Hanna Elise
The first time I ever sang on my own in front of people, I was terrified.
I was at an audition, and I couldn’t even face the audition panel. One of the panelists suggested turning around, so that’s what I did.
I started to sing, and they started to laugh!
Feeling insecure and assuming that they were laughing at me, I stopped.
Someone from the panel quickly spoke up and said something like: “We’re not laughing at you, we’re just surprised! You have a beautiful voice.”
Throughout my life, I have faced this fear of claiming my voice time and time again.
After years of studying classical voice and opera, I realized that I didn’t feel a sense of connection to the music that I was learning and performing.
I started studying jazz and contemporary music, and eventually moved to Montréal where I continued my vocal studies and was introduced to the world of improvised music.
In the unfamiliar landscape of improvisation, I began getting to know myself through creative expression in a way that I hadn’t experienced before. I began to claim my voice.
My philosophy
I believe that our voices respond to our environment and our changing physical, emotional, and spiritual landscape. They are not static, and they are a susceptible part of our being just like any other part.
I believe that our voices are worthy of being claimed. I believe that YOUR voice is worthy of being claimed.
If we have been taught to suppress our voice, to not express it in certain ways, our voice doesn’t get a chance to BE claimed.
In these uncertain times that we are living, I believe that claiming your voice is a worthy cause to take up. That accessing empowerment and joy through creative expression with your voice can benefit your wellbeing, and the wellbeing of others around you. That learning how to use your voice as a tool to regulate your nervous system, available to you anytime and anywhere, can be of tremendous value. That singing with others is an integral part of a healthy culture, which we are in increasing need of.
So many of us are taught that only people who are innately gifted or talented should sing, and are shamed or judged if we don’t sing what our society prescribes as “well.” I think this is bullshit. It is your birthright to sing!
Are you a woman ready to claim her voice? Click here to learn about the different ways that we can work together.