Hi Creative Explorers, Last month, I was an official speaker for the Barbara Sher Dare to Soar Telesummit and below is the recording for The Origin Story of the New Choice Game audio recording is online - with my personal story! https://barbarasclub.com/telesummitworkshops/#lyu Here is the first part of my speech: MY STORY When I was 2 years-old, I would bravely sing for anyone. My Dad was the founder of the first low-income middle school in South Korea then, and my Mom helped him. But, things changed. We immigrated to the US when I was 4 - and my Mom, who had studied English, became a registered nurse. However, my Dad struggled ~ and actually sold oranges in the street, at one point. As for me, Growing up in California, bullies at school harrassed me for 8 years, saying hateful things to me ~ that I was a poor, ugly, stupid, clumsy, chinky, "4-eyes." These words cut deep, and they would make me cry. Also, for 8 years, I auditioned every year, but never got one solo in choir. At one point, when I had laryngitis, I was helpless while bullies surrounded me and forced me to eat an eraser. I couldn't even cry out. It was extremely traumatic - and I become obsessed with my voice. Thankfully, board games, books and music helped me to get through. But, by 8th grade after 8 failed auditions, I had a meltdown in the cafeteria: “I will never be a musician! I have NO talent!” Thank God, my family moved to Texas, where I attended an awesome school with an incredible choir director. I got my very first solo, and I had to sing in front of 400 people! I remember that I was so anxious, I got up on stage sideways, like a crab. And, I was too scared to look at all 400 people, so I looked at the clock on the wall behind them. I sang my heart out: “Have yourself a merry, little Christmas,” and EVERYBODY clapped and cheered! It was one of the MOST AMAZING experiences of my life. It completely changed me, because I knew my worth. Now, I am a Holistic Voice Coach and I’ve been lucky enough to multiple encores and accolades as a performer, over the past 31 years. And, it’s a joy that I get to help my voice students - and now book readers - to transform their voices, transform their lives, and have similar amazing experiences. #1 ON GOOGLE My new book, Singing in Tune: Solutions for 25 Pitch Problems, is now #1 ON GOOGLE! Have you gotten your copy?
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Hi Creative Explorers, Whether you're a seasoned performer or just starting out on your musical journey, there's one essential element that can elevate your singing in an abundance of ways: body alignment. It's not just about hitting the high notes or honing your vocal technique; it's about how you align your body to release the full potential of your voice. 10 BENEFITS OF GOOD BODY ALIGNMENT 1. Powerful Vocal Projection 2. Easier Breath Control 3. Increased Vocal Range 4. Enhanced Vocal Stability 5. Beautiful Tone Quality 6. Long-Term Vocal Health 7. Reduced Performance Anxiety 8. Enhanced Stage Presence 9. Clearer Articulation 10. More Emotional Expressiveness To summarize, good body alignment is the cornerstone of vocal excellence. Whether you're belting out powerful funk or crooning soulful melodies, aligning your body properly can unlock your true vocal potential. So stand tall, breathe deeply, and let your voice soar – the world is waiting to be enchanted by your voice! Here is a fun and easy physical warm-up that will improve your body alignment, which I have game players do before playing my New Choice Game, in addition to voice students! SQUEEZE/STRETCH/SHAKE-OUT
If you would like 6 more solutions to improve your body alignment, check out my new book: Singing in Tune: Solutions for 25 Pitch Problems - with a WONDERFUL foreword by Brian Witkowski, DMA, who is 100% deaf in one ear. Hi Creative Explorers, Meet Bill Harris. Bill had a lifelong dream. A dream to become a professional singer. He carried a passion within him that refused to be extinguished. But there was one obstacle standing in his way – Bill had a limited voice. Despite his unwavering enthusiasm, he couldn't even sing "Happy Birthday" in tune after 6 voice coaches and 12 long years of trying. His first voice coach took him to a concert, pointed at a singer, and said “That’s a singer. You will never be a singer.” Imagine the frustration and the moments of self-doubt that must have haunted Bill throughout his journey. Many of us would have given up at that point, convinced that our dreams were unreachable. But not Bill. And then, Bill crossed paths with a voice coach who saw the fire in his eyes. With the guidance and support of this vocal coach, Bill dedicated himself to two 60-minute voice lessons per week, up to 24 hours of practice in one week, and a rock-solid belief in himself. I am honored to say that voice coach was me. Working with me, in just 2 lessons, Bill learned to sing “Happy Birthday" in tune. In less than nine months, Bill achieved another major breakthrough. He got booked for his first professional singing gig with a band. Can you imagine the overwhelming joy and sense of accomplishment he must have felt at that moment? It was a demonstration of his unwavering commitment and the power of his unshakeable spirit. A year later, Bill beat my personal record of 5 encores, and received not 6, not 7, but 8 encores in a single night! Several months after that, Bill was invited to perform a gig at the legendary House of Blues in Houston! A man who couldn't even sing "Happy Birthday" just over a year ago got to sing on a major stage where he was celebrated and admired for his talent! TESTIMONIAL ”Hi, I’m BIll Harris, singer/songwriter out of Houston, TX. My first voice coach told me that I would never be any good. I couldn’t really even sing “Happy Birthday” when I first met Karen, back in March of 2021. But, with her help, Karen Lyu, I became a pro in less than 9 months. And now, I sing at the House of Blues down here, amongst other places.” ~ Bill Harris, Singer/Songwriter If you would like to transform your voice, like Bill, check out my new book: Singing in Tune: Solutions for 25 Pitch Problems - with a WONDERFUL foreword by Brian Witkowski, DMA, who is 100% deaf in one ear. GUMROAD COUPON CODE: SAVE8 (Save US$8) Hi Creative Explorers, Are you an emerging singer looking to take your talent to the next level? Open mics are like a key that can unlock the door to new opportunities. UNLEASH YOUR VOICE: 10 PERKS OF OPEN MICS Here are 10 incredible benefits of open mics for singers: 1. Have Fun: Open mics are a fun and enjoyable way to share your love of music with others and celebrate the joy of live performance. 2. Building Confidence: Conquer stage fright and build confidence in your abilities through regular performance opportunities. 3. Community Support: Join a supportive community of fellow singers and musicians who share your passion for music. 4. Networking Opportunities: Connect with other musicians, industry professionals, and potential collaborators, expanding your musical network. (This is especially important if you are new in town.) 5. Performance Experience: Open mics provide invaluable stage time, allowing you to develop your stage presence and charisma in front of live audiences. 6. Experimentation: Open mics offer a supportive environment to experiment with new songs, arrangements, genres, and performance styles. 7. Exposure: Gain exposure to new audiences and potential fans who may discover your music at open mic events. 8. Feedback: Receive instant feedback from audience members and fellow performers, helping you refine your technique and style. 9. Discovering Your Unique Sound: Experimenting with different genres and styles at open mics can help you discover your unique musical identity. 10. Test New Material: Test out new songs or covers before recording or performing them on professional gigs. Whether you're a seasoned performer or just starting your musical journey, open mics offer a bounty of benefits for singers of all levels. So grab your guitar, warm up those vocal cords, and dive into the exciting world of open mic nights – your musical adventure awaits! If you would like to hone your singing and transform your voice, check out my new book: Singing in Tune: Solutions for 25 Pitch Problems - with a WONDERFUL foreword by Brian Witkowski, DMA, who is 100% deaf in one ear. |
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