Spotlight Seminars > Breath Support Bootcamp

Breath Support Bootcamp

If you’re like most singers, you’ve probably got a checkered history when it comes to breath support. You’ve likely encountered differing views about this crucial topic—maybe even diametrically opposed views!

Should you “push down and out” or “pull up and in”? Breathe “in the front” or “in the back”? Through your nose or your mouth? What’s best: belly breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, or rib breathing? (And are these even different?) Should you open your ribs and “hold” them open”? Will the breath “just take care of itself”?

Or…did no one ever really teach you about your breath at all?

This summer, master this topic once and for all at Breath Support Bootcamp. During this intensive five-week experience, you will learn:

1. What breath support is: A clear and concrete definition—finally!

2. How singers do it: The flexible factors involved in inhalation, onset, and breath usage, all of which can make your voice stronger and your breath last longer.

3. How you can improve: How your current breath support coordination can be adjusted in a positive way. Since every singer has different habits and tendencies, not every singer needs the same suggestions!

You’ll end this experience with a profoundly deepened understanding of breath support, how to accomplish it with greater coordination, and—if you are a voice teacher—how to teach the topic with clarity to your students.

What does this experience include? 

• Four live Zoom sessions. Four 90-minute meetings (Saturday, June 29, Tuesdays July 9 & 23, Saturday Aug. 3), each of which will include presentation, discussion, vocal exercises, and Q&A. All sessions will be recorded, and can be accessed on video through October 3, 2024 PT.

• Vocal workouts during each live session. Each Zoom session will include a minimum of 25 minutes of vocal exercises, related to the breath support topics being covered.

• Six practice videos. Six 10-12 minute breath support workout videos (released once a week during the bootcamp), that you can access any time and sing along with (3-4 times each week recommended).

• Masterclass (optional) during some live sessions. The last three meetings will include opportunities for participants to sing individually, and have specific elements of their breath support coordination assessed by Julia. Singing in class is optional; those who choose to participate will work for approximately 10 minutes on a specific issue.

• Workbook. You will receive an extensive workbook (delivered as a PDF document) full of research, breathing exercises, and notated breath-related vocal exercises.

What will you learn about breath support during this bootcamp?

1. Breathing anatomy and physiology. How do inhalation and exhalation actually work? What muscles are involved? Learn about those you can control, those you can influence, and those that are involuntary.

2. Common breath support myths. What are the most common myths about breath support that are taught in modern voice studios? You’re guaranteed to have heard at least one or two of these! What is flawed premise of each myth…and the important kernel of truth that each contains?

3. Inhalation. What are the attributes of a good inhalation for singing? How does inhalation need to be adjusted, based on the singing task at hand?

4. Onset. What must the body accomplish, related to the breath, at the moment of onset, i.e., the first note of a sung phrase (sometimes unhelpfully called the “attack”)?

5. Appoggio. This Italian term is often applied to the total body coordination that singers use to pace and energize their outflow of air while they sing. How is this coordination accomplished? And what does it feel like in the body when it is well balanced?

6. Historical and modern breathing exercises. From the famous Farinelli Exercise to the Carl Stough counting procedure, you’ll learn some of the best breathing exercises designed to increase and improve breathing coordination.

7. Vocal exercises. Learn an entire toolkit full of vocal exercises related to improving breath support.

Breath Support Bootcamp is a series, and participants are registered for all four dates when they sign up.

Bootcamp Dates & Times:

Saturday, June 29 10:30am–12:00pm PT

Tuesday, July 9 6:00–7:30pm PT

Tuesday, July 23 6:00–7:30pm PT

Saturday, August 3 10:30am–12:00pm PT

Cost: $280 for the series (workbook and practice videos included)

Level: All levels

Recordings available! All participants are encouraged to attend all four live events. However, recordings of all meetings (and all practice videos) will be available to all registrants for two months after the final meeting, through October 3, 2024 (PT).