Kira Morsley Voice

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted! I’d scaled back a bit to deal with some life stuff, but I have some exciting news! Im going back to uni and opening up some more teaching availability!

Drop me a DM or contact me via my website (link in bio)!

It’s getting colder and the heating is going on, so don’t forget to get some moisture to your vocal folds if you find the heating is drying you out!

This is a lovely vintage Dr Nelsons Inhaler I spotted in an antique shop in Brighton - it was weird seeing one in the wild!

Inhaling steam (from a steamer or good old bowl and tea-towel) is great to soothe and hydrate your vocal folds, but remember not to make the water too hot, and always wait about 15-20 minutes afterwards before vocalising as the warmth increases blood flow and makes your folds a bit delicate.

Stay warm and snuggly, friends! ❤️

Got a little supervisor while doing some practice today - my flatmate’s doggo! Her name is Eadie and she hasn’t joined in yet, but I’ve not been working on rep today so maybe she’s waiting for that 🐶

All this week I’ve had this simple message on my (snazzy new) light box that sits behind me for my online lessons. I feel like it’s something we all need to be reminded of now and again, without getting too w***y about it.

Are there any words that you’d like to have in front of you while you’re singing as a little reminder? Comment and let me know!

Ooh I’ve got a new gadget! Not gonna lie, this is mostly to hide the mess on my dresser but it’ll be handy for exercises and silly little messages for my students!

SONG OF THE WEEK! 🎼🎤
This week it’s a song very close to my heart - On My Own from Boublil and Schönberg’s epic Les Miserables.

I mean, what female singer of a certain age hasn’t sung this song?! I first heard it when one of the figure skaters at the Winter Olympics did a routine to it, and I spent the next few days singing what I could remember of it on repeat.

Les Mis was one of the first musicals I saw live (with Anthony Warlow as Valjean - swoon!) and a few years later my dreams came true and I got to play Eponine in a charity production in Perth.

It clearly worked for me, because a few years after that, it was the other song that got me into drama school alongside Show Me.

These days, it’s a bit passé and you don’t hear it very much, but it remains an excellent song with a cracking melody, a really compelling journey and doesn’t rely on ridiculous high notes and vocal gymnastics to pull at the heart strings.

I’m a bit old for Eponine these days, but I might crack it out at my next practice session!

It was the inimitable Julie Andrews’ birthday yesterday and I forgot to post this brilliant quote from her, so here here it is - Happy Birthday, Julie!

And honestly, same Julie. Same.

It’s important to keep your whole body working well to support your voice - alignment and the free and efficient function of your muscles makes a huge difference!

I know (oh wow do I know) it can be difficult to find the motivation at the moment to do some exercise, but it has so many benefits. I like to do a little bit of yoga and go for a good long walk, along with a bit of self-massage with my foam roller or some massage balls. I have a bunch of old injuries so regular maintenance is essential and I can definitely tell the difference when I’ve been neglecting it. Often I’ll wonder why my voice is feeling a bit off, and then I remember I’ve not really been looking after my body. It’s all connected!

Find what works for you, and have a chat with a medical professional if you have any concerns, but things like yoga and Pilates (with proper instruction) are great, as well as whatever cardio you like to do. Remember your alignment, have a good stretch afterwards, and have fun!

SONG OF THE WEEK! 🎼
Can you guess what this week’s song is? Back in Australia, I grew up watching Sesame Street, and I always loved Ernie in the bathtub singing ‘Rubber Duckie’! It was featured on a 1970 episode (a looong time before I was old enough to watch...!), and was released as a single shortly after, which reached number ten on the Australian charts. It was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Recording for Children the following year, but lost out to another Sesame Street album which contained the song anyway! 🤷‍♀️

Years later, teaching the kiddos to put myself through drama school, I’d whip out some ‘Rubber Duckie’ for nostalgia value for me, but also because the kids loved doing the duck noises and there’s actually some tricky chromatic passages to challenge them a bit!

I might go listen to it in the bath right now... 🛁🦆

Sometimes teaching means tech-wrangling! I’ve been having WiFi issues lately that have made for jerky lessons so I’ve gone old school and invested in an Ethernet cable for much smoother internetting! The things we have to deal with these days, eh? 😂

Shelley knew what he was about - it’s lovely to have a nice sing and forget the world...

Don’t miss this if you’ve ever had or been worried about a vocal injury!

FREE Vocal Injuries: How & When To Get The Help You Need With Dane Chalfin Dane Chalfin is a specialist Vocal Rehabilitation Coach whose clients include recording artists and West End/touring productions He has looked after performe...