Reflecting on a year is never easy. 2024 was a whirlwind of joys, challenges, achievements, losses, and countless moments in between. Was it a great year? That depends on who you ask. As I reflect on the lessons I've learned this year, three themes stand out: working smarter, not harder; helping singers achieve new heights; and fostering trust in ourselves and our voices.
Learning How to Work Smarter, Not Harder
Everyone you ask would say they want to feel relaxed or at ease when singing or speaking. When you examine this statement further, you’ll realize that "relaxed" can mean many different things. Technically speaking, using your voice is always an active process—muscles can only contract to activate. What I think you really mean is that you want to feel effort only where it's necessary and avoid unnecessary strain. Achieving this requires strategic practice, heightened kinesthetic awareness, and careful effort monitoring. But it’s no easy task! One principle to remember is that effort tends to spread. If there’s tension in your tongue, chances are there will be tension in your larynx. If your mind is tense, your body will likely follow. Isolation—learning to engage only the muscles needed—is a lifelong journey. A key training principle in Estill Voice Training® is that "no Figure is mastered until all unnecessary tension is released." Easier said than done, of course, but this is why continuous study and practice are so important.
Wanting to Sing Higher
This might seem obvious, but helping singers hit higher notes is a big part of why I’m in business as a vocal coach. In today’s world, vocal ranges are expanding, and songs seem to keep getting higher. Singing high is impressive, and while the approach can vary slightly depending on your vocal style, there are a few key things to always keep in mind:
Retract the False Vocal Folds (think of an "internal smile") to keep your True Vocal Folds safe.
Support your high notes with your body, not your breath.
Allow the larynx and tongue to rise as needed.
Most importantly, stop if you feel a tickle, scratch, or cough.
Remember, your voice is a muscle! Just like you won’t get stronger unless you hit the gym, you won’t expand your range unless you work out your vocal muscles consistently and thoughtfully.
Trusting Ourselves
You’d be surprised how many people still carry the weight of comments made about their voices when they were kids—whether by elementary school choir directors, early voice teachers, or even family members. If a choir teacher told you at five years old that you were "too loud" or "couldn’t blend," those words can echo in your mind 10, 20, or even 30 years later during a voice lesson. It’s incredible how deeply these early messages stick with us.
Jo Estill observed this phenomenon in her work as well. She often spoke about how we enter the world screaming—fully expressing ourselves—and then, almost immediately, we’re told to "shut up," "be quiet," or that we’re "driving people crazy." Over time, this constant feedback, whether explicit or implied, convinces us we’re too much, not good enough, or somehow flawed.
But here’s the truth: those messages are NOT true, NOT helpful, and NOT growth-oriented. Let them go. Believe in yourself. Be your biggest advocate and your own best friend. Your voice deserves kindness and encouragement—it will thank you for it.
My New Years Resolution
As we step into 2025, remember this: your voice is uniquely yours. It’s powerful, expressive, and capable of so much more than you might think. Treat it with care. Approach it with curiosity. And most importantly, enjoy the journey—because your voice, and the story it tells, is worth it.
About the author: Luke Steinhauer is a premier vocal coach, international voice consultant, TEDx speaker, and Estill Master Trainer, based in New York City. Luke is a graduate of The University of Michigan and an MBA Candidate at Baruch College, Zicklin School of Business, CUNY. @lukesteinhauervoice
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