How It Works
Authentic Voice Academy is the public speaking and personal speaking class where you'll learn how to change your habits so you can speak with confidence in your work and your life.
In most public speaking classes, you're simply given a few notes like "Slow down" or "Smile more," and then told to practice over and over.
This isn't effective. Tips and tricks are just going to make you feel more uncomfortable if you don't know how to implement them authentically.
The key to authenticity is understanding how to transform your nervous system. When you do, you can develop a powerfully magnetic presence.
In this class, you’ll learn how to build your presence, and you’ll have the tools to maintain your confidence and charisma into the future.
I'm Ready to Feel Confident
Class schedule:
Class is currently on hiatus in 2022.
However you're welcome to enroll in the course as an independent study student. We'll send you the recordings from 2021. When working through the course on independent study, you can submit your "home-play" and Elissa will review it and give you comments in the course portal. You are also eligible for office hours sessions with Elissa ($150 for thirty minutes).
Bonus:
When you enroll in class you'll get to repeat in the future for FREE when I next teach it live. In other words, once you enroll you can take class over and over again for as long as I offer it. (Plus I'll never take away your access to the recordings.)
Class Access
Access to class is in our online portal on Kajabi. The relevant links will be sent to you upon registration. Your access to the class recordings never expires... as long as we've got the internet, they're yours to keep!
Will there be homework?
Yes, you'll be held accountable to practice! But in fairness, the assignments are called “home-play.” This is not busy work... in fact, many of the exercises and reflections will be things you can integrate into your daily schedule. All assignments will significantly improve your presence and confidence.
Curriculum
Here’s the 2021 weekly curriculum:
| Week/Date | Module & Details |
|---|---|
| ✪ WEEK 1 Wed Sept 22 |
What do you want to say? > If you start with your body, you’ll always know how you feel. On the first day of class, we’ll review a process you can use to understand “your truth” so you can express it anytime. |
| ✪ WEEK 2 Wed Sept 29 |
These are the habits that are keeping you stuck > What are your individual nervous system habits? We’ll go over a checklist to observe your eye focus, body language, breathing, vocal inflections, and ability to listen and connect. |
| ✪ WEEK 3 Wed Oct 6 |
Your nerves aren’t bad (An overview of the human nervous system) > We'll discuss poly-vagal theory as a lens for understanding our human nervous system, and practice mindfulness and breathing techniques to be sure that we know how to find our way back to a regulated state before we turn on the camera. |
| ✪ WEEK 4 Wed Oct 13 |
How to shift the paradigm > Today's lesson will blow your mind. We'll explore new way of understanding presence, and how to achieve it at any time. Plus you'll get to know your audience better by naming your camera based on a favorite customer so that you've always got a sense of who you're connecting to. |
| ✪ WEEK 5 Wed Oct 20 |
Free your body language > Your body is your voice and your voice is your body. So we'll focus on how to be fully embodied every time you share your voice. You'll learn powerful, repeatable exercises and how to be sure you're using intentional gestures. |
| ✪ WEEK 6 Wed Oct 27 |
Free your voice > We run into trouble when we're stuck in a vocal pattern. The antidote? To let every thought have its own energy. We'll do some ridiculously fun exercises to help you understand how. |
| ✪ WEEK 7 Wed Nov 3 |
Clarify your message > If your audience doesn't get your message, there's no point in having spoken at all. So today we'll focus on content... what are you saying, and how can you be sure that it lands? |
| ✪ WEEK 8 Wed Nov 10 |
How to work on a project > This is where we start to bring it all together. What is the impact you want to have in the world? We'll choose the first (or next) step of your big mission as the project for the rest of class. |
| ✪ WEEK 9 Wed Nov 17 |
How to memorize without turning into a robot
> Ooh this can be the hard part! How do you memorize what you're saying without turning into a zombie robot? We'll explore more neuroscience to hack how you can keep yourself fully present while remembering what you want to say. |
| ✪ WEEK 10 Wed Dec 1 |
Rehearsal day > A day for peer rehearsal and spotlight coaching on final projects. |
| ✪ WEEK 11 Wed Dec 8 |
Sharing day and celebration! > Our final presentations! 🎉 |
Success Stories
“I needed to move my business forward, and I realized videos were my most important tool. However, even though I was doing them, I knew there were so many things that weren't right. I just had no idea how to fix them. I thought I had to record a lot, and it would all get better. But I had great days and not so good days, so it was kind of a rollercoaster ride.
Now after taking the course, I feel like I'm in control. I actually prepare myself (I've never done that before!). I review the script and I prepare my mind and my body. For instance, I had the huge task to do an open-cart video. So I got my act together and applied all I had learned in the course in one afternoon... I wrote my script (5.5 mins), memorized using course techniques, and did 2 trials with my mobile phone.
I prepared my body, my mind and looked for the best tone. I wanted to record all at once, but I kept losing pace or energy. So I recorded in 5 pieces, one minute each. I did about 4 takes on each part. The whole process from script writing to finish recording took less than 2 hours. And given that this was probably my most important video of the whole year, I couldn't be happier!!”
- Eszter, Founder of Jump Start Your School, Spain
Since taking class, I have so much more ease on camera. I've worked on my eye contact, my gestures, and being able to explain things with more vocal inflection. That last one especially is huge for me.... It’s so easy to get stuck in monotone.
Overall I've just become more comfortable. Through all the exercises and everything we’ve done for home-play, I've established better boundaries. I have the tools to record my own videos, and to have confident conversations online!
- Steve, Contractor and Online Course Creator, Idaho
Before taking this course I was struggling with recording teachings without a live audience. Now I can do so with more ease and a greater understanding of presence. It helped me get started and I look forward to what the future holds. Thank you!
- Joelle, Pastor, Colorado
Still green but enthusiastic to continue developing my skills. I feel like I am about to find my way into being authentic on camera I just need more practice. My life has improved in many ways but I recognize that I am more aware than ever if I am operating from a non- authentic behavior pattern that may have been a defense mechanism that served me in earlier life. I am quicker to notice and make the shift. Really love the moment before and am trying to implement that beyond the camera.
I am more confidant and am reclaiming my relationship with my body and self. This is creating a new enthusiasm for my gifts and I am conjuring triumph for 2021. Onward, Upward, Inward!
- Billie, Consumer Packaged Goods Creator, California
I was super impressed with every single word that was shared. The entire program and organization are incredible. This is much more than just a public speaking class, what is taught is important knowledge everyone can benefit from. I've used what I have learned in my artist talks and received so much positive feedback. 100% due to the program!
The moment before exercise will stick with me forever — breathing out, smiling, making eye contact... In any situation, if you start grounded, it sets up everything. This is just the tip of the iceberg for me. Still a long way to go.
- Debra, Visual Artist, California
Hi I'm Elissa...
I love presenting in front of others and being on camera. But it wasn't always that way.
Back when I first started taking "Acting for the Camera" classes during my theatre degree, I felt stiff and wooden in front of the lens. Kinda like I was a robot. 🤖
And give a presentation? I'd overdo it with my enthusiasm. I could play a character, sure, but being myself in front of other people was scary. 😱
Then I started learning about the human nervous system, and how it can be re-wired. I started re-wiring mine. Now I love speaking in front of other people. And I want to show you how to love it too. 💗
ENROLL TODAY!How much does it cost?
Enroll in class for a single payment of $799, or six monthly payments of $143.
CLICK TO ENROLL TODAY!
Office hours:
You also have the option to purchase additional office hours ($150 for 30 minutes) to practice speaking one on one with Elissa.
Scholarships:
BIPOC folx get a 30% discount on class + we also do low-tuition economic scale scholarships for those in developing countries. Please write to us at [email protected] for more information.
