The Power of Voice: A Guide to Making Yourself Heard by legendary Hollywood voice, speech and dialect coach Denise Woods invites readers on an uplifting journey of vocal empowerment and reveals accessible strategies for developing a beautiful speaking voice infused with personality. Addressing critical elements of relaxation, breath, voice, articulation and communication, Woods's debut offers tips to resolve everyday voice concerns, such as mumbling; provides a comprehensive public speaking guide; and shares the intriguing vocal transformation stories of celebrity clients such as Halle Berry, Jessica Chastain and broadcast journalist Soledad O'Brien.
A trailblazing Juilliard drama school alum and faculty member, Woods believes each person's voice can be trained accurately to reflect their authentic, individual self. The author's speaking style pays tribute to her African heritage, South Carolina roots and New York upbringing. Still, a successful 30-year teaching career did not protect Woods from being judged by her gender and skin color. As such, she took great pleasure in disorienting people with her charismatic, crisply articulate voice, what she calls her "superpower."
In The Power of Voice, the author encourages readers to develop their own superpower through daily vocal workouts and exercises for clearing the voice of distractions and synchronizing the physical self. In the case of Academy Award-winning actor Mahershala Ali, of Green Book and True Detective fame, for example, Woods helped him develop a more nuanced vocal timbre through adjustments in body language.
Readers familiar with the frustration of being stereotyped will find a new freedom in enhancing their speech. As Woods passionately declares to her reading audience, "Let the world hear your light!" --Shahina Piyarali, reviewer