It occurred to me as I was working with one of my uber-talented singers yesterday, that these terminologies of "voice" especially within music theatre have begun to micro-manage the voice, or at least try to.

Terminology is thrown around without real understanding of what it MEANS.  In music theatre, it becomes ridiculously so, to the detriment of the singer. 

What if we were just concerned about singing with OUR OWN VOICES and concerned with presenting what WE do well instead of mimicking/imitating a voice that has come before? What has happened with rejoicing in the INDIVIDUALITY of voice?

This takes KNOWLEDGE AND GUTS.  Go get some of BOTH!!!

Head voice/chest voice/mix has to do with resonators.  Where does the voice primarily vibrate? If ALL the resonators remain open, the voice can find the optimum resonance no matter what.  The entire voice should be "mixed" - in other words, accessible to all resonators.  It can be mixed differently, depending on the pitch/vowel choice/color choice.  If we allow the language and the style to inform the choices, and the resonators are always suspended, then the voice can find its fullest and most vivid choices, and its REALITY.

We need to CLAIM our voices fully.  Doing that takes time, guts, and KNOWLEDGE.  We must recognize the terminology that is thrown around loosely, and find out what it TRULY means, and then what it means coming from certain segments of our business.  Believe me, it doesn't mean the same thing!!! 

I will simplify: if you find the TRUTH of your voice - and build it to find VITALITY and ENERGY and develop PRESENCE of INTENSITY of resonance - the true VIBRANCY of the voice when it is balance - you can then present the BEST of you - through ANY style/genre that you choose to explore.  

When you find that vibrancy - then ANYTHING is possible.  Vibrancy is resonance - resonance needs to be balanced - whether it uses more head or chest or belt mix...it is balanced, it is vibrant and it need NEEDS to be YOURS!