Spotlight Seminars > Dealing with Diction: A Singer’s Guide

Dealing with Diction: A Singer’s Guide

Have you ever had this experience? You’re happily warming up, vocalizing beautifully in the practice room or in a lesson. Your voice feels supple and flexible—the high notes, the low notes, all systems are a go! Then you begin to work on repertoire. And within minutes, your throat is tight, or you feel suddenly “phlegmy”, and those same high notes that were wonderful a minute ago are now uncomfortable. What happened?

In a word: diction.

Dealing with Diction: A Singer’s Guide is a 90-minute seminar and accompanying vocal exercise routine—delivered live, via Zoom—that will take a deep dive into how consonants can be produced clearly, efficiently, and comfortably, in all ranges of the voice. Vocal exercises will explore:

• The singers’ four categories of consonants, and how each affects the vocal folds and breath flow

• How consonants can become “glue” in a legato line, rather than “scissors”

• Optimal neck, jaw, tongue, and lip function during each category of consonant

• How consonants can affect alignment, breath support, and resonance—in both positive and negative ways

• How to remain comfortable when pronouncing in the high range

The seminar includes:

• 45 minutes of interactive presentation by Dr. Julia Nielsen

• 45 minutes of singing vocal exercises related to exploring consonants (participants remain muted)

• Ample time for Q&A

• Extensive seminar materials, delivered electronically, including handouts and many of the notated vocal exercises

• Access to the video of the seminar for 30 days after the live event, for all registrants

Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023
Time: 3:00-4:30pm (PT)
Cost: $60 (materials included)

Level: All levels

Recording available! A recording of the seminar will be available for one month after the live event (through June 6, 2023) for those who cannot or did not attend in real time, or who wish to review the program.