How To Practice Better

How coworking transformed my teaching - and why practice parties are my new norm

Me and my bestie during a coworking practice party

Back during the early days of lockdown, my business coach Michelle offered to host a virtual coworking session for our cohort.

I had never participated in or even really heard of such a thing, so I was excited and curious to try it out.

During the session, Michelle led us in a grounding/focusing meditation, guided us to set goals for the session and offered feedback and suggestions for folks who seemed stuck or unsure about what to tackle or how to approach a difficult task. She ran a timer for us, breaking the multi-hour session into segments of focused work. We took breaks to reconvene, review and assess progress as a group, and reset targets for the next chunk of working time - again, with guided feedback and suggestions, where appropriate.

During the session, I learned about the pomodoro technique (a silly name for those kitchen timers that look like a tomato - but basically, there’s a bunch of science and research behind how breaking work up into 25 minute segments is super efficient), and, I learned about the joys of coworking.

In terms of focus and accountability, it was SO helpful to sit with others who were also working on their own (often very different) stuff, and get some guided feedback.  It was also just interesting to hear what my long-distance colleagues were getting up to, and I found it inspiring, comforting, and motivating to get some insight into how others were tackling the challenges in their businesses.

During this same time, I had begun hosting weekly Warmup Wednesdays - a time for members of my voice studio community to gather online for a collective guided vocal warmup, and a moment of unity. It was a beacon of light and connection in a time that was oppressively isolating.

Also around this same time, a colleague of mine mentioned that she was hosting practice parties for her studio. Suddenly, it all clicked. I put it all together, and launched a new event - the The KLVS Studio Practice Party.

Look at all these beautiful faces!

In these virtual events, I combine all the best elements of that first coworking session with my Warmup Wednesdays. I lead the group in a guided warmup, tailored to who is there and what kind of music they’ll be working on that day. We share our individual goals for the session, and I offer tips and feedback to help refine students’ practicing process. I keep the timer, reconvene us for a check in, and lead participants in setting goals for the second working segment of the session.

I have come to love these events for the way that they cultivate community within the Studio and provide much needed accountability and space for practicing (myself included!). I also love how it inevitably shows folks that they are not alone, and that many singers have the same struggles and challenges that they do.

The next KLVS Studio Practice Party is this coming Thursday, May 29 from 5:00-6:30 EST. It’s online, so you can join from anywhere. (deets below). I have opened it up to the public, and would love to see you there! All you need is a device that connects to the internet, and some private space to make some noise.

Let’s get practicing - together. Sign up here

The KLVS Virtual Practice Party

5 spots available!

Join the KLVS community for a guided co-working practice session.

You've got stuff to practice - so let's get it done!

You will participate in a guided warmup (on mute - no worries!), followed by an instructor facilitated goal setting session. Then we will break into individual practice sessions (muted, and on or off camera, per your preference) with periodic group check ins to receive advice and support as needed.

A recording of the initial group warmup and goal setting segment will be provided after the event.

Cost: $39*

Book here!