Coaching for Speakers
“This is easier than I expected!”
Coaching and Constructive Feedback for Your Speech or Presentation
LESSONS AVAILABLE ONLINE!
“Daria is an extraordinary performer and a gifted teacher. Having been wowed by her performances, I finally took the plunge and hired her as a voice instructor. I was impressed with her depth of knowledge and her ability to put me at ease while encouraging me to expand my comfort zone!”
– Kathleen Simmons, Business Owner
“Thank you for giving me the confidence to speak in front of people. You helped me improve my stage presence and delivery. I learned so much about relating to an audience. Very grateful for the work we did together.”
– John W., Student
Would you like to engage your listeners with greater ease?
Do you experience nervousness when speaking?
Want to learn to articulate with more clarity and improve diction?
Do you want to learn to project?
If you want to learn to speak with confidence, enunciate clearly, become more present and communicate your message effectively, I will give you helpful tools.
Visualize success! In our sessions together we will:
Access your own personal style.
Practice healthy vocal techniques/sound placement/resonance/projection.
Work on diction/pronunciation.
Learn effective breathing techniques to relax and stay focused
Conquer stage fright and nervousness when presenting.
Address body language and develop confidence.
And more…
Question:
How can I get started?
Answer:
If you're new to public speaking, begin by practicing in front of a small group and build it from there. Gather a few friends or family members and try it out. Be prepared and know your topic, that will give you more confidence.
Question:
How can I avoid vocal strain?
Answer:
There are specific vocal exercises that I teach, which will warm up your speaking or singing voice. They relax the muscles around your larynx and help to place the sound of your voice. Speaking and singing are really no different. Singing is an extension and you’re actually speaking on pitch. Feeling the resonance is a by-product of your vocal chords phonating or closing properly. For example, If you have a lower/deeper voice, you’ll feel it resonating in your chest when you speak or sing. If you have a mid-range voice, you’ll feel it resonating forward in the front half of your face. You never want to speak or sing from your throat. This will cause straining and problems with vocal tone and pitch. Always take a breath between phrases and make sure you’re placing the sound correctly. Breath support is important and works together with the resonance.
Enunciate your words; don’t swallow your words. You want people to understand what you’re saying. There are articulation exercises you can do when you practice and before you walk out on-stage. For example, tongue twisters are great for warming up the tongue and relaxing the muscles in your face and cheeks. Here’s a common one used by actors: Repeat “Red Leather, Yellow Leather” five times at a pace that is clear and easy ... you can increase the speed as you get better at it, but make sure it’s even and clear. Any tongue twister is helpful. There are quite a few of them out there.
Above all, know your subject matter and get excited about it. That will engage your audience large or small.