A new year - or even every new day, week, or month - is an invitation for us all to find better ways of releasing tension in our lives; letting go of things that do not bring us peace, balance, and wellbeing.

Singing is also about having a tension-free instrument and eliminating every form of pain, stress, or force so we are able to joyfully express ourselves through our art.

As we approach Christmas and the end of another year, we may find tension creeping up in our lives mentally, spiritually, and physically. This is not an easy time for everyone. There is so much to do, so much to prepare for, and a lot of fretting mixed with reflection, nostalgia, and even depression as we look back on the year fast slipping away from us. We may be anticipating family get-togethers or being alone.

Here’s the truth upfront: a singer’s learning path will almost always be laden with up and down moments. Progress is not always linear but is filled with starts, stops, stutters, and restarts.  When taking lessons for the first time, the journey is exciting as you meet your teacher and other singers, try new exercises, challenge yourself, apply what you discover to your favourite songs, and then gently begin to notice changes in your voice.

But as time passes something else can gradually creep in…

I’ve been thinking a lot about the importance of the human voice, not only from the perspective of being a teacher and sharing the joy of singing with learners, but in life generally.