The Skilful Singer’s Blog

While the concept of ‘open throat’ singing is widely debated, there’s more to better singing than that. Singing with a well-functioning voice is a whole-body practice involving the foundations of correct posture and proper breathing – without that, your throat muscles close down. Then there are the facial, mouth and […]

With 2019 still young, now is a great time to set firm goals that stretch your abilities and improve your singing. And to reach those goals, you have to get smart about them. I don’t simply mean clever, but SMART. Make your goals: S= Specific M= Measurable A= Achievable/Attainable R= […]

Being free of tension and creating a full rich sound when singing is a singer’s aim. But distinguishing where the tension is coming from, how to release it and create a gorgeous tone takes some discovery, including finding out about the role your tongue root plays in singing. “The root […]

Expand your song choice and hone your technical skills with these classics from The Great American Songbook When it comes to song choice, the simplest option is to return to your go-to song list; those familiar, well-worn songs you know like the back of your hand. But as they say, […]

As singers, we sometimes have the privilege to share our talent with friends and family at special occasions. That’s been the case for several of my students this year, with two of them serenading their new spouse! Read their stories.

Singing at a wedding or other special occasion is one of the most memorable ‘gifts’ you can bestow on a friend or family member. Or even better, it can be an unforgettable surprise for your newly-betrothed. Yet this type of performance comes with an added complication. Emotion. Here are five […]

Many of us don’t think twice about our voice until it’s impaired or lost. And then we panic! Here are three things to avoid doing if you want your voice to return to normal as quickly as possible.

Owen Alexander is a Sydney-based singer-songwriter, who works in the furniture industry by day. He started singing lessons with Kathleen Connell in 2016 and set a goal to perform with a local opera group. Here’s how Owen went about making it happen. When it comes to setting singing goals, why […]

If there’s one thing that kills an audience’s enjoyment, it’s not clearly hearing the words in a song. Luckily for all the singers (and listeners) out there, the key to clarity is consonants.

Singing vowels correctly can be the difference between nailing a performance and losing an audience’s attention completely.

Have you ever wished your performance skills matched your top-notch singing technique? It’s not uncommon for even advanced singers to feel clueless on stage, but there is help at hand. At a recent performance workshop run by Kathleen Connell Singing Tuition, experienced singer, director and mentor Christine Douglas shared these […]

Hey ladies: ever noticed a bump, crack or click in your middle voice as you shift between registers? Getting the right mix of head and chest voice to create a strong and flavoursome middle voice will ensure a smoother road ahead. When it comes to your middle voice, the first […]

They say nothing worthwhile ever comes easily and that’s certainly the case with singing falsetto. “I can’t get the high notes,” or “my voice sounds croaky up there,” are common complaints with many male singers either taking the key down or abandoning their upper register all together. My advice: don’t […]

We all know that practice makes perfect, but is there a perfect way to practise? Here are my top tips for making the most of every minute you invest in your voice, as well as how to find time in the first place!

Belt singing is no stranger to controversy, yet there is a way to safely add this bold style to your bag of singing tricks.