To Belt Or Not To Belt? That Is the Question

In recent years, we have been inundated with what I have lovingly called "The Annie Syndrome." Starting in the 80's when Sarah Jessica Parker was playing Annie on Broadway, every young girl grew up wanting to play Annie.  And so, every young girl grew up thinking everything needs to be belted like "Tomorrow."

Prior to this, belting was a rare feat only done on certain specific types of songs, by singers who were physically able to do it properly and well - trained to do so without hurting themselves, or possibly causing permanent vocal cord damage.

As evidenced by recent vocal surgeries and concert cancellations by mega-stars like Adele, Celine Dion and others, a big powerful voice may wow your audience, but that does NOT mean it is the best thing for the long-term health of your voice.

Proper belting takes tremendous breath control and is sustained ONLY by using the diaphragm and abdominal muscles.  A proper belt should never be forced, pushed, strained, squeezed, or have a nasal

tone.  Anything that you can feel in your throat or that feels unpleasant is likely to be causing damage that may not ever be repaired. 

The vocal cords, or vocal folds, are a pair of thin, muscular strips inside the larynx, or voice box, in your throat.  Shaped like a wish bone, they contain the densest nerve tissue in the body.  While silent, the cords remain apart for easier breathing.  When we use our voices, air is pushed up from the lungs, and the edges of the cords join in a quick, chopping motion.  The air creates sound by making the cords vibrate.  The greater the speed of the vibration, the higher the pitch.  A soprano hitting rich high notes has her cords slapping against each other 1,000 times per second!

The fine, spongy surface of the cords, can eventually wear down and develop tiny contusions.  After overuse for years, nodules, polyps or cysts from on the vocal folds, distorting your sound.  The first sign of trouble is usually the wobble.  Ragged cords lose their natural vibrato, so they no longer resonate correctly, causing the pitch to fluctuate.  In a worst case scenario, there is a point where there is a "hole" where the cords completely fail to produce the proper tone.  Notes become flat, or worse, come through as a barely audible gasp.

The truth is that the old idea that belting is automatically injurious to the vocal cords is an old wives tale, and belting is certainly quite effective in certain specifically intensely emotional moments in a song.  A more classical style of singing, one that is also easier on the vocal cords is appropriate in far more instances.   And improper belting, or all-too-frequent belting can still cause serious, and sometimes permanent damage.

Your best course of action is to work with a properly trained voice teacher to determine exactly where your own natural "break" is between your chest and head voice, and to work carefully on gentle warm-ups to challenge yourself and widen your range.  A teacher can help ensure that you never attempt a note that is too high or too low, or belt a note that will end up in your throat causing damage that can end your singing career forever. 

Ultimately, belting is a fun and effective way to express intensity in a moment in a song.  And with proper training, you can belt safely AND be stronger when using your head voice.  That way you can sound great and feel great and sing well for the rest of your life! 

Arts Education - I Help People

Over the years, I have held many jobs using many different skills. I have spent as much, if not more time, volunteering to do what I love. In the past two years since I became completely self-employed, I have begun to clarify in my own mind exactly what is it that I want to do: I help people.

I get the greatest joy and satisfaction from helping someone figure out what they need and how to get it. I help push people past their preconceived boundaries so they can stretch their limits and try things they never thought possible.

As a Producer and Co-Host at Word of Mom Radio Network, it felt great to give women in business a voice, and to empower, educate and shine a light on Mompreneurs.

As an Optavia Health Coach, I set clients up with a nutrition plan to help them reach optimal health. Some clients have an idea of what they want to accomplish and how to go about it. Many discover so many brand new things about themselves, their psyche around nutrition and their blocks regarding fitness.

But no matter how many paths I take and how many jobs I hold to earn a living, it always comes back to my true passion: Theatre Arts and Arts Education. I have been lucky to work as a teacher, director, producer and mentor of actors, singers and writers. Through my work with multiple theatre companies including Darknight, and The Family Repertory Company where I am the Co-Artistic Director, and through many subsequent collaborations, I have been challenged,  pushed, and supported to better help others on their journey of exploration and creativity. These experiences have also allowed me to use my opportunities as an actress and singer to bring joy to my own heart and to the audiences who watch me.

It is because of my work, that I am a woman with a mission. In our world, which has grown colder and more detached, arts education is more vital than ever. The connections fostered in the arts help combat the rapidly diminishing interpersonal connections we forge due to new advances in technology and transportation. By teaching true emotions and being your authentic self, arts education can help end stigmas and through the teaching of empathy, help reduce the violence, anger, abuse and suicide so prevalent in our society.

Arts Education can help people live with a purpose, reducing stress, anxiety, and depression in their lives. The presence of the Arts in our lives and in our education can help us in so many ways. Over time, I will share data and studies that I have collected over the years showing the positive effects on students in schools as well as health patients of all kinds, including but not limited to: mood disorders, psychiatric illness, neurological disorders, physical disabilities and aging.

Through my Arts Education Company, Thespian Arts Program, or TAP, as well as my work as a private Vocal and Acting Coach, I endeavor to bring arts education to all in a nurturing environment. Through doing so, I hope to open up further dialogue towards using arts education for both health and educational purposes.

Come with me on this journey of creative exploration and arts education, because it is a life-long journey. By honing a craft and opening ourselves to learning throughout a lifetime, we feel better, live better, have more confidence, poise and presence, better relationships with others, and skills that carry through to everything we do.