A moving performance does not come from a solid vocal technique alone. It comes from a singers’ ability to completely immerse themselves in the task at hand. How do we integrate healthy vocal technique and artistry, allowing for a singers individual sound to emerge in a moving performance?
It was from this basis that we developed the CVC Presence Method.
In the context of singing and performance, being present means a singer comes completely to the experience. Mind and body habits cease to struggle against one another and instead integrate, creating a balance. When this occurs the experience is of being in ‘the moment, ‘the zone’…being present! There seems to be a transcendence of the concerns of the mind and body, almost as if the ego steps aside allowing a flow to occur.
When we are not able to put aside our concerns and are plagued by thoughts such as, ‘will I hit those high notes?’ ‘ I can't remember the lyrics’, ‘I’m going to be awful’, we are no longer in the moment but preoccupied with outcomes we have yet to experience. At the time, these fears can feel so real that they create powerful emotions in our body that lead to physical constriction and an inability to sing freely. Hence the notes and the spirit of the song can be greatly compromised. The performance is the moment where a singers training can be of great support. Conversely without the practice of being present much of a singer’s technical training has the ability to dissolve when one is put into a situation which causes overwhelming thoughts and feelings.
We believe that if a student develops a conscious awareness of their mind and body habits, and is encouraged throughout their voice training to remain present with these habits, they are then open to learning new techniques, that support a free and open voice.
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