WORKSHOPS

FOR SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES & CHOIRS

SPOKEN VOICE CARE

Every day, voice clinics around the country see vocal injuries in people who are required to speak for long hours in their job, but have had no training in how to sustain their voice, the majority of which are school teachers.

We wouldn’t use our legs to run for hours on end, every day, without difficulty; the individual elements of the vocal mechanism are tiny and yet we expect it to hold up to constant use (or misuse).

An interactive, immersive experience, my live workshops on Spoken Voice Care have been well received by schools and businesses in Scotland. They can be tailor-made to suit your organisation and cover:

  • The relationship between breath and voice

  • Safe and sustainable projection

  • Articulation for efficient speaking

  • The importance of vocal hygiene and self-care

  • What Ifs?

  • The medical pathways if & when injury occurs

THEATRE WORKSHOPS & OUTREACH PROJECTS

Over the years, I have taken warm-ups, run workshops and created outreach projects for choirs and arts companies across the UK, including the BBC National Chorus of Wales; Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury; Bristol Choral Society; Garsington Opera; Scottish Opera; Cwmbach Male Choir and Stroud Choral Society.

If you’re looking for something a bit different for your Arts organisation, I have given two, 2-day workshops, covering the music and characterisation of:
Madam Butterfly
Falstaff

They can be edited to suit workshops of different lengths, or you might want to choose a new work to explore. Get in touch to talk through some ideas.

HEALTHY VOICE, HAPPY CHOIRS

My workshop Healthy Voice, Happy Choirs has been given live to choirs across the UK, and online, to a global community of Musical Directors, whose jobs span singing and public speaking.

In addition to the Spoken Voice Care content, we explore the things that usually catch choristers out:

  • Dynamics - how to sing loudly and quietly across the range while retaining quality of sound

  • Intonation - why the choir goes out of tune and how to fix it

  • Vowels and consonants - which, when & how?

  • Coaching in pronunciation of text in English, French, German and Italian

  • Work in progress - get immediate results to improve a song the choir is working on

TESTIMONIALS

  • "Personal & Genuine"

    Sian immediately created a safe environment for me to be open and for my voice to be heard. Her approach felt personal and genuine and tailor-made for me.

    ~ Opera Singer

  • "Pieces I never thought possible"

    Siân has helped massively to improve my confidence. My singing has improved enormously and I'm now singing pieces that I never thought would be possible.

    ~ Singing Student

  • "Exceptional Voice"

    Sian's voice is exceptional and she can sing and teach a wide range of genres. I have improved significantly since having sessions with her and would highly recommend her to anyone.

    ~ Musical Theatre Student

  • "Incredible Capacity to Genuinely Listen"

    Sian has an incredible capacity to genuinely listen to her clients and give them what they specifically require. She is able to hold the space for whatever you need to say and sometimes not say.

    ~ Opera Singer

  • "Patient & Thorough"

    The assessment was patient and thorough, the work was structured such as to ensure the targets were achievable, and the sessions were organised in a careful, layering programme to e certain of building strongly on each technique.

    ~ Folk Singer

  • "Helpful Practices"

    I have never come across a therapist who is able to treat a client using so many helpful practices which marry together so well. Whether you are searching for vocal coaching, vocal rehabilitation, vocal massage, counselling and mindfulness practice for singers or just a better knowledge of your own voice and how it works, I cannot recommend Sian highly enough.

    ~ Singer & Dancer

  • "Courtesy, Understanding & Encouragement"

    I was sorry for myself and fairly dispirited when I met Sian, and quite sceptical about there being much in the way of help to restore my singing voice. I was treated with the utmost courtesy, understanding and encouragement, such that I began to believe in myself. Having worked successfully on voice recovery, I look forward to continuing. Sian is due my grateful thanks.

    ~ Retired Singer

  • "Wish I had met Siân Sooner"

    I only wish that I had met Sian sooner and that there were more qualified vocal specialists out there like Sian.

    ~ Singer

  • "Huge variety of singing styles"

    At the same time as helping me with a huge variety of singing styles, Sian always makes sure to explain how my voice works and why a certain exercise is beneficial.

    ~ Singing Student

  • "Inspiring, fun & educational"

    Sian is inspiring, fun and educational. She is extremely knowledgeable about vocal techniques and knows how to challenge you while making sure you protect your voice.

    ~ Singing Student

  • "Transformative"

    Since I have been attending Sian's lessons, transformations have taken place. I am finding a voice I never knew I had. Sian is a very talented and knowledgeable musician and I am learning new techniques every week.

    ~ Amateur Singer