BA MA LAMDA(Gold)
PERFORMANCE SKILLS
From Jane Oakshott MBE Voice and Performance Coach
Based in Leeds
Presentations and Public Speaking
Do you feel you lack confidence when presenting?
Do you know you tend to mumble or rush?
You’re not sure that you can be heard, or if people are really listening?
Do you feel you could do much better if only you knew how?
Being able to give a good presentation doesn’t come naturally to everyone, but there are three key skills that can be developed to help you get your message across effectively.
These three key skills are based on simple physiology and are easy to put into practice once you know:
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what works for you, and
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how to keep doing it!
Performance coaching speeds the process through objective and constructive feedback together with exercises and practice to develop awareness, confidence and capability.
By learning how to achieve these things you can be confident of giving an effective presentation. Every time.
"Jane has given me the confidence and tools to be a more effective communicator. Her sessions are fun and inspirational and I learn something new and useful every time we meet."
Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Finance, Leeds Beckett University
Advanced Presentation and Public Speaking Skills
Do you want to take your presentation skills to the next level?
You’re a good speaker, but you’d like to be brilliant at it?
Do you want to learn how to produce magic moments?
This is where you take communication skills far beyond the basics. Lift-off to new heights - and take your audience with you.
What makes you a moving and memorable presenter?
It's when your audience wants to listen. When you surprise and delight. When you make them laugh, cry, think. It's when your listeners feel excited, uplifted, inspired. It's when you make a difference.
Advanced skills are where presentation becomes an art; exciting for the audience and empowering for the speaker.
"With great kindness, Jane has taught me the life skills on how to preserve my voice and to control my breath. Furthermore, I am constantly learning how to get the best out of my voice for my profession."
Tessa Urquhart British English
e-Learning Voice-Over Specialist
Interview Skills
Do you leave job interviews feeling you didn't give your best?
That you didn't get your points across?
That you weren't able to present your best self?
Interviews should be a civilised two-way process, but nerves can turn the best candidate into a rabbit in the headlights.
Through simple exercises, techniques and practice, coaching can quickly help you:
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Deal with nerves
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Speak with clarity and confidence
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Listen properly to the questions
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Convey your ideas effectively
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Do yourself justice!
My methods take the sting out of interviews and help you re-frame the process positively, so you're able to present your real self, at your best.
"I landed the promotion I wanted! Your breathing exercises before each interview helped dramatically. Many thanks again for all your help and encouragement."
Audition Success Coaching
Do you need to improve your audition technique?
You worry that you're missing out on work because you're not prepared?
Do you feel you need to work more flexibly with a script?
Often you're called to auditions at quite short notice, so acting talent is only your starting point.
You will also need:
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Secure technique, to avoid sabotage by nerves
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To read intelligently, with very little preparation
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To bring out the style, pace, rhythms and structure of the script
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To look and sound professional, from greeting to parting handshake
Practice helps, but only when you're confident that you're getting it right!
My coaching has a success rate of over 90% both for drama school entry and professional jobs.
"Really gave me the confidence
and the accent I needed for
Kay Mellor's “The Syndicate”
auditions - and it was great fun.
Thank you!"
Actor Matthew Lewis, best known as Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films.
Voice for Teachers
Do you worry your voice is suffering from speaking for long periods of time?
Does it get hoarse, strangled, flat?
Do you worry about long term damage to your voice?
Teaching is one of the best jobs in the world, but it makes heavy demands on you and your voice. A tired or 'pushed' voice is draining for both teacher and pupils.
Recent research shows that a relaxed, lively voice delivers key benefits in the classroom, including:
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Smoother behaviour management
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Improved classroom environment
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Increased teacher wellbeing
A well-supported, expressive voice is easy to maintain for long periods of time, engaging to listen to, and easy to understand.
Through simple tips and exercises on:
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Relaxation, equilibrium and effective body language
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Jaw and neck relaxation
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Power breathing
you will discover how to maintain authority with ease, increase pupil engagement, improve learning outcomes, and keep your own energy and enjoyment levels up.
"Even after one session my student teacher's articulation was much clearer; the end of words didn’t fade away, and he used his voice to convey authority more clearly. Now there is also a greater degree of expression in his voice, and his classroom management is easier."
Catherine Willis, Participant Development Lead, Programme Delivery, Teach First
Leeds Voice Days
Practical and lively interactive workshops exploring the art and science of speaking.
Run jointly with Speech and Language Therapist Jo Donnelly, my quarterly Leeds Voice Days workshops offer the chance to develop and practise communication skills individually and in front of a group.
Our blend of scientific know-how and dramatic flair gives refreshing insights and is tailored to each participant’s aims and needs. Numbers are limited to ensure time for practice, feedback and discussion.
During the sessions, we help you to:
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Feel more confident: deal with nerves by finding techniques that work for you
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Speak clearly: with a variety of tone and pitch
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Project your voice: without strain, whatever the space
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Engage your listener(s)…so they want to keep listening
For further information, and details of the next workshop, please visit the website www.leedsvoicedays.com. For bookings, contact Jo Donnelly at leedsvoiceday@gmail.com.
"A fascinating, energising workshop with great practical tips - I loved how the advice was so clear and tailored to each individual.”
M.L. Language student, Leeds