Niambh is delighted to be Chairperson of Speech and Drama Teachers of Ireland. Along with our colleagues on the board, and national membership, we work to ensure that all Speech teachers are suitably qualified and represented.

When you go for your audition, show what you can do and don’t try to fit too tightly into a box. If you receive direction in your audition, take this as a sign they want to see your versatility, not that you did anything wrong in your first take. Especially if the panel has never seen you perform before, they will want to see that you can take direction so listen carefully and don’t be afraid to ask for clarification on a point if you need it.

Straw phonation allows air pressure to be redirected backward from the lips, providing ease to the vocal fold vibrations and allowing them to use less muscular effort. This helps the singer learn to sing with more efficiency at the vocal fold level, have more power without straining, and can be used therapeutically to recover tired voices.

Every time a student exposes themselves to their nerves and pushes through to perform, they learn something about how to handle their nervousness. Eventually this becomes a toolbox they can use to navigate the feelings and emotions that come with standing in front of strangers and singing.