About Me
Let's Get Acquainted
My passion is transformation.
I love to help people remember how to breath to transform their well-being.
I love to help people who are frustrated with their speaking voice how to transform their voice into a clear, pleasant and engaging one that is a pleasure to listen to.
I love to guide singers to transform their ability to express through their music and performances and create magical moments for their listeners.
I love to support professionals to transform their interactions--communications, meetings, presentations and events-- into memorable opportunities to connect, inspire and make an impact.
If you have struggled with your breathing, your voice or to find ways to connect and make an impact, you know how insecure and anxious these issues can make you feel. And there is no need to keep suffering.
Why is transformation important to me? I have had a life filled with challenges that I have had to transform into blessings.
I have been hearing-impaired since birth (deaf in right ear), was diagnosed with severe scoliosis at age 15 (12 hour surgery, a year in a plaster body cast and lifelong restrictions), have had medical and dental issues that affected my speaking and singing (jaw realignment, vocal cord paresis--for you curious types, that would be Superior Laryngeal Nerve Paresis on the right side) and I am a cancer survivor.
We all have challenges that we need to find ways to transform so that we can thrive and not simply survive.
My personal desire for myself and everyone I coach is that we all experience and express greater freedom to thrive--with every breath, gesture, word or song- and every courageous step we take towards connecting with others and achieving our goals.
Considering that change is the rule and nature of life and that all of us deal with fear and uncertainty on some level each day, we need effective tools to shift from fear to freedom in order to authentically express who we are, envision and create the life we want to experience and to expand our self-awareness and abilities to move beyond the limitations we view in our path.
My History:
I was born into a musical family and have been singing and performing since the age of three. In high school, I won numerous vocal competitions at the state and regional levels. At the age of 16, I performed in an honest to gosh beauty pageant and received the award for Best Talent with my vocal/piano arrangement of Edgar Winter's rock ballad, Autumn (singing for a crowd more familiar with Julie Andrews).
In college, I sang at campus coffeehouses, countless weddings & other special events as I completed my schooling with a masters degree in education, and traversed a 40+ year career of teaching in a variety of educational settings from early childhood programs, to an adjunct faculty position at the college level, to a clinic intervention setting, to transitioning into private coaching. I have enjoyed supporting business professionals and singers at all levels for 20 years now.
More About Breathing:
In 2004, after observing unusual breathing patterns in a number of my students, I pursued an Advanced Certification in Breath Therapy. This priceless training, along with ongoing study of the breath, ever deepens my awareness of the vital and intimate connection between the breath and the body, emotions and our thoughts.
When we restore our natural, free, full-body breath, we FREE ourselves to experience increased well-being on every level of our being. In the years since this training, I have had the opportunity to deepen my understanding and faith in the power of the breath by 'breathing through' several life-altering events--- including cancer. It works---your breath will always give you what you need!
Each of us has our times of reckoning and our moments of choice. Whether fear holds you back from breathing deeply, speaking up, singing out, getting up on a stage to present your ideas or strut your stuff, saying 'no' to your best friend or spouse or boss...you can choose new ways, say 'yes' to yourself and allow your breath to center your body, calm your emotions, clear your mind, and even open you to intuitive insight as to your next step---all as it neutralizes your stress response and activates your relaxation response. That was a BIG sentence--read it again and let it sink in :-)
Education:
Connie holds a BA in Social Work, a MS degree in Education; Advanced Certification in Breath Therapy; a Certificate of Voiceworks Method & Pedagogy of Styles Training; college-level coursework in Piano Pedagogy; 10 years of private piano study, including study with Master Teacher, Sara McDaniel, in Colorado Springs; Certificates of SoP/People Skills and Presentation Skills Training and more...
Experience:
Over 40 years of individual and group teaching in both child and adult education settings. I have been coaching speakers and singers in Colorado Springs since 2000 and providing Essential Breathing coaching since 2004.
In addition to my coaching schedule, classes, workshops and keynotes, I occasionally perform solo vocal/piano & love to 'mix it up' with other local musicians. I have also served as the Music Director for Unity Spiritual Center since 2001.
As a Speaker & Workshop Facilitator...
I have organized and facilitated inspiring and innovative workshops, conferences and classes for over 40 years in a variety of settings.
Workshops include...
Awaken Your Voice
Body Talk (Non-Verbal Cues)
Free Your Breath to Thrive
A Crash Course in Good Singing
Customized options are available for businesses and groups.
Notable Venues:
Black Rose Acoustic Society, Open Stage
Springspree, Colorado Springs
Pikes Peak Hospice, Major Donor Receptions, Colorado Springs
The Famous, Steakhouse, Colorado Springs
Better Business Bureau, Special Event w/ Wally Amos, Colorado Springs
Mill Dog Rescue, Concert Fund-Raiser, Colorado Springs
The Glory of Love, Concert Fund-Raiser, Colorado Springs
Music on the Mesa, Concert Fund-Raiser, Colorado Springs
SCUCA Conference, GlenEyrie, Colorado Springs
SpiritWoman Conference, Center for Spiritual Living, Colorado Springs