Focus on the process and the outcome will take care of itself.
Over the last 40 years, voice science has made huge advances developing our understanding of how the voice works. However, its complex and dynamic nature requires in-depth study to truly comprehend the physiology, aerodynamics and acoustic repercussions of human voice production. Bleh. I know, but this is your instrument, it's inside, it's fretless and really, it behaves like a "double-reed-string-flute"... How far down the rabbit hole would you like to go?
Pioneers such as Manuel Garcia, Jr. and Richard Miller attempted to explain the sonic outcome with the limited medical equipment of the time, but since MRIs, x-rays, miscopy, videoendoscopy and other tools, modern voice scientists such as Dr. Ingo Titze, Jo Estill or Johan Sundberg can be studied to deepen our understanding and use of the muscles that shape the instrument and the sound.
Jo Estills approach is based on her early hypothesis (1980s), that individual structures, or parts of our instrument, can be controlled independently of each other. Fingering for the pianist, ballet at the barre for the dancer. Craft. The development of a biomechanical skill which focusses on the physiology of the instrument.
"What are the parts of my instrument, how do they work and how can I control them?"
So, what about the breath?
Just as all other parts, the breath is one of the players in the aerodynamic-bioelastic interplay at the source of sound, the vocal folds. However, as in sailing, purely focussing on the 'wind' without setting sail may limit your vocal ability. Understanding breath management and controlling the 'sail' and therefore the breath flow is a big part of the scientific voice model.
"You can be the best breather in the world, if your vocal folds don't come together, you won't be making any sound."
(c) 2014 Estill International, used with permission
Hence, the Estill Model is an innovative training tool-box for developing masterful control of the human voice. It offers a clear and concise vocabulary for describing what voices can do and powerful exercises that allow voices to realize their full potential – be it for better speaking or for better singing. Estill Voice Training™ collects and streamlines the last 40 years of research into a useable model for voice control. Estill voice training teaches independent control over 13 parts of the vocal mechanism. The aim is to be aesthetically free and vocally safe across ALL genres.
The Voice Gym is a source for instruction in ESTILL Voice Training presented by highly qualified Estill Voice International teachers with testing privileges, providing professional development for singers, voice teachers and therapists in Europe and Australia. Past courses & workshops have been held in Vienna, Frankfurt, Glasgow, Graz, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne.
The Voice Gym offers:
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NEW ADDRESS! The Voice Gym is located at: |
BMus H1 (1st class hons.) (Voice)
Post.Grad. (Perf. Arts)
Ad.Dip (Linguistics)
Estill Master Teacher and Course Instructor with testing privileges
Austrian born Gerald Marko is the director of The Voice Gym Pty Ltd providing voice mechanics and vocal technique for singers as well as preventive and remedial voice training for singers, speakers and therapists. He is a teaching associate at Monash University and has contributed to create the new popular voice study option in the bachelor of Music in 2016. Past teaching arrangements include Melbourne University, Box Hill Institute and the North Melbourne Institute of TAFE as well as head of voice at Box Hill Secondary College.
He was a guest speaker at the 2014 Symposium of performing arts and health care in Sydney, was on the organising committee of the 7th Estill World Voice Symposium in Melbourne in 2015.
Gerald has just finished his honours degree in Voice (Jazz) in preparation for a PhD by research. He is a co-investigator in voice science studies with the division of speech pathology at Queensland University. Besides being an ESTILL CCI-TP & CMT, Gerald also holds a Diploma in Performing Arts and an Advanced Diploma in Linguistics, Literature and Journalism. Between 1998 and 2004, Gerald played lead roles in European professional musical theatre. He has also performed in original and cover bands in Austria, Germany, Denmark and Australia. Gerald holds Estill courses and workshops regularly in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane (Australia) as well as Graz and Vienna (Austria) together with his wife and fellow CCI Stephanie.
Associate Dip. (Operatic. Arts)
Cert IV (Training & Assessment))
Estill Master Teacher and Course Instructor
Stephanie is a certified Estill Practitioner since 2007 and holds an Associate Diploma of Operatic/Music Theatre Arts (VCA), as well as a Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment. She has been performing and teaching for over 20 years. Stephanie played Grizabella, Gumbie and Jellylorum in Cats Hamburg and Denmark as well as Carlotta and Christine in Phantom of the Opera in Germany (in German). She performed in Rock/Pop recordings and bands in Europe and is an accomplished session singer. Stephanie specializes in training singing teachers and preventive voice training.
The Voice Gym offers individual one-on-one sessions in person or via Skype. To schedule or enquire about one-on-one sessions, please sign up with us below (SIGN UP) or contact The Voice Gym directly.
My Voice Gym regularly offers group workshops for people who prefer a one-time full week of coaching in a group environment. We are running Estill Level 1&2 courses as well as introductory and advanced workshops in Australia, China, New Zealand and Europe:
More Information about the Estill Level 1&2 courses can be found here: https://www.estillvoice.com/pages/courses
Upcoming ESTILL Level 1&2 COURSES with your Voice Gym: MELBOURNE, over 5 days (Mon-Fri) December 16th - 20th 2019
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Inquiries for INTERNATIONAL courses, please contact info@thevoicegym.com.au for payment and registration details.
Inquiries about upcoming beginner and advanced WORKSHOPS at your Voice Gym: contact stephanie@thevoicegym.com.au
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To enrol in a workshop in Australia or New Zealand, please use the workshop selector below:
Are you ready? Sign up with us here to access The Voice Gym student hub, make bookings, get access to training materials, pay for your sessions and get vocally fit! Got a question? Call us on +61 (0)3 8802 8585, send an email to info@myvoicegym.com or sign up right here and we'll get back to you right away