One of the most discomfiting occurrences when you're speaking in public is to have your voice tighten up and come out as a high-pitched squeak or just give up and go away. It's so off-putting that it makes a person want to jettison the entire business of speaking in public. Perhaps the thought of being a mime becomes very attractive indeed.

This is probably the most frequent question from my students:

What can I do to prepare myself so that when I'm nervous I can still breathe?

First it's helpful to be aware of how you breathe normally. To ascertain this, sit on a straight chair.
1. Put one hand on your upper chest and the other hand on your belly.
2. Take a normal breath, and make these observations: Which hand moved? Did your belly go out or in?

You're doing well if both hands moved OUT, or if your belly moved OUT. What you want to avoid is having your belly suck in and your chest move out. That's probably the most common style of breathing, and it is something you definitely want to change, for the sake of your body's health as well as the strength of your voice.

Although breathing is a natural body function, breathing for proper singing or speaking requires training and strengthening the muscles of your diaphragm, back, and belly. The following exercise should be done daily:

1. Sit on a straight chair. Feet flat on the floor. Spine absolutely straight, but not tense.(Feel as though you have a cord running straight up from your tailbone to the top of your head, gently and effortlessly keeping you in that straight position.)

2. Put your hands on your belly, fingers spread and just touching in the center slightly below your navel.

3. Take a great big breath right into your belly.

4. Let your lower jaw drop a bit and say a quiet "HA" as you pull in your belly with your hands, slowly as you can comfortably.

Do this several times, always being aware of any tension that might occur. (Allow your tongue to lie inert on the bottom of your mouth, tip barely touching the teeth.)

Now repeat the first three steps of the exercise, but substitute 4Aand later 4B, for #4.

4A. With your hands, pull your belly in pretty fast, and let out the air with a loud "sssss" sound. Then do the same thing, but with only one hand, and with your thumb on one side and your fingers on the other side of your throat, feel to be sure there's no tension during the "sssss".

As your control develops you'll be able to sustain your breath for longer and longer periods. Try this next one.

4B. When you feel ready, release the breath with a soft hum. Any note in the middle of your register. Avoid the lowest notes.

Simple as they are, these little exercises can make your entire life easier. They feed your physical and mental body with health-giving oxygen. You'll find you're more relaxed and positive in your everyday activities.

Carole McMichaels

If this is to be a true Bio, it must be in first person singular, so here I am, giving you all my "Singular I's". My life has been long, unconventional, exciting and filled with music, my first love and my first career.

Were it not for an absence of current rules and regulations, I would not be here at all. You see, my father was my mother's cello teacher--a horrible no-no in today's school world. They were married in the Interlachen Music Camp where my father taught trumpet and conducting.

As a child I gave many recitals, usually the first half on piano, the last half on violin. I loved it, but would have preferred (though I didn't know it at the time) music written by live people rather than by dead white men. Still my preference.

A favorite past-time of my four-year's-younger brother and me was to sing rounds a half-step apart. Great ear training for the contemporary music in which I later specialized! Playing hours of orchestral and chamber music--and kick-the-can, swimming, reading and traveling rounded out my childhood activities. A happy childhood!

As an adult I migrated to New York City where my professional life took different turns. I stopped the violin in favor of accompanying instrumental and vocal recitals. Then, because of injuries, I did a stint as a Broadway dancer--and finally ended up as a classical singer. Working with Leonard Bernstein for his time as conductor of the New York Philharmonic was an exhilarating experience.

At the time, 12-tone music was the be-all and end-all of the New York music scene; singers who could sing these beasts were few and far between. However, because I had perfect pitch and a strong instrumental background, I had a fertile field for my interests and abilities.

For variety I sang on cruise ships, did musical comedy, an occasional substitute job as organist in some of the large churches (a total thrill!) Did a bit of folk dancing on Puerto Rican TV, some pretty humorous modeling jobs, and set up the first audio language program in Tehran, Iran.

I have a lovely daughter, compassionate and creative.

For the last thirty years I've been a hypnotherapist, working with individuals and presenting workshops on a variety of topics. My passion is teaching!

Now I specialize in helping performers and public speakers prepare their presentations; using Energy Psychology, we permanently jettison their stage fright. Very interesting and gratifying work!

And I write.