‘Most singers and preachers know they need vocal training but refuse to get it, they don’t see it as important. It is not only until they realise they’re losing their voice and its original quality that they worry.....and by then it could be too late.’  Dionne Shand, SOS Vocal Training.

If you are a singer or preacher the ability to verbally communicate cannot be underestimated, yet so many vocalists continue to sing or preach without preparing their voice for ministry.

SOS Vocal Training provides vocal coaching to anyone whose ministry relies on their ability to speak or sing.   Owner Dionne Shand has over 20 years experience singing in choirs, groups and praise teams and is a member of the British Voice Association. She knows firsthand the impact heavy gospel vocals can have on the voice.

She says: “I spent years struggling in choirs with my vocals, gagging or breaking wondering what the problem was, then I realised that it was not enough to just have a nice voice and sing, you had to know HOW to sing, regardless of whether you had nice voice or not."  “And I wasn’t the only one. There were many in the exact same position as me but they seemed happy to put up with it. Of course, I wasn’t and chose to get professional help from outside the Church before my voice was ruined completely.”  

She adds: “Now, years later, I have many singers from choir or praise teams turning up at my workshops desperate for help, because they struggle to get to grips with the heavy gospel style required for the choir ‘sound’.  “And it’s quite sad to hear the same stories of vocalists suffering with painful, sore and tired throats after only a couple of songs during Sunday Service.”

Dionne also recognises how poor vocal ability can affect confidence which leaves many vocalists in a cycle of fear and insecurity.

“Building Confidence is at the heart of SOS Vocal Training. It is why I am here and coming forward to encourage others,” says the confident mother of 3. “Even today, right now in many church choirs and praise teams, there are singers who are holding back because they believe they are not ‘good enough’.” ‘Good enough for what and good enough for whom,’ I ask? 

Dionne continues: “I believe when God calls you He doesn’t say: ‘I want you to sing like Matt Redman or Vicky Winans or preach like Bishop, He says: I want YOU to sing or preach.’  “And He doesn’t call you based on your abilities because He will equip and show you the tools you need to do the job.”                       

Clearly Dionne is very passionate about her role as a vocal coach and helping others to overcome insecurities. Naturally, as a result, Dionne can now tune in quickly to who is using their voice in a healthy way and who is not. And she offers her services to anyone whose ministry is vocal, ranging from speakers to presenters, DJ’s to rappers and, of course, singers.

Dionne is offering Gospel Frontier readers a Free 15 Min Vocal Assessment (worth £20) to vocalists who wants advice about developing their vocal skills. To speak to her call 07790 262 381 or email: info@sosvocaltrainingbeds.co.uk  or Skype: skype.singingnspeech

Finally Dionne reminds: “It only takes a few lessons to get your voice on the right track and it’s NEVER too late to start.  If you want to develop sound healthy vocals don’t put it off any longer! Book your assessment with me today and take it from there.”

Dionne lives in Bedfordshire with her husband and 3 children. She established SOS Vocal Training in early 2009 and is the author of Surviving the Gospel choir, an essential guide for choir singers and Surviving the Sunday Sermon, a unique 7 point survival guide for preachers and church leaders.

Dionne’s next workshop is:

‘Sweet Harmonies’ Vocal Workshop – Sat October 17th 2009

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Dionne is CRB checked.