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In this episode of This Is A Voice (S12 Ep6), Jeremy Fisher and Dr Gillyanne Kayes continue the story from “The Secret Singer” (Ep5) and go deeper into what happens when a singer’s path gets interrupted.
Gillyanne shares what came after stopping singing in her late 20s, how she rebuilt confidence (slowly and with care), and why her “happy ending” wasn’t about chasing the stage again. We talk identity, grief, agency and the surprisingly liberating idea that loving singing doesn’t require loving performance.
Then we zoom out into the bigger picture, how singing skills transfer into teaching, leadership, presenting, training and research. Plus, we unpack the difference between rehearsal and performance as totally different nervous system tasks, and why connection with the audience can change everything.
If you’re a singer, teacher, vocal coach, choir leader, or anyone who’s ever felt like you need to “prove” your voice, this one’s for you.
Chapters
00:00 “Singer Interrupted”
01:14 The happy ending (and the grief)
02:45 Returning to singing, rebuilding confidence, technique + agility
05:12 Seven years off singing, and why that can still lead somewhere good
06:15 “Performing spoils my day/week”, permission to redefine success
08:22 Singing identity vs public performance
10:45 What would your happy ending be if you didn’t have to prove anything?
12:19 Teaching, training, presenting, research, performance changes shape
16:47 Connection with the audience, social engagement, polyvagal lens
18:24 Transferable skills singers forget they have
20:04 Rehearsal vs performance, what the audience changes
24:09 Starting from your real emotion, plus “it’s OK to be crap for 10 minutes”
28:37 Nervous system expectations in performance, what helps
Mentioned:
Melissa Forbes, Stop Chasing Perfection, Start Singing for Connection (This Is A Voice Season 11, Ep13 https://youtu.be/r5-Lq4ithDc
Safe Space 2 - Polyvagal Theory for Performance - our new online course with Franka van Essen
https://vocal-process-hub.teachable.com/p/safe-space-2-polyvagal-theory-for-performance-with-franka-van-essen
The Master-Apprentice survey - please fill in this survey (10-20 mins)
https://www.cognitoforms.com/VocalProcess1/Master-Apprentice-Model-In-Singing-Teaching
If this episode resonates, drop a comment, what part hit home for you? And tell us, where do you “perform” even when you’re not on a stage?
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