We were lucky to catch up with Linda Glick recently and have shared our conversation below.
Linda, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I think singing, acting (using my voice) and speaking up for others started when I was quite young, in Elementary School. I got leads in school and camp productions, was voted President of my Jr. HS…but was actually very shy inside.
I had loving and protective, but very fearful parents.
I longed to major and then go forward for a career in Theater but they would have none of it, worrying about security.
I was accepted at the HS of Music and Art, but they were against my attending as it meant 2 long train rides from where I grew up in Forest Hills to Manhattan’s Upper West Side.
I did, however, get the chance to attend Juilliard Prep as a 12 year old.
I attended Skidmore College for 2 years and got into the exclusive a cappella singing group, the Sonneteers. Tough decision, but I didn’t return to Skidmore, choosing instead to come back to NYC and Columbia University. As a way to make a living,
I wound up teaching French and Spanish, getting my Master’s at Columbia, all the while fixated on singing and acting. I was a great, innovative teacher but it wasn’t where I belonged. I worked so hard, tutoring after teaching and weekends to save money for classes in Voice and Acting.
Then, I started to go to small Cabaret Rooms in the city to ‘learn the ropes’. I took the mike at a few places and was asked one night to replace an owner who sang in foreign languages. Amazingly, that’s where my International backing came from!! I quit my ‘day job’ with 5 years left to get tenure and never looked back! I wanted it SO badly. It took tons of persistence, but I did it.
My resiliance came from doing show after show, learning as I went. Sometimes to a packed room, sometimes to 5 people. I looked at them all as Dress Rehearsals…on the job training . Stood me in GREAT stead for the 5,000-6,000 seat audiences.
I think my OPTIMISM innately came from my father, an artist. He had a pretty sunny disposition and would point out beauty to me on our walks together, in archtecture, nature’s colors and through his great sense of humor. Ididn’t know it while he was alive, but after he died I found all my reviews in a packet that he carried with him in his jacket.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As an outgrowth of my experience in Show Business, I created my business, OPTIMIZE YOUR VOICE. I LOVE working with the Voice. I am passionate about the voice. I am not a voice therapist, but I continue to study Vocal Pedagogy to stretch my know-how and knowledge.
I coach Execs and Artists to master their voices; how to speak concisely with resonance, character and confidence.
Your ‘aural imprint’ is so very important. It’s one of the first impressions you make and it either fascinates or falters.
This was such a natural, next step for me.
I feel many people sell themselves short in the Voice Department.
I work a lot with lawyers, Hedge Fund executives, doctors and entrepreneurs. Their goals are all individual, but we are always working to develop a compelling, relaxed voice…free of tension and poor vocal habits.
The most exciting thing for me is to bear witness to when a client successfully achieves their specific goals: different for everyone. It’s not a one size fits all program.
EXs: •Lawyer who wanted to speak in a lower, more authoritative register. CHECK.
• TV personality who wanted to rid her speech of empty ‘filler words.’ (um, like, you know, etc.) CHECK
• MD needed to adapt a more authoritative tone for his residents and medical students. CHECK
NEW LAUNCH for Associate Lawyers who want to make Partner and know their Speaking Skills are holding them back; not being noticed or taken seriously enough.
AND…I’ve been collaborating on a brand new solo show, “BETWEEN US” . My Director calls it a ‘memory play, musicalized..
This one is for me! I love every song in it; heavy on French, Spanish and even (gasp!) Russian! And original songs too. All pulled together with an autobiographical script. Great storytelling, hilarity and heartbreak.
curated over 3 years, as Covid was receding. Still in process. Details TBD.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three qualities/skills most impactful in my journey: 1. Patience 2. Passion
3. Persistence
ADVICE
• Get as much knowledge and tips from the ‘old timers’ as well as accomplished contemporaries re: skills, attitudes.
• Find a mentor, if possible.
• BREATHE. From the belly. Take time to dream!
• Know what you WANT and WHY you want it.
• Don’t be afraid of hard work.
TIPS
• Pause. Do NOT be a Rushing Randy or Plodding Penelope (pace). Find a good balance.
• Don’t make a question out of a sentence. Ie: Don’t raise your voice (pitch) as if you are asking a question. Perceived as insecure, timid, indecisive.
• Watch out for ‘disappearing’ at the ends of your phrases. Keep the energy and tone going to the end of what you are saying. Otherwise, heard as weak, not credible.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I would definitely partner or collaborate on Zoom and offer a Training, Workshop or Webinar to a combined audience with similar challenges.
To connect with me:
www.optimizeyourvoice.training
Please fill out the grid and submit your info, email.
Also, DM me on Facebook or LinkedIN.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.lindaglick.com www.optimizeyourvoice.training
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/lindajglick/?hl=en
- Facebook: facebook.com/lindaglick.12/lindaglickprofessional
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/lindaglick
- Youtube: Linda Glick@lindaglick
Image Credits
Jonathan Slaff Anthony Robert Grasso
