OWN YOUR VOICE with ON YOUR VOICE!
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What is Vocal Hygiene?
Let's start with something more familiar: Oral Hygiene.
Do you consider 'brushing your teeth" an important enough tasks to complete each day? Maybe even do it TWO times a day?! What happens if you miss a teeth brushing? As the daughter of a dentist, I'm not endorsing that you miss a teeth brushing, but what if you did? Would you succumb to failure and never brush your teeth again?! Nope! You wouldn't. You would pick up a toothbrush the next chance you get and brush those teeth! That's called oral HYGIENE. I'm going to teach you about VOCAL HYGIENE.
Most of us don't think about our voices until they're not working the way we expect them to. But how do you expect your voice to keep working for you if you don't take care of it properly. How do you "take care" of your voice, you ask? With VOCAL HYGIENE!
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines HYGIENE as:
1. a science of the Establishment and Maintenance of Health
2. conditions or Practices conducive the health
For many of us, hygiene is a learned behavior. Adding a new behavior to your life takes time, intention and repetition; but once it is learned, practiced...established, it becomes a habit and an easy part of your daily routine!
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What can I expect from a vocal coaching series?
Every voice is unique, which means every coaching series is tailored directly to you. While we customize the work to fit your specific needs, here is the general roadmap of our journey together:
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Step 1: The Discovery Consult. We always kick things off with a brief consultation call. This is a low-pressure chance for us to connect, discuss what brings you in, and ensure we are the perfect fit to tackle your vocal goals together.
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Step 2: The Initial "Evaluation" (Session 1). Our first official session is all about establishing your baseline and building our rapport. We will evaluate your current vocal status, identify what is working (and what isn't), and collaboratively map out a clear, actionable plan for your growth.
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Step 3: Client-Directed Coaching Sessions. In our subsequent sessions, you help steer the ship. While we will consistently target your underlying, long-term goals, our sessions are flexible enough to address your pressing, same-day concerns—whether that means prepping for an unexpected keynote presentation, an last-minute audition, or an upcoming heavy week of vocal demands.
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Step 4: The Post-Session Game Plan. The conditioning doesn't stop when the session ends! After we meet, you will receive a follow-up email summarizing our work, providing targeted "vocal homework," and outlining our plan so you can keep building strength between sessions.
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What is the difference between a Voice/Speech Therapist, Vocal Coach and Singing Voice Teacher?
Think of building your vocal team like assembling a sports medicine team: you need different experts for healing, conditioning, and perfecting your game.
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Voice Therapist (Speech-Language Pathologist): The Healer. A licensed medical professional who diagnoses and treats vocal injuries, fatigue, and disorders. They rehabilitate your voice and teach the science of healthy, preventative care. (Think: Physical Therapist).
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Vocal Coach: The Polisher. Focuses on preventative vocal care and maintenance, vocal optimization, performance and application. They work with speakers and singers. They polish your style and delivery—whether that means targeting trouble spots in a particular song or refining your executive presence for a keynote speech. (Think: Fitness Trainer).
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Singing Voice Teacher: Focuses on the foundational technique and mechanics of singing. They work with beginner, intermediate and advanced singers. They help you build your singing instrument by identifying your voice part, expanding your range, and mastering breath support. They also guide you through pitch matching, teaching repertoire, and the musical mechanics of learning and performing a song. (Think: Sport-Specific Private Coach).
The OYV Advantage:
As a licensed SLP with a deep background in theater and vocal pedagogy, Sara uniquely blends the medical, rehabilitative expertise of a Voice Therapist with the dynamic, real-world application of a Vocal Coach!