On this episode of Your Free Voice, I’m delighted to bring back into the studio celebrity voice coach and founder of The Voice Straw, Mindy Pack!

You may have listened to episode #32 where I talked to Mindy about her experience being a celebrity voice coach, well we ran out of time to talk about straws so I had to get her back again.

We’re going pretty deep into how to use the straw for rehabilitation after a cold or injury and how to prevent injury doing video game call outs and efforts prepping with the straw!

I met Mindy about 5 years ago when she was co-hosting a conference in LA for voice teachers and singers with Dr. Reen Gupta. I loved her energy and generosity from day one and have been using straws with my clients ever since.

You may have attended a workshop or listened to Episode 7 which gives you the basics of straw phonation, but if you haven’t, listen to that one first, it’s ever so short.

Here’s why I’m such a fan of straws and this version in particular…

“The Voice Straw is the complete training tool for singers, actors, speakers, school teachers, and other frequent voice users. Using your voice should be effortless! Our straws are uniquely designed to release tension, relieve strain, and reduce vocal breathiness, cracking and flipping.

The Voice Straw is backed by over 20 years of scientific research that has proven to benefit voice users by encouraging more efficient vocal fold movement, adjusting the vocal tract into peak position and creating vocal balance.” www.voicestraw.com

“My dream as a child was to be the world’s first “singing heart surgeon.” Medical school didn’t quite pan out, but throughout my career, I have combined my love of singing with my interest in health and physiology to help vocalists of all levels meet their potential.

Clinically certified both in Vocology from The National Center for Voice and Speech, and as a licensed massage therapist, I specialize in vocal structural integration. In my coaching, I aim to not only help my clients connect in the industry, but to help them develop in their artistry through collaboration to find the best possible solutions for their career.

In 2019 I applied my knowledge of voice science and vocal production to create The Voice Straw, a vocal training tool for singers, actors, and speakers that has been clinically proven to help relieve tension, strain, breathiness, cracking, and flipping in the voice.

With locations in Salt Lake and Los Angeles, and virtual worldwide clients, my roster includes singers, artists, voice over actors, professional speakers, rehabilitation, newscasters, and transitioning voices. I would love to connect with vocalists of all levels!”

Taken from https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-pack/

More links and discounts…

Follow Mindy on instagram here

Follow me on instagram here

And here’s my 10%discount coupon for you for the Voice Straw https://voicestraw.com/discount/JULIANORTON

If you enjoyed this episode PLEASE share it with a friend and help me get the word out!

Happy voicing!

My interview with my friend and colleague Ruth Phillips. 

Ruth Phillips is a modern and baroque cellist, a mindfulness coach, founder of The Breathing Bow and co-founder of InsideOut Musician and a writer. Alongside her rich and diverse career as a concert cellist and teacher. Ruth is internationally sought after as a performance coach and meditation teacher, helping people who suffer from tension, stage fright or lack of focus overcome the physical and mental strains of the music profession. 

Ruth primarily works with instrumentalists, but her insights into the source of suffering when we practice, how the body holds and moves with the breath and how to prepare for performance using meditation and loving kindness are very powerful and equally applicable to singers and actors. 

I do hope you enjoy our conversation where we talk about all these things and more. ❤️

You can find more about Ruth at:

Ruth Phillips

On Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/ruth.phillips.752

And Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/ruthphillipscello/

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If you would like to work with me on discovery a full and free connection to your voice visit my coaching website  

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Thank you for listening!

This episode is a bit of a first, because I am the one being interviewed!

Rush Dorsett reached out to me to be part of her Awaken Your Voice Summit in October 2023. It was a great series where she interviewed 10 different thought leaders around the singing voice over 10 days. There were some really great interviews with people I've admired for a very long time (Chloe Goodchild anyone?).  I honestly felt very lucky to be part of this event.

We talked about many things including ...

• What got me into the Mind, Body and Spirit of the voice approach in the first place.

• Alfred Wolfsohn, Roy Hart theatre, Carl Jung and Voice Movement Therapy.

• Why it's not all about a 'pretty voice'.

• Our vocal conditioning or predispositions.

I also took her audience on a 10 minute guided vizualization to meet their Shadow Voice.

You can get your copy of that vizualisation by clicking here.  

If you're interested in coaching with me privately set up a free 30 minute call here.

If you're interested in Begin to Sing all the details are at www.yourfreevoice.com/events

"Julia is an inspiration! I Took this remarkable course earlier this year and it opened my eyes and my heart and helped me to deal with, tame, and even banish self-imposed limitations that have gotten in my way for too long. It is a wonderful adventure and learning experience I confidently recommend." Maria Makis. Voice Actor/Singer NYC

Thank you so much for listening!

have a great week!

Julia

P.S You can find me and message me with questions or insights about your shadow voice on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/depthvoicecoachingwithjulia/