My guest this week is Pamela Bezzina, a Speech and Language Pathologist, Singer and Vocal Coach (Founder of Vocal Booth Studios) from the beautiful island of Malta. Join us as we discuss her journey into the world of voice, helping others connect with their voices and how training and access to training has changed since we were younger.

Pamela continues to enjoy a heart-felt connection to music and expressing herself through her voice. We also chat through her involvement with the Eurovision Song Contest as a performer, backing singer and vocal coach for many appearing artists as well as the valuable lessons she has learned from her experience so far.

Check show notes below for a walk-through and for relevant links.

0.00 Welcome and Introduction

1:45 Singing from very very young!

2:00 Stevie Wonder (I wish), Mariah Carey (I'll be there), Celine Dion (Think Twice) from age 6-7

3:15 Experimenting with my voice was fun!

4:00 Meeting my Classical voice teacher from Bulgaria, big voice at age 70!

5:00 Moving from being a performer

5:30 How did you get into the Eurovision content journey?

6:45 As a performer I am not really into competitions

8:30 Don’t let a competition result define your self-worth

9:15 The value of your experience, what is most important

10:30 I still look for teachers, it’s important to keep learning

10:45 Believe in yourself and love what you have!

11:30 The more you gain, the more obstacles sometimes

12:30 If you have this love in you (for music) nothing and no one can stop you from doing it.

13:10 I get lightbulb moments every week with my students

14:25 It feels like we do magic! It’s true!

14:50 A lightbulb for me was exploring the idea of ‘mix’ voice

16:20 Share your own strengths and weaknesses

16:35 Rehearsal riffs (Pamela breaks down Yebba Riff)

17:15 A singer should know their voice

17:45 Helping singers getting to know their voices

18:30 Taking responsibility for the care of your voice

19:15 Keeping a journal to monitor your vocal lifestyle

20:10 What we do (as coaches) can really make a difference

21:15 Trading lessons with different style voice teachers!

22:55 Who do you love to listen to?

Bobby McFerrin (from me to you live) - Jacob Collier live - Tori Kelly (Coffee, live) - Alicia Keys (Underdog) Yebba (My Mind)

25:00 What does your voice mean to you?

25:00 Total vocal rest for 3 weeks

26:15 Realising I’m human as well!

27:25 Leighs mouldy voice story!

29:30 Everything we pass through, event worst times, are there for us to learn

30:50 Whats it like being Pamela singing on stage?

32:00 We are fragile artists, this is what I believe

32:45 Balancing the technique and heart in your expression

34:00 Whats coming up?

34:30 What I learned and explored during the pandemic

35:00 Vocal Troupes (Hold the line) directed by Pamela and Pamela singing live

36:30 I love singing and sharing music with others, this is the ultimate, the highest grade you can get!

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Thank you for listening!

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