In Vocal Awareness I clearly teach all aspects of the human voice but I am informed in my Deeper Listening through my art as a singer – that is where it all began. Our final concert with the LA Philharmonic at Disney Hall is on May 4, an evening of Wagner, Mahler, and Bruckner conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, a guest conductor who is currently the conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. When I have the privilege to sit in a concert at Disney Hall – one of the most extraordinary concert halls in the world – I feel that I am enveloped by the profundity of the music, the orchestra, the conductor’s insights. This is a consummate example of what I call “solitude.” For me personally it’s the time that creates opportunity for me to simply be with my bride, experience extraordinary music, and have a deep, sometimes even transformative, experience.

The end of April was marked by some special events – a visit to our younger son in Washington, D.C., meaningful work with the National Football League (NFL) in New York and then in Atlanta supporting their Career Transition Program. I also spent wonderful time in New York City with my wife, seeing some Broadway shows. We went to a reprise of the Gore Vidal play written in the ‘90s called “The Best Man,” starring among others James Earl Jones, Candice Bergen and Angela Lansbury, as well as a Saturday matinee of a sweet Irish musical called “Once,” based on the academy-award winning movie about two street musicians in Dublin. Most importantly we spent time walking hand-in-hand through one of my favorite cities in the world, from east to west to north to south, touring museums. The month concluded with our first-ever Vocal Awareness Bridge Program in Marina del Rey the last weekend of the month, (Read more on this event below!) followed by the 44th anniversary of my bride’s and my meeting on the last day of the month.

Throughout the rest of May, I will be connecting with other Vocal Awareness students, friends, and colleagues. And as I write this, I don’t want you to misperceive that my life is just busy. It is not – it is full. Through this Work, I get to know amazing human beings, people of true integrity, vision, and intelligence, and form deep, lasting relationships. In Vocal Awareness I am always teaching “Structure does not impinge, it liberates.” – and, in my travels, I create structure that supports me. My bride is with me most of the time because, when my day is finished, we have our time together. In New York, I am creating meaningful downtime between my work at the NFL and ESPN to share our time together without interruption.

Just a reminder too that when I speak about structure, when I speak about integrating mind/body/spirit, no matter where I am or what I’m doing, the day always begins with my prayer, focus, and meditation time. Depending on when I’m on the road and when I go to bed at night, this time could be three in the morning or five in the morning. But that time is sacrosanct as it is foundational to what I do and who I am.

So, I offer this personal observation because it is one of the ways I serve the Work and use it to support me being the very best I can be for my Self. I strive not to feel harried and, most of the time to be frank, I don’t believe I am. I truly believe that, most of the time, I embody what I ask others to embody – living life on our terms to the best of our ability, creating value because we are here and living a life of mind/body/spirit consciousness.

The Bridge Weekend an Empowering Success!

Arthur leading the group in a more intimate moment Sunday afternoon.

Over the weekend of April 28-29th, The Vocal Awareness Bridge event was held in Marina del Rey, California. With students assembled from across the country and around the world – including New York, Texas, Australia, Sweden and Spain – it was a full two days of learning and practicing Vocal Awareness with Arthur, empowering each participant to continue their Journey to Claiming Their Power.

Arthur began The Bridge on Saturday with a discussion of Conscious Awareness and the power it brings to our lives. He shared personal stories with the group, including how his own Journey began. From there, students were introduced to core Vocal Awareness principles and techniques – including individual attention from Arthur as each was practiced in turn.

On Day Two, participants began the day with a vocal warm-up and workout, and review of Stature and the 7 Rituals with Education Director Elizabeth Harmetz. They continued the vital work of creating and embodying their Personas with Arthur, and then gave their newfound awareness and skills a workout in a networking event.

Arthur ended the weekend with insight into his own Work, enabling all in attendance to understand how he has achieved Life Mastery through embodying the Voice of a Leader – and how everyone else can too. All it takes is Vocal Awareness.

This Month in our V.I.P. Club: The Persona Statement, Part 1.

Arthur discussing his Persona Statement with April Brown

The Persona Statement is a foundational element in Vocal Awareness. It helps you make choices about who you are and who you want to be – and then to claim your own unique Persona.

This month’s module is all about helping you get a firm grasp of this essential component of the Work. In the V.I.P. View, Arthur sits down in a Venice, California, loft to talk with four Vocal Awareness students. Arthur listens closely and coaches them as they read their Persona Statements aloud. In the process, he shares with them – and us – his own struggles, his discovery of what he calls the “talking-yourself-into-it stage,” and ultimately, out of all of his challenges, his realization of the truth of his own Persona and the confidence in himself that awareness of Self helped him to find.

The May Module also includes insights into how you are empowered by your Persona Statement and the many other elements and subtleties brought forth in the Vocal Awareness Method. Through your dedicated practice of Vocal Awareness, you learn to truly claim who you are and be heard, not simply above but also through the din of daily discourse.

Success Story

Deborah Torres Patel.

Founder, Expressing You! Pte Ltd, Singapore.

In April, a slight technical glitch caused us concern that some of our readers may not have gotten access to the Success Story of Deborah Torres Patel, one of Asia’s leading voice and presentation coaches. It was her work with Arthur and Vocal Awareness that led her to realize and embrace her destiny – teaching personal and professional clients in 66 countries to speak, sing and communicate with confidence, power and authenticity. So we wanted to share it with you again.

Read Deborah’s complete Success Story here.

ALSO Please browse our other Success Stories to learn what empowered people have to say about their Vocal Awareness experiences, including –

• Pierce Brosnan, Actor, producer, environmentalist

• Shira Lazar, Host and Executive Producer – Whatstrending.com and Partners Project on Youtube, Social Media Columnist – Entrepreneur.com

• Michael Irvin, Former All-Pro Dallas Cowboys wide receiver, Hall of Fame inductee, and NFL Studio Analyst

• Ellie Drake, Founder & CEO BraveHeart Women

• And many others…

Begin your exploration here.

First, before I begin to talk about what I’ll be up to in April, I want to close out what proved to be a very exciting March. We had a successful Webinar with my long-time student and one of the Internet’s more significant talents Shira Lazar on March 21 followed by a return to New York for the Commissioner of the National Football League in helping him prepare for the annual Owners’ Meeting this year in Palm Beach, Florida where I was in attendance March 24 through 26. President Clinton delivered the opening remarks on March 25.

April is a very rich month personally and professionally for me. It is a holy month for millions of people all over the world – Good Friday, Passover, Easter. The depth of these traditions and the opportunities for more spiritual time for each of us is reflected in these holidays. It is an ideal occasion for each of us to enter into our own Deeper Listening in a spiritual community.

In addition, April 30 marks the 44th anniversary of my bride’s and my meeting. We celebrate both anniversaries – the day we met and the day we married. This anniversary is as sacrosanct as our actual wedding anniversary in August.

April 10 finds me going to work for the NFL with a cocktail reception and dinner on the evening of the 10th for their Player Ambassadors. A 2-hour Vocal Awareness training for the Player Ambassador Program on Wednesday the 11th and then, I will go over to the NFL offices on Park Avenue for Vocal Awareness training with the Player Engagement Staff on Leadership Development and my concept of “What does it take to represent The Shield?” On April 20 we fly to Atlanta for the National Football League’s Career Transition Program, a meaningful program for retired NFL players where Vocal Awareness will play an integral part in the weekend events.

Between the two NFL trips, on Sunday the 15th we go to Bristol, Connecticut, for two days of broadcast training at ESPN and two days of Vocal Awareness Leadership Training for corporate executives on April 18 and 19.

And the month draws to close on April 28 and 29 with our first ever offering of The Bridge program in Marina del Rey, California. I am looking forward to two exciting days of teaching and vocal empowerment – marking another significant and important step on the Vocal Awareness Journey.

Vocal Awareness Goal

Cross The Bridge to Personal Power.

The practice of Vocal Awareness will help you reach your life's goals for the rest of your life.

Fast approaching is the weekend event that will change your life! It’s The Bridge, an immersive Vocal Awareness program personally taught by Arthur himself, to be held April 28-29 in Marina del Rey, California.

No matter what level of Vocal Awareness you have already attained or what expertise you aspire to, this motivating weekend is designed to engage you individually and advance your Journey. From the first moment on, you’ll be proactively accessing Vocal Awareness, cultivating your ability to own your Voice, embody your dreams and enrich your life.

Arthur will personally guide you through the inspiring and energizing Vocal Awareness techniques and principles that people around the world now practice every day.

Ultimately you’ll create or further enhance your personal 7-minute-a-day Vocal Power Workout so you can deepen your own daily experience of the many transformative and empowering benefits that come from integrating Vocal Awareness into your life.

The practice of Vocal Awareness will help you reach your life’s goals for the rest of your life. How about starting with the simple goal of making The Bridge the beginning of the best of your life?

Overview of Take My Time.

“Take My Time” is the answer to changing this often unconscious behaviour, reminding us to take a moment, connect with our Selves, and focus on what's truly important.

Many of us are so busy hustling and bustling from one thing to the next that we forget how our perpetual and habitual rushing affects our state of being. The topic of this month’s V.I.P. Club Module, Ritual Five: “Take My Time,” is the answer to changing this often unconscious behaviour, reminding us to take a moment, connect with our Selves, and focus on what’s truly important: not the “speed” at which we communicate but rather how effectively we communicate.

In April’s inspiring V.I.P. View, Arthur sits down with business consultant and home-schooling mom Lisa Siao to explore the transformative effect of Ritual Five: “Take My Time.” Together she and Arthur discuss the Self-discovery that “Take My Time” fosters, and the value of its practice in all aspects of our lives. Included in the module is a highly useful exercise to teach you the true value of Ritual Five and help you to incorporate it into your daily life.

Success Story

Deborah Torres Patel.

Founder, Expressing You! Pte Ltd, Singapore.

Today, as Asia’s leading voice and presentation coach, Deborah Torres Patel is doing just what she was meant to do. But it wasn’t always that way. She began a successful performance career at the age of 4, but at 29 realized she wasn’t happy. It was her work with Arthur and Vocal Awareness that led her to realize and embrace her destiny – teaching personal and professional clients in 66 countries to speak, sing and communicate with confidence, power and authenticity.

Read Deborah’s complete Success Story here.

Commissioner Goodell opened the meetings today, and in a word was – spectacular. Roger Goodell is passionate, honest, direct, disciplined…and it all was communicated, not just in what he said but in how he said it.

CURTIS CONWAY

Former Chicago Bears Football Player, Sports Broadcaster.

Q. What in your life brought you to the realization that you wanted to improve your Voice?

A. It was really about being the best broadcaster I could be, and having all the presence in my voice that I noticed in others.

This is basically how it happened: When I first started on radio, they told me that Arthur was a broadcasting coach and truthfully, I really didn’t know what that was. I worked with Arthur for two years, but I wasn’t serious about broadcasting at the time and I wasn’t really very committed to my work with Arthur. Then I stopped doing broadcasting for a while.

When I got back into it, I still didn’t realize how important the voice was, not only from a broadcaster’s point of view, but from speaking in general. I went back to studying with Arthur, talking about Vocal Awareness, and I finally started listening to other broadcasters. I realized that the voice really mattered; I thought, “Wow, there is something that grabs you when some of these personalities talk.”

So since I came back to broadcasting I’ve been working with Arthur for two years. And my time with him has ended up being very meaningful, I would say, this second time around.

Q. Do you recall a moment when you felt a shift, or even a break-through because of your Work with Arthur and/or Vocal Awareness?

A. Some people know me as a football player. Some as a broadcaster. And some as a husband and father. Arthur Samuel Joseph was the one who made me dig deep and access another layer of me. I am still Curtis Conway but I have a new level of confidence or inner knowing which has propelled me forward in my post-playing career as a broadcaster.

About a year and a half ago I did a speaking engagement at a YPO event. After I spoke, people came up to me saying, “You did a good job!” They were pretty pumped about the speech.

I really felt prepared, I was doing the Work, and I got the validation from Arthur as well that I really had committed and followed through. I was probably the most conscious of Vocal Awareness that I could ever be at that point and I was pretty excited about it. So, after that, I was like “Wow! This stuff really works.” I was really focused on the Edge and Arc of Sound and such, and it wasn’t just about “Okay, let me just talk.” I just started to take it seriously. That had to be my breakthrough.

Q. What has been the biggest benefit thus far from working with Arthur and Vocal Awareness?

A. If you think about it, who teaches you strength and endurance for your voice? What Arthur did, aside from minimizing my voice feeling strained and stressed at work and on-air, was (and still is) teach me how to be a successful athlete off the field and to use my Voice the same way I used my physical and strategic skills on the field. I never understood the power of Voice and the importance of my Voice until I began my work with Arthur.

Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, I didn’t consider my broken English as anything but normal – it’s just the way we talked. And it’s not about being ignorant or dumb, but simply part of this culture I grew up in. Arthur taught me how powerful my word choices can be – at work, at home and just out and about. He wanted me to sound as intelligent as he knew me to be.

You know Arthur has this way of giving you confidence. He helped me not just with the sound of my voice but even with what I said and the words I used. Broadening my vocabulary through our conversations helped me to perceive myself as more educated and professional. Arthur says to let people see who I really am. I’m not shy, but, I would say, kind of laid back and reserved. Arthur helped me in many ways to have more confidence in situations other than football. Now, when I have something to say, I don’t necessarily hold back. I can just be present and communicate with people.

Vocal Awareness is for me transformative. I am a walking billboard thanks to Arthur’s mission and message – “You own your Voice, you own Your Power.” It’s what I practice every day.”

As I’ve said many times, one of the things I so love about my life, my Work, the fulfillment of my passion, is that no two days are the same. Sometimes my schedule might even change from morning to afternoon. As it turned out, changes occurred over the month of February and there were a few events then I wish to share with you. In addition to meeting with Roger Goodell, the Commissioner of the National Football League, I saw my dear friend and client, John Branca, who is the number one music attorney in the world. Last month during Grammy weekend, he was honored as Music Attorney of the Year. Then, my bride and I went to Bristol Connecticut for ESPN and on to New York City for my clients and to attend Seminar a new comedy on Broadway starring Alan Rickman. We had a wonderful time.

And, so, albeit March is right around the corner, my schedule is still very much up in the air. One definite March project is to shoot footage for our newest Vocal Awareness DVD. In 1999 I created a 90-minute DVD with workbook on how to do Vocal Awareness that has been a meaningful program to my students and to me for over a decade. But, for several years now, I have wanted to create a DVD targeted to the seven-minutes-a-day Vocal Power Workout. Rather than put on a 90-minute DVD, we will now have a shorter and very strategic program in which I can personally guide you through these important seven-minutes. Vocal Awareness is about Mastery and, for mastery to occur, we have to integrate mind/body/spirit and master the subtleties of form. I know that this new DVD will support you in doing that. It will be me speaking to you, the student, through the camera, so that I can truly help you be in mastery within your Self and, of course, in Vocal Awareness. It will be produced later this year.

March 2nd finds me going down to Del Mar and Escondido in Southern California near San Diego to spend the weekend with a dear friend and long-time student – we did an all Spanish album together about a dozen years ago – Carina Courtright – a magnificent woman with a magnificent voice. I will also meet with my dear friend, Moe Abdou. Moe is one of the most gracious, considerate people I know and is a significant member of the Vocal Awareness Nation.

Then, on the 7th, I will be in San Francisco to teach Hall of Fame football player Jerry Rice. In addition, last fall I taught a seminar for one of my former students, Marcia Wieder, and offered the participants the opportunity to come and spend the day with me at my studio in Encino, CA. So, on the 9th, I have a lovely woman coming down from the Bay area to spend the day in session with me.

Later in March I will possibly be working either in New York or Florida (or both) again with my wonderful client, Roger Goodell, helping him to prepare for an event later in the month. I will also have ongoing coaching engagements with the NFL, NFL Network and ESPN.

Beyond that, I want to say that, at this stage of my Journey, I am truly privileged to work with very committed people who come to Vocal Awareness because they recognize that Vocal Awareness helps them fulfill possibility. They all have heard me repeat William James’ quote, “The great use of a life is to spend it for something that outlasts it.” Whether it is in my teaching space, out-of-town, on Skype, or in studio, the quality of the Work flourishes because of the quality and commitment of the people I teach.

So you see, my schedule is always shifting and changing, but several things stay consistent – the integrity of the Work, the privilege it is to do this Work, and the fact that I am grateful for every day and the opportunities I am given.

Announcing Our Next Moment with the Master.

Shira Lazar

March 21st at 6PM PST/8PM EST / March 22nd at 1AM UTC/GMT Arthur joins friend and student Shira Lazar in a live webinar. This is a free event with an opportunity for Arthur to actually hear your Voice during the live question and answer segment. Shira began studying with Arthur when she was just starting out in the entertainment and broadcasting industry. Since then Shira has been the face of the biggest live-streams on the web including, The Oscars and The Grammys among many others. Hear from Shira the impact Vocal Awareness has had on her personal success.

Vocal Awareness Goal

Conquering Performance Anxiety and Stage Fright, Part 2.

Arthur and Elizabeth during a performance demonstration in Oceanside, CA.

In last month’s newsletter (February 2012,) we discussed how crafting your Persona Statement and “making Voice visual,” will help you to embody the best of who you are and thus begin to alleviate “performance anxiety” and “stage fright.” This month, we’ll continue exploring this goal through the idea of committed practice and the Seven Vocal Awareness Rituals.

The Power of Practice.

There is an old joke about a New York taxi driver who when asked “How do I get to Carnegie Hall?” responds, “Practice, practice, practice!” Vocal Awareness is Mastery Work and as Arthur often says, mastery is only achieved when you master the subtleties of form and integrate mind/body/spirit. When we speak of practice in Vocal Awareness, we mean both the committed daily practice of the Vocal Awareness techniques and rituals which will lead you to mastery of the details (i.e. “the subtleties of form”) and the Practice that becomes a discipline for integrating mind/body/spirit. Your Vocal Awareness Practice then supports you on your path to accomplishing both requirements of Mastery.

Through your Vocal Awareness Practice, Conscious Awareness becomes possible and through your Conscious Awareness you approach the Life Mastery which eliminates all kinds of performance anxiety. Finally we recognize that we actually do have a choice not only about how we live, but about who we are and who we believe ourselves to BE at the most essential level.

The Seven Rituals.

To gain the true benefits of Vocal Awareness our daily Practice must incorporate the Seven Vocal Awareness Rituals, which are designed as “pattern interrupts” to help us shift behavior. By Taking Our Time, Breathing Lovingly and Letting Go we come closer to our natural and original state. Each of the Seven Rituals reminds us of who we are and enables us to find safety within through our connection to Self and Source. When we are truly connected in this way there is little if any room left for anxiety. Rather than performing with, or even despite fear, we no longer “perform” – we can simply be.

Please make a point to truly spend time with the Seven Rituals until they are a significant part of your life and Practice.

1. Thank You to My Source.
2. Love and Let Go.
3. Allow a Slow Silent, Conscious, Loving Breath.
4. See the Edge and Arc of Sound.
5. Take My Time.
6. Pay Attention/Deeper Listening.
7. Be My Self.

You will find an exploration of the Seven Rituals within our Voice Is Power Club monthly modules.

Claim your Voice – Claim your Power.

Like every aspect of Vocal Awareness our practice of the Seven Rituals and our Practice in general are designed to help us to claim who we truly are and thus to BE our authentic Self. Ultimately this is how we “conquer” every kind of fear.

Overview of Ritual Four: “See the Edge and Arc of Sound.”

Edge and Arc will always support you in consciously being who you are.

Ritual Four: “See the Edge and Arc of Sound” is a critical tool in creating the connection between our inner Voice and our outer voice, and it is the focus of this month’s V.I.P. Club Module, which includes an insightful video, instructive PDF exercise, and a special message from Arthur.

In this module’s V.I.P. View, Arthur guides chiropractor and public speaker Greg Grochowski through the yawn-sigh exercise in an effort to refine his understanding of the Edge and Arc of Sound. From our “bird’s-eye View” we observe these refinements in action and hear the changes reflected in Greg’s voice and Voice.

By beginning to integrate the inner Voice through the outer voice, Ritual Four enables you to truly share who you are with the world. That’s because the Edge and Arc will always support you in consciously being who you are, rather than “presenting” some small fraction of yourself.

Success Story

Curtis Conway.

Former Chicago Bears Football Player, Sports Broadcaster.

As quarterback in his senior year of high school in California, Curtis Conway was named an All-American athlete. He continued his football success at the University of Southern California, where he studied Public Administration, and from there embarked on an NFL career as a wide receiver. From the gridiron Curtis went to the broadcast booth as a sportscaster on national NFL radio. He discovered Vocal Awareness when he went to Arthur for vocal coaching. After working with Arthur and realizing the value of his authentic Voice, he continues to gain confidence in his speaking voice and greater access to his Self.

Read Curtis’ complete Success Story here.

The President sang a brief duet, “Sweet Home Chicago” with B. B. King. Once again the President showed his musical and vocal talent. These brief riffs send wonderful messages about the joy of singing! It’s clear, the President doesn’t do this to show off nor is he embarrassed. He sings for the love of singing. I’m reminded of President Truman playing the piano and performing with his daughter Margaret and President Clinton blowing his sax. Their performances, simple and natural, encourage all of us to exercise our birthright and sing or play the music of our soul. Blues is a true American art form brought about because people had to sing their pain out, but we can also sing out our joy. The point is access your inner singer and sing!

In pop, jazz – Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Billy Holiday, Edith Piaf, Frank Sinatra; classical – Jussi Bjoerling, Joan Sutherland; in blues, folk – “Leadbelly,” Pete Seeger; in country Hank Williams, Patsy Cline – clearly I’m not even scratching the surface… But from Sunday’s Grammy Awards ceremony, who if any of these singers will we be listening to generations from now and why? Will it be Jennifer Hudson, Adele or Bonnie Raitt, Michael Buble, Josh Groban?

Vocal Awareness is always teaching “it’s not merely the ‘what’ of our expression but the ‘how.’”

Singing is the most intimate art form. It is the only artistic expression that comes fully from within. We can’t see you do it; we only hear and feel you do it. Whether you are a singer or a speaker, strive to BE who you are, never “present.”

Claim your originality. Know your Voice. Embody it! Voice is Power. Own it!

Kelly Clarkson @ Superbowl

During half-time Madonna, even though seemingly lip-syncing was a compelling performer bringing extraordinary energy and style to the show. I truly wish they were my students as Vocal Awareness would help them sing even better. Adding more Edge and Arc, i.e. resonance and presence would create an immediate visceral impact and greater vocal health. Clearly they are already talented and successful. But in Vocal Awareness we learn not to settle for what is, but rather to discover and achieve what is truly possible. Even the simple act of breathing in Vocal Awareness becomes a “profound game changer, ” just like the 4th quarter sideline pass and catch from Eli Manning to Mario Manningham was a game changer.

One of the things I love about my life, the work I’m privileged to do, is that every day is different – every week, every month. The one common thing that does exist, however, is that – whether it’s personal or professional – it is all Vocal Awareness. Vocal Awareness is not merely what I do, but who I am.

This month I find myself busy teaching my regular weekly students. I may also be at the Super Bowl on February 5 because one of my clients is the Commissioner of the National Football League, Roger Goodell and I have helped him to prepare his pre-Super Bowl remarks in Vocal Awareness. Roger is a truly exemplary man and an extraordinarily hard worker; he is committed to doing the Work: our Rituals, exercises, etc. – including the concepts of Visceral Language and Seeing Periods, which have been quite helpful to him.

Later in the month, my wife and I are attending a family wedding which promises to be a great celebration and reunion of family and friends.

The third week of February I am at ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut – not only for my usual broadcast work, but also for my leadership program called “Empowerment Through Voice,” where I will work with the management side of the company on leadership development through Vocal Awareness.

As I begin February, I will also be personally entering into the first month of my new year; my birthday is at the end of January. I recently discovered that the Chinese New Year, this year, is actually on my birthday and it is the Year of the Dragon. So, February begins what I call my “Bruce Lee Year” (in honor of his movie, Enter the Dragon, and his incredible dedication to his Work). I enter my 2012 in the Year of the Dragon.

I love celebration and I respect tradition. February holidays include President’s Day, honoring great presidents such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. One of the things that is truly part of these two great Presidents’ legacies was what fine orators they were and what extraordinary communication abilities they had – which enabled them to be very tactical and persuasive both as leaders and politicians.

February also brings the romance of Valentine’s Day, which my bride and I will happily celebrate. We have had so many celebrations big and small in our lives together – each of them very special in their own way. We both make sure that every celebration reflects our love and commitment to one another.

Tradition is part of Vocal Awareness. Respect is part of Vocal Awareness – so these celebrations, these holidays, are part of what I choose to honor for myself as well. Vocal Awareness never does anything perfunctorily or habitually unconsciously. Public celebrations are so easily seen as a “day off” from work or something we don’t relate to, but through Vocal Awareness we are given the opportunity to be more mindful and appreciative of all we have and all we do.

Vocal Awareness Goal

Conquering Performance Anxiety and Stage Fright, Part 1.

Commit to a new Conscious Awareness in every “performance,” every interaction.

“Performance anxiety” or “stage fright” does not only affect those in the “Arts,” public speaking or athletics; it affects everyone in some way at some point in their lives. It may pass quickly, but for others it can become a debilitating challenge to their personal and/or professional success. For example, in business, every personal encounter is a “performance moment,” because whether a conference call, PowerPoint presentation or client meeting, we are interfacing with someone who is watching and evaluating us. Vocal Awareness understands this reality and at its core level, teaches us to claim who we are and BE our authentic Self. Ultimately this is how we “conquer” every kind of fear. Through Vocal Awareness we shift life-long habits and unconscious behaviors to commit to a new Conscious Awareness in every “performance,” every interaction.

The question then is how do we become Consciously Aware – and not just occasionally, but in every context and circumstance. Vocal Awareness has many relevant and useful tools and in this newsletter we will cover two of the most important elements to claiming your authentic Self: creating your Persona Statement (or personal brand) and Making Voice Visual (which includes Marking Up Text.) Next month we will continue our exploration of how to conquer performance anxiety through Conscious (and Vocal) Awareness with Getting Started and the Seven Rituals.

Developing Your Persona Statement.

Your Persona is the truth of your identity being revealed, embodied and projected outward. Developing a Persona Statement teaches us how to choose to be who we are, and not simply settle for who we have been. The Persona Statement enables us to actually BE, rather than just appear to be, the same person everywhere we go. This ability to BE is critical in combating stage fright.

There are three steps to creating a Persona Statement (covered in-depth within our V.I.P. Club Toolbox and our Harnessing the Power Within DVD); these include exploring how we think others perceive us, recognizing how we perceive ourselves and then deciding how we actually want to be perceived and who we actually are. Vocal Awareness teaches us that we do have a choice and in the case of our Persona Statement the choice is who we want to be. Do we want to exhibit and experience fear or do we want to claim our power by simply being our Selves. The fact is, the way you think or feel about yourself and your actions directly affect how you relate and reveal yourself to the world.

Making Voice Visual.

Essential to Vocal Awareness is the process of “Making Voice Visual.” Arthur does this through his body language, through edge/arc and through actually seeing his words as he speaks them. One of the ways to learn to see your words is through the process of “marking up” text, because by seeing the words we are more fully able to embody them. Actually writing out your text and then marking it up creates conscious reminders of how to truly bring your words to life.

Useful Vocal Awareness notations include:

• S – to remind you to stay in Stature.
• TS – Thanking Source.
• CLB – to ensure you remember to allow a Conscious Loving Breath.
• Underlines – for important words you want to emphasize.
• √ – for places where you want or need a catch breath.
• ′ – Stress Marks above syllables that are significant.

So, “mark up” your speech, presentation or Persona Statement and then consciously practice it over and over again – never rushing or doing it in a habitual way. As always Vocal Awareness is Mastery and Mastery is in the details. Only conscious practice will allow you to deeply engage in those details. By practicing your Persona Statement out loud and making it visual as you do so, you will more fully embody it. Fully embodying your Persona Statement will bring you that much closer to eliminating your “stage fright.”

Ultimately, knowing who you are and truly being that person is what it’s all about, with the goal of Mastery and Conscious Awareness in every performance. Don’t simply believe it is possible, KNOW IT! This translates into confidence.

Overview of Telling Story.

Enhancing your ability not just to “tell story” but to embody your stories.

This month’s V.I.P. Club Module focuses on Storytelling – while technology has enabled us to tell our stories to more people more quickly – the power, the personal connection made possible by using our Voice is still clearly essential to us as individuals and to humanity as a whole.

Watching Arthur work with broadcaster, teacher, university trustee and former professional soccer player Allen Hopkins in this month’s V.I.P. View helps us to understand how Vocal Awareness enhances our ability not just to “tell story” but to embody our stories. As Arthur and Allen review and “mark up” Allen’s Mission Statement, bringing it to life as he embodies it, they use a range of Vocal Awareness techniques and metaphors, which help Allen to recognize the value inherent in turning everyday conversation into authentic storytelling.

Success Story

Greg Grochowski.

Owner – Grochowski Chiropractic

Greg Grochowski’s passion for Chiropractic began after being hit by a car while riding a bicycle at age 14. He received his Doctor of Chiropractic with honors from Southern California University of Health Sciences in 1996, and pursued graduate studies that included working in the Musculoskeletal Rehab at U.C. San Diego department of Orthopedics.

As opportunities arose for Greg to share his expertise with others through speaking engagements, he realized that he needed help to become the best public speaker he could possibly be. After ordering and working through Vocal Awareness home study materials, he got the opportunity to speak with Arthur while attending a Vocal Awareness conference call. This encounter began an association and friendship with Arthur that opened Greg up to as he puts it, “an entire world of Voice.”

Today Dr. Grochowski runs one of the largest Chiropractic Clinics in the Inland Empire where he was voted the "People’s Choice" for Chiropractor. Dr. Grochowski, his staff and his doctors are truly passionate about what they do.

Read Greg’s complete Success Story here.

I share this insightful observation with you because Vocal Awareness also embodies the concept of Oneness in everything we do and all of who we are. From the quality of a Loving Breath, to a visual connection of the line of our spoken language to embodiment of the presence of who we are at all times as we claim our Identity in our Persona Statement.