The Let's Talk Singing Podcast

Fear has stopped me from telling this story to people outside my friend circle for the last 8 years. And saying that, I don't even think a lot of my friends know this story. The fear of rockin the boat. Of stepping out of line. Of using an excuse to blame my singing career not 'taking off' are all thoughts I've had. But I realise now it's a story that I want people to know as it was a massive learning curve for me. Something that made me stronger. And something people who want to experiment with TV singing contests should know. My time on the Voice of Ireland was interesting, to say the least. An initial moment that should have been the start of something good was cut short because of the fine print.

I've included straw phonation in my warm-up routine as many other singers have and it has changed the game for me. Coming from vocal rehabilitation, straw phonation promotes more efficient vocal fold closure and releases extra tension. I speak with Whitney Nichole who, in addition to being the Owner and CEO of Songbird Studios, is also the creator of the Singing / Straw, Chairperson of Vocology in Practice – ViP (a global network of the world’s leading voice professionals, including singing teachers, vocal coaches and voice professionals on the forefront of vocal health, science and pedagogy), and an active voting member of PAVA, the Pan American Vocology Association.

I've included straw phonation in my warm-up routine as many other singers have and it has changed the game for me. Coming from vocal rehabilitation, straw phonation promotes more efficient vocal fold closure and releases extra tension. I speak with Whitney Nichole who, in addition to being the Owner and CEO of Songbird Studios, is also the creator of the Singing / Straw, Chairperson of Vocology in Practice – ViP (a global network of the world’s leading voice professionals, including singing teachers, vocal coaches and voice professionals on the forefront of vocal health, science and pedagogy), and an active voting member of PAVA, the Pan American Vocology Association.

Do you suffer from anxiety or nervousness when you sing? I speak with Vocal Mindset Coach Keziah Grace about her work with singers who suffer from just that. Keziah, herself, has suffered from anxiety in the past and has pulled through using techniques to become a confident performer. A certified life-coach, as well as a trained musical theatre singer, Keziah tells me about her process and the importance of a healthy mindset.

Louise Phelan is an Alexander Technique Teacher in Mexico City. We talk about how AT could be the missing link between singers and the understanding of their own bodies. Louise is currently working as the resident Alexander Technique Teacher at the Estudio de Opera Bellas Artes, part of the National Opera of Fine Arts BELLAS ARTES in Mexico City.

Dr Kathleen Turner is a singer, songwriter, community musician and lecturer at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, where she is Course Director for the Master's Degree in Community Music and teaches on a number of programmes including MA Songwriting and BA Performing Arts.

The 8th episode of Let's Talk Singing is with Eimear McCarthy Luddy of Vocology Ireland. We talk Voice Science, Ingo Titze, Vocology Ireland and also Eimear talks about how she would like to break the stigma of shame around vocal health problems. An open conversation in Ireland needs to be available for singers to feel they will be looked after. It was an excellent interview I must say, Eimear really gave so much. And we could have kept going – maybe she'll come back for another.

Ep. 7 features Speech and Language Pathologist Lucie Bachmann. She works as an SLP, singer and singing teacher in Magdeburg, Germany. In this episode we speak about vocal pathology and how Lucie found herself working in this field, breaking vocal health stigmas, the false vocal cords and their function, different singing techniques and Lucie’s favourite warm-ups.

This week's Let's Talk Singing I interview singer-songwriter, Jane Fraser. We talk about her life as a singer, her studies in London, the progression of her voice and tips for aspiring singer-songwriters.

This week's episode is with Fiadh Rua Gregg, a vocalist with band Shy Mascot and a voice teacher based in Dublin. Fiadh is also on this journey of learning the intricate details of singing and how to teach it. We talk about our experiences and swap approaches to techniques.

Ever wondered how to maintain good vocal health? What 'nodules' were? What to do if you think you have them? Nichola Hegarty and I spent nearly 2 hours chatting and answering these questions. Nichola is a speech and language therapist assistant, vocal coach and professional vocalist who was, for 4 years, the resident backing vocalist for Kodaline and used to coach a couple of the band members.

The third guest on Let's Talk Singing is an inspiration to me and many other Irish vocalists and teachers. Gemma Sugrue (MA, Bmus, LRSL) is a professional vocalist and vocal coach and she founded her own singing school, Voiceworks Studio in 2011 in Cork, Ireland and online. Although Gemma loves to perform, write music and run her business her primary passion is vocal coaching. She pours most of her spare time into researching the science of the voice, attending conferences and sharing everything she has learned on her YouTube channel.

The second episode features Ben Wanders who is a drummer and producer but is a fantastic example of a good rock singer. We talk about his musical journey, what he does for work and his approach to singing.

In this first episode of Let's Talk Singing, I speak with Musical Theatre Actor, Stephen O'Riain, about his time in Jersey boys, vocal warmups, singing technique and the importance of the vocal health and the breath.

With the world being full of podcasters and interesting people, you may ask yourself "what am I doing here?" (*thank you Talking Heads) or you may ask yourself...."why should I listen to this podcast and what will I gain from it?". Here's an introduction to answer those questions and tell you a little about me.