to?

15:07 The Story of Marni Nixon (short). Plus Shall we Dance from the King and I

16:40 Feeling robbed at The Greatest Showman

17:10 Les Mis movie, do we feel robbed there?

18:10 What do you know now you wish you had learned sooner?

18:55 "Your breath and your body are so connected"

19:16 A little Reset & Manifest course feedback

20:50 "The importance of really taking time to really let go"

21:35 Working our teaching magic!

22:39 Teachers can be so empathetic

23:20 Becoming a more reflexive teacher

23:50 "Lesson plans can be debilitating to some degree!"

24:30 What do you find most valuable in caring for your voice?

25:00 Related: Dr Vox Products for Vocal Rehabilitation and Health and Dr Vox Product Video Shorts

26:15 Shocking statement about an old teacher!

27:20 "A lot to be said for mindful, caring empathetic teaching"

28:15 "What I didn’t know back in the day..."

29:45 "We all development at different stages and we have to let go of comparing"

30:15 What does your voice mean to you?

30:30 "I wanted to speak with Received Pronunciation"

31:50 I’m beginning to enjoy singing for myself!

32:00 Petula Clark singing Downtown (in an interesting jacket? is that PVC?)

33:00 The songs from Heartbeat, from my childhood, "more innocent times" (in the charts)

34:45 "I am much more open to listening to contemporary music now"

35:45 "Synchronicity of movement and sound is so beautiful"

37:00 "Actors are so open I found it so liberating working with them!"

38:00 Passing on our excitement to our students!

38:42 What is Vocal Freedom to you?

39:45 Just Singing and not being bothered!

40:35 Workshop story and what cropped up the next morning

41:10 The Mental Post-It note tit-bit

41:50 It works! I shut that voice straight up!

42:30 Farewells and do come back soon!

To learn more and join our growing community of voice and wellbeing practitioners and supporters of the podcast visit our home page or facebook page for episode updates and useful shares.

To communicate with me regarding the podcast or any of the vocal freedom coaching services please email me directly at lmt@vocalfreedomcoach.info

Leigh xx