Kendy Gable is a Holistic Vocal Coach, a vocal teacher who works with singers of all levels in discovering and developing their voices. She strives for her work to go beyond the voice to consider the body, heart and mind. I met Kendy during a meeting of yoga and voice held in Berlin and instantly felt drawn to her warmth and energy. With her expert guidance my own voice awakening journey has begun with the focus on improving my breathe control for public speaking.
Kendy, what’s your story, what sparked your interest in this field?
I have been singing since I can remember. It’s one of the things that really shaped and defined my entire life. Singing and music were a part of every celebration and of every trying moment.
I believe that singing is a gift that all of us have been given, but to many people, somewhere along the line, they stopped singing. I want everyone to know the power that lies within their voice and help them to retrieve it.
Is there a career highlight you’d like to share?
When I was teaching in New York, I received a call from a woman with a very heavy Bronx accent. She was a retired navy nurse in her mid-60’s and had a dream of being in a musical. A community theater was staging Fiddler On The Roof and she wanted some help with the audition music. She told me she always wanted to sing, but had been discouraged as a child. When she sang she was filled with joy. We worked for a few months and one day I received a call that she received a part in the chorus of the musical. Her dream had come true. I was so happy to have been there during her journey.
What mistakes have you learnt from? – How do you change your struggles into strengths?
I am quite good at over scheduling myself. I have learned that when you are working with individuals it is not a good thing to take on too many students at once. It is important for me to plan and consider the needs all of my students before their lesson and if I am teaching too many students it is impossible to have the right amount of time to prepare. Learning to establish the conditions at the start of working with a studio, festival or individual is very important. This is one area where I am organising myself better and better with every new contract.
In light of the current situation…
What’s your biggest entrepreneurial/business/personal challenge?
My biggest challenges are staying focused and time management. I am sure I’m not alone with this! My son is 2.5 years old and I am also a professional musician. I am learning to schedule my day so that my family, Open Voice, my music career, and writing all get the amount of time that they deserve.
What do you do for encouragement or to keep you motivated?
I am always reading something inspiring or taking an online class that helps me broaden my knowledge. I just finished studying online with Berklee College of Music in Boston. I took an Integrative Music Therapy course that really sparked more passion for my work as a vocal teacher. Yoga and meditation also inspire me and keep me grounded. I utilize many of the philosophies and teachings in my approach to the voice. So in one word, learning!
What inspires you to get out of bed every day? -Do you follow a certain morning routine or daily schedule to maximise productivity and wellbeing?
For what inspires me to get out of bed everyday, may I answer, life in general? I’ve always been a morning person. No doubt this stems from being raised on a dairy farm where my parents get out of bed a 4:30 every morning. I rise with the sunshine, and am happy to do so. These days my morning routine involves many cuddles with my son, (Leonardo) breakfast all together, a short yoga practice and then a walk or activity with Leonardo. Since the corona virus outbreak, it is definitely difficult to stick to a routine, but it has been helpful to set goals. My husband and I are structuring our time to ensure that each of us gets proper physical exercise and a quiet moment to focus.
Before the outbreak, routines were still imperative for my husband and I to be able to maximize our working time. We are both freelancers and have learned that setting daily and weekly goals helps us to be the most productive we can be. This is also important because I want to make sure that he and I have time together and that we spend quality time with our son. Some days are more successful than others, but you learn that you can only do so much.
How do you balance business, family/friends and your wellbeing?
I am definitely still learning to balance. When I think I get into a good routine, something changes and we have to start all over again, but this is life and change is a good thing. Where the scale is mostly out of balance is with my wellbeing, but I’m learning that I don’t need to go to the yoga studio for a 90 minute class, a 15 minute Yoga with Adrienne https://m.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene puts me mentally, physically and emotionally in a good place.
What mantra do you live by?
Om Mani Padme Hum – a mantra of compassion and kindness. With everything I do, I hope that I am bringing some light to someone, somewhere in the world.
What advice would you give to other female entrepreneurs/small business owners?
Start small and find a select group of people who you trust and they will serve as your cheerleaders. I started to teach and develop and with each new student, another three would follow. Also, do something that you are passionate about and don’t be afraid to think outside of the box.
And finally
If you could travel in time what advice would you give your 20year old self.
So many things! ha! Travel more… But mostly, to stop being so apologetic. I lived my 20’s in a constant state of saying sorry and apologizing for myself. If I can give any advice to women in their 20’s it would be to stop doing just that. You are capable and amazing and you deserve to be heard.
What Podcasts do you listen to or inspire or learn from?
OnBeing is an unbelievable gift to all of us. This podcast is thoughtful, insightful, and inspirational. The conversations always leave me with wanting to love the world and life even more than I already do.
Poetry Unbound – a short podcast that is produced by OnBeing. It’s a lovely dose of poetry and story.
The Ted Interview – falls along the same lines as OnBeing. Again, filled with ideas and inspiration.
Join Kendy with her upcoming Prenatal Singing course starting May 19th
Connect with your voice to relax your body and mind and to deepen the bond with your baby through this holistic prenatal program. Singing nourishes you throughout your pregnancy, birth, and motherhood. With gentle physical exercises, breath work, relaxation exercises and singing you will learn a powerful practice that will stay with you throughout your entire life.
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