This Is A Voice

Jeremy Fisher and Dr Gillyanne Kayes

Voice experts and bestselling authors Dr Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher have been chatting about voice for more than 20 years - this time they've switched the microphone on. Vocal technique? check. Musicals? check. The weird things you can do with your voice? check. Includes AMA on voice, singing, speaking, performance techniques, voice exercises and so much more.

  1. 12/12/2025

    When A Song Doesn't Land - What to look for and how to fix it

    Send us a text Most singers can learn the notes and the words. That isn’t the part that gets in the way. The real block sits under the surface. It’s the moment where the song should land and somehow doesn’t. You can feel it. The audience can feel it. Something is missing. In this episode, we dig into that missing piece How singers learn songs too fast How the ear follows the recording but not the key How interpretation can be lovely but still empty And how inhabiting a song changes everything We talk through the internal logic sitting inside every piece of music The logic of the harmony The logic of the text The tiny decision points singers often sail past without noticing The moments of energy change, tempo change, key change, and emotional shift that carry the story There are real examples from our masterclasses, including: A classical song that suddenly locked into tune once the chords were stripped back. A singer who delivered a perfect interpretation but didn’t sound like himself until we dug for his version of the truth. A musical theatre song that revealed its turning point in the silence between phrases. 00:00 Why your song isn't landing 01:24 A shift in vocal technique 03:32 Being honest about your background 05:17 Helping a singer with tuning 08:39 Learning the song but not the key 10:15 Change points help you map the song 11:23 Do you memorise too quickly? 12:23 The Speed Run and other techniques 13:40 Acting without acting training 16:14 Green Finch and Linnet Bird 19:23 Not For The Life Of Me - Hidden in the text 21:47 Gimme Gimme - When ARE decisions made? 24:03 I Remember Sondheim 25:54 I Don't Sound Like Me! 30:30 Interpretation versus Inhabitation 35:06 The "studio-perfect" voice myth 37:44 This is our context, what's yours? If you teach singers, this episode gives you tools to diagnose why a performance isn’t landing. If you’re a singer, it shows you how to slow down, listen differently, and find the place where your voice actually sits inside the song. Tell us how you approach learning or teaching songs. What do you notice, break down, strip back, or question? We’d love to hear it. I Cain't Say No (Oklahoma) analysed by FlyNorthTheatricals https://www.tiktok.com/@flynorththeatricals/video/7566630322780081439 Remember to like and subscribe for more insightful episodes. Leave a comment below on what inspired you the most! 👇 You can find out about our Teacher Accreditation for singing teachers, vocal coaches and choir leaders and start your own journey here  https://vocalprocess.co.uk/teacher-accreditation/ We've also got this ↓  For the best self-guided learning, check out the Vocal Process Learning Lounge - 22 years of vocal coaching resources (over 600 videos) for less than the price of one private singing lesson.  Click on the link https://vocalprocess.co.uk/learning-lounge/learning-lounge-level-2-deep-dive/   If you want to discover if our singing teacher training programme works for YOU, message us - we can share the process for joining Cohort26. https://www.cognitoforms.com/VocalProcess1/TheAccreditationProgramme  Get the One Minute Voice Warmup app here, it's got a 4.9star rating  Appstore https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/one-minute-voice-warmup/id1212802251  Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.speechtools.warmup&hl=en_GB     Check out our Voice Journal, written with Rayvox's Oren Boder https://www.rayvox.co.uk/products/voice-journal?ref=VOCALPROCESS    Find us - follow us on the socials!  🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/Vocalprocess    📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vocalprocess   📖 Facebook - h

    39 min
  2. A Million Downloads - Then Burnout Hit. With Dr Marisa Lee Naismith

    11/11/2025

    A Million Downloads - Then Burnout Hit. With Dr Marisa Lee Naismith

    Send us a text Burnout can creep up quietly - until one day you realise you’ve got nothing left to give. In this honest, wide-ranging conversation, Dr Gillyanne Kayes, Jeremy Fisher and guest Dr Marisa Lee Naismith (host of A Voice and Beyond) talk about burnout in the performing arts: how it happens, what it feels like, and what recovery really takes. We explore: The link between trauma, stress, and burnout Boundaries and learning to say “I don’t have the capacity” Why people-pleasing drives exhaustion The real brain changes in burnout and how to reset What it means to honour yourself as a creative This episode includes insights from Stress Burnout Reset by Kerry Norton, reflections on somatic recovery, and practical tools for singers and teachers finding their way back to balance. 00:00 Intro and Phlegm Alert 02:10 When Burnout Creeps Up On You 03:23 Losing Everything and Working Harder 05:39 Adversity vs Trauma 07:53 Burnout in the Performing Arts 08:41 Self-Worth and People-Pleasing 11:11 Learning To Say No And Setting Boundaries 15:19 The 24-7 Access Problem 19:28 The Power Of Saying "I Don't Have The Capacity" 22:07 What Burnout Does To The Brain 25:25 Recovery Tools and Somatic Practices 33:45 Maria's Final Reflections - Honouring Yourself Watch, reflect, and share your experience of burnout in the comments. Remember to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more insightful episodes. Leave a comment below on what inspired you the most! 👇 You can find out about our Teacher Accreditation for singing teachers, vocal coaches and choir leaders and start your own journey here  https://vocalprocess.co.uk/teacher-accreditation/ We've also got this ↓  For the best self-guided learning, check out the Vocal Process Learning Lounge - 22 years of vocal coaching resources (over 600 videos) for less than the price of one private singing lesson.  Click on the link https://vocalprocess.co.uk/learning-lounge/learning-lounge-level-2-deep-dive/   If you want to discover if our singing teacher training programme works for YOU, message us - we can share the process for joining Cohort26. https://www.cognitoforms.com/VocalProcess1/TheAccreditationProgramme  Get the One Minute Voice Warmup app here, it's got a 4.9star rating  Appstore https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/one-minute-voice-warmup/id1212802251  Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.speechtools.warmup&hl=en_GB     Check out our Voice Journal, written with Rayvox's Oren Boder https://www.rayvox.co.uk/products/voice-journal?ref=VOCALPROCESS    Find us - follow us on the socials!  🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/Vocalprocess    📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vocalprocess   📖 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/vocalprocess  #vocalprocess #teacheraccreditation #voicetraining

    37 min
  3. 28/10/2025

    Student Burnout, Time Poverty & The Perfectionism Trap. With Dr Ayan Panja & Richard Delaney

    Send us a text If you’ve ever felt exhausted, cynical or “not good enough,” this episode will help you spot the signs, set boundaries and start recovering - without guilt. What really causes burnout in musicians, singers, teachers, and students? In this second episode of This Is A Voice on burnout, Dr. Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher discuss the physical, emotional, and systemic roots of burnout - with two special guests offering different perspectives. Dr Ayan Panja (NHS GP, Saving Lives In Slow Motion podcast) explains why burnout isn’t just “being tired” - and what really happens when empathy and perfectionism collide. Richard Delaney (Programme Leader, BA Hons Acting: Contemporary and Devised at Royal Central School of Speech & Drama) reveals how time poverty and constant assessment are burning out a generation of creative students. Plus, Gillyanne and Jeremy share their own stories of freelance burnout, people-pleasing and finding balance as performers and coaches. Listen now and share it with a friend who might need it. Featuring clips from Saving Lives In Slow Motion (used with permission). You can find out about Ayan's work and join his podcast on https://drayan.co.uk/ You can find out about Richard's work on https://www.richardddelaney.com/ Remember to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more insightful episodes. Leave a comment below on what inspired you the most! 👇 You can find out about our Teacher Accreditation for singing teachers, vocal coaches and choir leaders and start your own journey here  https://vocalprocess.co.uk/teacher-accreditation/ We've also got this ↓  For the best self-guided learning, check out the Vocal Process Learning Lounge - 22 years of vocal coaching resources (over 600 videos) for less than the price of one private singing lesson.  Click on the link https://vocalprocess.co.uk/learning-lounge/learning-lounge-level-2-deep-dive/   If you want to discover if our singing teacher training programme works for YOU, message us - we can share the process for joining Cohort26. https://www.cognitoforms.com/VocalProcess1/TheAccreditationProgramme  Get the One Minute Voice Warmup app here, it's got a 4.9star rating  Appstore https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/one-minute-voice-warmup/id1212802251  Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.speechtools.warmup&hl=en_GB     Check out our Voice Journal, written with Rayvox's Oren Boder https://www.rayvox.co.uk/products/voice-journal?ref=VOCALPROCESS    Find us - follow us on the socials!  🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/Vocalprocess    📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vocalprocess   📖 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/vocalprocess #vocalprocess #teacheraccreditation #voicetraining

    28 min
  4. From Exhaustion to Recovery - Our Burnout Stories, with guest Franka van Essen

    14/10/2025

    From Exhaustion to Recovery - Our Burnout Stories, with guest Franka van Essen

    Send us a text Burnout isn’t just “being tired.” For many musicians, singers, and creatives, it creeps in quietly until suddenly you can’t think clearly, you can’t create, and you feel stuck in cycles of exhaustion. In Season 12 Episode 1 of This Is A Voice, Jeremy Fisher and Dr. Gillyanne Kayes open up about their own experience with burnout, how it affected their work and creativity, and what they did to recover.  They’re joined by singer and coach Franka van Essen, who explains burnout through the lens of Polyvagal Theory - and why creatives often toggle between burnout, boredom and overdrive. We talk about: The real signs of burnout (that you might be ignoring) Why freelancing makes burnout more likely How Polyvagal Theory can help you recognise the “zones” you live in Practical ways to step back into rest, creativity, and connection If you’ve ever felt exhausted, disconnected, or wondered “is this burnout?”, this episode will help you recognise it - and give you hope that you can recover. #burnout #singerburnout #polyvagaltheory  #musicianmentalhealth #vocalcoach  #singingteacher    00:00 Mood swings and despair 01:19 What burnout looks like 02:56 Measuring burnout 05:21 Jeremy’s change of behaviour 07:12 Franka on how burnout can start 09:19 Singing teachers and burnout 12:16 Musicians and task switching 13:49 Polyvagal theory and the zones 17:10 Toggling between the zones 19:01 Compassion fatigue 22:25 Household boundaries 25:08 A plate of raspberry puddings 25:44 Getting back in the green zone 28:44 Learning to say no You can contact Franka van Essen on  http://www.voice2blossom.nl/ Instagram and Facebook voice2blossom LinkedIn Franka van Essen And Franka’s short course on Polyvagal Theory for singers, teachers and coaches is included in our monthly Learning Lounge membership here  https://vocalprocess.co.uk/learning-lounge/learning-lounge-level-2-deep-dive/ Remember to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more insightful episodes. Leave a comment below on what inspired you the most! 👇 You can find out about our Teacher Accreditation for singing teachers, vocal coaches and choir leaders and start your own journey here  https://vocalprocess.co.uk/teacher-accreditation/ We've also got this ↓  For the best self-guided learning, check out the Vocal Process Learning Lounge - 22 years of vocal coaching resources (over 600 videos) for less than the price of one private singing lesson.  Click on the link https://vocalprocess.co.uk/learning-lounge/learning-lounge-level-2-deep-dive/   If you want to discover if our singing teacher training programme works for YOU, message us - we can share the process for joining Cohort26. https://www.cognitoforms.com/VocalProcess1/TheAccreditationProgramme  Get the One Minute Voice Warmup app here, it's got a 4.9star rating  Appstore https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/one-minute-voice-warmup/id1212802251  Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.speechtools.warmup&hl=en_GB     Check out our Voice Journal, written with Rayvox's Oren Boder https://www.rayvox.co.uk/products/voice-journal?ref=VOCALPROCESS    Find us - follow us on the socials!  🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/Vocalprocess    📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vocalprocess   📖 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/vocalprocess  #vocalprocess #teacheraccreditation #voicetraining

    32 min
  5. Stop Chasing Perfection - Start Singing For Connection. With Melissa Forbes

    26/08/2025

    Stop Chasing Perfection - Start Singing For Connection. With Melissa Forbes

    Send us a text What does it take to be an effective singing leader?  Why is community music is so vital for social health?  How can positivity counteract our innate negativity bias? In this powerful follow-up with Dr Melissa Forbes, we talk about how singing transforms lives far beyond the stage. From rethinking the deficit mindset of traditional music training to leading groups for people with Parkinson’s, Melissa challenges us to see singing through a new lens:  Connection, not perfection. Whether you're a singer, teacher, coach, or someone who just loves voices, this episode will shift how you think about music, leadership and human connection. #musicleadership #positivity #mentalhealth  00:00 The singing skill no-one talks about 05:09 Performative versus Experiential music 07:28 What makes a great singing leader? 09:52 Singing for health and Parkinson’s choirs 15:02 A moving story about the power of choirs 19:04 Negativity bias & deficit mindset in music training 22:36 Helping people see beyond their limitations 24:46 Melissa’s three-word mantra Remember to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more insightful episodes. Leave a comment below on what inspired you the most!  You can find out about our Teacher Accreditation for singing teachers, vocal coaches and choir leaders and start your own journey here  https://vocalprocess.co.uk/teacher-accreditation/ We've also got this ↓  For the best self-guided learning, check out the Vocal Process Learning Lounge - 22 years of vocal coaching resources (over 600 videos) for less than the price of one private singing lesson.  Click on the link https://vocalprocess.co.uk/learning-lounge/learning-lounge-level-2-deep-dive/   If you want to discover if our singing teacher training programme works for YOU, book a Discovery Call with Gillyanne here https://DrGillyanneKayesJeremyFisherInspirationSession.as.me/ACCREDITATIONCHAT Get the One Minute Voice Warmup app here, it's got a 4.9star rating  Appstore https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/one-minute-voice-warmup/id1212802251  Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.speechtools.warmup&hl=en_GB     Check out our Voice Journal, written with Rayvox's Oren Boder https://www.rayvox.co.uk/products/voice-journal?ref=VOCALPROCESS    Find us - follow us on the @VocalProcess socials!   #vocalprocess #teacheraccreditation #voicetraining

    26 min
  6. Jazz, Research & Bucket-List Turns: The Moment Melissa Forbes Quit Law for Music

    15/07/2025

    Jazz, Research & Bucket-List Turns: The Moment Melissa Forbes Quit Law for Music

    Send us a text Dr Melissa Forbes worked in law for 10 years until the firm's partner told a story about a bucket of water. That speech sent her straight to a jazz conservatorium, then to the research lab, and finally into community halls where group singing is healing real-world isolation.  In this episode of This Is A Voice, Jeremy Fisher & Dr Gillyanne Kayes chat with Melissa on  -  the “flight-corrections” that reboot a creative life  -  how positive psychology reframes practice, strength and burnout  -  why participatory choirs can out-perform stadium shows in human impact  -  tips for choir leaders & voice teachers who feel stuck in the “performance-only” loop Whether you belt for Britain, lead chamber choirs, or run a voice studio, the twists and turns in Melissa’s story will spark new ideas for you and your singers.  Hit play, grab a cuppa, and let’s get vocal about making music that matters! 00:00 – A Jazz Singer, A Lawyer & A Bucket of Water Walk Into a Bar... 05:05 – Bringing the lawyer brain to music 08:50 – Is singing research a dry subject? 13:55 – Losing (& refinding) your joy in music 17:45 – Turning points for different people 22:09 – How singing helps with a crisis of social health  24:12 – Music for health and wellbeing #CommunityChoir #PositivePsychology #VoiceScience Remember to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more insightful episodes. Leave a comment below on what inspired you the most! 👇 Here's the link to Melissa's article on pivoting from music performance to music on prescription (it's free to access): https://research.usq.edu.au/download/58f90447e97bc759d586fcb70ab91a7d3114d02bd6fdade8d31dbc0b1e02b81f/449105/forbes-et-al-2025-from-music-performance-to-prescription-a-guide-for-musicians-and-health-professionals.pdf You can find out about our Teacher Accreditation for singing teachers, vocal coaches and choir leaders and start your own journey here  https://vocalprocess.co.uk/teacher-accreditation/ We've also got this ↓  For the best self-guided learning, check out the Vocal Process Learning Lounge - 22 years of vocal coaching resources (now over 700 videos) for less than the price of one private singing lesson with us.  Click on the link https://vocalprocess.co.uk/learning-lounge/learning-lounge-level-2-deep-dive/   If you want to discover if our singing teacher training programme works for YOU, message us - we can share the process for joining Cohort26. https://www.cognitoforms.com/VocalProcess1/TheAccreditationProgramme  Get the One Minute Voice Warmup app here, it's got a 4.9star rating  Appstore https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/one-minute-voice-warmup/id1212802251  Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.speechtools.warmup&hl=en_GB     Check out our Voice Journal, written with Rayvox's Oren Boder https://www.rayvox.co.uk/products/voice-journal?ref=VOCALPROCESS    Find us - follow us on the socials!  📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vocalprocess   📖 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/vocalprocess  #vocalprocess #teacheraccreditation #voicetraining

    30 min
  7. 01/07/2025

    Dealer's Choice. 5 years, 100+ episodes and our favourite vocal moments

    Send us a text This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a five-year deep-dive into the voices, lives and lessons of singers, teachers and coaches around the world. In this special fifth anniversary episode of This Is A Voice, Jeremy and Dr. Gillyanne revisit the most powerful, personal, and punch-in-the-gut moments from over 100 episodes. From life-changing reflux wake-ups, to the moment a singer’s voice disappeared on stage, to a viral blog on “Success Amnesia”... this is Dealer’s Choice. Whether you're a singer, coach, SLP, SLT or voice-curious creative, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, taste, recovery, self-worth and biscuit tins. Featuring:   Vocal injuries (and how to recover)   The truth about reflux for voice users   Why your "classical voice" isn't a prison    When technique isn’t the answer (but safe space is)   What to do when you forget your own success 00:00 Vocal For 5 Years - Here's What We've Learned 01:00 Our First Episode & Gillyanne's Dad's Biscuit Tin 02:00 Sing the Whole Song or Work on Fragments? 04:56 This Popular Episode on Reflux Might Change Your Teaching 10:38 Singers: Doing What You Love Or Just Coping? 14:53 Her Voice Cut Out On Stage. What Happened Next? 23:29 "Why Don't I Feel Successful?" This Might Be The Reason 30:28 The Artist's Curse: Always Onto The Next Thing 32:54 Are You Vocally Biased? The Need-To-Know About Taste 37:05 Teachers Can Be Cruel To 10-Year-Olds 39:50 80% of Voice Coaching Is This (It's Not Technique) 45:58 MT Singers: This Mindset Shift Will Change Your Singing 47:14 Share Your Favourite Episode Perfect for: musical theatre singers, contemporary artists, classical performers, vocal coaches, SLPs, and anyone who’s ever lost their voice — literally or metaphorically. #voicelossonstage #refluxandsinging #musicaltheatre  Remember to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more insightful episodes. Leave a comment below on what inspired you the most! 👇 You can find out about our Teacher Accreditation for singing teachers, vocal coaches and choir leaders and start your own journey here  https://vocalprocess.co.uk/teacher-accreditation/ We've also got this ↓  For the best self-guided learning, check out the Vocal Process Learning Lounge - 22 years of vocal coaching resources (over 600 videos) for less than the price of one private singing lesson.  Click on the link https://vocalprocess.co.uk/learning-lounge/learning-lounge-level-2-deep-dive/   If you want to discover if our singing teacher training programme works for YOU, message us - we can share the process for joining Cohort26. https://www.cognitoforms.com/VocalProcess1/TheAccreditationProgramme  Get the One Minute Voice Warmup app here, it's got a 4.9star rating  Appstore https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/one-minute-voice-warmup/id1212802251  Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.speechtools.warmup&hl=en_GB     Check out our Voice Journal, written with Rayvox's Oren Boder https://www.rayvox.co.uk/products/voice-journal?ref=VOCALPROCESS    Find us - follow us on the socials!  🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/Vocalprocess    📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vocalprocess   📖 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/vocalprocess #vocalprocess #teacheraccreditation #voicetraining

    48 min
  8. 17/06/2025

    The Secret Voice Teacher Goldmine

    Send us a text "One of the greatest repositories of knowledge for singing and for performance in existence" What if you had 700 expert voice teaching tools at your fingertips—any time, any day? In this episode of This Is A Voice, Jeremy and Gillyanne get personal about the Vocal Process Learning Lounge — a powerhouse online resource designed for singing teachers, vocal coaches, choir leaders, and voice users. You’ll hear how the Learning Lounge came to life, who it’s for, and why it’s become a go-to CPD (continuing professional development) hub with over 38 accredited hours and growing. #CPDforSingers Whether you want help with vowel tuning, stylistic coaching, teen voice changes, or even straw-based SOVT exercises — the Learning Lounge has it. Plus, discover how our live Q&As build real community, create a sounding board, and help teachers implement learning that very same day. Want to try it or ask a question? Visit https://vocalprocess.co.uk or drop us a message. Topics in this episode include: Bite-sized adult learning for busy singing teachersUsing reflection points instead of multiple choiceCPD certificates and lesson-ready contentLive community Q&As (with real teaching results)Bonus trainings from SLPs and guest expertsNew courses like “Creating a Safe Space” (polyvagal theory)📥 Learn more at https://vocalprocess.co.uk/learning-lounge/ 00:00 – 🎉 Birthday podcast! (Yes, we’re that dedicated) 01:15 – "The Learning Lounge is AMAZING" - West End vocal coaches agree 02:53 – Why we built a singing teacher’s dream 04:48 – Built for busy voices and busy lives 06:40 – Videos, workshops & songlists — oh my! 08:22 – Less spoon-feeding, more lightbulb moments 10:02 – CPD without the soul-sucking quizzes 11:50 – A vowel epiphany, courtesy of Steph 14:30 – Musical Theatre, resonance & genre wizardry 17:38 – Q&A sessions - your vocal agony aunt hour 22:06 – Vocal muscle training 23:27 – In person in London, you could touch us 25:52 – Adolescent voice change & tricky transitions 28:25 – SOVT straws and muscle tension 35:02 – Safe Spaces & polyvagal insights 37:10 – Where to find us + what’s coming next Remember to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon for more insightful episodes. Leave a comment below on what inspired you the most! 👇 You can find out about our Teacher Accreditation for singing teachers, vocal coaches and choir leaders and start your own journey here https://vocalprocess.co.uk/teacher-accreditation/ We've also got this ↓ Get the One Minute Voice Warmup app here, it's got a 4.9star rating Appstore https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/one-minute-voice-warmup/id1212802251 Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=co.speechtools.warmup&hl=en_GB   Check out our Voice Journal, written with Rayvox's Oren Boder https://www.rayvox.co.uk/products/voice-journal?ref=VOCALPROCESS    Find us - follow us on the socials!  🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/Vocalprocess    📸 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vocalprocess   📖 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/vocalprocess

    38 min
4.6
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Voice experts and bestselling authors Dr Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher have been chatting about voice for more than 20 years - this time they've switched the microphone on. Vocal technique? check. Musicals? check. The weird things you can do with your voice? check. Includes AMA on voice, singing, speaking, performance techniques, voice exercises and so much more.

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