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A Surprising Fact About Voice Work

To speak with a clear accent, Feeling Sound

is more important than Hearing Sound

 

Yes, It’s True! 

Speaking well is just a matter of coordinating all those muscles related to speech —including the muscles in your tongue, throat, jaw and chest — and using them skillfully. Pronouncing sounds is a dance of muscles that we can feel in our body! 

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 Whenever a person sets out to acquire a new accent, a new way of speaking, they only know how to feel the sounds they already know. This makes sense. Because learning a new way of pronouncing words requires learning a new way of using muscles. 

 

But those muscles are ultimately powered by what you do and sense in your body, not what you hear. And therefore you are able to learn to make the sounds that go into what we call a “North American English accent.”

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This work is challenging – but so rewarding. 

It can even be enjoyable.

And it might be different than what you expect.

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What I do is NOT traditional speech therapy. I teach people with hearing loss to feel and produce each distinctive sound in North American English. But the methods I use come straight from the world of the theatre, from theatrical voice and diction experts ­— the same methods used by actors’ dialect coaches across the world.   

 

I welcome all people with hearing loss. No matter your background, I work with you wherever you are now. I learn about your concerns and your goals, and I formulate a plan specifically for you. Some of my clients use American Sign Language. Some use a cochlear implant. Some use hearing aids. The common thread: they each, for their own varied reasons, want to reach a wider world of communication

 

Together, we work hard to achieve your goals. And then you can enjoy all the feelings that come with your new voice skills—ease, confidence, accomplishment.

 

 

Curious about what’s involved? Although I individualize every client’s plan, I also always draw from the major foundational components of accent modification. Check out the Accent Modification page for more details about what a Basic Course typically covers.

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Your Commitment

Changing your accent can’t be done in just a few weeks!

It takes practice—at times, lots of practice.

I will set you up for success. But, just like watching a tennis pro for an hour a week doesn’t improve your game until you actually get out on the court to practice, you still need to put in the work to get real results. 

How much time? Most clients find that at least a half an hour a day gives them useful results.

I cannot guarantee how fast you will progress. That is up to you!    

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Your Investment

Each accent modification course is 12 weeks.

It includes a one-hour class each week on Zoom.

Each class is private, completely 1:1, so you get total individual attention.

Your investment is $1875.00 for 12 sessions. 

This investment can be paid in two or three installments via PayPal.

 

My Commitment to You

I have been teaching and coaching using this method for over 40 years.

I will assist you in learning to feel speech sounds in order to improve your accent.

I will adjust our work, finding multiple ways to help you feel and produce individual sounds.

I will support you through any frustrations you encounter.

I will help you to create richer communication at work, home and out in the world. 

And I will be applauding you and rooting for you every step of the way!​​​​