Welcome to our Summer Edition!

Golden Key Voices Newsletter

Welcome to our summer edition of Golden Key Voices newsletter! I have two pieces of news to tell you. 

Presenting at AOTOS Conference

Firstly, I’ll be giving a 15 minute presentation at the AOTOS (Association of Teachers of Singing) UK Conference in Edinburgh in July. I’ll be representing the women who have come to our ‘Find Your Voice Singing Workshops for Women’ in Glasgow and ‘Breath well. Sing well. Live well.’ Workshops for women in Edinburgh since January. I submitted an abstract, with specific guidelines, including references and a bibliography. Thanks to those of you who have completed either the one minute or ten minute Feedback Survey and to those of you who have had one to one lessons, I’ll share the experience anonymously of those who gave permission, on the topic,

‘Why postmenopausal women give up singing and why we mustn’t give up on them!’

The theme of this year’s conference is ‘What We Carry In Silence’. There will be world-class speakers discussing issues such as acoustics to menopause, burnout to vocal vulnerability, pelvic floor and hypermobility. I can’t wait to be part of it and to keep learning from my colleagues. For more information, here is the website: https://aotos.org.uk/product/summer-2026/

Presenting at Scottish 'Pause Summit

The second piece of news is that I’ll be presenting a fun, interactive vocal workshop at The Scottish ‘Pause Summit on World Menopause day on October 18th. There are fantastic guest expert speakers on a range of topics and workshops interspersed throughout the day. It would be wonderful to see you there, as it’s created to educate and empower women. More information below:

https://scottishpausesummit.co.uk/

Testimonial

Lastly, here is a testimonial from Elaine, who received support for vocal exhaustion while teaching, then after having a baby.

Any tired teachers who would like support with speaking and/or singing (you only have one set of vocal chords, after all!) are welcome to explore your voice, either over the holidays while you have time, or during term time.

Any mums with postpartum vocal change or tiredness are also welcome to come for singing lessons. Changing levels of oestrogen can have an effect on the voice, in some cases. There are ways that you can resource yourself, enjoying your voice as it is, on the road to full vocal recovery.

“Louise provides a very versatile and tailored approach in her teaching. I first went to Louise for assistance in regaining my voice, which was in a poor state following a run of chesty colds, combined with the vocal demands of teaching. Louise was quickly able to work out what was happening and help me find the techniques I needed to sing freely again. 

I then became pregnant and Louise seemed to have a never-ending range of strategies for helping me find space to breathe, and carry on singing long phrases, when it felt like there was nowhere left for the air to go. Now, in the months following childbirth, Louise has worked patiently with my changing body, and changing hormones, to help me regain (and even slightly expand!) my vocal range. I am now singing more freely than ever before. “                                                   

Elaine

If you would be interested in singing lessons, a few one to one sessions will be available over the summer; please get in touch via the website. Our next round of workshops will be announced soon. 

For anyone who would still like to complete the very short one minute (3 questions) or 10 minute Feedback Survey about the workshops they have already attended, I would be so grateful for your response, which contributes to research. It helps other women experiencing vocal change throughout life, especially in the more mature years. It also helps me see which marketing channels are working best and how we can provide what you need. All answers are anonymous and no emails gathered. Many thanks in advance! Click here for workshop survey.

I look forward to seeing you. Have a great summer!

Warmest wishes,

Louise x