Training Philosophy: An Interview with Laurece

How long have you been doing what you do and how did you get to be a Voice and Performance Expert, with a growing specialty in business?

​​It was a gift to study singing for 12 years with Hester Young in New York City. By day I was a scientist in medical research. By night I sang, wrote songs, and played electric bass and keyboard in bands.

Coaching vocalists for 27 years, it has been a pleasure to work with hundreds of people, several for many consecutive years. 

For the first 17 years I worked exclusively with singers - also coaching them on their speaking voice as it is the same instrument. Speaking with an amazing tone and the greatest ease and efficiency saves the voice, providing more endurance and strength. I opened up my studio to speakers 10 years ago. I have a thorough understanding of the art and science of the voice, performance and presentations. 

It is now with gratitude that I tell you that I am from a troubled family of geniuses. There are 4 generations of prolific professional musicians and fine artists in my family. However, there have also been many addictions, anger and money challenges. Because of the family violence and the extensive criticism I received, especially as a teen, I lost my ability to authentically communicate. I heard the dark side of the voice, I was in fear, and my confidence was both shattered and artificially boosted. For 35 years I have participated in a number of systems for recovery from these challenges, including Native American ceremonies and a variety of healing arts which I received, then learned and professionally practiced at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. My path to healing, connecting with God, self-love, empowerment, unique artistry, spiritually super-charging my voice and loving my audiences informs my coaching. I assist clients who tell me they wish to move beyond internal and external limitations to shine in their chosen arenas.

I love music, singing, speaking, business and art as satisfying vehicles for beauty and communication. 

My husband Terry McCarthy and I are certified trainers for an improv system called InterPlay. I have been an InterPlayer for 12 years and Terry for 20 years. We directed a performance troupe for three years. “InterPlay is an active and creative way to express the wisdom of the body.” It is not from the comedy or acting improv lineage - there is focus on self-expression rather than being clever. InterPlay was developed 25 years ago in Oakland, CA by Cynthia Winton-Henry and Phil Porter, two professional dancers who also were lay ministers. Thus they talk about the Body-Spirit. For 5 minutes at the start of each session clients get to do one of the InterPlay story telling forms. This helps release stress, start communication, tell life stories, remember what really matters, find unique artistry, authenticity (as the ego gets by-passed) and builds the ability to respond with presence and intelligence on the spot.

My business mentor for 8 years is Fabienne Fredrickson. I completed four years of business school, and 4 years of additional courses at www.boldheart.com. I understand business development, branding, strategy, and the power of a focused mind with clear intentions. I have a growing specialty coaching entrepreneurs.

What is your coaching style and philosophy?

My training with Elite clients is Olympic style coaching - a high density of focused sessions with clear attainable goals. This allows time and consistency to problem solve, acquire and integrate skills, move through all personal and professional resistances to massive success, and settle into training routines necessary to build the strength, skills and unique artistry required to be impressive, create connections with listeners and create an impact on the international stage.

Each individual coaching session is specially tailored to the person's overall goals as well as their needs that day.

Clients choose training in a variety of areas according to their desires: singing and speaking skills, vocal and physical health, strategy, the mindset of success, brain optimization, finding unique genius, developing original style and artistry, song writing, content and organization for presentations, performance skills and the secrets of deeply connecting with listeners and audiences.

How are you unique?

My particular genius is in the following areas:

1. I possess a keen attention to detail. I am a published scientist and that training along with extensive voice training has allowed me to diagnose and remedy voice problems and help clients build the voice they desire. With an interest in peak performance, I have developed solutions that allow people to progress rapidly. As long as they do the work and apply the coaching, my clients have immediate and consistent improvement in the sound, strength, range and flexibility of their voice, artistry and originality, performance and presentation content, style, and effectiveness. This I guarantee.

2. I teach scientifically, intuitively and spiritually. There is a clear method, dozens of concepts, remedies and a deep resource of exercises I utilize from many years of study of voice and 6 other instruments, music theory and composition, acting and improv. I bring years of singing, performing, public speaking, recording, songwriting, and band leading experience. 

That being said, I meet the needs and desires of each client that particular day. We are not linear. In addition to building skills each session, clients cycle through challenges and successes as they arise. Clients are asked to set their intention for that session and I meet it. Plus, in the most wonderful way other things will comes to light during some sessions - a realization or something that occurs to them which has great importance to their progress. Clients leave each session energized.

3. I have a loving and gentle approach to personal growth, yet an Olympic coach's clarity and directness towards training. Clients receive specific training for the skills they desire. This allows each person to feel comfortable to expand their artistry, moving into their personal and professional power to actually do the work needed to accomplish their goals.

Who are your clients exactly?

​My ideal clients are highly motivated, ambitious people ready to take action consistently, open to support to move through challenges, so they excel professionally. Additionally, I am particularly happy to work with clients who have a vision to reach groups of people in a way that makes the world a better place.

I have worked with...

Singers:

Touring Professionals

Artists performing regularly

Recording Artists

Artists in Bands

The whole band

Solo Artists

Aspiring Professionals

Musical Theater Performers

Gospel Singers

Sacred Singers

People seeking to find or heal their voice

Speakers: 

(One or more in each field)

Accountant

Acupuncturist

Attorney

International Attorney

Biologist

Business owner

International Business Owner

Business Coach

Business School MBA Student

CEO

Consultants

Contractor

Dentist

Duke Institute for Brain Science

Durham Schools via the Durham Arts Council 

Financial Advisor

Graduate Students

High Performance Coach

Holistic Health Counselor

Interior Designer

Law Student

Life/Personal Coach

Marketing Director

Marketing Consultant

Massage Therapist

MBA students

Mediator

Meditation Coach

Military Negotiator

Movement Therapist

Naturopath

Neuroscientist

Nurse

Organizational Consultant

Personal Trainer

Photographer

Policeman

Presidential Hopeful

Real Estate Agents

Reiki Practitioner

SKEMA School of Business

Stock Car Racer

Trainer

Tech Developer

IT Professional

UNC School of Media and Journalism

University Professor

Veteran

Vice President of Sales

Videographer

Voice Over Artist

Yoga Teacher

With whom does your training not work?

Anyone who is not ready to do the work and put in the sweat equity. People who blame others for their frustrations and quit easily. People who are not able to make a commitment to themselves and their dreams, and stick with it when it gets hard (which is actually the time right before the next breakthrough.) Those unwilling to commit resources to their training - their time and money. People who are stuck in dreaming but not doing. 

Never underestimate the power of a blocked artist to create drama and excuses. (No judgment.) It is easier to blame others for the failures in our lives rather than to get support to heal and move beyond our challenges - and we all have them! The energy of not doing a dream for a long time and limiting beliefs (come by honestly) can derail someone. The only way out - is through - with an excellent trainer. 

My clients are willing to stay committed when the going gets tough. Even if they are personally in a tough phase. Why - because they see the results again and again and feel the joy and confidence each next success brings.

Professional success is not easy or anyone could have it. Work toward specific goals and the overall dream has to be done every day, or almost every day - unless on vacation or R&R. Many people need support to get in touch with their art, vision or dream and do the work every day. I start clients out with the amount they can handle. For some people it is literally 5 minutes three times a day for the brain and body to integrate a skill. Others can work with a larger block of time. Everything is individually tailored so clients feel satisfied and happy with their progress.

How does someone explore working with you?

I will address this to the individual: First, think about the challenges you are experiencing, what you’d like to change, and where you want to be. Is the desire strong enough for you put work into accomplishing your goals? If so, let’s talk. Commitment to training is necessary for true up-leveling since the brain and body require repetition to undo old habits and integrate new skills. Time is needed to release any internal or external barriers to success, while elevating personal health, energy and power.

If this is exciting, then schedule a Discovery Session. Once the session is booked, you'll receive an email about how to prepare, so we can deep dive into your challenges and goals, as well as talk about training options that will best suit your needs and allow you to accomplish your vision!e call.