Introducing
SenseAble Singing
Every now and again, I experience something in my own singing journey that feels so deeply transformational, I can't wait to shout it from the rooftops. In this case, it's both a "something" as well as a "someone" that I'm so honoured to share with you - I just know this is going to deepen your practice immeasurably.
Today's post is a little long, because it has some important things in it, but let me share with you what's coming so you can jump to where you need!
- First, I'll introduce you to Alison Jane Taylor, a magical unicorn of voice, movement, and body. She is truly such a special human - her whole practice is focused on helping you optimize your voice, breath, body and well being.
- Then, you'll learn more about what's in the video below, which is such a gift from Alison to you as a performer, I can't even tell you. This video (and the text included) is today's exercise. (It's also part of a 3-video series created literally just for you, so watch for the next two videos coming soon!)
- Next, you'll learn about how to connect with Alison and work with her if this work moves you (and I don't doubt for one second that it will!)
- And finally, you'll learn about an incredibly special offer with a discount just for you - so don't miss that part!!
ALISON JANE TAYLOR
voice | movement | wellbeing
Alison Jane Taylor is a life-long voice explorer and movement maverick. In her teaching and facilitating, she draws on her experiences as a performer, music educator, Certified Alexander Technique Teacher, and mental health enthusiast. Her unique combination of expertise can illuminate why we think, move, sing, and feel the way we do, to nurture a whole-self understanding that can bring ease, efficiency, and vitality into life and art.
For the past 13 years, Alison has maintained a private studio, where she teaches SenseAble Singing - a fusion of vocal technique, body awareness, and Alexander Technique principles. In addition to voice and movement teaching, Alison is welcoming clients into her private practice as a Supervised Student Therapist at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto.
Alison’s integrated voice and movement teaching offers an experiential approach to address postural issues, explore unnecessary muscular tension, maximize breath and vocal efficiency, and enhance well-being. Through verbal and hands-on guidance and experimentation, Alison collaborates with her clients to uncover interferences in movement patterns that may be causing strain and pain.
Born in London, Ontario, Alison is a life-long cat-lover who enjoys forest bathing, board games, and baking.
ABOUT TODAY'S EXERCISE
the text copy of the video below
Here is what Alison wants you to know about these videos:
These three short videos are intended to support you to slow down and tune in to your Present Self: your body, breath, voice, and state of being. Each video offers you an opportunity to consider your energy reserves, building your skills of pausing, noticing, and making a thoughtful choice about how to take the next step.
Think of these explorations as a way to “prime the pump” - you are getting grounded and embodied so that you can prepare your instrument for singing with awareness, ease, efficiency, and vitality.
Today, you'll be enjoying Video #1 in this special three part series. It is called I AM HERE and it is ~10mins long.
Here are the steps in the video, so you can follow along after you've watched it through:
____________________________________________________
locating yourself in the present moment
just as you are, with nothing to fix or improve
do the “Here I am, as I am” sequence
this is a way to start your voice play session with awareness and grounding
get curious about how your practice ...
... doing a little bit of something different each day over a week or a few weeks, and checking in to notice what shifts/doesn’t shift
noticing your “shoulds” about singing, and getting curious about them
⁃ what do *I* actually believe about my body? breathing? singing?
⁃ what do *I* actually want for my body? breathing? singing?
over the next few hours/days, notice if this locating sequence impacts what comes next
____________________________________________________
CONNECTING WITH ALISON
I can't recommend working with Alison enough. She is such a treasure. If you're interested in getting to know more about her, keep reading.
Here is how Alison describes her practice:
My integrated voice and movement teaching offers an experiential approach to address postural issues, explore unnecessary muscular tension, maximize breath and vocal efficiency, and enhance wellbeing. I collaborate with my clients to explore historical or ingrained patterns that may be interfering with their innate abilities to sing with ease, efficiency, and vitality.
Here are the ways you can connect with her:
linktree
website - supervised student therapist
WORKING WITH ALISON
Here are some options for working together if you are curious to go deeper:
monthly online group classes
- I offer a monthly group class on various topics integrating voice, movement, and self-support ($25-40, max 15-20 participants)
- since you’re a cherished member of Melanie’s voice community, I invite you to take advantage of a 20% discount for your first class using the code WELCOME21 when you register
- December’s class promotes rest and self-support during the month of Winter Solstice. December 21. Use this link to register: https://alisonjanetaylorstudio.as.me/RestReflectClass
body-centred voice exercises and some SenseAble Singer membership info
- click here for a SenseAble Singing resource
- a body-centred voice exercise
- a guided nose breathing and singing video
- some SenseAble Singing membership information
- it includes:
I hope you enjoy this special video and the ways in which it deepens your practice. I love Alison's work, and every time I work with her, I'm reminded why I need more of her in my life.
DON'T FORGET:
- Alison has shared a 20% discount off your first class when you register for a monthly online group class (various topics integrating voice, movement, and self-support between $25-40 and max 20 participants)
- click here to register and use the code WELCOME21 for your discount
I can't wait to hear what you experienced!!