Your voice expresses your thoughts, feelings and desires. Your pitch, tonal quality, rate of speech, inflection and more often determine whether or not someone is willing (and able) to listen to you.
Learn to cultivate a speaking voice that people love to listen to as you speak authentically with purpose, impact and ease.
Your unconscious body language impacts our impression of you from the moment you walk into a room. Make sure the messages you are sending are the ones you want others to receive.
Learn to consciously choose and direct your body cues so they support you and reinforce your words.
Your ability to connect with others in a genuine, confident and caring way makes you magnetic and memorable (even before you meet in person).
Learn the steps to engage and connect from your first contact onward--on a stage, virtually, from your desk, via text and email, in a classroom or in social venues.
Don't kid yourself. Every time you interact with someone you are presenting--whether in person, online or via the written word. Coaching can mean the difference between daily frustration and career success. If you have experienced any of the following, I can help you free your voice and express yourself with greater ease, confidence and results.
It is important to become aware of your non-verbal behavior/body language and consciously manage it to navigate successfully through your interactions so your body is reinforcing the messages you want to share rather than sabotaging them.
Your body is also an integral component of your listening skills. One of the most valuable skills in connection is showing others you are listening, not through your words, but through your body cues. They have much more impact.
Remember the old adage, "Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words." It's true. Your body language is 60% of your communication. You absolutely must become aware of your non-verbals and make them congruent with your words.
When you are authentic and engage with others from your heart, people relate and respond in-kind. Yes, you need to rehearse, but my experience is that being authentic and confident rather than polished to perfection is what people remember.
The talk I remember best was nearly 40 years ago. Wayne Dyer walked out on a stage in San Diego and quietly stood there looking at us. Then he shared that he had just received news that a good friend had died in an accident. He proceeded to share about his shock and grief - and his desire not to let us down by cancelling. He shared stories and connected with hundreds of people in that room and inspired us all to consider what changes we might want to make to live well in the time we're given.
This is the place to learn reliable, proven, practical tools to forge strong vocal skills, reinforcing body language and tools to cultivate memorable and lasting connections.
Connie works with singers, ages 12 to Adult, at all levels of competency, from 'tone shy' beginners to accomplished performers, desiring to study Contemporary Commercial Music (musical theater, pop, blues, jazz, rock, folk, country, gospel, metal, etc.).
Connie also loves to support kindred spirits… injured singers who have suffered vocal damage through illness, medical issues or improper singing habits. These individuals can greatly benefit from understanding how their injuries occurred, how to “undo” their unhealthy vocal habits, and most importantly, how to “renew” their beautiful voices through adopting good technique and healthy habits.
Bottom line: I want to show you how to manage your singing and make good choices for yourself and your music.
CURRICULUM INCLUDES
Vocal Technique Instruction
Performance Coaching
Music Theory & Sight Singing
Audition/Gig Prep
Studio Recording Prep
ESSENTIAL BREATHING is an educational training program designed to help you correct unstable breathing patterns that actually create and reinforce fatigue, illness, anxiety, mental confusion, overwhelm and so much more.
Breathing is foundational to a healthy, strong and clear voice and a vital component of vocal coaching, presentation training and performance skills for speakers and singers.
LEVEL I ... Individual Sessions
Essential Breathing sessions assist you in learning to re-establish the natural, free, full-body breath you were born with.
(3-6 sessions are recommended for optimal training and integration of skills.)
Level II & Level III ... Individual Appointment or Customized Workshops
Keynote Presentations … 20-30 min
Connie would love to share an overview of the benefits & principles of Essential Breathing™ with your group.
THE PROCESS
Email Connie to arrange a 15 minute Zoom or telephone consultation to discuss your goals, concerns and situation to determine if we might be a good fit to work together. Pricing and policies are outlined at this time.
If it is a YES, we will set an initial Assessment appointment to discern in more depth where you are, where you want to be and what it will take to get there.
Speakers typically see marked results in 10-12 sessions (60 minutes/wk) depending upon needs and skills. For maximum learning and changes that stick, 6-12 months of ongoing coaching is optimal.
Remember, poor speaking habits and the distracting body language that often accompanies them, likely began in childhood. It takes time and support to undo and extinguish such lifelong patterns. One year is not a long time for such an impactful and life-changing commitment to yourself!
Singers are accepted for full-time lessons (45 minutes/wk) and encouraged to make a 3- 12 month initial commitment, depending upon needs and skills. For high level skill development, ongoing lessons are optimal.
I highly recommend communication and voice/vocal expert Connie Castro for those professionals that would like to gather tremendous insight on how to interact and translate thought effectively during live audience presentations and also current online video forums such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc. Connie was fantastic to work with while making the training session fun and easy to follow and understand. She stresses the importance of proper body language, the video location setting, angles and background to negate peripheral distractions and ensure effectiveness. Additionally, Connie’s vocal and communication insight and training is truly invaluable as you will gain confidence, project very professionally with clarity and genuinely have fun during these normally stressful interactions. My experience was truly fantastic !!!
Brad Nelson, Founder/President iNspired liVing, Las Vegas NV
2020
Connie is a phenomenal voice coach. I had never worked with a vocal coach before and did not know what to expect. Working with Connie was great because of her friendliness, knowledge, helpful tips, as well her own approach making the voice lessons fun. From my lessons I have grown in confidence and skills to have a healthy speaking voice for years to come.
Rev. Michael H., Monument, CO
2019
Dear Connie, you are on my mind today...two days after my 50th birthday party. It was truly a magical night playing music, surrounded by friends and family...This would never have been possible without your presence in my life. Your encouragement through this journey of music and self has been a huge blessing in my life...to find the courage to share this important part of my life with others.
Tim Cameron, Colorado Springs, CO
2019
Thank you for being my vocal teacher these past three years. You have taught me so many important things regarding my voice, and I'm so grateful that you've stopped me from chest belting...my mixed voice has never been stronger! Thank you for every audition you helped me with, every song and every backtrack. I will truly miss you.
Jenna Klewsaat, Larkspur, CO
You made my day! Dear Connie, I want to thank you for so many things. First, to the extent that I can sing, I have you to thank. You not only had me doing the right exercises, but helped me understand why (amazing how much it's like any other instrument.) And you've been making our music community a better place for many years, and a lot of people truly appreciate it.
Charlie Hall, Colorado Springs, CO
Thank you so much for all the wonderful exercises, laughter and encouragement. You are a very special teacher with a true "teacher's heart.
Fran Winckel, Tucson, AZ
You've taught me so much over the past few months! I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to learn from such a talented lady! Thank you for your kindness & friendship.
Sarah Weber, USAF, Brussels, Belgium
In addition to being a delightful, positive and supportive presence, Connie is a knowledgeable and competent voice instructor. She is expert at understanding all the ‘moving parts’ of the voice and breaks it down into easy bites for wonderful results. Regardless of ability level, Connie ~ with her knowledge, skillful teaching, and firm and gentle encouragement ~ supports people in their singing and performing journey. I have enthusiastically recommended Connie to many, and will continue to do so.
Sally Rothstein, Colorado Springs
Thank you so much for everything you have given me...I've loved watching and experiencing you transform people, whether they come to your door young and ready to sing or older and more cautious about their voice--no matter who you lay your hand upon, you have this way of influencing people to become better, both in their voice and in their heart. I am so truly blessed to be one of those people.
Becca Rothstein, Colorado Springs
I'm not sure I can express how grateful I am. You are so amazing at what you do, I'd never have learned as much from another singing teacher... You really love what you do and as a result, you are incredible at it. You know even better than I how much my voice has changed since I began learning from you.
Nell Maynard, Colorado Springs
Right away, I felt more relaxed. But now, I am moving from relaxation to confidence and focus. Connie has taught me how to use my breath to improve my performance. Her teaching is transformational.
K. Sherwood, Colorado Springs
Copyright © 2021 Connie Castro - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy Website Builder