Featured Article in Muse's Muse - Songwriters

Muse's Muse 'Featured' my article 'The Importance of Being Real' in this month's Muse's News!  http://www.musesmuse.com/col-vivalavoice-beingreal.html

Do Senior Singers Live Longer?

This from Bryant Stamford, professor and chairman of the department of kinesiology and integrative physiology at Hanover College:

"Research tells us, there was a study of senior singers, average age 80 years, in which they were tracked over a prolonged period and their data were compared with folks the same age in the general population. The researchers found that the elderly singers experienced less depression, took far fewer than the typical four prescription medications and a like number of over-the-counter meds, and they were more socially active.

Does this mean the older singers will live longer? Hard to say, but it’s not a far reach to suggest the answer is yes.

We know, for example, that the mind-body connection is very important, and that health and longevity of the body can be influenced by mental state (depression, etc.). Medications and their side effects greatly impact the quality of life, and if there is poor quality of life, the zest for living goes out the window. And those with a strong social network are likely to be happier, better adjusted in old age, and more accepting of change, and therefore likely to live longer and healthier lives."

So I say, again - get out there and sing, no matter what your age!  You will feel better, and just possibly live a longer, healthier life!  Want help with your singing?  My new book From Shower To Stage...7 Easy Steps for Singing Like A Pro!  can help!

Dedicated To Whitney Houston - An original Song

A song I wrote that I think is a perfect tribute to Whitney.

A Valentine Song From Broadway

Here's a nice love song to play for your sweetie on V Day!  "I'll Send You Roses"

'Sing & Dance Through Life - Viva La Voice Tip'

My Viva La Voice Tip of the month with a Video of the Month!

'Sing & Dance Through Life - Viva La Voice Tip'

New Music from Broadway's ' Marilyn'

Listen to new music I just posted from my Broadway musical "Marilyn, An American Fable'.  NBC's 'Smash" is fiction - I lived it!

Here's some music from the show - just piano, vocal and a little sweetening by Nyle Steiner.

http://bit.ly/As3kM6

Smash - Marilyn Monroe Video

'Smash' airs Monday on NBC with tons of buzz.  Have you seen this video??

'Relax and Lower Your Pitch - Viva La Voice Tip'

'Relax and Lower Your Pitch - Viva La Voice Tip'

How Musicians Really Make Money in One Long Graph - The Atlantic

How Musicians Really Make Money in One Long Graph - The Atlantic

Residual income is great; but the money is in the big volume you've got to generate. It's all about numbers!

Huffington Post Confirms the Truth About Singing!

You've got to read Jane Peyton's article in the Huffington Post which confirms what I've been saying all along.....singing promotes mental and physical health!


In my own article,  10 Ways Singing Can Change Your Life I talk about the health benefits of singing, like giving you more mental focus; oxygenating the blood; release of 'feel good' endorphins and so on.

It's a fun and informative article, read it here.

About Cymatics from Richard Learmont

This from sound healer Richard Learmont about Cymatics:

"Cymatics was re-discovered and coined it’s name in the 1960’s by the Swiss doctor Hans Jenny. With his invention of the tonoscope, he was able to see how sound structured matter. With the use of audible frequencies he was able to witness the animation of various powders, liquids and pastes into sacred geometry patterns, life-like forms and figures found in art and architecture of the world’s sacred traditions.
Hans Jenny’s research also discovered how uttered vowels of ancient languages of Sanskrit and Hebrew arranged the various powders to emulate the written symbols for those vowels, while on the other hand did not generate the same result for our modern languages.
Cymatics shows how vibrations interact to create the world we experience ‘out there’ and it reveals principles that are fundamental natural processes. Understanding these principles can help us to ‘cleanse the lens’ through which we perceive our world, thereby clarifying our outlook on life. Once you’ve objectively observed the rhythmic interplay of chaos and re-integration in simple powder, you may view your own tumultuous circumstances a bit more objectively (and with far less apprehension!) as a purposefully evolving process leading toward greater personal coherency and equanimity."

Beautiful Phrasing - 'how to'!

Speakers and Trainers - beautiful phrasing is essential to presenting your message. Here's a tip on 'how to' enhance your communication!

From Diario de Morelos - Alchemy!

This comes from 'Diario de Morelos':

"Everything in the universe is in a constant state of vibration, including our bodies. Sound is vibration translated by the delicate structures of our inner ear, but it moves more than just those tiny receptors. It’s part of the spectrum of energy vibrations that also affect us on the mental, physical, and spiritual levels." In my book From Shower To Stage.....7 Easy Steps for Singing Like A Pro!, my 7th Step is ALCHEMY.  I talk about the miracle of transmuting air, breath - that pass over the vocal cords - creating sound vibrations that are received by the ear of the listener then interpreted by the listener's brain - and finally transformed into thoughts and emotions.  To be a great singer is to understand that your voice has magical power.  You can turn air into pure emotion!

Rob Lowe On Shower Singing

My new book From Shower To Stage....7 Easy Steps for Singing Like A Pro! is written both for the shy, shower singer, to the working professional.  Here's what Rob Lowe says about 'shower singing':

 "Everybody knows that the shower has the best acoustics. There's no two ways about it. I actually have a recording studio in mine. So look out, Kevin Bacon. You think you've got your fancy band. You've got nothing on my shower band."

David Burger, SL Tribune, Blogs about my Book!

Thank you to David Burger, the music critic for the Salt Lake Tribune. He blogged about my book "From Shower To Stage....7 Easy Steps for Singing Like A Pro!" today, and talked a bit about how I help shy singers 'come out of the closet'!!

David's Entertainment Blog

President Omama Talks About Singing In the Shower!

Here's a bit of what President Obama said when announcing the Kennedy Center Honors recipients.  You see, even the President sings in the shower!  I should gift him my book From Shower To Stage.....7 Easy Steps for Singing Like A Pro!


"Now, at first glance the men and women on this stage could not be more different. They come from different generations, different walks of life. They have different talents, and they've traveled different paths. And yet they belong here together. Because each of tonight's honorees has felt the need to express themselves and share that expression with the world.

It's a feeling that all of us have at some point in our lives. That's why we sing, even if it's just in the shower. (Laughter.) It's why we act, even if we never get past the school auditorium. That's why we dance, even if, as Michelle says, I look silly doing it. (Laughter.) It's one of the downsides of being President: Your dance moves end up on YouTube. (Laughter.)

But tonight's honorees take it a step further. By expressing themselves, they help us learn something about ourselves. They make us laugh. They move us to tears. They bring us together, and they push the boundaries of what we think is possible. And each of them has been blessed with an extraordinary gift. Tonight, we thank them for sharing that gift with us."

Read more: http://broadwayworld.com/article/STAGE-TUBE-President-Obamas-Kennedy-Center-Honorees-Remarks-Barbara-Cook-More-20111204#ixzz1ffj8PXY7

Stop Commanding Your Voice!

I've been listening to many of my old tapes from voice lessons with Giuseppe Balestrieri the man who taught me BEL CANTO singing, and saved my voice.  He used to make the most profound statements in lessons.  On one recent tape I heard him tell me:

 "You command your voice too much.  Let it go!  Be gentle!"

Wow, I really got that because I teach my students the same thing!  When you're singing correctly, you don't have to 'do' anything with the voice.  You don't have to push, force, or try to make the voice reach the notes.  You just 'let it go', release it, let it be free to soar.  That sounds simple, and it is.  Singing should be simple.  It should feel good, it should be easy.

So stop commanding your voice.  Get out of the way and let your body do what it does naturally - produce a clear, rich, powerful voice that doesn't need you pushing or manipulating it.  Really, stop thinking, stop trying.  Just let the voice flow.  When you develop that kind of trust you will develop a beautiful voice.
Thanks Maestro Balestrieri!

Viva La Voice Welcome Video

I've been tweaking my websites lately and uploaded a 'welcome' video on my Viva La Voice site.  I had shot the video in Hawaii, and have learned a good videographer lesson.....don't shoot your video near rushing water!

I love waterfalls, the ocean, running streams etc., so I think I have a penchant for shooting my videos near these hazards!  My Viva La Voice welcome video was shot in a gorgeous hotel lobby, but as you'll note, there's a lot of water noise.  I hope it won't be too annoying to you all.

I like to shoot things on the fly....no preparation....just find a lovely spot, point, and shoot!  I guess that's my signature....videos shot in interesting, beautiful places that aren't necessarily quiet or private.  I think that's okay - that's me - informal!  Enjoy!

Advice from a Bel Canto Guru!

My dear voice teacher back in the 80's - Giuseppe Balestrieri - the man who saved my voice and career said:
"I don't teach 'voice'.  I care nothing for the sound. I teach breath......breath and mind."

If you've ever studied Bel Canto singing you will know what that means.

New Viva La Voice Tip - on Inspiration!

I just posted this new video on Youtube!