All posts by barbara feller

NAVIGATING – from one style to another

The fundamental truth about voice work is : all technique must be experienced physically! I make this point because when moving from one style to another (or one character to another) it is crucial to feel the changes that need to take place in the body to achieve the desired sound. We also need to be aware of perception – what we think another singer (song stylist ) is doing in terms of technique may be 180 degrees from the truth of it.

It is my job as a teacher- trainer to – a) understand where a client wants to go with their voice, b) determine where they are in terms of technique… noone comes to me a blank canvas , c) provide the pathways – the exercises that will put the right physical/sensory cues in the body to get there. Classical singers often want to diversify and do crossover work, pop singers often want to sing in a more R&B style, musical theater singers often want to sing classical or pop music etc. Often I am asked to provide necessary changes for an artist to provide a producer’s musical vision … sometimes in the recording studio. What is important is to know that this can be done without harming the voice in any way.

I want to make VERY CLEAR here that this DOES NOT TAKE AWAY what a singer has already but ADDS new roads to the vocal super highway so that one has more choices, a larger palette of colors to choose from. Many people are fearful that they are going to lose what they have acquired and love about their voice when they begin voice work, but THIS IS NOT TRUE -WE ARE ONLY ADDING NOT TAKING AWAY!!! Even in cases where the voice is damaged one learns why this has happened as we heal the voice and provide new approaches as prevention. But even here the performer is given pathways to make his/her own choices. I provide a lovely little toolbox for change. It is truly exciting and revolutionary work and constantly amazes me and gives so many people HOPE.

Barbara Feller Helps You Find Your Voice

Combining a cutting edge system of neuro-muscular, sensory based exercizes with a selection of only the proven traditional practices of voicework, PERFORMANCE TRAINING FOR THE VOICE BUILDS A TECHNIQUE THAT –

MAXIMIZESthe capacity of the voice
CREATESvocal change immediately
ADAPTS the individual voice to the demands of the material
INDIVIDUALIZES – a program that sets the elements of the voice in the correct balance for optimum response.
DIAGNOSES – at the outset a regimen that works right now to meet the needs of the singer.

WHAT CAN PERFORMANCE TRAINING DO FOR THE VOICE?

TONES, STRENGTHENS & FREES – the larynx to achieve power, clarity and flexibility,completely eliminating vocal strain.
PLACES IN THE BODY – the physical sensory cues that are the “key” to unlocking the voice, opening up the often hidden pathways to the desired sound.
CREATES – a vocal toolbox, giving consistent control to the singer.
ENERGIZES – the voice without pressuring it, creating vocal excitement in a weightless effort.
RESTORES & REHABILITATES – the damaged or misused voice.

WHO USES PERFORMANCE TRAINING FOR THE VOICE?

PERFORMERS WHO NEED TO –

MAINTAIN – range or access a vocal quality – in the moment.
REROUTE – from one vocal quality to another
ACCESS – vocal change without relinquishing a personal, distinctive vocal quality.
FULFILL – a producer’s vision
DEPROGRAM – the misuse of breath and overly contracted muscularity, all of which lead to vocal fatigue, tension and hoarseness.
DEVELOP – laryngeal support, which grounds the voice deep in the body producing brightness, resonance and flexibility without effort.
NAVIGATE – smoothly through the registers of the voice.

BARBARA FELLER WORKS WITH PERFORMERS –

  • Ms. Feller has trained many film actors for recording and stage roles recently including Mira Sorvino (Cabaret), Paula Abdul (Sweet Charity), Jere Burns (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels). Ms. Feller prepared Manley Pope for his lead role in Rent.

IN THE STUDIO * ON THE SET * IN HER MANHATTAN STUDIO

Barbara Feller/A Voice Has Many Rooms

Almost every day when a new singer considers studying, I’m asked about the STYLE of voice I teach. As a singer who has performed in several styles of music I understand the question on a very personal level. I know how difficult it is to grasp the notion that a truly good and expansive technique will address and transverse the landscape of all vocal styles. When a technique sets the body, the breath, the larynx and energy into the right balance the singer, having reached a higher state of sensory awareness will be on what I like to call the vocal superhighway ready to adjust these elements to the requirements of each musical genre. I believe every singer should be able to navigate freely through many different styles. A voice has many rooms and yet so many people get locked into one unable to free themselves and ultimately believe they cannot access any other sound. THIS IS NOT TRUE!!!! As a matter of fact the workout of one approach/style can enhance another.

BARBARA FELLER/VOICE STYLING

VOCAL IMAGE

In a world where physical image- perfect hair, perfect body, perfect skin and perfect teeth- has become a high priority, the voice now appears high on the checklist of perfection. “Voice styling” – helping people improve the sound and impact of their voice- completes the picture of a dynamic self-image. A skilled and knowledgeable teacher will take a client through a personalized exercise regime that targets problems and provides solutions resulting in a complete- “vocal makeover “- a free rich resonant speaking voice that is charged with energy and sounds totally natural (as if you were born with it). BARBARA FELLER/Performance Training for the Voice is a system that in addition to the benefits above, will also help you discover and build a communicating personality. The process will enable you to think more clearly in the moment and connect emotionally to the information and your audience. Everyone benefits from a speaker who possesses style, confidence, conviction and spontaneity.

DOES YOUR VOICE BETRAY THE DEPTH OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE?

Do you think you would be more effective in getting your message across- getting what you want from others- if you were more “commanding�?? Voice quality in today’s world is a necessary requirement- especially because so many of our daily activities are conducted on the phone. In business -and socially, as well – the impact of our voice determines how persuasive and engaging we are. When communicating sight unseen the voice alone delivers the message. A shaky, breathy, garbled voice- with weak inflection and mired in regional accents not only undermine the information you offer but also your intelligence. Developing the voice into an effective tool of communication will ensure the power and impact of the speaker as well as the information.

A PERSONAL TRAINER FOR YOUR VOICE!

In similar ways to training the singing voice, (it is after all, the same larynx) . Performance Training for the Speaking Voice combines traditional methods with principles of fitness training to build and strengthen the musculature that supports and releases the voice. Think of it as taking your voice to the gym. What’s more it makes use of the only recently understood role of neurology in vocal technique – utilizing specific impulse cues to liberate the voice from the tensions of muscular effort. The results are amazing and quickly provide you, the client/ speaker with a set of consistent tools that create new ways of producing power, range and color with your voice.