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Growing up, I had at least 14 bouts with
bronchial pneumonia until the doctor finally
recommended that I needed to develop my lung capacity by either swimming or singing.
I had already had 8 years of piano lessons, so it was natural that at 13, I began singing
lessons. I was always fascinated by nature and would hear music, sound and rhythm in
everything. Both of my voice teachers, Eileen Higgin and Bernard Diamant, had a profound
influence on my life.
You’ve heard the saying, “When the student is ready, the teacher
appears”. Step by step I have been led to awesome teachers: incredible
singing, drama and speaking coaches, parents, family, children, friends
and pets, my fellow actors and musicians and my guides who are always
with me.
My first elocution teacher was my grandmother, Laura B. Armstrong. Her
impact on my life is far reaching. She would never let me say ‘um’
or ‘ah’ when I was talking. If I did, she would say, “Pardon?”
She taught me that it’s OK to think in silence instead. Even to this
day if an ‘um’ happens to pop in to my conversation, I still hear
her voice loud and clear saying, “Pardon”. I smile, silently thank
her and breathe instead.
The instructors at the National Theater School were instrumental in teaching me how to
project and place my voice in the resonance cavities. I continue to use these techniques in
my work with healing and sound.
The late Rev. Wendy Douglas was our spiritual guide for 30 years and she married my
husband, Tink Robinson, and me. She taught us to always be true to the I AM within. I have
embraced this wisdom into my everyday life and write about this in many of my songs.
Studying Psychology of Vision® with Dr. Chuck Spezzano and Rhonda Johnson was life
changing for me. During these workshops, I learned to rise above the walls of fear and
remove whatever was blocking me from living my spiritual brilliance. I saw the reflection of
myself in others and I began writing songs to help their healing process as well. Now singing
and songwriting is an integral part of me, as close to me as breathing.
Playing
the character role of “Granny”
since 1974 has brought out
an even more zany side of me. In her waaaay-outside-the-box
outrageous way, ‘Granny’ lightens the mood, shifts the energy
and reminds us to live our best lives. Tink and I wrote, directed
and
performed
our 13 summer seasons of shows in the Wild Horse
Theater in Heritage Fort Steele, BC. I would start the
performances as ‘Granny’, rush back to the dressing
room
to do a complete makeup change, added a wig and elegant
gown – breathe – rush backstage – breathe
-
then glide onto the stage to sing a beautiful song – accept
the applause, then charge backstage again to get into the
‘Granny’ costume – breathe – then run
back on stage to participate with the cast in more crazy antics.
After each show, the cast would go outside the theater to sign
autographs.
Audiences
could never believe that ‘Granny’ and that ‘lady-in-the-lovely-gown-who-sang’
were one and the same! Granny is so off-the-wall fun that I often use
her in my concerts
and workshops. I can give a message and anchor it with music, but ‘Granny’
brings hilarity
to the mix. It gives me great joy to see people laugh, move, sing,
believe in themselves and express their unlimited potential. It also
thrills me to hear children singing.
I hold the vision for a world where we celebrate our differences, where
we know our
innocence, where we stop judging others and allow them to just ‘be’,
where we love
unconditionally and where we work, sing and play together as One. I am
grateful to all of
you who have given me feedback when my songs have lightened your load
and inspired you to embrace your greatness. Keep following the call of
your heart.
Bathe
our wondrous Earth with Love and healing Light
Our garden Planet’s colors merge like gold here
Feel Her crystal grids, in balance as they hold
The memories that Love’s promise was foretold here Excerpt
from ‘A Prayer for Mother Earth’
Music & Lyrics by Judy Armstrong
from Judy’s MP3 & songbook, SING ALL the WAY HOME, Vol. 1
© & è
2007
Judy Armstrong (SOCAN)
The
adventure continues...
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Contact
Judy Armstrong
Judy Armstrong c/o T & J Productions
Content Copyright © 2009 Judy Armstrong All Rights Reserved
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