Authentic Voice Academy is coming back!
Get on the waitlist now, and you'll be the first to know when it's released in fall 2025:
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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.
Class info:Â
Big news: Elissa has filmed a new version of Authentic Voice Academy! A new version of the course was live-recorded in New York City in July 2025, and the course will be available for sale in Fall 2025.
The course now consists of nine lessons, and course participants will have the opportunity to move through the recordings as a cohort each year, and meet with Elissa online for live Q&As and coaching.Â
Will there be homework?
Yes, you'll be held accountable to practice! But in fairness, the assignments are called âhome-play.â This is not busy work... many of the exercises and reflections will be things you can integrate into your daily schedule, and there will also be assignments to make and share some short videos. All assignments are designed to significantly improve your presence and confidence.
You can submit your home-play on the corresponding page of the course portal each week. Submit home-play and videos whenever you like, and Elissa or another Voice Body Connection Instructor will review it. We encourage you to engage - habits only change with consistent, repeated practice!
Class Curriculum
| Week/Date | Module & Details |
|---|---|
| âȘ WEEK 1 |
What do you want to say? > If you start with your body, youâll always know how you feel. On the first day of class, weâll review a process you can use to understand âyour truthâ so you can express it anytime. |
| âȘ WEEK 2 |
These are the habits that are keeping you stuck > What are your individual nervous system habits? Weâll go over a checklist to observe your eye focus, body language, breathing, vocal inflections, and ability to listen and connect. |
| âȘ WEEK 3 |
Your nerves arenât bad (An overview of the human nervous system) > We'll discuss polyvagal 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. |
| âȘ WEEK 4 |
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. |
| âȘ WEEK 5 |
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. |
| âȘ WEEK 6 |
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. |
| âȘ WEEK 7 |
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? |
| âȘ WEEK 8 |
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. |
| âȘ WEEK 9 |
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. |
| âȘ WEEK 10 |
Rehearsal day > A day for peer rehearsal and spotlight coaching on final projects. |
| âȘ WEEK 11 |
Sharing day and celebration! > Our final presentations! đ |
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 confident 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!
-Â 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 â 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.Â
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. đ€
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. đ±
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. đ
How much does it cost?
Class is one single payment of $799, or six monthly payments of $143.Â
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