j o l i e - b e t h t a l e n t
* singer * actress, * vocal teacher * acting coach * writer * creative thinker *
Singing lessons
WHAT YOU LEARN
classical vocal training & technique
No roots, no fruits!
Just as a flower or a tree relies on its roots to grow strong and beautiful, classical vocal training creates the support necessary for an effortless, beautiful, sound that is well supported by tried and true concepts that have been used for centuries based off of mastery in posture, strengthening of the diaphragm, proper breathing control, head voice, chest voice, pure vowel sounds, diction, rhythm, and mental training. Most importantly, growing roots in classical training provides the foundation for one to blossom confidently, brightly, and with freedom knowing that classical techniques are healthy for your voice, not harmful.
Ask yourself. When you look at the beauty of a flower, do you think about the roots? You know the roots exist, but do you think about them?
We noticed the delicate petals and the sharp thorns of a rose. We notice the vibrant colors of a carnation. We see the exquisite shape of a tulip, but we generally do not wonder what the roots look like. However, without the roots, there would be no delicate petals. Without nourishing soil and refreshing water, the flower would wither away and die.
The same is true with classical vocal training. I have seen many talented singers that had great voices and yet no vocal foundation destroy their own vocal chords. They could never sing again. They grabbed for the petals before growing the roots. Their petals flew away and that… hurts.
Singing properly should not hurt. Singing should free you, not restrict you. The tones should move out of you fluently, gracefully, and naturally. By gaining this knowledge and ability, you will possess the freedom to sing whatever and wherever your heart takes you!
Contemporary Singing Technique is what is used in most every genre on the music charts, from pop, rock, rhythm & blues, christian, country, and much more. When I think of singing contemporarily, I think of freedom.
CONTEMPORARY SINGING TECHNIQUE
"This solitary Tree! a living thing
Produced too slowly ever to decay;
Of form and aspect too magnificent
To be destroyed."
- William Wordsworth
Think of it this way. The twisting and turning branches of an Oak tree are strong and thick. How are the branches able to grow in multiple directions? It as if the tree creates its own unique dance. This tree makes its own decisions, but what is grounding this nature’s roller coaster? The roots!
Classical Training provides the muscle memory necessary for the vocalist to sing correctly, sing with confidence, and reach their their full potential. This is achieved through focused discipline and a defined set of rules regarding posture, strenghthening of the diaphragm which increased the lung capacity, vocal tone, diction, and projection. Having a strong foundation in place, Contemporary Technique allows the one to be free and make their own decisions on vocal expression by means of a conversational tone, a sigh, and a variety of tools. With this method, the singer may choose to sing breathy on one note and belt out the next. It is a lot of fun; however, I stress the importance of developing a strong foundation in Classical Training so that the artist sings properly and can sing to the best of his or her ability!
supple resonance technique
"Any patch of sunlight in a wood will show you something about the sun which you could never get from reading books on astronomy. These pure and spontaneous pleasures are 'patches of Godlight' in the woods of our experience."
- C.S. Lewis
Have you ever gazed at the trees above you, witnessed the sunlight dance between the branches blowing in the breeze, and just let go? One moment swiftly flutters by in a twinkle of time! In unison, the sun's warmth radiates bright as the glowing shadows from the earth's trees cast their calming spell exuberating two beautiful extremes! This creates an ever-flourishing orchestra of fluid melodies charged with crescendos and decrescendos! This type of vocal power can be achieved naturally through a technique I have established called Supple Resonance Technique.
I coined the term Supple Resonance Technique to describe the techniques I learned from so many amazing vocal instructors over the years and have used throughout my singing career. It uses resonance placement to capitalize the beauty and clarity of the head voice and the strength of the robust chest voice intermittently, subtly, and naturally.
The questions the performer answers using Supple Resonance Technique are who, what, where, when and how.
Let that sink in your soul for a moment.
Resonance, or vibration, is a key component in vocal quality, power, and flexibility. Often times, singers are not aware of the full potential of resonance placement, have a limited awareness of how to place vocal vibration, or do not fully comprehend the significance resonance placement has on intonation, style, and the feeling the artist wants to portray. It literally gives the singer the ability to do what they want and the power to decide when they want to do it.
Famous vocalist like Lady Gaga, Pink, Adelle, Ariana Grande, just to name a few, use a similar technique, called the mixed voice. Please do not confuse the Supple Resonance Technique with the mixed voice. The mixed voice is very powerful by combining the head voice and the chest voice at the same time ( basically ). It takes very intensive and intricate training to sing the mixed voice properly. Famous singers have a team of vocal instructors that train them intensively to ensure they are not damaging their vocal chords and are sounding great. In other words, it takes years and years of training in order to sing the mixed voice fluidly; otherwise, it is not singing, but rather yelling. Without a very strong vocal foundation in Classical Training, the mixed voice can be harmful to the singer's vocal chords. Supple Resonance Technique requires Classical Training as well, however it is much more gentle and flexible on the larynx and thus, provides more vocal options and performance choices.
When I have taught Supple Resonance Technique to my students, they find they are able to reach a higher level of vocal ability than they thought was remotely possible! Instead of finding the spotlight they have been yearning for, they find something even better. The SUNLIGHT! It is an extremely powerful tool to hold dear in your treasure chest, because you worked hard for it and just like the luminescent light beams flowing through the forest of trees, it is a beautiful gift to witness and to receive.
AUDITION PREPARATION
A butterfly's wings are the most beautiful when they flutter.
And why is that?
Is it an accident that a caterpillar spends most of its early life gaining strength and nourishment to spend the rest of it s life flying? Nope!
It makes perfect sense. It is by design.
Nerves get the best of most people. There are many ways to get through it; however, one of the most effective methods is to practice technique. Know your craft. Come prepared.
Auditioning is a skill in its self and everything is a learning experience. Much like going on a job interview, going on a date, or meeting new friends, you have about two minutes to make a positive impression. Jolie-Beth Talent's students have been able to conquer fears by doing the work and knowing who they are. They have been taught to focus on what they have become and not on how they used to see themselves. They have been encouraged to not let the world tell them who they are, but rather to show the world, with out a shadow of a doubt, WHO THEY ARE. This brings confidence and the old, leftover, useless fears start shedding away just like the caterpillar's cocoon.
Poise, positivity, tenacity, training, a good work ethic, and a cheerful and professional attitude escalates one above the rest. In any field, people hire those who can do the job, who they can rely on, and most importantly, who they like. Period. Jolie-Beth Talent covers all of those bases.
After their first audition, many of students wonder why they were so scared in the first place and realize their true potential.
And that is when the butterfly wings start a' fluttering!
PERFORMANCE & EXPRESSION
Behind every touching performance, is an artist that has a story to tell and knows how to tell it.
Much like the soulful satisfaction one receives after reading a thought provoking novel, hearing a captivating song on the radio or at a concert can take us to the same illuminated destination; however, music allows the singer to communicate on many levels and facets. As the vocalist sings ( or tells ) their story , each of listeners thinks of their own personal journey and yet simultaneously the audience bonds in unison.
Great performances are born from the artist's willingness to share genuinely and courageously FOR their audience. You see. The hidden secret every great performer discovers at some point in their career is that it is not about them. It is about the audience. Otherwise, what is the point?
If one wants to be a performer by definition this requires an interaction between the entertainers and the ones enjoying it. This beautiful chemistry is an orchestra in itself. The creation of this "orchestra" requires experience, practice, and an honest performance.
Sure. Stage presence can be achieved by facial expression and movement.
There are certain well known stage movements, especially in musical theatre, that help the actor/singer/storyteller portray the feeling they want to give to the audience. How many times have we seen a singer finish the grand finale with arms spread up and wide towards their audience? Countless... Why? It works. It is also an easy way to portray a feeling the performer is not actually feeling.
One of the best directors I ever had the privilege to work with and learn from told me, "If you don't believe it, neither will your audience." This takes much training and practice to achieve. It also takes bravery, maturity, and lots of love for your audience. It is not easy to show a piece of your heart and soul to complete strangers, but please remember that your are wanting to give your audience a gift. Do you want to give a fake gem or a real one? Think about it. When you meet a person for the first time, an honest first impression is far greater than a phony one, regardless of the execution.
Here at Jolie-Beth Talent, authenticity and expressing love inside the performance is highly encouraged. Training, talent grown from foundation, and tenacity.... That's what Jolie-Beth Talent works to fortify.
CREATIVE FREEDOM
Through training, hard work, and tenacity FOUNDATION is grown.
FOUNDATION gives birth to CONFIDENCE in ability.
CONFIDENCE gives birth to autentic and natural EXPRESSION.
And all of this combined, brings the FREEDOM to the shine light confidently, honestly, genuinely, and most importantly, in such a way that doesn't hurt their eyes.
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