What is Voicework?

Have you ever been in a situation when you are speaking and it feels like another person has taken over the central control unit for your mouth?

Or maybe you are an experienced speaker but sometimes find the vision you have in your mind and heart fails to fully manifest in spoken word?

Voice work begins with recognising how nerves or/and high ambition can have dual functions in performance, sometimes helpful and sometimes, less so. We help you understand what is happening for you, your team, or your company when what you mean to express is different to what comes out of your mouth, and then we look at how to bridge that difference.

The nuts and bolts

We offer techniques, tips and processes to develop your voice and presence for:

  • Presentations
  • Conferences
  • Lectures
  • Meetings
  • Pitches
  • Speeches
  • Seminars
  • Q and A sessions
  • Networking occasions
  • Fly outs
  • Interviews
  • Online forums
  • Elevator pitches

Or for anywhere where it's not just what you say that counts, but how you say it.

You will learn skills that enable you to:

  • Use vocal variety in tone, range volume and pace
  • Utilise non-verbal body language and gesture
  • Curate content and key messages
  • Release creativity and inspire innovation
  • Deal with impromptu speaking situations
  • Speak with clarity and confidence
  • Know how to prepare and practise
  • Use online platforms effectively
  • Channel nerves into authentic performance
  • Lead with inspirational speaking
  • Develop presence and positive impact
  • Engage your audience

Voice Gym

Research has suggested that up to 93% of what we absorb when listening to someone speak depends on their vocal expression and body language and only 7% is down to the content. The vocal pace, volume, range, clarity and physical gesture we use are at least as important then, as the actual words employed to convey your message. Voice work looks at these areas, this is our area of expertise, and working with us ensures that your area of expertise, the content, is heard as you wish for it to be.

In our sessions we stretch and flex the technical areas of voice and explore the specifics of preparing for spoken word as opposed to written word. You need to warm up the instrument that will be actually delivering your message, so we look at the physiology of the voice,  identify exercises to suit your individual vocal requirements, learn how to transform nervous energy into performance energy, and discover how your spoken words and body language can align to authentically convey the messages you wish to.

Audiences respond to a voice that freely carries vision from heart to lips, a voice strong enough to convey not just what you want to say but also something about who you are. We have no interest in you learning to "speak properly" but in expanding how much of your authentic self you allow to be heard.

Our sessions offer an informal space for you to stretch your expressive muscles and bring more of your genuine presence to the table. In so doing you become "a permission slip" for your listeners to do the same, be that in how much they engage with what you are saying, or what they then go on to do when you have finished speaking. This is equally relevant if the table in question is the breakfast table with your family or the boardroom table at your firm. It is about discovering what it means to be you but more you, at the times it counts most, or to quote Oscar Wilde "be yourself, everybody else is already taken".

Your voice is an instrument that thrives on attention and care

The physical aspect of voice work is something that is useful for people from beginner level to very experienced speakers, and truly professional speakers will continue to expand vocal flexibility muscularity and agility throughout their lives. Just as a musician will continue to play their instrument every day, or a footballer will continue to develop their athletic skills, vocal expression is in great part a bodily process. To perform at peak level and make the most of speaking opportunities you want to be a vocal version of "match fit".

Inspirational Speaking

For more experienced speakers and thought leaders we look at how inspirational speaking draws your listeners into your vision enabling you to work together and put that vision into action. This involves exploration of the craft of storytelling and draws on techniques from the theatre and film industries for maximum in person or online audience engagement.

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“They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
Maya Angelou