Guest post by Celebrity Vocal Coach Dot Todman (C.O.R.E. Vocal Power)
Amy Winehouse as a Singer—Powerful, or Empowered?
Powerful vs. Empowered Singing
Part of why I take an emphasis on empowerment as a vocal coach is because of the short-lived careers of many artists who fall so quickly after they rise, or never even make it to the top, because they suffer the consequences of making choices that permanently damage their mind, soul, and body. And sadly, many are deceived to feel it’s part of “living the rock star lifestyle.” Unlike a guitar or a piano, which I can replace if damaged, I only have one mind, one soul, and one voice. Why not enjoy my gift of expression with clarity, good health, abundance, and longevity?
Question: Do I just want to be a powerful singer, or an empowered singer?
Was Amy Winehouse a powerful singer? Yes. Was she an empowered singer? No. While Amy Winehouse was the perfect example of being a very powerful singer, perhaps it is clear now, that just singing powerfully does not guarantee a life full of joy and success.
Life can be tough, and it’s easy to fall into traps and develop bad habits. We’re only human. Practicing empowering principles and developing positive habits help us to become powerful masters of creativity and our unique gifts. What does it take to create the confidence, ease, and grace of a truly empowered singer?
- Time
- Effort
- Persistence
Amy Winehouse was just another example of how an incredible voice and all the talent in the world alone does not guarantee personal fulfillment and self empowerment. It’s a shame…and a powerful reminder of how important your Mind, Soul, and VOICE are! It’s a tough world out there. We all need to look after ourselves from the CORE.
HERE ARE 3 WAYS FOR ARTISTS TO STAY EMPOWERED FROM THE CORE:
Stay away from the 3 Harmful C’s:
• 3 Common Mistakes that Most Singers Make
(1) Compare—Each person’s voice is 100% unique. Even identical twins do not have the same voice because the instrument is the MIND, SOUL, and BODY. While minds can be connected, they are still unique. No other SOUL is identical to yours, which means the way you experience and express is completely yours. Therefore, it makes no sense to compare yourself to someone else? Cherish what is great about your unique voice and allow others to have theirs.
(2) Criticize—If you pay attention to what you don’t like about others, it just reflects back on you and vise-versa. Try the exact opposite and see what happens.
(3) Compete—I know shows like American Idol, X-Factor, and the Voice would make you think it is a competition, but at the end of the day, you get to be who you are because everybody else is already taken! If you’re going to enter a competition, make sure you value yourself enough to not be crushed if you don’t win. Do it for fun and know that singing is an expressive journey that everyone interprets differently.
C.O.R.E. Vocal Power® is a 4-part formula that provides the structure for empowered singing.
Click here for more information about C.O.R.E. Vocal Power®
Watch Dot’s C.O.R.E. Vocal POWER Workshops
Dot’s C.O.R.E. Vocal Power Workshops
I wish you a successful, joyous, and graceful vocal journey!
About the Author
Dot From Toronto, Canada, this dynamic, and inspiring teacher works as one of Los Angeles’s top vocal coaches. Dot began teaching music at age 14, when her music teacher saw her natural gift for teaching and put her in charge of writing original music for, and directing a 90-piece girl’s choir. At age 15, Dot became a professional singer when she was hired by the city to perform at annual downtown fairs. By the time she was 18, she was teaching 5th and 6th grade Music and Drama at a local Elementary School, and privately coaching students to sing. Her inspiring musical gift led to winning songwriting competitions, directing musical groups, performing in award-winning jazz quintets and touring musical groups, teaching Music, Drama and Choir in High Schools and directing regional choirs in Classical and Contemporary Music and performing in concerts of her own. She also gained experience as a studio singer, singing backup for NBC TV commercials, albums, animated children’s films and even lead for Jeff Goldblum’s “The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra” Jazz Band. In 1995 Dot was signed to Vagabond Productions (the Grammy award-winning Arrested Development’s label) and released a spiritual album of her own, entitled “Songs of the Soul.” During her musical escapade, Dot earned a triple degree in Music, Theatre Arts Education and Psychology, as well as a teaching certificate. After many years of teaching various subjects, and teaching voice privately on the side, Dot realized her true joy was vocal coaching for students of all ages. Though she had great teaching expertise and studied with the best, it wasn’t until Dot found her own authentic voice, that she truly began to master the art of helping every student find success through vocal expression. She developed C.O.R.E. Vocal Power®, a vocal training method that allows anyone to build their voice while overcoming blocks and building self awareness. Dot’s genuine interest in each human soul, and natural intuitive ability to “tune in” has led her to achieve great success in helping people from all walks of life to discover the power and essence of their true voice in a safe and effective manner. After overcoming a near-death experience in September of 2007, Dot’s teaching gained a whole new level of awareness, expertise and depth. Currently, Dot enjoys teaching empowering lessons for the mind, soul and voice, to celebrities, record label artists and everyday people from all walks of life in and around Los Angeles. Visit: http://www.dotsvoicestudios.com today!
