The true story of the author’s 19 years living in London, coming out, working as a dancer in West End musicals, living through the AIDS crisis, and how the current COVID-19 epidemic has brought back memories and ghosts from that period of his life.
If you’re unsure whether professional or performer coaching is the right fit, I’m happy to help you think it through and decide what will best support your goals.
Real experiences from people learning to trust their voice.
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I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Shannon Holmes since 2010, when I first took private voice acting lessons with her. Even after 16 years, there are lessons she taught me that I still use today. That kind of lasting impact speaks volumes about the quality of her teaching.
Shannon has decades of experience and an incredible depth of knowledge, backed by a doctorate and years of professional work. Whether you’re interested in voice acting, public speaking, connecting more authentically with your voice, or simply becoming a stronger communicator, I recommend her highly.
Recently, I decided to return for private lessons, and there was never any question about who I wanted to study with. The fact that I came back after all these years says everything. If you’re considering working with her, I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Dr. Holmes has a strong and extensive background in voice and somatics, supported by both her academic training and artistic practice. She was able to accurately identify what I needed to improve in my voice based on my individual challenges, and her guidance was always precise and relevant. She was friendly and patient throughout the coaching process, and I felt relaxed working with her. The methods I learned during the sessions were integrated naturally, without pressure. Within a few weeks, a vocal issue that had previously troubled me was resolved through her coaching. I highly recommend Dr. Holmes’ voice approach and her coaching sessions.
I wanted to revive my speaking ability and take good care of my voice. Shannon’s guidance was spot on! She helped me take strides in reaching my goals and was a delight to work with. I feel more connected with my breath and have some new habits that will help me retain what I’ve learned.
Shannon has helped me connect body, mindset, and breath to build habits that are giving me the clarity and confidence to speak up in my business. She is easy to work with, fun, and super knowledgeable. I’ve gained such a respect for the power of our voice!
Shannon is the absolute BEST when it comes to ensuring that our VOICE is our best asset as entrepreneurs & creators. She has helped me find more presence & confidence in all my endeavors, from podcasting to social media content creation to public speaking!!!
As a dancer who is hoping to one day work in theatre, but has no previous vocal training, I am so glad I started my vocal journey with Shannon. In a small group setting, I was able to learn so much about my voice and how it connects to things I already know about my body as a dancer. She is so encouraging and free of judgement. The knowledge and practice that I have gained from Shannon has been invaluable!
I ADORE working with Shannon! Her whole-body, playful, process-driven pedagogy gets me out of my head and into my body, leaning into the character & story I’m portraying. Her coaching is fueled by a really special level of support, attentiveness, and curiosity. In her lessons, I feel empowered to make bold artistic choices, and ask expansive questions about my voice. I can’t stress enough that her guidance has left a very special mark on me to this day. I continue to utilize her teachings in my vocal practice on a day-to-day basis, especially when I’m feeling stuck. I trust her immensely and would recommend her in a heartbeat.
Shannons pedagogy and practice as an educator was the missing link I had been looking for when it came to my voice. It was clear to me from the first time we worked together one on one that honing my confidence meant as much to her as it did to me. She made my comfort a priority, and in doing so, helped me discover a voice I didn’t know I had.
Her training, knowledge and experience make her an absolute professional and a confident educator. Meeting Shannon was a cornerstone moment in my education, and gave me a new sense of conviction in my capabilities. She helped me understand myself better, and for that I am eternally grateful.
Every time I sing (and because of her, I do it often) I think of her and the positive impact she has had on my life.
Shannon is an impactful, thoughtful and compassionate professional in her work. Not only does she see you as an artist – she sees you as a whole person. During the years I worked with her on my voice practice, I felt more empowered, more safe, and more free than I ever have.
Without her I217;m not sure I would have learned how to channel hardship into passion. Her voice still rings in my head at times when I am processing emotion.
She’s also hilarious. An absolute joy to be around.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Shannon in multiple courses in my BFA, and she’s an absolute master of her craft! Her expertise on the voice completely revitalized my perspective on singing and helped me negotiate and heal damage to my vocal cords. As a working artist, I still use techniques she taught me all the time, and feel confident in my preparations for auditions. She is extremely patient and kind with all her students and helps them work through the very challenging vulnerability of the voice work. I saw her change a lot of peoples perspectives of their voice, and help them leave with confidence and genuine skills. Her skills are based in classical training and years of experience as a performer and she shares this expertise so that you can approach the voice and performance from so many angles and have pleasure and success in your work. Could not recommend enough.
Shannon is everything you want and didn’t know you needed in a voice coach. She’s kind, empathetic, and gentle while supported by years of rigorous training and technique. She teaches in a safe and shame-free environment that, at times, feels almost more like therapy than voice lessons. If you ever have the chance of working with Shannon, whether one-on-one or in a group setting, take it. Take it every time.
Shannon has been a teacher and trusted vocal advisor for years. Her dearth of academic and biological knowledge on the voice is only matched by her patience and empathy. She has always found ways to help me improve with her supportive and encouraging tone. Her vast intellect also allows her to personalize her teachings to what best fits each individual. Not only do I recommend her, but I myself continue to seek her counsel.
Dr Shannon Holmes is a joy to work with and a brilliant and insightful artist, scholar, and educator. Her expertise in singing, voice techniques, and theatre training modalities springs from her thought provoking work as a performer, extensive training in vocal arts, and her dedicated experience in higher education mentoring young artists. I have enjoyed collaborating with Dr Holmes and I often rely on her feedback in my own work and process. I highly recommend her as a collaborator, teacher, and mentor. If you have the opportunity to work with her, do it! — Misha Penton, PhD, singer-composer, filmmaker, and creativity mentor.
I have known Dr. Holmes for nearly 5 years. I have worked with her on collaborative and solo projects. I have found Shannon to be an inspiration. She is imaginative, adaptive, and a problem-solver. A brilliant technician both for voice work and devising performance. Shannon has a lovely sense of humour and is a pleasure to work with.
~Brad Mcdougall Actor, Playwright, Singer.
Professor Holmes is an expert in her field and a fantastic person to work with. She is as considerate as she is articulate and you will be glad to have made her acquaintance.
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