I’ve had the great joy of receiving an extensive education in the arts, including speech arts, singing, dancing and acting. I also began piano lessons at a young age, and continued until my successful completion of the Grade 8 RCM practical exam and Advanced Theory Rudiments. My very first job was as a puppeteer/faciliatator for children’s parties at Manitoba Theatre for Young People (how I learned to hot-glue googly eyes onto socks at unprecedented speeds) - that transitioned into a position as a Teacher’s Assistant and Workshop Instructor, and is where my love of teaching began to grow.
I began my higher education at Studio 58 (Vancouver BC) where I studied voice under Dale Genge, Ian Raffel and Brad Gibson. Following my completion of the 3-year acting program, I stayed for an additional 4 month intensive with Mr. Gibson to study voice pedagogy. From there, I apprenticed under Alison Matthews through Bard on the Beach, studying voice in the context of Shakespeare and professional repertory theatre performance.
Following this training, I had the honour of working as a professional voice instructor for outstanding programs such as Vancouver Film School, Viva Voce Speech Arts Studio, RealWheels Acting Academy, and the Arts Club Actors Intensive. I have worked with a huge variety of clients and students, including professional actors, singers, English-learners, business professionals, and more.
I am delighted to be back in Winnipeg, and offering customized coaching to all who are curious about their voice. -is it possible to have the highlighted section appear in quotations, and then a “read more” link that opens the entire bio when you click on it?
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do you coach?
I work with people of all ages (both children and adults) who are curious about their voice.
I specialize in working with…
Business Professionals
You want to upgrade your presentation skills, speak with clarity, and network with confidence.
Speech-makers
You want to captivate your listeners, express with ease, and tell a great story.
Creative Speakers
You want to try that open mic, improve your performance skills, or simply get creative with your voice.
New Singers
You want to learn healthy foundational skills to sing with freedom, and interpret your favourite songs.
Speakers of English as an Additional Language
You want to increase your clarity and confidence speaking English, master your articulation, and find fun in the language.
Voice Inquirers
Maybe you don’t see your goal listed here, or maybe you don’t have one yet - but you do want to explore your voice, and learn how to enjoy it to the fullest.
I’m here to help you use, own, and love your voice.
What will I learn?
Voice is a full body experience, and so we’ll focus on a combination of physical alignment (how you hold and move your body through space), breath (the power behind your voice), resonance (the sound and placement of your voice), articulation (the formation of words in the mouth) and imagination (expressivity, confidence, and connection to yourself, your words, and your listeners).
You will learn physical exercises, technical and creative principles, and develop your vocal artistry.
What is a session like?
Your sessions will be tailored to your specific needs and goals. A typical session may look like:
Check in: Brief discussion of our goals and curiousities for the day
Warm-up: Caring for and preparing the voice
Skill building: Introducing a concept or technique to further your learning
Exploration: Applying the skill to a vocal delivery such as a story, poem, presentation, etc.
Check out: Review any questions and decide on a practice for the week.
You will receive feedback throughout your session, and are welcome to ask questions at any time.
I’m nervous - What if I have had challenging experiences with my voice, or am anxious to try this out?
My number one priority is your safety and enjoyment in using your voice.
I work to provide a space that is friendly, thoughtful, patient, and caring.
I believe it best serves your voice when you have the freedom to try, fail, and try again without shame or chastisement.
I offer feedback that is specific and productive - but not harsh or unkind.
I believe your voice is a beautiful, powerful part of who you are, and we will work with joy and positivity to explore it. This work can be vulnerable, and we will move at a pace that feels right for you. I am there to help build you up and grow your confidence.
What do I need for my sessions?
You will need a notebook, a binder or folder to store handouts and material, and a piece of text. Your chosen piece of text could be a presentation from work, a poem you love, a passage from your favourite book, a song - whatever you’re excited to explore!
In addition, I will provide material for you as we move through our sessions.
Coaching and Teaching:
Emily Jane King