I kept asking others to share their journeys and realized it was time I shared my own with our Nourish Your Voice following.  Hi there. My name is Mallory McGrath and I suffered from a vocal haemorrhage. Take a listen and hear my story of learning to love singing, sharing my voice, injuring my voice, recovering my voice and finding comfort and support in teachers and educators.  Season 1 of the Nourish Your Voice podcast is dedicated to Angela Haweleshka; the woman who gave me my voice back.

Sylvie Tetrault is a Nutrition and Strength Coach, co-host of the podcast @championshiplifestyle, and creator of the Inner Athlete Coaching Program and the Her Strength Development Series. Sylvie’s philosophy centers on helping clients find their Inner Athlete through hands-on strength training, nutrition, and lifestyle coaching. Sylvie has worked with professional athletes across several sports, (NHL, NFL, UFC, WBNA, Olympians, Ironman etc.) and high performers of all kinds.

Alison Jane Taylor is a performer, music educator, and Certified Alexander Technique Teacher.   Alison is a versatile performer as soprano soloist, in opera roles, musical theatre, choral singing, and ensemble work.  She has a busy schedule presenting Voice and Alexander Technique workshops and intensives at various post-secondary institutions, including York University (Faculty of Music) and Mount Allison University (Faculty of Music).

There are probably more non-professional singers in the world than there are professionals, so it seemed only fitting to chat with my good friend, Erin Mouchian, all about being a non-professional singer. A classically trained singer, Erin has performed in Canada, Ireland, Holland and Italy in various professional choirs and musical groups. Erin has been teaching grade 7 & 8 since 2003 and although she teaches by day, Erin spends her off-time performing in musicals throughout the GTA.

Jennifer Taverner is a Toronto based soprano and Registered Health and Nutrition Counsellor. She is passionate about helping singers adopt lifestyle and nutrition habits that will nourish their bodies and support their vocal health so they’re in top form, onstage and off! Jen joins Mallory in a talk about whole-body nutrition, fueling your body with the right foods to help you sustain through long rehearsals and gigs, and tips & tricks to survive cold and flu season.

Erin Clark, Registered Psychotherapist (RP), Credentialed Music Therapist, Music Therapist Accredited (MTA), uses her singing voice 8 hours a day and then comes home at night and parents two joyful & rambunctious boys. Erin is the owner of Durham Music Therapy. Erin is a singer/songwriter who plays guitar, dabbles in Reiki and composes meditation music. Erin specializes in working with individuals with special needs, those experiencing mental health issues and individuals with acquired brain injuries.

Claire Hughes is a classically trained singer who found herself suffering from a series of strokes 5 years ago. She ended up with deficits on both sides of her body, which included paralysis of her right vocal cord. She worked tirelessly in the hospital and rehab to re-learn how to do basic things: feed herself, walk, tie her shoes etc. Her voice was airy and light after the stroke and with the help of a Speech & Language Pathologist she was able to get her full speaking voice back.

Being a professional singer takes so much physical & mental energy. You have to search for auditions, prepare material, find time to warm up in the wee hours of the morning, practice, practice, then practice some more, all the while staying as healthy as possible. Now take all of that and add two kids into the mix. So many professional singers are finding a way to incorporate their livelihood of singing with having a family. Canadian soprano, Jacqueline Woodley, is doing just that!

The use of Eastern medicinal practices is becoming more and more common in the Western world. As the demands on singers become more exhaustive and prevalent, we need to continue our journey to find different and new ways to promote all around vocal care and vocal wellbeing. The use of sound bowl therapy is an excellent tool that all singers should give a try. Reach out to Jen Lang to learn more, book a session with her or ask her for a recommendation of another sound bowl expert in your area.

Competition is present for all singers, professional or non-professional, as we are always competing to get a role/part/gig etc. Sarah Maclachlan, the Kindness Warrior, has built a community of kindness in Ontario. She talks with us all about how to stay grounded in who you are, how to put self-care first so that you don't burn out, and how to survive in a competitive industry constantly judging the very essence of you.