Strengthening Your Speaking Voice

  • Do you have to strain to be heard?

  • Do you lose your voice frequently?

  • Do you clear your throat a lot?

  • Are you experiencing vocal fatigue, hoarseness, or raspiness?

If so, you need strategies to help you strengthen your voice. As a speaking voice coach, I can help you learn to use the tools and vocal exercises that actors, singers, and public speakers use to keep their voices healthy and strong.

I offer private speaking voice coaching.


a teacher is hoarse for months after bronchitis, limiting her ability to manage her classroom:

  • after treating allergies and acid reflux, she recovers quickly from subsequent illnesses

  • regains vocal stamina by learning to use her breath and resonance more effectively

  • incidentally increases the range of her singing voice


a salesperson frequently loses his voice and must call in sick:

  • corrects habit of pushing pitch down to “sound like a man”

  • by raising pitch, he gains volume and a more authoritative sound

  • maintains a healthy voice despite frequent voice use


a museum tour guide in her 70s is hoarse and winded after tours:

  • deepens her breathing

  • increases physical and vocal stamina

  • now gives back-to-back tours with strong energy and voice


a swim coach changed careers because she developed vocal nodules:

  • learns to project her voice without straining

  • gains confidence

  • overcomes the cultural notion that women should speak softly

These are all examples of students who have strengthened their speaking voices through their work with me.

Speaking voice training can help:

  • increase vocal stamina

  • reduce vocal fatigue

  • increase volume without strain

  • prevent hoarseness, voice loss, and vocal injury

  • improve clarity and expressivity

  • produce a more pleasing vocal sound

  • hold an audience’s attention

  • project confidence

Many professionals rely on their voices:

  • actors

  • broadcasters and media personalities

  • choreographers

  • clergy

  • coaches, teachers, and trainers

  • executives

  • lawyers

  • podcasters

  • politicians

  • public speakers

  • receptionists

  • restaurant servers

  • salespeople

  • singers

  • social media influencers

  • tour guides

Inefficient voice use can lead to:

  • breathy, nasal, or strident tone

  • hoarseness

  • recurring voice loss (laryngitis)

  • sore throat

  • overly quiet or weak voice

  • vocal strain and discomfort

  • vocal and physical fatigue

  • vocal pathology (nodules, polyps)

Voice problems can result in:

  • sick leave

  • short- or long-disability

  • limited career opportunities

  • poor job performance

  • perception/image issues

  • low self-confidence

Disclaimer: Speaking voice training (SVT) is intended for healthy individuals who need coaching in how to use and strengthen their voices. SVT is not intended to diagnose or treat medical problems. Some vocal problems are accompanied by medical issues and are best addressed by an otolaryngologist (ear-nose-throat doctor/ENT) and/or a speech and language pathologist (SLP).

Also, I am not an expert in transgender voice. If that is something you are looking for, please visit the website of the American Speech-Hearing Association for more information.