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There are many different types of singing styles, but one type in particular that’s growing in popularity is rock singing. You can’t approach it like you would an opera singer because a rock voice needs lessons in rasp and knowing how to put some heat on their vocals.

As a rock vocalist there are a number of things that are important for the purpose of singing rock and roll. Check out these effective tips that can give you a lesson in creating a stronger voice for rock.

1. Put some heat on your head voice. Singing with your head voice is the idea of projecting through stronger pitches revolving around sounds like a double ‘e’ like ‘seek’ as opposed to sounds with the ‘u’ flavor like ‘duck.’ Learn to utilize these sounds and force some rasp into the mix when lines in the song call for it.

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(March 10, 2009, Denver, CO) Choreographer Kristin McQuaid has a resume that includes work with stars such as Britney Spears, Prince, and Mandy Moore, as well as national commercials for Dr. Pepper, Jack in the Box, and Pepsi, as well as countless hours logged working in film and television. In her interview with JigTV.com, Kristen tells host Chelsea Latimer what it has taken to develop her impressive resume, and dishes advice to aspiring dancers.

While Kristen McQuaid is a professional choreographer now, she was no natural at dancing. She tells JigTV.com that it took a lot of hard work to get where she is. “I sucked until 14 when my dance teacher saved my life and made me good.” That teacher was Michelle Latimer, one of the creators of JigTV.com. She put Kristen through an intense daily program for many months. “I worked really hard. I was always in the studio, and always critiquing myself. Even if I wasn’t in class, I would be in the studio by myself watching myself and making sure it looked exactly the way I wanted it to, then one day it clicked and from there it grew and grew.”

This focus on constantly learning dance and staying in class is what JigTV.com offers its members, through video dance classes with master choreographers like Kristen McQuaid as well as other leaders in jazz dance and Hip Hop dance.

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Directing the Voice-over Actor, Tips for Better Communication

By Vicki Amorose

Advice for directors and producers, written from the perspective of the voice-over actor. Intended to improve the recording session experience. Use this article as a crash course, or to tune up your directing skills. These tips apply to voice acting of all types. The terms voice-over actor/voice-over talent/talent/actor are used here interchangeably.

When you are in the director’s chair at a voice-over session, the process can sometimes become a struggle for both you and the talent.  You have a vision you need to share with the voice actor, a person who knows far less than you do about the product, message, or concept.  At the same time, you hired that actor to bring his or her own unique skills to the project.  Unlike the making of a film or a stage production, you do not have weeks to rehearse and analyze the script.  The studio clock is ticking and that alone adds an element of anxiety to the recording session.

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