Singing and
Voice Instruction:
About My Method
What is this approach to singing and voice?
How is it different than other singing techniques or voice development?
The voice work I teach is a radical and embodied approach to voice and singing. One way that it is radically different is that this technique does not approach the voice as if it’s an instrument. Instead, it approaches the voice as an audible expression of the self. In the oft-repeated words of my voice teacher, Jonathan Stancato, “Your voice is not an instrument — your voice is the audible expression of you.”
Given this orientation that is inherently psychological, emotional, and deeply explorative, this method is an exciting, invigorating exploration that unlocks the potential of both your voice and your self.
Who is this technique for?
Because, as I mentioned above, this technique approaches the voice and singing as an audible expression of the self, it can be for anyone who is curious about exploring their voice.
People of all sorts of backgrounds come to this work, including…
those who have been told that they are “tone deaf,” “aren’t musical,” “can’t sing in key,” or “should never sing”
experienced and/or formally educated singers who are dealing with obstacles or looking for ways to further uncover their potential as a singer
those who struggle to find singing pleasurable or feel embarrassed or ashamed when they sing
those who feel embarrassed or self-conscious about their speaking voice
public speakers or those with speaking-intensive vocations who want to feel more confident and present using their speaking voice
those struggling with personal issues or health difficulties who feel drawn to this work as a meaningful aid to growth and/or recovery (read more about my thoughts on this here)
those who have difficulty making themselves heard or expressing their voice in a more figurative way
those who just want to experience more fun and pleasure when singing or speaking, whatever the context
What is the history of this method?
This approach to voice and song has its origins from Alfred Wolfsohn, who set out to find out the unexplored capacities of the human voice inspired by his trauma experience serving in World War I. His teachings branched off into other singing pedagogies as well as voice movement therapy techniques such as those developed by Paul Newham.
I trained with Jonathan Stancato in his Inside Voice techniques, a practice inspired by the work of Alfred Wolfsohn and his successors and synthesized with Jonathan's various experiences in somatic healing and non-ordinary consciousness. My own exploration includes how this method can be additionally applied to expressive arts therapy and psychotherapy (which you can learn more about by clicking here or by navigating via the website menu to my “Expressive Arts Therapy” page).
A word about multicultural and multi-identity awareness
Your auditory voice and your figurative voice are inseparably linked. Therefore, it is a must to consider societally oppressive forces that inherently censor the voices of people based on their culture or identity. In addition to acknowledging the Eurocentric quality of traditional voice teachings, it is essential to dispel messaging from society that is racist, misogynist, homophobic, transphobic, ageist, fatphobic, classist, xenophobic, ableist, or discriminatory to any group. (This messaging also limits the growth possibilities of everyone, regardless of their background.) Maximizing your potential entails defying systemic forces that may be restricting the fullness of your voice in both visible and invisible ways.
My growth as a voice teacher is aligned with my formal education to become a multiculturally aware and ethical psychotherapist. As a straight-identifying, white American male who fits most privileged demographics, it is my priority to not just make my practice a safe and affirming place for you, but also to continue broadening my awareness and orientation to make our voice exploration even more safe, supportive, and full of expansive possibility.
How do I learn more? How could I begin exploring this work myself?
You can find out more details about all my offerings, including private lessons and workshops, by clicking here (or by navigating via the website menu to my "My Offerings" page under “Singing and Voice Instruction”).
To inquire about private lessons, email me at tyler.hathaway1@gmail.com. I offer complimentary phone consultations as well as the opportunity to continue dialogue via email.
Please feel free to contact me at tyler.hathaway1@gmail.com for absolutely any questions or inquiries in general.