Vocal Journal Emily Parrish

Week of 1/10/2013-1/16/2013 Date: 1/10/2013 Vocal Exercises: Breathing Time of Day/Length of Time: Did the exercise about four separate times throughout the day, first when I woke up and concluding before I went to bed. Observations: I was really focusing on making sure that my breath was lower in my abdomen, so each of the times that I did it today, I only hissed out for four beats making sure that the placement of my breath was correct. The first time I did it, it took a few times to get the breath where it should be, but once I figured it out, I was able to do it throughout the day. Date: 1/11/2013 Vocal Exercises: Breathing Time of Day/Length of Time: ~9:30am; Noon; 5:00; 10:30 (each for about 4 minutes at a time) Observations: I knew I needed to focus my hissing, so I worked on making sure that the sound was even and not forced. The exercises helped me out early in the day because I had a jury and I was able to do a few of the breathing exercises when I was really nervous. It calmed me down a bit because I was focusing on proper technique and getting good breaths rather than what was about to happen at my jury. Excellent! Date: 1/13/2013 Vocal Exercises: Breathing Time of Day/Length of Time: Noon; 3:00pm; 5:30pm; 11:00pm (about 3 minutes each time, except for 5:30, I did that for about 5 minutes) Observations: I plumb forgot to focus on my breathing yesterday so I made sure to get some good work done today. I expanded the hisses to eight counts making sure that the hiss was even and that my breath was going into the right place. I found myself feeling pressure on my throat when I was breathing, which was odd, but I adjusted the placement of my soft palate (at least that is what I think I did) and was able to get a fuller breath than before, which felt better. While at work, I found myself bored because it was slow, so while I washed dishes, I did the breathing exercise. One of my co-workers made fun of me hissing quietly to myself, but that made me laugh. Date: 1/14/2013 Vocal Exercises: Breathing Time of Day/Length of Time: 11:30am (walking to class, 5 minutes); 6:00pm (at work, 4 minutes doing the exercise and then about 5 minutes explaining it to my co-workers) Observations: I am going to make it a habit of working on my breathing (or perhaps other exercises as well) at work. It makes it quite fun to see the reactions of my co-workers. I decided to explain it to them and that was quite fun. I am still hissing out on 8 beats and it is getting easier and easier to do it. Date: 1/16/2013 Vocal Exercises: Breathing Time of Day/Length of Time: 8:00am; in class Observations: I did the breathing exercise right when I woke up (which I must admit, it did help me wake up a bit) and then while we were in class I was working on making sure I was breathing in the correct way when you were checking out Brittanys breathing habits. I was impressed with how easy it was for me to do it correctly when I wasnt even thinking about it (I didnt realize I was doing it until later) but when I do think about it, it is sometimes

harder for me. I am that way with a lot of things so I definitely need to work on not thinking too much. Jan 18 from DA: Looks great. Format is good. I am so glad this is coming back quickly for you. My biggest suggestion is back to the release of the airthe attack needs to be less aggressive and more coordinated so that the air and the sound begin at the same time. You may need to think of starting the air first so that you dont force the sounds out. The speed of the air is the same speed as your hiss. Perhaps always using a consonant to begin the sound is critical right now as you get this coordinatedi.e. woo-woo-woo on the sirens instead of oo-oo-oo. Making sure that the air and the sound goes through the consonants and the vowels. The focused vowel work we did should helphands up on cheeks to remember the plane where the vowels should live. Swinging your arms really helped you let the sound go and not get the air/sound caught in the throat. Add all this to your work this week. Really good work in class. Remember your songs are in Class on Jan 23. Week of 1/17/2013 1/23/2013 Date: 1/18/2013 Vocal Exercises: Head Voice (Yoo Hoo) / Chest Voice (Hey) / Posture Time of Day/Length of Time: 1:00 p.m. (about ten minutes), 3:30 p.m. (about five minutes), 9:00 p.m. (about seven minutes) Observations: I ushered the childrens show, but after I got lunch I started looking for songs. So I worked on the head and chest voice exercises. At first, the yoo hoo was stuck in my throat, but I kept at it and was able to move it forward. I adjusted the amount of space in my mouth and I was able to make the sound resonate enough. Also, I was letting far too much air out when I first started (it was a breath #3 rather than a #2) but once I figured it out, it got better. I was able to repeat it and I think that I was doing it correctly. As for the chest voice exercise, I was trying to make sure the sound was toward the top of my mouth. I think I got it there a few times, but once again I am struggling with that. Throughout the day I was able to get the sound you wanted a few times, but I need to work on making sure I can do it more often. Before I went to bed, I worked on posture in the mirror. I was working on seeing my adjustments to try to make them stick more. I think that it helped. This is a good ideathe visual doesnt lie. Sometimes we cannot feel what we are doing. I am glad that you can recognize the soundthat is more than half of the battle. Date: 1/19/2013 Vocal Exercises: Chest Voice Time of Day/Length of Time: Noon (about three minutes), 4:00 p.m. (about five minutes), 10:30 p.m. (about five minutes) Observations: I was focusing on my heys more than my yoo hoos because I still need to make sure that the sound is as high (placed) as it can go. I noticed myself lifting my head up to try to get the vowel higher up, but I quickly realized that was NOT what I needed to be doing, so I also tried to get rid of it. I remembered you saying something to Matt about how he should try to make the sound come out of his two front teeth, and I tried that and it worked! I was able to do it over again as well Hurray! (which was great because every other time I got it, I think it was a fluke and I couldnt remember what I did to make it work). 1/20/2013 1/22/2013 I mustve caught something when I ushered the childrens show because I have felt like death the past few days. Slowly but surely I have been getting better, but this nastiness has made it impossible for me to do any exercises. It is hard for me to move and it hurts to

swallow. I tried to sing and it wasnt pretty. I am just going to wait to get better to do any more exercises. I went to the doctor and was able to get some medicine today (the 22nd), so hopefully I will be feeling better soon. Jan 24 from DA: Looks like you got some good work accomplished before you got ill. If you are able, do more vocal and breath observations of others , looking and listening to music, etc while you are not feeling well. Then gradually get back into rehearsing. Hope it passes quickly! Remember that the Yoo-hoo is a throat opener and teaches the breath to move unencumbered while using the head voice muscles. If done correctly, it is the proper opening for all singing. Then the bright chest voice sounds with closed vowels focus the air into a #2 type breath. I want to work on the blending exercises in class on Wed. Remind me if I dont think of it. Week of 1/24/2013 1/30/2013 Date: 1/24/2013 Vocal Exercises: Looking for music, more classic musical theatre standards Time of Day/Length of Time: 3:30 p.m. (30 minutes) Observations: My throat is still bothering me quite a bit, so I made the executive decision not to sing today. Instead, I am determined to find a classic musical theatre ballad. I have a vast knowledge of new musical theatre, but my knowledge of more standard musical theatre is somewhat lacking. I want to get some more classic pieces in my book so I am looking for that. I havent found anything I have really connected with yet but I am still looking. How about Losing my Mind from Follies. I know its Sondheim, but not hard for an accompanist to play. Or More classicalR&H, The King and IHello Young Lovers. Date: 1/26/2013 Vocal Exercises: Head Voice/Chest Voice Time of Day/Length of Time: 11:00 a.m. (4 minutes); 3:30 p.m. (6 minutes) Observations: I have slowly started integrating the exercises back into my everyday life. My throat is feeling somewhat better and I am determined to get some good work done. At first it was difficult to get back into the exercises. When I started the exercises, my placement stunk and it was hard to make sounds but as the day went on, the sound got stronger. I need to work on not using so much air. I seem to be making up for the fact that the sound isnt quite as loud as it usually is with pushing the sound out. The moment I figured that out I stopped and figured I would come back to it tomorrow. Date: 1/27/2013 Vocal Exercises: Head Voice/Chest Voice Time of Day/Length of Time: 1:00 p.m. (6 minutes); 4:30 p.m. (10 minutes); 11:00 p.m. (4 minutes) Observations: I woke up late, but I was able to get some good work done. I am still having trouble getting the hoo in the yoo hoo to be as focused as the yoo. Make sure you are taking another breath for the hoo. It must be lifted even though it is airy. Slowly but surely it is getting better. On the way to work today, I did the exercises in my car. I think that the Hey in the chest voice exercise is much more focused. I have been trying to make sure that it is as high up as I can and the front teeth trick helped me move the sound to the correct place. Good. After work, I did a few rounds of both. I have gotten the hang of the Chest Voice exercise, but I still need to work on the Head Voice exercise. The sound with the Yoo Hoo is still not even but I shall focus on that next! I am really confident with my head voice exercise though, that I am doing it correctly, that is. It is getting easier to do it as well, which I guess is the point! Yes, exactly! Date: 1/28/2013

Vocal Exercises: Head Voice (mainly), Refreshed Chest Voice, Saw Catch Me if You Can Time of Day/Length of Time: 10:30 a.m. (5 minutes); 3:00 p.m. (6 minutes); Show started at 7:30 Observations: As I was putting on my makeup, I worked on the Head Voice exercise. I still need to work on the second sound, but I think I am making strides. As I was working on it today, I was definitely noticing that I was starting to figure out how to make the hoo as strong and focused as the yoo. I have to remind myself to make sure not to just push it out. Later on, I worked on it some more, and revisited the chest voice exercise. I was able to recreate the sounds that I had created yesterday, so I am happy with that. Head Voice is more of the same, I think I just need to go over it in class to make sure I am doing it correctly. I got to see Catch Me If You Can at the River Center which made me a big bundle of happy. It was interesting listening to vocal quality. The Brenda, who was a great singer, used her head voice for the majority of Fly, Fly Away which I have always known as a pop ballad. When she did belt, it sounded fabulous, but the head voice was far too classic musical theatre for my opinion of that song. I was pleasantly surprised with the majority of the cast. The Frank Jr. was INCREDIBLE, I fell madly in love with him, and it was great to hear the chorus girls get their moments to shine (which they totally milked whenever they got their solos). I saw it on Broadway, and there is was Hanrattys show (understandably because Norbert Leo Butz is phenomenal and a force to be reckoned with), but this tour definitely is more Frank Jrs show (which is fitting, cause it is his story). Anyways, sorry for the novel, I loved the show. Date: 1/29/2013 Vocal Exercises: Audition Workshop with folks from Catch Me if You Can (music director and two ensemble members with multiple tracks) Time of Day/Length of Time: 1:30-3:30 Observations: It was really interesting hearing their takes on auditioning for musical theatre. We get so little of that here at CSU, so it was great to get a working outlook on it. For the first part of the workshop, about 10 people sang audition cuts and they critiqued them. I wish I could have sang, but was still sick when they chose the people to sing so my volunteering was ignored. It was still interesting though. It was a lot of acting the song and making it your own, which I really liked. Yes, so necessary. They assume you can sing it It also renewed my interest in getting into musicals. I have been hard on myself lately because I havent been called back for any of the musicals, but I just need to stay focused and be as prepared as I can be. Today, I also found myself singing Fly, Fly Away which was quite fun, especially because I can sing the notes. So good to hear. Jan 31 from DA: Glad you are feeling better. It does take a while for everything to come back. Sounds like you had a good week in spite of it all. And I am glad that you are keeping musical theatre as an option. I think as you let the sound happen more naturally, your expressiveness and connection to the emotion will come through. You are working too hard. The breath will do it if it is focused and ready to go. Let the vowels lead the breath. Here are my notes from class: 1. Siren is good. Relax lips for yoo-hoo. Take a breath and re-set in between yoo and hoo. 2. Chest slideconstant vowel from top to bottom, relaxed lips 3. Always release the sound with physical movementarms swinging or walking. Week of 1/31/2013 2/6/2013 Date: 2/1/2013 Vocal Exercises: Head Voice Exercise/Chest Voice Exercise/Hookup Exercise Time of Day/Length of Time: 9:00a.m. (6 minutes)/Breathing @ Noon (4 minutes)/7:00p.m. (8 minutes)

Observations: Today was the ACTF convocation where we performed the packages that we would be presenting at the American College Theatre Festival in Albany later this week. When I got up, I did a few of the head and chest voice exercises while I was getting ready and after I felt warmed up, I did the hookup. I still need to work on making sure the sound is forward and balanced. I found myself getting nervous before convo so I used the breathing exercise to calm me down. I noticed that as I went up to perform, I wasnt as nervous and my speaking voice was more supported, which was lovely. Beautiful! Breathing low is the only antidote to nerves. At 7, I repeated what I did earlier. I walked around a bit and tried to get the sound out of my teeth. I think I was somewhat successful. Date: 2/2/2013 Vocal Exercises: Head and Chest Voice Exercise Time of Day/Length of Time: Noon (4 minutes); 4:30 (6 minutes); 10:00 (4 minutes) Observations: I got up late, but as I did my makeup, I did the head voice exercises, focusing on letting the air out and not pushing the notes out. I think I am doing better. I still need to work on brightening up the Chest voice exercise. I have been trying all day, but I think that I am just thinking too much about it. I wasnt able to apply any of the tricks that we talked about in class, so that is probably a big reason why it hasnt been working. Hmmm.does it help to imagine the sound more before you make it? Date: 2/4/2013 Vocal Exercises: Head and Chest Voice Exercise/Hookup Exercise Time of Day/Length of Time: 10:00 am (7 minutes); 2:00 (4 minutes); 4:30 (10 minutes while driving to work); 11:00pm (5 minutes) Observations: I am going to ACTF tomorrow, and I will be away from a computer, and unable to do any of the audible vocal exercises. I will continue to work on my breathing, but I wont be able to record anything. As for todays journal, I think I did some g ood work today. I started out with the head and chest voice exercise and then I worked my way to the hookup exercise. The sound is getting more forward and I feel like I am not working as hard to make the sound come out which is marvelous. I know that these 5 days without work will shoot me in the foot, so I will try to do something about it. Maybe not. Sometimes we need a break. Week of 2/7/2013 2/13/2013 Date: 2/10/2013 Vocal Exercises: Head and Chest Voice/Hookup Time of Day/Length of Time: 1:00pm (5 minutes); 6:00 (4 minutes); 10:30 (8 minutes) Observations: ACTF was fun, but I am exhausted. I think my voice is worn out from all of the talking that I did (and singing in the car). I did a few of the exercises we talked about after I ate lunch, and I still need to get back into the swing of it. I was able to do a few breathing exercises, as well as a few head and chest voice exercises while I was away, but not enough to journal about; just enough to remind myself of the sound that I needed to be making. I feel like I am coming down with something. It might be a combination of exhaustion as well as the fact that I have been around sick people for the past few days. All I know is that my sound is getting trapped farther back and I really dont like it. I cant seem to shake it. I guess only time will tell. You cant be exhausted and get the voice to work. Sleep more, then work. Date: 2/11/2013 Vocal Exercises: Looked into other songs (for the ballad); Tried to do the Hookup exercises, didnt do too well (getting sick, again); Did the listening exercise. Time of Day/Length of Time: 3:00 pm (30 minutes) Observations: I swear, I have the worst immune system ever. Right now I am all phlegmy and my throat is starting to hurt a bit. I feel okay otherwise, but it really is affecting my singing. I tried to do the hookup exercise, but my throat was not having it, so I decided to

look into the other ballads that you suggested. Losing My Mind is one of my all-time favorite songs. I was lucky enough to see Follies when I was last in New York, and while the character of Sally bugs me, I will happily admit that I was moved to tears by the song. I definitely connected with it. I also have the sheet music because I wanted to sing it a while ago. Is it too late to change ballads? I have already done the listening exercise for How Did We Come to This? but I feel so much more connected to this song. I would be happy to redo it for this song. OK. Also, I loved The King and I song. I will definitely look into that song. I have an auditions class this semester as well and we need to have songs for that as well, so that can be on my short list. Thanks so much for the suggestions. Glad you like them. I am ok with you changing your ballad if you re-do the listening exercise. I will still count the one you did already. As you know, the listening exercise informs everything about how you will approach the song. I love Losing My Mind. Feb 15 from DA: Okyou need to get well. No singing until you are not exhausted. Do the second listening exercise, memorize lyrics for group songs and solos, and anything else that you can do without actually singing. You can journal about your vocal health paper how appropriate that you are to be thinking about that this week. You must get some rest so that you can get back to work. Include in your journal things you are doing to take care of yourself and your voice. Week of 2/14/2013 2/20/2013 This week is hard to journal about because I havent been doing any of the exercises. Whenever I did try to do one of them, the sound just wasnt where it needed to be, and it was straining on my voice to try to get it there. I have slept a lot and rested my voice. I am slowly but surely getting better. Below is the few things I did (not singing) while I felt miserable. Date: 2/15/2013 Vocal Exercises: Memorizing lyrics for On Monday and for Losing My Mind Time of Day/Length of Time: Spent about 30 minutes per song from 3:00-4:00 Observations: I have been unable to do any vocal work because this cold is miserable. I can hardly talk, let alone sing. I have been sleeping a lot, but I didnt want to fall too far behind in this class. Per your suggestion, I decided I should memorize the lyrics for both of my individual songs. I think I got them pretty much memorized. It was hard to do it without singing it, but I think that I did pretty well. Now it is just to memorize it with the music. Date: 2/17/2013 Vocal Exercises: Started looking into more classical musical theatre Time of Day/Length of Time: Google and I spent a few hours together. Observations: There isnt really a lot I can say about it, other than I was finally listening to some more of the golden age of musical theatre, rather than the super contemporary stuff that I have always enjoyed. It is definitely an acquired taste, but I have been finding quite a bit of interesting music. Date: 2/18/2013 Vocal Exercises: Tried to sing through my songs and do the hookup exercise Time of Day/Length of Time: 4:00 pm (20 minutes before I realized it was hopeless) Observations: I got through both of my songs, but neither one of them were where they needed to be. They sounded forced and icky and the placement was all wrong. After I finished singing On Monday, my throat felt scratchy and I knew I should stop singing because my technique was completely off and I was doing more harm than good. Date: 2/19/2013

Vocal Exercises: Happy Birthday exercise (to see if I should sing); Breathing Exercises Time of Day/Length of Time: 8:00am (3 min); 11:00am (5 min); 3:30pm (4 minutes); 9:00pm (5 min) Observations: I woke up and felt a bit better than I had any other time of the week so I figured I would try the Happy Birthday exercise to see if there was swelling. It didnt sound too bad, but it was still a bit airy on the top so I figured I shouldnt sing. Instea d of wasting another day, I decided to check back in with my breathing exercises. My congestion has basically cleared up and I have been breathing better than I have the rest of the week, so I worked on that. I only held for eight counts, but I was able to get some good breaths in there. Feb 23 from DA: I am so sorry this has taken such hold. Your journal lets me know where you are. And it keeps me informed. I thought the work we did in class on Losing My Mind was good. You almost sounded normal. Now that you are getting better, I will want to work you a little harder in classmore connection between the notes and more focusing from top to bottom without pushing. This song is going to be so good for you. Just a reminder about the selling testone fails the test if there is no sound when you go up for the big jump in Happy Birthday, or the sound is delayed. Is this what happened? You did the right thing to wait to practice or work your voice. Week of 2/21/2013 2/27/2013 Date: 2/21/2013 Vocal Exercise: Had to find songs for Seminar in Auditions Time of Day/Length of Time: 4:30pm (about an hour googling and such) Observations: I went through and found songs that I could possibly sing for my auditions class. I wasnt crazy about most of the songs, but I really responded to three of the songs that I sent him, and plan on adding them to my audition book, no matter what he says. They were: Ooh, Do You Love You from Its a Bird, Its a Plane, Its Superman; On Halloween from Applause; and Just for Tonight from Theyre Playing Our Song. None of them are super contemporary (which is the music I am usually attracted to) so I think that they all will be good additions. Knowing Michael, he probably wont like any of them (well maybe Superman because he told me to look into that musical), but honestly, it is my book and if I connect with the song and can sing it well, I should use it. I agree. Date: 2/22/2013 Vocal Exercise: Head and Chest Voice Exercises; Auditions for One-Acts (preparing song and Breathing exercises) Time of Day/Length of Time: 9:00am (10 minutes); 2:30 pm (4 minutes); 3:15 (3 minutes of Breathing) Observations: When I got up, I did a few head and chest voice exercises to warm up my voice and get the placement I needed. I am still getting the hang of doing the exercises after having so much time away from in order to get better, so it took a few tries to get the sound needed. The recordings I have of the exercises on my phone are an invaluable resource in order to help me figure out my issues and correct them. I also worked on the cut of my song for the One-Act Festival audition. Rather than find a brand-new song for auditions, I decided to use 10 bars of Losing my Mind. My cut went from I dim the lights at the key change to the end. I was really happy with it. I was able to act the song as well, so that was good. It wasnt the longest cut, but it was a cappella, so I was able to slow it down and take my moments in the song. Right before the audition, I used the breathing exercise, yet again. It has become a bit of a tradition for me to do it before auditions, and it always helps me. I think that this audition was the best audition I have ever had here at CSU, and I am so thankful for that. Hurray! Getting the breath anchored is the

key--Breathing through the butterflies. Date: 2/23/2013 Vocal Exercise: Had a callback for Ruthless! The Musical (and had to learn the cut of the song in about 20 minutes); Hookup exercises Time of Day/Length of Time: 11:00 am (5 minutes of hookup); 12:20 (20 minutes); 1:00 (callback lasted about 45 minutes); 5:00 pm (4 minutes of hookup) Observations: All the callbacks for the One-Act Festival took place this weekend. I was fortunate enough to get six callbacks (there are eight shows), the most I have ever gotten for a single festival. Wow! One of the callbacks was for a one-act version of Ruthless! The Musical directed by our very own Ryan Bishop. He called me back for the characters of Eve/Louise (both characters are being played by the same person) as well as the grandmother, Lita Encore. I loved the characters of Eve and Louise and I knew that if I got the chance to play them, I would be so happy. I didnt get the song we were supposed to sing until the last minute (the stage manager sent it to the wrong email), so I had only 20 minutes to learn it before I had to be at the callback. Everyone sang the same song: the last page of The Penthouse Apartment, which just so happens to be Eves song. I had done some hookup exercises when I got up as a sort of warm up. I made sure that I raised the sound and kept it bright and unforced. I am thankful I did that because when it came time for me to sing the song in front of everyone, I did very well. I was nervous, so I didnt have the best breath support but the placement was correct and the sound was quite bright. I was able to belt the last note with relative ease. What an experienceI am proud of your work. Good technique gets us through tough situations. Date: 2/25/2013 Vocal Exercise: Head and Chest Voice; Hookup Exercises Time of Day/Length of Time: 10:00 am (10 minutes); 2:00 pm (6 minutes); 5:30 (4 minutes); 10:20 (6 minutes) Observations: I decided to use today as an opportunity to get in the hang of doing the exercises again. Over the past few days, I have only been doing the exercises sporadically, and as a way to warm up my voice (which is useful, but not the sole purpose). Since I am finally feeling better, I think it is good to get back in the swing of things. While I was putting my makeup on, I did a few head and chest exercises. As per usual, it took a few tries to get the placement correct, but once I got the hang of it, I feel like I was doing it correctly. When I moved onto the Hookup exercise, I made it a point to use the little tricks that you taught me. I had my hands at my cheekbones and tried to make sure to make the sound come from there. I think I succeeded. It took a few tries, because the second note always wants to get stuck in my throat, but I was finally able to get it to where I needed it to be. I repeated these exercises throughout the day with similar results. Honestly, looking back at where I was at the beginning of the semester, it has become a lot easier to make the correct sounds, which is fantastic to realize, especially considering I was so sick for so long. Yesit is as if you are just able to start working. In the hook-up exercise, remember to make sure that the bottom note is bright enough. If it isnt, you will have to work hard to get the head voice in the right place. Date: 2/26/2013 Vocal Exercise: Head and Chest voice exercises (to warm up), learned songs for my Seminar in Auditions class and went over the songs for this class Time of Day/Length of Time: 9:45 p.m. (about an hour) Observations: I didnt do much today with regards to working my exercises. Michael (the Seminar in Auditions teacher) gave us all six songs and we had to choose two, one ballad and one uptempo, to sing for the class. He didnt like any of the songs I looked up for me, except Ooh, Do You Love You from Its a Bird, Its a Plane, Its Superman as my uptempo. He suggested Disneyland from Smile as my ballad. Initially, I thought that I would not be able to sing Disneyland. I had heard it before (a bad rendition of it at ThesCon), so I

looked it up on YouTube and found a video of Jodi Benson singing it. Her voice is so bright that it was hard for me put my voice into the song. I still wanted to sing it because I had a connection to the song so I chose it anyways. In class, he recorded the melody as well as the accompaniment so that we could learn the pieces on our own. Now that I was no longer listening to Jodi Benson, but rather just the notes, I could imagine myself singing it. Once I actually started singing it and had proper breath support and placement, it sounded awesome!!! My first time singing all the way through it made me really happy because I wasnt pushing it but I was able to belt the notes that needed to be belted. Ooh, Do You Love You is an easy song (Im still paying attention to how Im singing it though), so I was happy that I was able to apply everything I have learned on Disneyland. I think both pieces will be welcome additions to my book. Beautiful! Mar 2 from DA: So glad you are able to get back into the swing of things and that the results are beginning to show. You deserve a good week like this after so many difficult ones. Have a good break and I look forward to working on your music in class when you return. Date: 3/14/2013 Vocal Exercise: Head and Chest Voice exercises (as a warm up); Performed songs in Seminar in Auditions Time of Day/Length of Time: 12:30 (exercises/10 minutes); 1:30pm (performed songs) Observations: I did a few of the Head and Chest voice exercises to try to get my sound focused and correctly placed before I had to perform my songs for class. I have been a bit of a mess lately (doing my exercises incredibly sporadically due to my crazy hectic schedule and feeling under the weather) so I knew that it would be really important for me to warm up. I felt okay about the warm up, but I could still feel the sound getting stuck in my throat. When it finally came time to sing, I did well in some parts but others I messed up. Michael didnt give us any time to spare and didnt let us tell him when to start, he just started when he felt like that. Due to this, I ended up with bad breath support throughout both and I didnt have enough time to really think about my placement so it was just a mess. My thoat ended up hurting more afterwards and I just felt awful about it. I was incredibly frustrated with my performance because I knew I could do better. I wasnt prepared and it showed. Date: 3/16/2013 Vocal Exercise: Head and Chest Voice exercises; Hook Up exercises Time of Day/Length of Time: 6:00 p.m. (about 30 minutes) Observations: I have really dropped the ball on vocal exercises. I was planning on doing things over spring break but then my work schedule took over my life. I have had so much to do that it has been difficult for me to find time to do the exercises. I have realized that it is so important because my sound quality has gone downhill and I really need to work on it again. Today I just spent a while (after work and rehearsal) reacquainting myself with the exercises. I used the recordings I have on my phone to help me. I could feel my placement being off, but it was hard for me to fix it. Whenever I would get to my lower register, I could feel myself forcing it out and the sound getting stuck in my throat. I tried to get out of it, and I was able to a few times but it was hard for me to repeat it. I also realized that it is hard to get out of singing a song a certain way (the wrong way) when I have been singing it that way for too long. For some reason, there are some songs that I just get stuck in my throat with. With the hookup, I was able to get the transition from chest to head to sound fluid and correctly placed. It took several tries and I am still not 100% happy with the sound, but I know what I am looking for. Date: 3/17/2013 Vocal Exercise: Head and Chest voice

Time of Day/Length of Time: 10:00 a.m. (10 minutes); 3:30 p.m. (7 minutes); Midnight (6 minutes) Observations: I am trying to get back in the habit of working the exercises when I get up in the morning and then sporadically throughout the day. When I woke up, the sound wasnt quite as bright and forward as I would have liked it. I was still groggy and it wasnt working for me as I wished it would. I felt good about focusing the head voice but not so great about focusing the chest voice. I am really struggling with my chest voice. I know that I am singing incorrectly, and the sound isnt where it needs to be, but no matter how often I try to change it and how much I think about it, it always ends up back in my throat. It is a horrible habit that I feel has been wired into my singing voice and attempting to break the habit is so difficult. When I came back to the exercises before I went to work, my voice was a bit more warmed up, so it was easier for me to get into the placement. My placement was a bit better in my chest voice, but not where I wanted it to be. After work (and rehearsal), I did a few exercises before I went to bed. It is amazing how much easier it was for me to make the sounds (at least in the head voice) at night. My voice was more warmed up and so it was easier for me to hit what I needed to hit. I like singing at night. Date: 3/18/2013 Vocal Exercise: Chest voice exercises; sang through my songs (in the evening) Time of Day/Length of Time: 10:15 (5 minutes); 4:00pm (6 minutes); 10:00pm (15 minutes) Observations: I didnt have a lot of time to work on my exercises as fully as I wanted to. I decided to focus on the chest voice to try to keep the sound going up. I grasp the concept and I have used the finger trick to help me get it forward but no matter how much I try to apply that to my songs, I always get stuck in my throat throughout the song. It might be because I am focused too much on the lyrics and the melody and not enough on my technique, so I think that I need to get the music and lyrics memorized like the back of my hand to really be able to focus on singing correctly. Date: 3/19/2013 Vocal Exercise: Learned a song for an audition Time of Day/Length of Time: 9:30 p.m. (about 20 minutes) Observations: I spent about 20 minutes in one of the acting studios working on a song I want to sing for an audition. It is called Fly into the Future from Vanities. It is a lot of fun, but as I was learning it, I noticed how difficult it was for me to sing it with correct technique. No matter how hard I tried, whenever I tried to sing softer, the sound would always go back. It was also hard for me to sing the higher notes with correct placement. I have just been really discouraged lately so I hope that I will be able to figure out what is going on to fix it. Its funny because when I am just playing around and singing a song for fun (like while I am at work or while I am driving), I have great placement and the sound is marvelous, but when it comes to an audition or performing a song seriously, it is hard for me to sing it correctly. I always end up pushing. I kind of had an epiphany tonight though. I think my issue stems from elementary/middle school when I was always the awkward one who nobody paid attention to. When I found out I could sing, I would always try to be the loudest so that everybody else would see that I could sing and then they would pay attention to me. I guess, at such a young age, it really affected the way my mind works. I hope that I can break that habit and really be able to sing with ease and not get stuck in my throat and end up with a sore throat after singing. Mar 23 from DA: I am so sorry it is difficult to get to the exercises. I am going to encourage you to use the tongue relaxing exercises and gently warm up your head voice muscles more. If the chest voice is too heavy, then there is not enough head voice bracing activate them more so they are more likely to participate. Also, go back to some of the exercises where you are looking at the floorso that it is harder to use the swallowing muscles that

get the sound down in your throat. Work on a single note (in head or chest voice) going from a (as in cat) to closed eh to ee. Then sing your songs and see how they are. On the up sideI thought your singing of Losing My Mind was much gentler and less driven. We will continue to work on getting the loud parts going with as much ease. As I said in class, your psychological insight is important and can help to serve as a reminder that you dont have to do that. I dont want to play psychologist, but try envisioning yourself singing without pushingconfident in your voice but not having to prove anything. What does that look and sound like? Try singing with your eyes closed as you imagine what that sounds like. It may help you to relax and let it happen.; Remember, to make good tone, we mostly have to send air and get out of the way. Date: 3/21/2013 Vocal Exercise: Tongue Loosening exercise; Head Voice and Chest Voice as a warm-up; went over audition piece for The Last Five Years and then auditioned Time of Day/Length of Time: 10:00 am (10 minutes); 3:15pm (10 minutes); Audition at 3:38 Observations: I decided that I wanted to audition for The Last Five Years. I knew that I most likely wasnt going to get cast but I was curious if I could get a call back. I chose the song Fly into the Future from the musical Vanities. I think I did very well. I was nervous, but I didnt let the nerves overtake my thoughts. I woke up and did the tongue loosening exercises that you showed me and then did a few head and chest voice exercises making sure that I keep the sound focused and forward. I noticed that the sound I was making was more what we were going for so that made me happy. When I did the tongue stuff, I looked in the mirror and I made sure that I was just relaxing the tongue rather than pulling it back it. It seemed to help my placement. I did one of those exercises before I went and auditioned and I was able to keep the sound forward. YAY! Good for you! Date: 3/23/2013 Vocal Exercise: Worked on callback material Time of Day/Length of Time: 4:00-5:00pm Observations: I got a callback! Boy is this music difficult. It is almost ridiculous. I know that there is no way that I can currently sing this score with any sort of vocal health because it is just too hard for me right now. I was really in my head and I kept trying to belt some of the super high notes (which was STUPID), and it just sounded bad and hurt. I was working with my duet partner and we were both floored trying to learn it ourselves. I think one day I will be able to play this part, but for now, I must continue to exercise my instrument. A good lesson to learn and a good goal to have. Date: 3/24/2013 Vocal Exercise: Head and Chest Voice exercises; Hook up; Tongue Loosening Exercises; Auditions for Seussical; Callbacks for Last Five Years Time of Day/Length of Time: ALL DAY Never ending. Exercises done around 10:30am (15 minutes); 5:30pm (30 minutes); 6:46 (audition); 10:00pm-11pm (Last Five Years Callbacks) Observations: This weekend has been the weekend of INSANE BUSYNESS. I have not had more than an hour to myself all weekend. I hated that I was so busy the day of auditions for summer theatre, but alas, I couldnt get around it I just did too much. I did several of the exercises while I was opening up Your Pie. I was all alone in the restaurant so I just played around. I have realized that when I just have fun with it and not think too much about the exercises, I end up getting the sound I strive for! The good sounds really gave me more confidence about my audition and call back pieces. However, I royally screwed up my audition song. I did Youve Got Possibilities from Its a Bird, Its a Plane Its

Superman. I forgot the lyrics and ended up reverting back a completely different part of the song. I wasnt subtle about it either. I am quite sure it read on my face. That blew all of the confidence I had. I did sound good on the song. I had correct placement (I took the time to make sure that I was putting the sound in the right place before I started) and I didnt push. But by The Last Five Years callbacks, my voice was shot. I had rehearsals all day in addition to work and rehearsing for the auditions. I did well in the duet, but I screwed up the solo song I was given. All is fine though, because I know that I would not be able to pull off that score. Still sounds like a good learning experience though. Date: 3/25/2013 Vocal Exercise: CALLBACKS! Used Head and Chest Voice and Hookups as warm ups Time of Day/Length of Time: 6:30 p.m 9:00 pm Observations: I used the exercises to help me prepare for the callbacks. I am getting better and better at placement and hooking everything up. It really helps with my confidence when I dont keep having to restart an exercise. I was called back for Mrs. Mayor and Bird Girl. I did VERY well with my Mrs. Mayor song and the director came out and grabbed me to come in and sing with the Gertrudes after they had already learned the song. I think that helped me sing the song better because I only was able to go through it two times before I had to sing it so I didnt have the chance to think too much about it, I just did it. I sounded really good, so that made me feel good. I didnt do as well in my Bird Girl callback, but that was because I was super in my head. Date: 3/26/2013 Vocal Exercise: Worked on Seminar in Auditions songs with Michael Hopewell; did a dryrun of the 16-bar auditions for class Time of Day/Length of Time: 12:15-12:50pm Observations: I only really like working with Michael as an acting the song coach, not as a vocal coach. He obviously wasnt thinking about vocal health with one of my songs for Seminar, and kept trying to get me to belt the highest notes in it over and over again (when it is impossible for me to do it healthily where I am right now). I sounded great the first time I did it, but then I started pushing and it hurt and I knew I shouldnt be doing it so I stopped. I felt my placement all wonky and I was forcing sound out and it just didnt sound good. In class, I did fantastic with my uptempo but by the time I had to try to do my ballad again, I just got so in my head and stressed about the notes that I screwed up. For Thursday (which is our actual run for the class), I will try to just have fun with it and not fixate on the notes. Yesrelax and trust yourself. You know better than Michael what your voice can do right now. Mar 28 from DA: What a week! I am proud of all that you accomplished. And what beautiful work in class! Losing My Mind was so right. Figuring out how to relax and let the breath do the work as you understand the acting is a great combination. I hope you have had time to solidify that in your mind. Go through both pieces and do that. Speak as a monologue so that you understand the intent. This will also allow you to rest your voice for a couple of days before we go over it again in class. Week of 3/28/2013 4/3/2013 Date: 3/28/2013 Vocal Exercise: Seminar in auditions 2 song 16 bar audition cuts, hookup and head and chest voice exercises; tongue loosening exercises Time of Day/Length of Time: 1:00pm (30 min./warmup); 1:50 (2 minutes) Observations: My audition for Seminar in Auditions was today. I think I sa ng my songs better than I had before. Before the audition, I did a few tongue loosening exercises to relax my tongue and then I went through and did the head voice and chest voice exercises going through the scales to warm me up. I then did a few hook up exercises which I think I

did very well keeping the sounds fluid and not having an obvious change. I was able to sing the songs better than usual. With Disneyland, which I have always been having trouble with, I did better than I had before. I was able to belt the top note in my cut which was nice and tried to make sure that my breath was supported throughout. Great! Date: 3/29/2013 Vocal Exercise: Head and Chest voice exercises; Tongue Loosening exercises; saw RENT Time of Day/Length of Time: 8:30am (10 minutes); 4:15pm (10 minutes); RENT (7:3010:00pm) Observations: I did a few of the Head and Chest voice exercises when I woke up and then again after my classes/rehearsals. I realized that it is easier for me to keep my head voice sound placed higher (breath wise) than my chest voice. My chest voice always gets stuck farther back in my throat. When I did the tongue exercises, I noticed that it was easier for me to get the sound higher. I used the hands above my cheekbones and that helped me a bit. When I did the exercises later, I noticed that when I dont think too hard and just do it, I can do it correctly. My pushing problem is definitely a mental thing. I was also happy to see RENT again tonight. I saw it last week during usher watch but it was still a bit rough. It was fantastic tonight. From a singing perspective, it was obvious that the voices were tired, but they still gave incredible performances. Date: 3/31/2013 Vocal Exercise: Rehearsed songs for Ruthless; Head and Chest Voice; tongue loosening exercises Time of Day/Length of Time: 10:00am (on my way back to McDonough for Easter, sporadically during the 2 hour car ride) Observations: I decided to use my car ride home for the day to work on my songs for Ruthless, the one-act musical I am in. I sing two songs: The Pippi Song and then A Penthouse Apartment. I have no trouble with the placement in The Pippi Song because I just have fun with it and dont worry about how it sounds (she is supposed to be BAD). With A Penthouse Apartment, I realized that breath support and proper breath placement is KEY. When I dont breathe properly, I cannot get through the phrases. The attack on the first word of the phrase is great, but the rest of the thought is usually lost because I lose air. It might be due to placement. The first word is correctly placed, but the rest of the thought gets farther back in my throat as the sentence goes along. I think I need to do some more of the slides to make sure that doesnt happen. Also check the vowelsare they focused? Do they stay focused? We may be talking about the same thingbreath placement and focused vowels? Date: 4/2/2013 Vocal Exercise: Head and Chest voice (incorporated the scale work that we do to warm up in class); tongue loosening exercise Time of Day/Length of Time: 8:30am (15 min); 3:30pm (10 min); 9:45pm (6 min) Observations: I started working on making sure that all of my placement is correct as I go down the scale. At first it was difficult because I kept going back into my throat, but then I used some of your tricks and I was able to get it correctly placed. I was able to repeat the correct sound a few times (making sure it wasnt a fluke), but I wasnt able to do them all in a row. I can tell the feeling that I am supposed to be feeling when it is correctly placed as well as how it isnt supposed to feel, but it is just hit or miss for me currently. I shall keep working on it. The tongue loosening exercises really help me though. I am finding that they are helping my placement immensely which is FANTASTIC! Yesif the tongue is loose, then the vowels can be placed higher. IT IS THE TONGUE that drags them back if it is too deep. April 4 from DA: So glad you are feeling more confident and not having to think so hard to accomplish these changes. I think letting go and just singing releases you to be more

relaxed and not push so hard. Trust morework less. And I hope that you are getting over the rest of your crud. What a drag that has been for you. Keep thinking about the acting and intent for both songs. The work on your up-tempo went well in class. Keep working it might want to record you accompaniment on your phonedid you do that already? Week of 4/4/2013 4/10/2013 Date: 4/5/2013 Vocal Exercise: Ruthless Rehearsal; chest voice exercise; hook up exercise Time of Day/Length of Time: 2-4 (rehearsal); 11:00 p.m. Observations: Today at rehearsal we went through the show without any line calls for the first time. I noticed that my throat has been scratchy lately and whenever I sing it gets worse. I think it might be allergies. That being said, I also know that a lot of it has to do with my placement and my breath. My first song is fine but my second song is difficult. I always find myself in my throat. I was trying to focus on the vowels like you said, and it helped at the beginning but I lost it throughout. I wasnt able to work on it after rehearsal because I had work, but when I got back from work I did a few chest voice and hook up exercises to focus the vowels and my placement. Date: 4/6/2013 Vocal Exercise: Head voice, chest voice, hook up exercises as a warm up; Rehearsal: Ruthless/Spring Awakening directing scene Time of Day/Length of Time: 12:00pm (20 minutes); 1-2 (run of Ruthless); 9-10pm (SA rehearsal) Observations: Before our run for the directing professor, we used the recordings on my phone that I took at the beginning of the semester of the three main exercises we use. As a group, we went through and did them. I noticed that my throat was still hurting. I think that I have been overusing my voice incorrectly. The run went well, however, I noticed some of my bad habits I have developed with these songs. I realized that I have been singing the Pippi song straight up, bending my neck back for the high notes, and my breath is AWFUL in Penthouse Apartment. I am pushing in both of the songs but it is hard for me not to do so. Even when I tell myself not to push, I push. I need to work on the story of a song rather than belt my face off throughout the entire song. After the run, my throat was killing me. I didnt really talk throughout the rest of the day until I had the directing scene rehearsal. The director of the scene is kind of an idiot and expects us all to sing out as much as we can. He is not focusing AT ALL about the safety of his actors so I dont expect him to even consider vocal health. When I told him my throat was hurting and that I shouldnt sing anymore during the rehearsal, he insisted that one more time wont hurt and when I tried to mark he got pissy I kept marking, but he gave me a note about it at the end. Is this a student? Whoa! Date: 4/8/2013 Vocal Exercise: Head Voice, Chest Voice; tongue loosening exercises; Rehearsal Time of Day/Length of Time: 10:00am (10 minutes); Rehearsals: 4-5, 6:30-8:30, 11midnight Observations: When I woke up yesterday, my voice was hoarse. I tried not to talk as much as possible throughout the day, only speaking/singing at my rehearsals. Today, it was a bit better so I did a few exercises when I woke up and then before I went to rehearsal. My songs for Ruthless are getting a bit better, I made sure to focus on my breathing and keep my placement forward. It was still pushed towards the end, but I am making progress at least. With all of my exercises, I made sure that I was doing them correctly before I worked them. I kept the sound placed correctly constantly which was good. By the end of the night, however, I still have been having a really bad sore throat. I am worried I am pushing too hard. I just need to stop singing. Date: 4/9/2013

Vocal Exercise: Tongue loosening exercises; breathing; rehearsals Time of Day/Length of Time: Sporadically throughout the day. 10-11 (rehearsal) Observations: I didnt do any audible vocal exercises today because my throat is scratchy even when I just talk. I did a few tongue loosening exercises and breathing exercises throughout the day but other than that, I didnt do much. I think my voice needs a break. Once this directing scene goes up, I think I will be able to take it a bit easier. I will still have Ruthless, but I can focus on making sure that I sing my songs healthily. Sounds good. April 11 from DA: I could hear it in your voice in class. Try to balance the difficulties of rehearsals by doing head voice exercises only for your warm-up. Trust that the chest voice will be there. This kind of warm-up will remind your head voice muscles to help. See if it works. Thought you did well in class in spite of it. We talked about giving each of those ah -ah-ahah-ah sections some meaning in On Monday. IT IS A GOOD SONG FOR YOU. And I feel like you are singing with less pushing. Then go back and review the arc in Losing My Mind. Id like to see a little more fear and belief that you actually are losing your mind in the first verse. Then the rest of the emotions flood in until that big moment at the end that is so filled with pain. The music does it so you dont need to overdo it. Also consider how the repeat of the bridge is different. Because it is repeated almost exactly, you just need to have different intent the second time. You have done such good work. I hope that your voice is in good shape so that you can follow through. Date: 4/12/2013 Vocal Exercise: Head Voice/Sirens/Chest Voice/Some Hookups Time of Day/Length of Time: 8:30 am (6 min); 1:45pm (10 min); Rehearsal 2-4 Observations: The scene went up yesterday and I didnt sing at all for the rest of the day. When I got up this morning, I decided to try to do a few vocal exercises to see where my voice was. I was able to do the head voice exercises with no problems with focus and breath support, however when I got to doing Chest Voice, I always found myself having issues. Even when I felt like I had proper placement, my the back of the roof of my mouth would be scratchy (like right above the throat). I dont know why that is, but I noticed it several times throughout the day. Once I felt that, I stopped with the exercise and tried to come back to it later. At rehearsal, we had a fun run where we got to play different parts, so I had fun with that, but when it came time to seriously run the show, I couldnt sing it quite well. As much as I try to work with the breathing, it is so hard for me to stay open during Penthouse Apartment. I shall continue working on it. Date: 4/13/2013 Vocal Exercise: Ran through class songs; Ruthless Rehearsal Time of Day/Length of Time: 12-2 (Ruthless Rehearsal); 2:30pm (15 minutes) Observations: Rehearsal today was good. I was able to go through my songs well. I think I am on my way to making the healthy choices to sing the songs correctly. I am aware of the problems that I have been having and I am making sure that I try and fix them. Penthouse Apartment was better. I am working on finding places to breathe throughout the song as well as working on my phrasing. After rehearsal, I realized that I hadnt been over my songs for class in a while, so I worked with both On Monday and Losing My Mind. I think I made some good acting strides with both songs. I definitely feel like I have a great understanding of both songs. One thing I noticed was that after On Monday, I always end up a little hoarse. I dont know if it is because it is a vocally exhausting song, or if it is because I am singing it incorrectly. The hoarseness goes away a bit later, but the fact that there is hoarseness at all worries me.

Date: 4/15/2013 Vocal Exercise: Rehearsal Time of Day/Length of Time: 6:30-8:30 (Rehearsal) Observations: The past 24 hours have been miserable. I got food poisoning and it has been difficult for me to do anything. I have been spending a lot of time in my bed sleeping because I can barely move. My throat felt awful from throwing up so when I had to go to rehearsal, I didnt know how it was going to go. I tried to sing a bit earlier, but it ended up being really scratchy and ugly and it hurt quite a bit. At rehearsal, I was able to mark (thank goodness) and I surprisingly made some great discoveries about my characters. I was still miserable, but I didnt let that hinder me. I think this was the first time during any of the runs of this show that I marked and I think that is a big reason why I was able to make discoveries. I wasnt focusing on how I sounded but rather my behavior. I think it will help me in the long run. Date: 4/16/2013 Vocal Exercise: Tongue Loosening exercises; Head voice; Chest Voice; Went over songs for class and the show Time of Day/Length of Time: 10:30 am (7 min); Noon (30 minutes) Observations: I wasnt able to go to my 9 am class because I was still feeling under the weather, but as the day progressed, I started feeling better. When I woke up, I did a few head voice and chest voice exercises just to warm up my voice. It is feeling better than it did yesterday, but it is still not quite 100% (although I doubt I will be 100% for a while). Around noon, I went over my songs. I didnt sing any of them full out, but rather played around with them for breath and for acting moments. I think I discovered where I can breathe in Penthouse Apartment which is exciting and I worked on breaking up the flow (for lack of a better way to describe it) in the first part of Losing My Mind. I see exactly what you were saying about the difference between the first part and the second part. I might be saying the same words, but the actions of the parts are completely different. Before I sang, I did a few tongue exercises in the mirror. I think I have gotten the hang of not pulling my tongue back into my throat which is good!