Tag Archives: Singing

“La Lutte Vocale”: The Battle that really isn’t. Thoughts on Linguistic Ambiguity and Reflexive Antagonism.

Posted on January 11, 2017 by

How many times have you expressed something, only to have it misunderstood? If you’re like most people, your answer is most likely: ‘frequently’! One of the advantages of language is that it’s flexible and multi-dimensional. One of the disadvantages of … Continue reading →

Posted in Anatomie, Archetypes, Breath, Breathing, Coaching, Communication, Fitness, Gesang, Gesangslehrer, Gesangspädagogik, Inner Game, Learning, Lehren, Lehrer, Lessons, Oper, Opera, Pedagogy, Sänger, Seminars, Singing, Stimme, Students, Teachers, Teaching, Vocal Pedagogy, Voice | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Caffeinated Calmness

Posted on May 17, 2016 by

You know that feeling of being charged up, ready for action, batteries all at 100%, yet at the same time feeling a profound inner stillness? In younger years, I thought the two states were mutually exclusive. Lately I’ve been experiencing … Continue reading →

Posted in Audition, Authenticity, Coaching, Creativity, Ecstasy, Ecstatic Living, Gesang, Gesangslehrer, Gesangspädagogik, Lessons, Mental Training, Mind-Body, Music, Oper, Opera, Performance, Performance Training, Singing, State, Stillness, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Cheerleader Effect

Posted on March 26, 2016 by

Who is the “Cheerleader” in your life? Do you have more than one? Are you thinking; why should I even need one? We get criticism from others and from groups, for some of us, it’s almost constant. Wouldn’t you say, … Continue reading →

Posted in Coaching, Communication, Creativity, Emotional Intelligence, Enthusiasm, Gesang, Gesangslehrer, Gesangspädagogik, Learning, Lehren, Lehrer, Lessons, Music, Pedagogy, Performance Training, Stimme | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Voice Student from HELL. Our „Deal Killer” priorities as voice teachers.

Posted on October 27, 2015 by

For years I was convinced that I could teach anyone. My first “Voice Student from Hell” convinced me how important it is for teachers to have conscious and specific priorities. Part of the arrogance of my youth was a compensation … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, Pedagogy, Priorities, Students, Teachers, Voice | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The Wisdom of Ignorance

Posted on June 16, 2015 by

There’s an expression in German; “Besserwisser”. In English we say: „Know it All“. The literal translation of Besserwisser is a Better Knower, or one who just always ‘knows better’. Put that way, it sounds kind of desirable. Remember that sentence … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Coaching, Learning, Singing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Enthusiasm – A Vessel for The Gods

Posted on January 24, 2015 by

Evan Bortnick       http://musa-vocalis.de/ Gesangsunterricht Wiesbaden Remember a time when you were younger and discovered something new you absolutely loved? You couldn’t wait to get back to it. It filled your mind and your heart. Remember describing this activity and your … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Authenticity, Coaching, Communication, Enthusiasm | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

„Don’t Push”— Pressure Centers Above and Below

Posted on May 12, 2014 by

Evan Bortnick       http://musa-vocalis.de/ Gesangsunterricht Wiesbaden How many times have we singers heard that admonition; “Don’t Push”? Either we’ve said it ourselves (to ourselves or our students) or we’ve heard it a million times from our own teachers. It sure sounds … Continue reading →

Posted in Breath, Breathing, Mental Training, Music, Opera, Pedagogy, Performance, Singing, Teaching, Voice | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Prescribing the Symptom” in the Voice Lesson

Posted on February 23, 2014 by

Evan Bortnick       http://musa-vocalis.de/ Gesangsunterricht Wiesbaden A voice student begins singing in a lesson and you hear an OBVIOUS mistake, hindrance, inefficiency or blockage (nasality, jaw tension, tongue tension, over-darkened vowels, raised shoulders, high larynx, etc. etc.). What’s the next step? … Continue reading →

Posted in Anatomie, Art, Authenticity, Communication, Music, Pedagogy, Performance Training, Presence, Singing, Teaching, Voice | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Survival of the Fitness

Posted on January 3, 2014 by

Evan Bortnick       http://musa-vocalis.de/ Gesangsunterricht Wiesbaden I always sort of smile when I hear the word “Fitness”. Much like the word “Love”, when 5 people say it, they mean 15 different things all at once. Hey, when I say it, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Diet, Fitness, Inner Game, Mental Training, NLP, Singing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

VOMITARE and Calibrated Loops

Posted on December 30, 2013 by

Evan Bortnick       http://musa-vocalis.de/ Gesangsunterricht Wiesbaden I’ll never forget the first time I heard the term “Vomitare”. It was proceeded by an experience I had singing in Innsbruck. It was during a love duet with a gorgeous soprano with long, thin, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fitness, Inner Game, Mental Training, NLP, Opera, Singing | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment