What do you think of when you think of being a public speaker?

Very likely you think of standing up and speaking before a large group of strangers. And having people judge you on the basis of your professional demeanor, how interesting your material is, and how you present that material.

But let's expand your concept of "public" and its accompanying scenario. What about the vocal image you present to friends, business associates, possible customers or clients?

For example, one of my clients is a professional woman whose voice mail message can make or break her listeners' decision to hire her. It was her cry of distress that is the title of this message. And, unfortunately, there was a great deal of truth in her complaint!

This is what I suggested she do to improve her sound:

BREATHE FROM YOUR BELLY.
She replied that she always breathed deeply. Her breath expanded her ribs and back from her belly button up.

Whoops! So wrong! The kind of breathing she needs to be doing is: TAKE IN YOUR BREATH FIRST FROM YOUR BELLY BUTTON DOWN, then let it expand all the way around your body and up to your neck.

To practice this, try sitting upright in a straight chair, hands meeting at the center of your body above your belly button. Then concentrate on breathing BELOW your hands so that your hands remain pretty still from your waist up, and your chest does not expand at all.

When you feel comfortable breathing that way, gradually increase the air you take in and let it expand your ribs, back and chest. Be careful not to take in so much air that you "lock" it in and create tension. When you breath out, expel ALL of the air.

It feels so foreign to most Americans that it takes a bit of concentration and practice to get it going.

It's worth it, though, because it not only feels very good, but you it makes it possible for you to speak "on the breath". That means simply that you keep breathing out a small, steady stream of air while you're speaking the words.

Avoid making tiny breath stops between each word. That'll make you throat and voice tense--and then who knows what critter you'll sound like!

Your voice will take on more depth and color, and you'll effortlessly project more volume.

You'll also make the happy discovery that you feel better physically and have more energy when you make this deep breathing the usual way you breathe.

Carole McMichaels

If this is to be a true Bio, it must be in first person singular, so here I am, giving you all my "Singular I's". My life has been long, unconventional, exciting and filled with music, my first love and my first career.

Were it not for an absence of current rules and regulations, I would not be here at all. You see, my father was my mother's cello teacher--a horrible no-no in today's school world. They were married in the Interlachen Music Camp where my father taught trumpet and conducting.

As a child I gave many recitals, usually the first half on piano, the last half on violin. I loved it, but would have preferred (though I didn't know it at the time) music written by live people rather than by dead white men. Still my preference.

A favorite past-time of my four-year's-younger brother and me was to sing rounds a half-step apart. Great ear training for the contemporary music in which I later specialized! Playing hours of orchestral and chamber music--and kick-the-can, swimming, reading and traveling rounded out my childhood activities. A happy childhood!

As an adult I migrated to New York City where my professional life took different turns. I stopped the violin in favor of accompanying instrumental and vocal recitals. Then, because of injuries, I did a stint as a Broadway dancer--and finally ended up as a classical singer. Working with Leonard Bernstein for his time as conductor of the New York Philharmonic was an exhilarating experience.

At the time, 12-tone music was the be-all and end-all of the New York music scene; singers who could sing these beasts were few and far between. However, because I had perfect pitch and a strong instrumental background, I had a fertile field for my interests and abilities.

For variety I sang on cruise ships, did musical comedy, an occasional substitute job as organist in some of the large churches (a total thrill!) Did a bit of folk dancing on Puerto Rican TV, some pretty humorous modeling jobs, and set up the first audio language program in Tehran, Iran.

I have a lovely daughter, compassionate and creative.

For the last thirty years I've been a hypnotherapist, working with individuals and presenting workshops on a variety of topics. My passion is teaching!

Now I specialize in helping performers and public speakers prepare their presentations; using Energy Psychology, we permanently jettison their stage fright. Very interesting and gratifying work!

And I write.