Reading aloud--particularly poetry or children's tales--is a simple but effective way to practice vocal skills. You can focus on emphasizing or "popping" different words, varying your tone and volume, pausing for effect and more. And it's easier for you to focus on those skills when the text is both familiar and not your own. Here's a video of First Lady Michelle Obama reading "The Night Before Christmas" at a children's hospital this week to get you started.
You'll find another font of poetic inspiration and good read-aloud resources from Julie Andrews, who, with her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, has published Julie Andrews' Collection of Poems, Songs, and Lullabies
. You can hear them discussing the book and hear them recite poems here on this episode of NPR's Diane Rehm Show--audio will be available later today.The Eloquent Woman wishes you and your family and friends a wonderful holiday and a great new year ahead!
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