I’m finding my voice again
I have been in a place where I had to say no to a lot of things. Divorce and health stuff took a front seat and I was just too tired to do new things. I was still loving teaching from home and at a uni but I didn’t really have the capacity to do more than that.
Then in the last few months things have felt like they were changing. I have more space in my life and my head so I decided to open up to new things.
I feel like my kids are a bit older so I can leave them on their own for a bit and try new things. Also that I have enough energy.
I started going to an improv class which is fun. It’s nice to be in a class where saying what is the first thing that comes into your head is encouraged.
Work wise though initially I was frustrated as no new things came along. Or if they did they felt too scary. I drove miles in rubbish traffic, after a long work day, to do a set an a folk night near Stratford with Jobe which was a delight. I even played keys for myself as I sang when I was there.
And now things are coming along and I’m saying yes. And I’m doing some new and exciting things. I’m finding my voice for the me I am now. So I’m sharing them here to share the brave things I do. And to remind myself that sharing is not being a big head or showing off. Just sharing.
Finding my voice and accompanying myself
This Saturday I’m doing my second full set at an open mic where I’m playing piano for myself and sharing my original songs. I’ve pretty much learned the piano parts off by heart. Which was very lucky as I broke the music stand on my keyboard just before my first piano playing open mic in March.
I’m even learning some covers off by heart. It’s good to challenge myself with learning stuff off by heart. I used to find it so easy but it’s so much harder now. I’m working on giving myself grace that it takes longer now but not giving up. I tell other people to do that all of the time so I have to do it myself.
The details for the event are here. – Event in Selly Park on Saturday 3 May 2025
Doing It Even When I Don’t Feel Ready Yet.
I’m forcing myself to send this out even though it doesn’t feel ready or terribly interesting. I know that part of being bold is sharing the things in a way that actuallyallows people to actually come and watch/participate.
So you are cordially invited to this event, where I will be sharing a short set of my original songs, (and maybe a cover thrown in there).
Finding other people’s voices
I’ve been booked to run a workshop at a retreat in June. I’m really excited.
What I’m doing at the retreat is facilitating a mini version of the full day workshop that’s outlined on my spoken voice website that you can check out here.
I’m really excited to be doing this work again as I had put it on the back burner after having a wobble about how to reach people. A trepidation I have that I am fully owning in this blog. This retreat is being ran by a really wonderful therapist and her colleagues and it feels really positive to be part of this team.
The website for the organisation is here (although at the time of writing it’s mid migration). Rainbows In Roses
Remembering my voice as a choir leader.
I’m doing a one off trial running a choir for a local group.
I have no idea if I am what they’re looking for or if how they work will work for me and I’m really excited to be facilitating group singing again.
When I ran choirs for more than a decade and I loved the feeling of hearing my arrangements, (or arrangements by other people that I had taught), being sung back at me. The feeling of getting people singing together is glorious. Seeing the transformation from nervous to bold singers.
Also I used to love standing in the middle of a circle of people singing and feeling the vibrations of the song on and in my body.
I am so excited to get back to choir facilitating.
BRING ON THE NEW ADVENTURES