MY WRITINGS & RESOURCES
Articles:
By Saul Kotzubei
For everyone
By Saul Kotzubei
For speakers and performers
By Saul Kotzubei
For everyone
By Saul Kotzubei
For actors in Los Angeles who don’t understand how voice training can be helpful
By Saul Kotzubei
For actors, and anyone else, interested in posture
By Saul Kotzubei
For actors, and anyone else, curious about how warming up can be helpful
By Saul Kotzubei
For performers, but useful for everyone
Catherine Fitzmaurice's Website also has articles by various Fitzmaurice Voicework teachers
Interviews:
By Nancy Saklad for her book, Voice and Speech Training in the New Millennium: Conversations With Master Teachers
By Saul Kotzubei
For everyone interested in the work that Catherine developed (Fitzmaurice Voicework)
Tips:
By Saul Kotzubei
For everyone
By Saul Kotzubei
For everyone who speaks in groups
Linked Resources:
Note: I do not receive compensation for providing these links.
FOR VOICE & PUBLIC SPEAKING
Public Speaking - Toastmasters
Toastmasters International. Toastmasters provides virtually free training in giving speeches. While it is not usually tailored to support the idiosyncratic brilliance of each individual speaker, the opportunity to speak regularly in a group setting is invaluable for some people: Toastmasters.org
Voice & Public Speaking - Certified Fitzmaurice Teachers
Fitzmaurice Voicework Website. The official site for Fitzmaurice Voicework. Most of the teachers listed teach voice. Some also teach public speaking. And you can search by speciality and geographic location. The site contains information about Fitzmaurice Voicework, Catherine Fitzmaurice, and all the teachers she has certified. It also includes a complete schedule of events throughout the world, articles, and useful voice-related links: www.fitzmauriceinstitute.org
Voice & Public Speaking - Dialects/Accents
Dudley Knight's and Phil Thompson's approach, known as Knight Thompson Speechwork, is innovative and effective, and it is philosophically and practically highly compatible with Fitzmaurice Voicework. The LA-based teachers listed here incorporate this work and bring their own perspectives to speech training.
Joel Goldes: TheDialectCoach.com
Andrea Odinov: AndreaOdinov.com
Ryan O’Shea: voiceandspeechwithryan.com
Tyler Seiple: accentcoachla.com
Knight Thompson website: ktspeechwork.org
Voice - Group Classes (for the speaking voice, often geared to performers)
I have worked with all of these teachers and recommend them.
Erika Ackerman: Erika teaches in the Hollywood/West Hollywood area, and some of her classes are specifically geared toward women. themovementsalon.com - LOS ANGELES
Ryan O’Shea: Ryan teaches classes in Mid-City. voiceandspeechwithryan.com - LOS ANGELES
Voice - Singing
I have worked with all of these teachers and recommend them.
Richard Armstrong: Richard Armstrong was trained by Roy Hart and is an excellent and inspiring teacher: richardarmstrong.info - NEW YORK
Heather Lyle: Heather Lyle has completed the Fitzmaurice Voicework Certification program and has a long history of teaching: vocalyoga.com - PACIFIC PALISADES (CA)
Joan Melton: Joan Melton is a Master Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework and has written a great book about combining singing and speaking training: onevoicebook.com - FULLERTON (CA)
Nadine Risha: Nadine is an incredible, spiritually-oriented singer who tours all over the world. Her teaching style is both specific and open hearted: nadinerisha.com - LOS ANGELES (CA)
Voice & Public Speaking - Supplies for Study
This is a list of supplies and retailers that I use for my teaching. There may be other retailers that are cheaper for comparable quality.
batakas: a soft foam bat (Uniquity: 1-800-521-7771)
foam rollers: the 3' long size, both 6" round and 1/2 6" round: performbetter.com
neti pot: for people who suffer from seasonal allergies or sinus infections. Many people suggest that it is best to fill the neti pot with purified luke-warm water and 1/4 teaspoon non-iodized salt with no fillers. Whole Foods carries both the neti pots and saline solution: webmd.com/allergies/video/truth-about-neti-pots
personal steamer: steam is a great soother of the vocal folds: amazon.com
pump: the "Sport Pump" quickly inflates the stability balls: performbetter.com
stability balls (inflatable exercise balls): I use the Gymnic Stability Balls or Swiss Pro Balls because they are high quality. I suggest 65cm for people 5'10" - 6'2" tall; 55cm for people who are shorter; 75cm for people who are taller: amazon.com
yoga blocks: shaped like bricks, these yoga props can make some of the physical positions more accessible to people who aren't very limber: huggermugger.com
yoga mats: for many people, any inexpensive yoga mat or even a blanket is fine. Some people prefer thicker mats to cushion the spine and ankles, such as the Tapas Ultra mat, or Tapas Mandara mat. For some people a lot of cushioning is necessary, in which case the Airex Coronella mat is excellent. It's very thick, weighs 6 lbs, and costs about $90: huggermugger.com
yoga straps: makes some stretches more accessible: huggermugger.com
zafus: a Japanese round cushion ideal for some of the work. I prefer the kapok (cotton) filling over the buckwheat because it gives more over time: yogaaccessories.com
zafus (Fitzmaurice-branded): these are buckwheat filling: www.fitzmauriceinstitute.org
FOR ACTORS
Acting Teachers:
I recommend these acting teachers. I have either studied with them or observed them teaching. I also have many students who have worked with these teachers. All are in Los Angeles unless otherwise noted.
Stuart Rogers: stuartrogersstudios.com
Richard Seyd: seydwaysactingstudios.com - LOS ANGELES, SAN FRANCISCO
Kim Gillingham: creativedreamwork.com
Jamie Rose: Jamie rose coaching
Larry Moss: larrymoss.org
The Actors Center: theactorscenter.org - NEW YORK
Actor Business Training:
These coaches help artists sort out the administrative/career parts of their life.
Dawn Andrews: FreeRangeThinking.com
Benjamin Mathes: crashacting.com/career
Dallas Travers - Sage Creative Services: DallasTravers.com
Actor Resources:
This site has a collection of resources: everthing from training to agent listings to petcare to photographers. Some of the resources require a fee.
The Actors Network: Actors-Network.com
FOR BODY/MIND/HEALTH
Bodywork and Movement Training:
Alexander Techworks: Jean-Louis does deep and helpful work using Alexander Technique: alexandertechworks.com
Erika Ackerman: Erika's unique offering of movement training and breath-based bodywork, along with Voicework, is profoundly helpful and powerful: themovementsalon.com
Five Rhythms: A great practice to explore freeform movement: Five Rhythms
Medical Referrals for Voice:
Some kinds of vocal difficulty may require medical attention. See an otolaryngologist (a doctor who specializes in working with the ear, nose, and throat, also called an ENT) to get a proper diagnosis. Often they will "scope" you, which involves sending a small camera into your throat to see what is really happening.
If the doctor's diagnosis warrants it, a speech pathologist may work with you afterwards to help you learn how to manage and improve your condition.
Dr. Reena Gupta: Otolaryngologist, Osborne Head & Neck Institute, Cedars Sinai Medical Towers. Dr. Gupta is one of the rare ENT's who specializes in the voice: webpage
Joanna Cazden: Speech Pathologist, Cedars Sinai. Joanna Cazden is a highly respected speech pathologist with extensive singing and performing experience; she has also completed the Fitzmaurice Voicework Certification Program: joannacazden.com
Other Healing Work:
Castellino Training: I have attended two five-day Womb Surround workshops with Ray Castellino, and a workshop with a certified teacher of this work (Sarah Theismann). Ray’s pre- and perinatal work is extraordinary and can be highly relevant for public speaking and voice. www.castellinotraining.com
Jenny Hoit: Jenny is a gifted therapist, art therapist, and somatic therapist, who is also training in Fitzmaurice Voicework. She is based in Los Angeles and also teaches via Zoom. Jenny Hoit
Somatic Experiencing: I have attended the three-year practitioner training. Incredibly helpful personally and professionally. www.traumahealing.org