Voice pedagogue

At the beginning of the 1990ies my fascination for Lichtenberger® applied physiology of the voice and its incorporation in the person of Gisela Rohmert began. Since then I have been in a steady contact (certified since 1997) with the Lichtenberger Institute ® / Odenwald (» http://www.lichtenberger-institut.de/) teaching voice training and singing.

Within the framework of my own teaching I created my own mark on applied anthropology of the voice (» voice anthropologist) I integrated stimuli, e.g. from neurophysiology, anthropology of the senses, somatic movement exploration, cultures of the performatives and sound studies as well as from the Slavic belcanto (Alexandrina Milcheva) and contemporary interpretation (Michiko Hirayama). One of my basic interests is the cooperation with dancers and choreographers, an occupation from which a particular methodology for the total simultaneity and adequacy of voice and movement has been developed (» voice anthropologist).

Generally, I work at all levels of singers: beginners, advanced and professional singers.

In order to make steady progress in lessons it is important that singers call their voices into question. Therein the integration of the voice in everyday and professional life should be an issue. Work begins with the orientation of sense organs towards the sound of the voice and their sensation of the sonic texture. Basically, the focus of interest is not on practising repeated exercises but in experiencing the sound of the voice itself put into practice. Within this the larynx itself offers the key to its inner space as a perception organ and its oscillation function for the whole organism. Therein we integrate the important steps of a wholistic voice training such as getting to know the functions of the larynx reaching from reflexes over the glottal attac to the fundamental sound in the chest and head register, the vowels, the basic movements in legato and staccato and the differentiation of the oscillation function of the vocal folds, etc.

Furthermore, the connection of the oscillating tissues of the body follows "from head to foot" in the so-called "chain of diaphragms", the inner and outer straightening to uprightness of the body in the sound of the voice while integrating breath. Developing perception for the` sound gestalt` is guided by trust into the processional transformation of the sound of the voice and its somatic appearances. At this point the fascinating journey to the self through the sound of the voice starts ... Qualities of touch in the sound of the voice, integration of inner and outer movement, emotions and experienced feelings in the singing and the speaking voice lead further on to working with singing scores and recitation of texts in one`s own free choice of the genre. Student concerts and experimental group works can also be part of the training programme (depending on interest). My studio is situated at the corner of Paul-Linke-Ufer in Berlin-Kreuzberg. I gained experience in teaching at an international level. My lessons are held in German or English.

So far I have been coaching professionals in the genres of opera, jazz, musical and pop as well as Nepalese Bollywood-singers and a famous Tibetian nun. Moreover, I continuously work with dancers connecting voice and movement (» voice anthropologist). With musicians I work in a similar way on the resonating body – especially the relationship between wind instruments (as a clarinet player) and the voice gave me cause to the professional training of orchestra musicians. Besides, I work with people whose profession is based on the voice such as therapists and teachers and I also support those who start a new voice-based, professional career, as well as all those who go on that fascinating journey to their own selves by the sound of their voices. My professional education work has taken place in many institutions over more than twenty years now such as the University of the Arts, Berlin, at Sound Studies (» udk-berlin.de), with music therapy and at Carrer College and Exploratorium Berlin (» http://exploratorium-berlin.de/), wih Logopedic schools, therapy centres and on diverse stages.