Release Your Voice
The online course to help you release muscle tension and overcome vocal fatigue.
Is muscle tension blocking your voice?
If youâve been experiencing ongoing vocal fatigue or dealing with long-term muscle tension, chances are itâs limiting your voice use. You may feel like you have to give up singing, stop attending social gatherings, or even change your career.
When you donât trust your voice - and especially when it hurts to make sound - it can deeply affect the choices that you make, and your overall happiness.
THEREâS SOME GOOD NEWS, THOUGH:
If your voice issues are related to muscle tension,
there are extremely effective exercises and practices to help you recover your vocal power.
Hi, Iâm Elissa.
Vocal tension caught up with me in 2007.
I was in my final semester of my theatre degree - in class all day, in rehearsal all evening, and some nights I was singing with my a cappella group until midnight. I knew I was pushing, but I thought I was invincible.
Then, one morning after an a cappella weekend retreat, I woke up and could barely whisper. It felt like I had shards of glass in my throat, and it hurt to swallow.
I went to a laryngologist who scoped my vocal folds, and told me there were signs that I had experienced a vocal hemorrhage, acid reflux, and "vocal trauma." Otherwise, they said my vocal cords looked fine (as in, there was no other visible pathology on my folds). I was put on vocal rest, and sent to speech therapy.
I had been planning to move to New York and audition for Broadway shows, but...
When my voice loss event happened, my plans to become a Broadway performer went poof.đ¨
Instead, I became a sleuth. I learned everything I could about the human voice. I had to heal mine.
On my long and circuitous path to healing, I finally encountered the phrase: âMUSCLE TENSION DYSPHONIA.â
This was a huge aha moment. It could be tension that was keeping me stuck! I knew for sure that I was often pushing to make sound, so it made sense that could be creating more fatigue. No wonder I felt like I had so little vocal stamina! With my new knowledge, I finally understood how to seek out truly helpful information...Â
I delved into world of speech science, and also theatre voice technique, singing pedagogy, yoga, anatomy & physiology, and the study of the human nervous system.Â
Itâs now been nearly 20 years since I lost my voice. I've learned so much, I've implemented techniques that really work, and now my stamina and vocal quality are as strong as theyâve ever been. Iâm also singing and performing again!
I have so much that I'd love to share with you about how I healed my voice.
WELCOME TO
Release Your Voice!
 THE LEARNING STARTS   RIGHT NOWâŚÂ
 I say this phrase over and over in class:Â
âHOW you do an exercise is even more important than WHAT youâre doing...â
Let me explain...
I can - and will - teach you a lot of exercises in this class. Exercises to release tension in your belly, your back, your shoulders, your neck, your jaw, your tongue, your articulatorsâŚ
But if you rush through these exercises without presenceâŚÂ
If you practice them while stressedâŚ
If you do them all day long because you think youâll be able to fix the problem fasterâŚ
âŚI hate to break it to you, but youâll be reinforcing the problem rather than truly addressing it.
The exercises are the WHAT...
...and your nervous system state is the HOW.
So! In the introduction of class, before we even start learning any specific exercises, weâre going to learn about our nervous system state, how to gain more agency over it, and how to shift it.Â
In other words, before we do any of the work to âfixâ ourselves, weâll start by letting our system know that itâs safe. That weâre here to help now. That healing is possible.Â
In this class, we'll heal our voice...
Physiologically
Mentally
Emotionally
Spiritually
Lauren
TEACHER AND UNION LEADER, MINNESOTA
Before starting this class, I fought my voice to try to make it better and was only measuring progress by how I sounded. I wasn't aware of how my body felt or the tension I was creating. Now, Iâm surprised that I am okay with my voice still not sounding "good enough" to sing a song in a performance. Merely vocalizing in a way that feels good to me is satisfying and sometimes leads to a good song-singing session, depending on the day. I'm being very kind to my voice and appreciating what it can do now, understanding that performance is not the end-all. I regard my voice with kindness and gentleness, which has trickled into how I'm treating my overall self. My speaking voice projects much better and does not get tired or worn out, even though I speak through a mask all day. I allow my voice to sit at a higher register, which feels more natural to me, even when I must speak authoritatively in high-stakes negotiations situations. My life has improved in that I am noticing my body and how it feels in different situations, taking a moment to adjust and give my body what it needs in the moment. This is huge.
The Logistics
 18 CORE LESSONS   90 MINUTES EACH.Â
The class is robust, with 18 core lessons, which are 90 minutes each. This structure allows us time to do the powerful, slow work that it really takes to heal. True progress looks like five steps forward, two steps back... twelve steps forward, seventeen steps back. Weâve got time for it. We also have 5 interactive lab sessions, where you can ask questions and receive coaching directly from me.Â
Class is fully online. We meet on Zoom, for class on Wednesdays from 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time, and labs on select Fridays from 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time.Â
Live attendance is encouraged, but if you canât make it to class, all sessions are recorded.  I will never take away your access to the recordings. This year, we'll spend some class time in breakout rooms so you can develop deeper relationships with your classmates and hear their stories. Breakout rooms will not be recorded. If you can't attend class live, there will also be opportunities to connect with each other in our course portal. Please know that every time I teach this class, over half the students participate asynchronously, so youâll be in good company in the course portal.
There is home-work, but I like to call it home-play. Itâs never busy work. Itâs an opportunity to reflect on your journey with your voice, practice the exercises we learn, and share about your progress. You can share your home-play in the course portal, and also bring your learnings and reflections to class.
THE SCHEDULE AND CURRICULUM
 Free Intro Class - Wednesday, February 11th
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Open to all  Register here
INTRO MODULE
Class 1 - Wednesday, February 18th
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Itâs a big deal to doubt your voice
In our first lesson, weâll address the emotionality of voice challenges, and why reclaiming our voice is important. Weâll set the tone with meditation and anxiety-reducing techniques, and important theory about habit-change.
Class 2 - Wednesday, February 25th
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Tuning your nervous system for presence & ease
In this second session, weâll cover nervous system science, including Polyvagal Theory. You'll be given the tools to create a map of your own nervous system, which can allow you to approach your vocal healing with more compassion, patience, and acceptance.
Class 3 - Wednesday, March 4th
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
A guide to navigating the clinical world, with Melanie Tapson
Today our beloved resident Speech-Language Pathologist, Melanie Tapson, joins as our guest instructor. She'll cover when itâs important to head to the doctor or SLP, important information you need to advocate for yourself, and the best questions to ask your clinicians.
Class 4 - Wednesday, March 11th
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Identifying your vocal habits
Today weâll cover some of the most common vocal habits that can exacerbate tension. These include: glottal onsets, vocal fry, forward head posture, and more. Weâll also have a conversation about how your overall wellness affects your voice.
Lab 1 - Friday March 13th
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Q&A and coaching on your nervous system state and vocal habits
BREATHING & ALIGNMENT MODULE
Class 5 -Â Wednesday, March 18th
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
What, really, is breath support?
Hint: it's more than "breathing with your diaphragm!" Today, we'll go on an anatomical journey from the pelvic floor to the larynx, and everything in between and beyond, in order to understand optimal breath support for making sound.
Class 6 -Â Wednesday, March 25th
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Discovering an easy inhalation
An effortful inhalation is one of the primary reasons many peopleâs voices remain riddled with tension. Today weâll cover how to inhale without excess muscular engagement. This day of class is a major aha for lots of students!
Class 7 -Â Wednesday, April 1st
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Alignment: Balancing release & effort
Today we'll talk about posture and movement, and how we can exert the effort it takes to make sound, without accumulating excess tension. We'll also discuss various forms of fitness and activity, and how to engage in them without hurting your voice.Â
 Lab 2 - Friday, April 3rd
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Q&A and coaching on your breathing and alignment patterns
TENSION RELEASEÂ MODULE
Class 8 - Wednesday, April 8th
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Tension in the shoulders and chest
On our first day of tension release and movement work, weâll focus on releasing tension in an incredibly important, often very tight zone: the shoulders and the chest. For our anatomy geeks, the specific muscles we'll address include: trapezius, levator scapula, splenius, subclavius, and rhomboids.
Class 9 - Wednesday, April 15th
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Tension in the neck
We'll explore all sides of the neck (so many muscles!) so you can discern your own personal patterns of tension in this region. Specific muscles we'll address include: sternocleidomastoid, scalenes, sub-occiptals, erector spinae, platysma, and the many strap muscles around the larynx.
Class 10Â - Wednesday, April 22nd
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Tension in the jaw
So many of us deal with jaw tension! Whether you grind and clench at night or over-exert your jaw during speaking, these exercises will help you release excess jaw tension. Specific muscles we'll address include: masseter, temporalis, pterygoids, digastric.
Class 11 - Wednesday, April 29th
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Tension in the vocal cords
Todayâs the day we visit the area around the vocal cords (aka vocal folds) themselves! Youâll learn various versions of laryngeal massage that can help you release tension at the epicenter of your issue, and we'll explore the anatomy of the larynx itself. (I'll talk you through the important anatomy then đ)
Class 12 - Wednesday, May 6th
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Tension in the tongue
Did you know the human tongue is made up of eight different muscles?! Explains why tongue tension is extremely common, and surprisingly difficult to overcome! Today weâll focus on releasing tension in the body and root of the tongue.Â
 Lab 3 - Friday, May 8th
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Q&A and coaching on your tension patterns
RESONANCE & ARTICULATIONÂ MODULE
Class 13 - Wednesday, May 13th
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Resonance: Vocal power with less effort
Resonance may be the most esoteric aspect of voice work. Yet, youâll be happy to know, it basically has to do with changing the shape of your vocal tract! In this lesson, weâll do a full-body exploration to help transform the quality of your sound, so you can make a more powerful sound with less work.
Class 14 -Â Wednesday, May 20th
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Articulation: Clearer speech with less effort
Weâve now reached the speech part of voice & speech, and it's fascinating! You'll learn how articulators make sound, and how to do so with less effort and more ease. We'll also practice with text, especially the talking that many of us have to do everyday.
Class 15 - Wednesday, May 27th
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Enhanced techniques for tension release, resonance, and articulation, with David Ley
David Ley is the founder of Vibrant Voice Technique, utilizing external vibration (aka vibrators) to release vocal tension and enhance resonance. David will take charge for the day to help us super-charge everything we've learned so far, by adding vibration.
 Lab 4 - Friday, May 29th
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Q&A and coaching on resonance and articulation
APPLICATIONS MODULE
Class 16 - Wednesday, June 3rd
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Ongoing vocal health and medical interventions, with Dr. Reena Gupta
On this day, we'll welcome our resident laryngologist, Dr. Reena Gupta, for a session about what to do moving forward when you encounter vocal health issues or need to have your vocal cords scoped.
Lab 5Â -Â Friday, June 5th
  12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Q&A and coaching on all aspects of class
No class Wednesday June 10th
Class 17Â -Â Wednesday, June 17th
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Singing day
We'll apply our new vocal health habits to varied styles of singing, to be sure sound production in every genre can be done with ease. Bring a song if you'd like to receive coaching!
Class 18 -Â Wednesday, June 24th
 12:00pm-1:30pm Eastern Time
Celebration!
Weâll share with each other, weâll sing, and weâll reinforce what weâve learned over the course.
Natasha
VOICEOVER TALENT, LOS ANGELES
Working with my voice everyday, I've taken it for granted. Over the past couple of years, acid reflux and anxiety have gotten in the way of smooth and consistent voiceover performance. The busier my business has become, the more important it has been to understand my voice. Through this class, I now understand what I need to do to find consistent vocal health. I can see that a daily, lifelong practice of learning about my own idiosyncrasies will be tremendously beneficial for longevity in my career.
Lindsay
SINGING TEACHER, UK
After taking this class, I felt a mental 'letting go' (which led to a physical letting go), and a lot more patience and acceptance for my voice and my 'rate of practise'. What I learned in class seems to have let me play with my voice for the first time in years. Iâm able to explore sound, particularly vibration, as opposed to drilling songs & exercises. I certainly feel a lot more patience for myself and my voice right now and I think I have taken a lot of pressure off of my voice and myself. I feel like my voice and I are more of a team than we were before and I feel like we can have fun again.
INVESTMENT
Sale extended through Tuesday, March 3rd:
Full price: $1, 399 USD
6 payments of $249 USD/month
$1,199USD
-or-
Pay $29 today to begin a 7-day trial,
Then continue at $199/month for 6 months.
Cancel anytime before the trial ends to avoid future charges.
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
 18 core lessons with Elissa and guest instructorsÂ
 5 interactive lab sessions
 Live & recorded access to all course material (access does not expire)
 Review of 'home-play' assignments
  Breakout rooms to connect with others who are also experiencing vocal challenges
 BONUS:
Once you're a student in Release Your Voice, you can take part in future annual cohorts for no additional course fee.
We offer a discount for BIPOC folks, as well as artist and economic scale scholarships. Please read the FAQs below for information.
Do you need to go see a doctor first?
 IMPORTANT!
Elissa is a voice coach, not a clinician.
This class is not meant to replace clinical treatment, nor is Elissa qualified to diagnose or advise on medical conditions. The course is offered for educational purposes only, and to share tools and techniques that may help you release vocal tension.
If you are concerned about whether you should participate in this course, if you have had a sudden change in your voice, or if youâve been hoarse for more than 2 weeks, please consult a voice clinician before enrolling in this course. You can reach out to our partner clinicians Dr. Reena Gupta (in Los Angeles) or Melanie Tapson (in Toronto), or if youâre in the U.S., you can use this tool, created by Johns Hopkins, to find a voice professional in your area. If youâre searching on your own, please be sure to find a laryngologist (specializes in the throat) as opposed to a general E.N.T.
Lisa
REGISTRAR, COLORADO
Before I started class, my relationship with my voice was horrible. I thought about it constantly - it was literally ruining my life. I couldn't stop it, and I had little hope for a normal life. My muscles were a mess and overall- I was a mess. I now have a much healthier relationship with my voice although this is still a work in progress. My voice and I are more at peace. My voice and my thoughts regarding my voice are not running my life. My voice quality has improved. It is smoother, not as strained. It doesn't fail me as often. I am not going around wondering all the time if "it" is going to happen. My life has improved dramatically. đÂ
INSTRUCTORS
Elissa Maas Weinzimmer
VOCAL HEALTH EDUCATOR |Â FOUNDER OF VOICE BODY CONNECTION
Â
Elissa Maas Weinzimmer is a vocal health educator, presence coach, and the founder of Voice Body Connection. After suddenly losing her voice at age 21 due to a vocal hemorrhage, severe onset of acid reflux, and muscle tension dysphonia, Elissa began studying the mechanics of the human voice. Over time she developed a unique, concrete approach that empowers performers, leaders, and speakers to optimize their voices and share them more authentically. Elissa's clients include Broadway stars, politicians, and CEOs.
Dr. Reena Gupta
RESIDENT LARYNGOLOGIST
Reena Gupta MDÂ is a laryngologist (voice doctor and surgeon) and founder of Center for Vocal Health. She completed her residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at NYU and then did an additional year-long fellowship in Laryngology/Care of the Professional Voice. Dr. Gupta opened Center for Vocal Health as the first Laryngologist-led private voice center in Southern California. Dr. Gupta is published in numerous journals and textbooks and presents on vocal health topics locally and internationally.
Melanie Tapson
RESIDENT SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Melanie Tapson is a professional singer, Singing Voice Specialist, and Speech-Language Pathologist based in Toronto, Canada. Her practice is specifically focused on voice assessment and therapy for professional voice users and performers. Melanieâs superpower is diving deep into clinical voice research and then translating it into fun, approachable language. She regularly gives workshops to voice users, voice teachers, and fellows SLPs around the globe.
David Ley
VIBRANT VOICE TECHNIQUEÂ FOUNDER
David Ley holds an MFA in performance from York University with a diploma in Voice Teaching. He is a Professor in the Drama Department at the University of Alberta where he teaches Voice and Speech, Dialects, and Acting. David has extensive experience in private practice teaching vocal skills to a wide array of professional voice users from schoolteachers to politicians and has taught many voice workshops both across Canada and abroad.
 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSÂ
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS THAT I HAVE MUSCLE TENSION ISSUES WITH MY VOICE?
WHEN WOULD YOU RECOMMEND I GO TO A SPECIALIST?
WHAT KINDS OF RESULTS HAVE YOUR STUDENTS EXPERIENCED?
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO PRACTICE THE EXERCISES & TECHNIQUES IN ORDER TO SEE AND FEEL RESULTS?
HOW QUICKLY CAN I EXPECT TO SEE RESULTS?
ELISSA, HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU RECOVER FROM YOUR MUSCLE TENSION ISSUES? HOW MANY HOURS PER WEEK DID YOU DEDICATE TO YOUR RECOVERY?
WILL ELISSA BE ASSESSING MY PROGRESS THROUGHOUT THE COURSE?
WILL I RECEIVE A CERTIFICATION AT THE END OF THE COURSE?
ARE THERE DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE?
Luis
SALES MANAGER, WISCONSIN
Eight years ago I was in a really challenging place in my career. My businesses were struggling and I was extremely stressed. And I started to notice tightness in my neck and a change in the sound of my voice. My voice issues continued to get worse but I didnât know what to do about them. I was both grateful and frustrated when a voice clinician finally diagnosed me with muscle tension dysphonia. I started searching on youtube and found Elissaâs videos. Even the things she was recommending for free were amazing and helping me. So I bit the bullet and purchased enrollment in Release Your Voice.
One of my biggest realizations since starting class has been that even before my acute voice issues started, I was experiencing tightness in my neck. I remember having it as a kid and in high school. My nervous system really does have imprints, as Elissa says, and whenever I come across a stressful situation I have a habit of tightening my neck and holding my breath. These memories are helping me understand that my diagnosis of MTD is not just a purely physical issue. I realize that the work to heal my voice is going to be as much mental as physical.
So thatâs what strikes me most about the approach in Release Your Voice... itâs giving me the tools to work on my voice physically, but also to work on my mindset. I havenât found this approach anywhere else, and Iâve looked! All the steps are in the right place in this class, and Iâm so grateful to be getting the help that Iâve really needed.
Mike
TRUCK DRIVER AND MARTIAL ARTIST, NEW YORK
I went through radiation. My voice was normal but then about two years later, I started sounding like Mickey Mouse. I went to tons of clinicians⌠ENT's, swallowing specialists, and speech pathologists. Their general thinking was that as soon as I started to 'plateau' during the sessions, they would say weâd done as much as we could. But I knew I could heal my voice more.
My wife found Elissaâs work and told me I needed to check out her Release Your Voice course. Reading the description really got my attention... I felt that I had finally found someone out there who understood! And sure enough the class has taught me exercises that no one, and I mean no one, ever showed me before! I have never experienced this deep type of training.
Now I no longer get winded anymore when Iâm expressing myself. And Iâm finally finding that I still have strength in my voice after talking over loud background sounds and noises. I can even sing to myself and not get hoarse later on! It is truly a gift. I am so, so grateful for this course.
Mira
SINGER, LEBANON
After a traumatic event, I started having unexplainable laryngitis that affected the strength and flexibility of my voice. I started doubting myself and my voice, and that affected my whole career as a singer. I did everything I could, from medical tests to therapy, but nothing worked for me. Being a professional singer my voice is my main element in career and life. One day I surfed the net looking for an explanation, and there were I found Elissa! Her story was so similar to mine, so I enrolled in her course. That's where the journey of self expansion, self compassion, self knowledge (specifically around my body, mind, and voice connection) started. Iâve attended the class now for 2 years in a row, and it is just a blessing.  My learning is so rich in discovery, learnings, assimilation, and application. Elissa has created a process, and put everything we need from A to Z to move towards releasing our vocal tension. Today my relationship with my voice is based on openness, groundedness, acceptance, flow, and release.Â
Lisa
REGISTRAR, COLORADO
Before I started class, my relationship with my voice was horrible. I thought about it constantly - it was literally ruining my life. I couldn't stop it, and I had little hope for a normal life. My muscles were a mess and overall- I was a mess. I now have a much healthier relationship with my voice although this is still a work in progress. My voice and I are more at peace. My voice and my thoughts regarding my voice are not running my life. My voice quality has improved. It is smoother, not as strained. It doesn't fail me as often. I am not going around wondering all the time if "it" is going to happen. My life has improved dramatically. đÂ
Ai
ENGLISH TEACHER, JAPAN
Before I found this class, I was in the state where I didn't know what was happening to my voice, nor how to properly take care of it. I had a number of voice issues throughout the year, and I got to the point that I couldn't fully recover from vocal inflammation even after a month. I was devastated as I felt that I had damaged my voice permanently. I was in despair because I couldn't see how I would be able to continue my career as a teacher and a singer with a damaged voice. My voice was something I was proud of and it was attached to my identity so deeply, yet I could neither trust nor rely on my voice any more. I lost my desire to speak and sing because it was physically painful to do so. I never expected I would cry this much.
This course helped me to see the aspects of my life that I never knew existed, yet I needed to see in order to move forward. I am now really grateful that I have gone through this journey as I feel like I am a different person, in a very good way! I have now reached a state where I don't even feel I have MTD anymore. With all the exercises I do regularly, I am pain-free almost all of the time. I don't think about my throat so much anymore and I can completely focus on my joy and passion for teaching and singing. This is really amazing!!
I am also much kinder to my voice after all the learning I did through this course. I try not to push my voice all the time, drink a lot of water, give my voice plenty of rest, and do my vocal care routine regularly.I now not only managed to release my voice from MTD but also know how to properly take care of my voice so that I don't cause the same issue, all thanks to this fantastic course!
Andrea
SINGER AND SINGING TEACHER, MEXICO
Within just the first 5 sessions, I started to feel that I had control of my voice, and I started to understand that there was a deeper relationship between my voice and body.
Sally
VOICE TEACHER, CALIFORNIA
Fatigue issues and age seemed to be effecting my range and ability to sustain notes. In the last several years I began selecting repertoire to show off nuance and expression rather than the power, range, and beauty I used to have. I would never have guessed that tension in my neck, shoulders, throat, and tongue was effecting my singing. I took the class thinking that my voice was the best it could be, but that I would learn something to help my voice students. I was drawn to Elissa because she talked about "speaking your truth,"Â a perfectly timed message for me from the universe. So I was surprised and over the moon to have the improvement in my voice that I have had. Now, my voice and I feel younger and excited to sing. My voice and I just want to have fun! Life changing!!
Your Voice Deserves to Be Heard â Start Your Journey Today
Over 18 lessons, 5 live labs, and a community of supportive students await you. Release tension, reclaim confidence, and make your voice effortless again.
Enroll Now & Reclaim Your Voice