“Working with Robert Serrell on my voice has been an extremely inspiring process. He has helped me to discover a voice in me I’d always hoped was there and always longed to find, a voice of strength and authenticity. He guided me to let go in moments I wanted to hold on and those were the moments I found the most growth. I found Robert to be a very supportive and specific teacher. If you are looking to connect more to your power and truth and learn how to effortlessly communicate that into the world then Robert Serrell would be a coach I’d highly recommend looking into.”
–Brittany Daniel, actress
“‘Voice for the Actor; with Robert Serrell is an essential and amazing experience for any actor, singer, or anyone who speaks publicly and requires a strong, polished voice. I became so aware of the foundation for my voice and was able to use my voice to its full range with ease. In addition, I became more aware of my body and enjoyed getting to know how it plays a part in allowing me to generate my pure sound. Robert is an excellent teacher and is able to pinpoint the specific needs of his students to bring about their best voice. I am grateful the new skills I have learned from this class and look forward to continuing my studies at The Barrow Group”
–Swagata Biswas, actress
“Robert Serrell provides two key things for learning and actionable skill. A loving presence and precise understanding of how the voice and body express optimally. Every time I work with him I come away with deeper access and understanding of my vocal capacity and expression. Once again I begin to speak and resonate from the cells of my body not merely the throat and vocal chords.”
–Sean LeClaire, poet, playwright, actor
“When Robert Serrell taught voice at a Shakespeare acting intensive, he impressed me with his enthusiasm and knowledge. Wanting to develop and free my voice along the lines he introduced me to there, I have worked with him weekly since then. He has a sharp ear for what needs to be developed, and his enjoyment of the power of voice is contagious, which has helped me much more than merely learning techniques and mechanics.”
–Charles Baker, actor
Voice for the Actor: Level 1
In this class, students explore physical/vocal exercises designed to loosen and free the voice/body so that they can communicate with more clarity, spontaneity, and power. The ultimate goal of this class is for students to have a clear understanding of a vocal warm-up that they can do on their own.
Sample Curriculum Overview
Session 1: Physical Awareness, Relaxation & Balance
Explore exercises that encourage proper spinal alignment to increase physical presence and optimize vocal use
Session 2: Breath Awareness & Support
Explore exercises that help student breathe from the diaphragm rather than up in their chest, resulting in stronger, clearer sound
Session 3: Vibration Awareness
Explore exercises that bring awareness to the physical sensation of vibration in one’s body
Session 4: Vibration Building
Explore exercises that help move the voice forward, thereby making the voice more intelligible
Session 5: Freeing Inhibitory Vocal Patterns 1
Explore exercises that help open the jaw and throat
Session 6: Freeing Inhibitory Vocal Patterns 2
Explore exercises that help relax the tongue and energize the soft palette
Session 7: Resonance
Explore exercises that bring awareness to different resonating chambers in the body to increase the overall tonality of the voice
Session 8: Breath Power
Explore exercises that increase breath capacity to thereby increase volume when communicating in large spaces
Session 9: Range
Explore exercises that increase the range of the voice, which leads to more tonal movement and musicality in the voice
Session 10: Articulation
Explore exercises to improve the muscularity of the lips and tongue to strengthen articulation when speaking
Voice for the Actor: Level 2
Voice 2 picks up where Voice 1 left off. In Voice 2 students work on developing their own 20-minute voice warm-up, which they present for feedback in class. Students will also explore the connection between sound, movement, and impulse.