Few things make me happier than the annual return of major league baseball. This year, as the season gets into full swing, I’ve been thinking a lot about baseball and the role failure plays in getting better at a skill. Like singing or speaking in public, hitting a fastball is a mental exercise as much as a physical one. Trying, missing, and trying again is a key part of releasing the anxiety that makes the whole thing harder. Let’s talk about what America’s pastime can teach us as we work to find your voices. My video essay on feeling fear and finding the courage to perform in unfamiliar circumstances. https://www.mvmusik.com/video-what-mike-tauchman-can-teach-us-about-feeling-the-fear-and-doing-it-anyway/Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. Yes, you can sound better! Opt-in for a free video training on my website: https://mvmusik.comA transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-24. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

This one is for all my singers out there. (Don’t worry, speakers, I’ll be back for you soon.) Many of my students are either singing in groups or are hoping to get into a group situation, so they’re nervous about blending in with other voices. I love singing in harmony. Being part of a group sound can be so restoring for the spirit, and I want you to love it, too! So let’s answer their questions, and hopefully help you feel less anxious about fitting in while still being your full, glorious, singing self.Episode 21: Biden and Britt and How Your Face Affects Your SoundMichèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. Yes, you can sound better! Opt-in for a free video training on my website: https://mvmusik.comA transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-23. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

When death is near, music can comfort us: it can ease our pain, it can help us grieve. Songs can transport us back in time to a summer picnic, a winter fireplace, the road trip to grandma’s, and to so much dancing! Recent events have me thinking about mortality, and how music helps us remember those we’ve lost. I’d love to share with you, and honor some amazing people I’ve been fortunate enough to connect with through music.Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. Yes, you can sound better! Opt-in for a free video training on my website: https://mvmusik.comA transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-22. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Listen to So Far Away, composed by Larry Prado, and performed by Muse Crossing.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/2wLKReZsKvGvZQZv7QR3c1YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1ifNW8Vcx0 Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

When you’re working to hone your vocal technique, watching experienced singers or speakers use their voices can be very useful. President Biden’s State of the Union address, and Senator Katie Britt’s response, provided two very different, but very instructive examples. They demonstrate how facial expression, posture, setting, and other choices can radically change the way your voice sounds, and how hard you have to work to project it. Let’s talk about how their techniques can inform your voice practice.Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. Yes, you can sound better! Opt-in for a free video training on my website: https://mvmusik.comA transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-20. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

Learning to speak as an infant is an instinctive process of mimicking the sounds and voices around us. It only makes sense that the intentional practice of honing your voice might involve trying to imitate someone whose voice you like.Your own voice is uniquely shaped by your body, your heart, and your mind, so in the end you’ll always only sound like you. But studying other voices can help you understand what moves you, and what sort of effect you want your voice to have in the world. This time I’m sharing my approach to listening to voices we admire, getting to what’s appealing about them, and applying that insight to our own vocal practice.Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. Yes, you can sound better! Opt-in for a free video training on my website: https://mvmusik.comA transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-20. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

Your whole body is the instrument when you’re singing or speaking, and no part of that instrument is more crucial than your mind. Your feelings of comfort and confidence, your sense of self, and the connection you want to make with your audience all have a deep influence on how your voice sounds and feels. This time I’ll share some examples of how the mind has affected my voice and the voices of my students, and some ways you can cultivate the state of mind that helps you project yourself in the ways that feel right for you.Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. Yes, you can sound better! Opt-in for a free video training on my website: https://mvmusik.comA transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-19. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

I’m honored to introduce you to my good friend Matthew Brown. Matthew is a speech-language pathologist, a keyboardist, and one of the warmest, kindest souls I’ve ever known. In this episode, he shares how learning to sing the Psalms supported him through a really hard time. Maybe not surprisingly, the singing was so helpful that this musical, spiritual practice has stayed with him, five years later. For more resources on singing the Psalms, visit Russell Stutler’s Website: http://www.stutler.cc/russ/sing_psalms.html including audio examples and notated music: http://www.stutler.cc/russ/st_meinrad_tones.htmlCat Psalms: Prayers My Cats Have Taught Me, by Herbert Brokeringhttps://bookshop.org/p/books/cat-psalms-prayers-my-cats-have-taught-me-herbert-brokering/8980406?ean=9780806644981Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. Yes, you can sound better! Opt-in for a free video training on my website: https://mvmusik.comA transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-18. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

In my last episode, I talked about how to prepare when you only have two weeks before an audition. But how do you keep yourself from feeling overwhelmed when the big, scary thing is happening in two minutes? Here are some techniques for helping you feel into your body, and keep yourself grounded and centered when you need to show up in the face of natural anxiety.Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. Mentioned in the episode:Register for the next session of Get Ready With Me! https://www.mvmusik.com/in-a-group/Episode 16, Help! I Have An Audition In Two Weeks: https://www.mvmusik.com/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-16/Episode 9, Your Whole Self is The Instrument: https://www.mvmusik.com/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-9/Episode 5, Why YouTube Warmups Might Not Work For You: https://www.mvmusik.com/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-5/Opt-in for a free video training on my website: https://mvmusik.comA transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-17. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

Auditioning for something often comes with a lot of anxiety, and time pressure only adds stress! Fortunately, it is absolutely possible to polish a song and get yourself into an audition mindset, even on short notice, without dropping everything else in your life. Here is my tried and tested three-step plan that will help you cultivate peace while you learn your piece.Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-16. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

Getting stuck on a project happens, including when you’re developing your voice. I’ll discuss some different kinds of “stuck” and share what’s helped me and my students get moving again. There aren’t any magic bullets, but a little trial and error, some curiosity and self-compassion will help you find what you need. Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-15. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

The practice of art, no matter the medium or your experience level, is a powerful tool for helping us process emotion. Very few people know this better than my wonderful friend Michelle Favreault. Michelle is a multi-disciplinary artist and teacher who helps people find the spark of their creativity, and access it to stay grounded and centered when they’re working through big feelings. I’m so grateful that she’s here to share her wisdom, and I can’t wait for you to hear our conversation.Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. Mentioned in the episode:Michelle’s website is https://riteherenow.comRabbi Adina Allen, Dr. Pat Allen, and The Jewish Studio Project https://www.jewishstudioproject.org/adina-allen-bio The Way It Is, a poem by William Stafford https://grateful.org/resource/the-way-it-is-william-stafford/A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-14. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

I keep a tiny hand mirror in my vocal studio and sometimes invite students to look at their mouths when they’re singing or speaking. It sounds a little awkward, right? So why would I suggest it? Most of us work way too hard when we’re using our voices. There are so many muscles that try to help that aren’t actually helping. The mirror shows us that, which helps us to do less, which helps our voices sound better and last longer. I share three great exercises for identifying and releasing excess tension. They’re easy to do!Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-13. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

Noticing What Is keeps you in the present, which is really the only place you can change anything about how you’re singing or speaking. Noticing What Is also decreases the chances you’ll waste time and energy judging yourself and your circumstances, which allows you to respond more effectively to them. Today’s episode contains a couple of simple, short exercises to increase your capacity for open, calm awareness, whether you’re singing or speaking.  Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. Previous episodes on my Your Whole Self Is The Instrument framework.Episode 9, Your Whole Self is the Instrument: https://www.mvmusik.com/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-9/ Episode 11, Opening Courageously: https://www.mvmusik.com/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-11/ A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-12. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

I’ve talked about opening courageously before. It’s one of the vital steps you can take to support the physical act of singing or speaking. It requires building awareness and strength in your body, but it’s not just about posture and muscles. Opening courageously engages your mind and your heart. It means developing a connection to your surroundings, and to the feeling of whether it’s safe for you to step forward in the moment. Here are some practices and reflections to help you start the opening process.Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. Links to the resources mentioned in this episode:Episode 5, Why YouTube Warm-Ups Might Not Work for You: https://www.mvmusik.com/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-5/ Episode 9, Your Whole Self is the Instrument: https://www.mvmusik.com/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-9/ Episode 10, Confidence Comes From Doing: https://www.mvmusik.com/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-10/Improv actor and teacher David Rasowsky: https://www.davidrazowsky.com The Bach Museum in Lepzig, Germany: https://www.bachmuseumleipzig.de/en/bach-museum Danielle Laporte’s advice on love: https://daniellelaporte.com/advice-on-love/ A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-11. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

Generally, the more we do something, the better we get at it and the more confident we feel. A baby learning to walk is a really obvious example. But when it comes to speaking and singing in public, we often imagine that increased confidence will come from taking a huge risk, and then we wonder why we get stuck. Let’s talk about some smaller, more manageable steps that will build confidence faster than any big scary leap. Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-10. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

Nearly every vocal problem has a solution, and those solutions often grow out of treating your entire, integrated self as your instrument. Physical strength, neurological calm, and a grounded sense of being are all critical to the work of singing or speaking. It might sound overwhelming, but I bet you’re already working on those things in different areas of your life. Let’s talk about how you can access those same practices in service of making your voice heard. Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-9. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

Today I'm answering your questions!If you have a question you’d like answered in a future episode, please email me at letters@mvmusik.com.[01:19] Question 1. What if lip trills really don't work for me? (in response to Episode 5)My lip trill tutorial video: https://www.mvmusik.com/ltv/Helpful YouTube videos on straw phonation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utMGP8h75nM&list=PLRIAPPEO39k7bAwealQC6eAiF0E98R2Lu&index=2https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xYDvwvmBIM&list=PLRIAPPEO39k7bAwealQC6eAiF0E98R2Lu&index=5[08:12] Question 2. What if I don't get nervous when I’m performing? (in response to Episode 4) [13:40] Question 3. How do I sing a song that's making me cry?Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-8. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

Believe me when I tell you that no one is "born ready" for the stage. Really, no one. Sounding amazing, or even simply adopting a new vocal habit takes time and effort, and a ton of self-compassion. Today's episode is heavy on the compassion. Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-7. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

What should you take when your throat feels scratchy, phlegmy or just plain awful? Science has an answer for you! Listen in to learn what the research says about honey, lemon, ginger and a host of other remedies. I also share what works for me, including some of my favorite recipes. Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. Visit https://www.uu.edu/dept/music/library/safety/VocalHealthInformation.pdf to download an amazing resource on vocal health from the Duke Voice Care Center.For more on vocal remedies, check out these blog posts:https://www.mvmusik.com/what-to-do-when-youre-phlegmy/https://www.mvmusik.com/gargling-with-listerine-zero-helped-me-recover-from-covid-19/https://www.mvmusik.com/vocal-remedies-that-really-work/A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-6. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.

YouTube is a fantastic resource, and if you’ve gotten frustrated looking for the “perfect” vocal warm-up video, you’re not alone. What works for one person won’t necessarily work for another, and our needs vary from day to day. Learning what your whole self needs to sound the best it can is a practice all its own – and it’s one you can develop. This episode will get you started!If you’d like help learning to lip trill, try out my free tutorial! Visit http://www.dibblemusic.com/lesson-resources.html for a collection of vocal warm-ups curated by my friend and fellow voice teacher Meghan Dibble.Michèle Voillequé is a singer and a voice teacher living in Berkeley, California. A transcript of this episode is available at mvmusik.com/blog/cant-wait-to-hear-you-episode-5. You can subscribe to Can’t Wait to Hear You wherever you get podcasts. If you have a question about your voice or how you’re using it, please email letters@mvmusik.com. To learn more about Michèle or to subscribe to her newsletter, visit mvmusik.com.Our music is thanks to Katya and Ada.The show is edited by K.O. Myers at Particulate Media.