The Earth in our Voices: This session focuses on the importance of feeling ‘grounded’ (exploring the role of the lower half of the body) for our voices to flow freely through our whole body. Our ancestors lived closer to the earth, which gave their voices power and depth. We will use exercises, and songs and chants from cultures that still have this relationship to the earth.

Letting the Breath In, Letting the Voice Out: It is self evident that our lungs and breath are crucial to giving full, expressive voice. Yet so many of us have restricted breathing, often without realising it, in our sedentary culture.

We will use exercises to free our ribs, spine and hence lungs. This increases awareness of the diaphragm muscle, and of how this, together with the abdominal muscles, gives strength, stamina and resonance to the voice without strain. We will also play with exercises and songs that encourage increasing our range and ability to sustain sound.

Let your Voice Soar: Most of us find ourselves with more tension than we might like in our throat and jaw. This session focuses on freeing the shoulders, neck, tongue, throat and jaw to help liberate sound and song.