That persistent, inner voice

[@antha97]

Thank for being real! This inner voice has destroyed my love for music in the past. I just recently regained this love, but it tries to creep back in telling me I'm not talented enough and that I don't have anything to contribute to the world. You give me hope for success. So thank you! I hope to meet and see you live someday!

[@Chappyowo]

Hearing you almost made me cry. Because I've always been very insecure. Although everyone likes my voice and get compliments for it, I just don´t believe it completly. Im working on that and you have inspired me, thank you very much. You're right, if it were easy everyone would do it.

[@TheYankeediva]

Dear Inner Voice to Stefano: Kindly stop being so negative, or I will deal with you myself! You belong to an EXCEPTIONAL human being, so for crying out loud, LIGHTEN UP. Sincerely, a great admirer of your host. ;-)

[@Rebecca_m_hass]

Dear Joyce, You aren't crazy at all. I'm a professional singer too and I'm a Certified Life Coach and I give many workshops for young artists as well as coach singers at all levels of career, and the inner voice/gremlin/saboteur is a very real and powerful force. Many people deal with it as you do, to send it off for a time and talk with it later. The most important thing I believe is to name the voice. It isn't the voice of truth, it is the voice of fear. Thanks for sharing.

[@brookemartin6101]

Joyce you DO NOT AT ALL sound totally insane in all that you’re speaking about here, it’s very clear and helpful!!. 👏

[@JeffAlaniStanfill]

Oh Joyce, you never sound insane! I love, love, love your vlogs and especially your Masterclasses! I have learned so much from watching them! I'm a vocal coach in NYC. I teach mostly pop, rock and musical theater singers and send my clients your videos regularly! Your tip about the tent poles for breathing has helped ALL of my clients. Keep those videos coming! God bless you 🙏

[@angalmeida29]

So good to have bumped into you here Jeff. I love watching your videos too .Thanks so much for this Joyce. You make it so real for us to relate

[@naimamusique]

The uninvited guest did shut me down 20 years ago... But the passion is still alive! Thanks for speaking about something so personal in my life.

[@turdusmerula1831]

I can only say how much I admire your honesty. Each time I watch your videos they make me feel kind of okay about myself and my singing, because you are showing us that those struggles are normal and human. Thank you so much

[@kleytoncarlos1]

i love your humbleness, and your honesty, and how you look straight at the camera, as if you are speaking directly at me!

[@SingYourselfWell]

Perfetto, carissima. Grazie a lei.

[@anastrachan]

Wow! You are so giving!! Thank you!

[@isaballaserrano4991]

I totally agree! Thank you 🙏🏻 ❤️🙌🏻🔥

[@iestynovich]

These are just so on the money and useful. Great of you.

[@goldie5788]

I'm literally subbing watching this. Thank you, Dear friend. I don't have friends but you so I gladly carry your your voice every where I go to find relief 😊🎼❤️ Thanks you so much

[@valfleer]

Thank you for being so open, wise, and compassionate, and for sharing!

[@gronia]

Mrs. Joyce, I do love you! I love the way you explain things! It makes me want to be a better singer!!! Thank you!!!

[@golhamo3502]

Yes Joyce - you ARE an INSPIRATION !

[@TheYankeediva]

Bingo!

[@NadegeMedenouvo]

It is exactly what I encountered.... Thanks to you I do not feel alone anymore... You're helping me so much

[@BaritoneRicardo]

Fabulous!

[@BrunetteBandits]

Joyce I can't thank you enough for taking the time to make these videos. They have such inspiring and useful information, and are such a help to me. It means a lot to hear from a singer such as yourself. I often get caught up in how perfect professionals sound, and I feel as if I will never come close to reaching that level. It is a comfort to know that even the best singers have obstacles to overcome... I'm not alone in that and it is possible to overcome them! Thank you again! ~ Caitlin

[@singurheartout4]

Thank you. Some of these videos are exactly what I need to hear this weekend. Thanks.

[@snozzberries621]

Hi, I'm a junior and a music major (voice) in college, and I just wanted to say that your videos always inspire me and encourage me to keep working hard at what I'm doing, and I just wanted to say thank you so much. Your words mean more to me than you know.

[@dor12]

Dear Joyce, Thank you so much for your encouraging advice! I have been struggling with that horrible voice recently, and am so glad that I was able to watch your post. You are such an inspiration!

[@dianaemilia485]

One thing that really helped me was giving this voice a name. Making her (or him) a different person, seperating it from yourself. This sounds kind of schizophrenic, haha, but I promise it's actually helpful. However, giving this destructive voice in my head a name enabled me to shut her off. Because I didn't think 'You're being negative again, why do you always do that? Why are you unable to stop it?'. Instead I think 'Elaria (that's her name, I really dislike the name, but that's part of it), shut up, let it be, you're not helpful and you're not wanted. Leave Diana alone.' And then the voice is silenced. And I never allow her to be present. The only thing I allow to be present is a very rational part of Diana. But never a negative, destructive voice. And this works so well for me in different situations whenever this negative voice crept in an was critical and nasty all the time. Another pleasant side-effect is that you stop blaming yourself for not being able to do xyz, but you start blaming your inner voice (aka different person *EHEM*) for being negative and stopping YOURSELF from being positive and focused. You start to be much more positive and more rational about things. You don't sugarcoat, but you don't destruct as well.

[@rfmadden]

Joyce - There is so much wisdom contained in this "lesson," not only for singing but for "life." I posted it to my FB page for those who are struggling with a variety of challenges. Brava, Yankee Diva. p.s. I loved the video of you singing Non piu mesta with Dames Kiri, Flicka and, uh-hem, Jake, providing back up dancing. - Ron

[@healingpowerofGod]

Thank you so much Ms. Joyce!

[@IgorChernov88]

Thank you very much Joyce! It's great that the young singers can listen your experience!

[@stefanodepeppo]

I REALLY appreciate yr reply Mrs DiDonato. It's quite simple and it definitely hit that spot. I will definitely try to slap hard that Voice whenever she tries to pop out, she totally deserves it. It's fantastic that with all yr busy schedule you still can find the time to help young and less young singers. Grazie, baci!

[@olympicfreak678]

Mrs. DiDonato, I cannot wait to see you Enchanted Island! So excited!

[@pitchfeather]

Joyce, you are an inspiration. Thank you!

[@LucasSpeck]

You are a wonderful human being ❤

[@alegabloom]

Bless you! Thank you for this! I have a really difficult time fending off that inner voice. I think I will try your suggestion of saying, "You know what, I will deal with you later!" I have been really fighting a seemingly uphill battle with negativity and so it is so great to hear your perspective on it. Thank you!!!

[@perronlaura-mai9960]

Thank you so much for this Joyce ! Thank you for everything that you do for young singers, it feels so good to have a professionnal like you caring so much about helping the next generations and communicating your wisdom !

[@shartrezlittle8952]

joyce thank you loving, beautiful,amazing woman for everything you do

[@u4ikaa]

I feel blessed, truly blessed by the love and wisdom you just shared here. I send my respect and love in return! Please keep sharing your soul with your music and these inspired chats! -New Fan.

[@moisancamap]

Thank you so much, Ms. DiDonato!

[@elenifranck]

Thank you very much for this video, I really am glad to hear your opinions about this and I completely agree with you.

[@musikenergy]

Wonderful advice! Thanks for sharing! I had to learn this the hard way after many years, but I learned it. You're still one of the best in classical music, nerves or not!

[@carolcheny]

Joyce, these vlogs are awesome I wish you can do more; they remind me that famous opera singers are human, and have a lot more in common with the rest of us.

[@PapagenoHannover]

You are so lovely, Joyce :-) And so honest!!!

[@sandimelro876]

Wish I had found you much earlier.... thank you for this!

[@audemm11]

Thank you for being so generous and real!

[@JustMe-ei4jy]

I'm not a singer, what I know about music wouldn't cover a postage stamp - but it seem to me that your advice is spot on for any situation.

[@wagner2705]

thank you so much for words! I thought, I was getting crazy. I talked with this little something all the time, specially before, during and after my performances. I started to watch your videos because one of my professors recommended me to do it. it is a great way to learn. I saw you in Ecuador moths ago.

[@DagAndersEriks1]

Good words as I am preparing for the next audition. Thank you for sharing!

[@TheYankeediva]

@adesiana2 I did, thank you for asking. But it was a struggle for the entire afternoon!

[@zeewong7674]

THANK YOU, Joyce.

[@titania7484]

Thank you very much! I love your naturalness! Really good pieces of advice

[@shambala1988]

Joyce you're a huge inspiration

[@ritchiereech]

Looove it! Thank you!

[@ALIKJ09]

Joyce...you are just so amazing to do all this answering the questions - this is SO helpful and comforting) It's like a real communication with person you admire *youyouyou* Hope that one day I will come up with some great question either)

[@vintagetitanic26]

Can you do a video on how to get started in an opera career? In detail? I'm looking to go into such a career but I am having a hard time finding information to get started. Thank you! MJ

[@valentinajerenec3511]

Thank you so much

[@JaimieAppleton]

"The Inner Game of Tennis" is a GREAT source for this issue! Another great, more light-hearted one is the song "Die Vampire Die" from the musical [title of show]. SLAY THOSE VAMPIRES, Y'ALL!

[@ROMAYATENEA]

Che bello ascoltarti, spero vederti un giorno dal vivo! 'e un piacere per me e per quelli che amiamo l'opera sentir cantare in italiano bene!, congratulation per la tua grande musicalita e per scandire le parole, per avere una conoscenza profonda del bel canto! e che bella sei!, un grande abbraccio! e Grazie ! Ruben ( una cara persona che sta nel tuo cuore, mi ha fatto conoscere te ) dovina chi !!!! hihihih!

[@angeliclark]

You say it perfectly! My high noteitis is leaving me! Removing judgement is vital. Inner game of tennis is the book instrumentalist read.

[@tylerlordhamilton252]

I love these words of Joyce (The Yankeediva)!

[@adesiana2]

Wonderful to receive another message from you. Did you overcome that difficult moment before the recital by controling your breath? Love you.

[@intensepaul]

In my experience,I'm not sure "waging war" against the "voice" has been the most beneficial. We can't stop thoughts from happening,but when I practice meditation,there is a quieting of the mind,and attention/focus is cultivated. When we continually bring ourselves back to our breath/present moment, there's no need to fight the inner voice. Thoughts pass by like floating clouds.Also,when we let go of the role of the "doer/owner",and being identified with our work, the voice itself rarely visits.

[@tylerresto]

I've been dealing with this. I'm so glad I saw this :)

[@stefanodepeppo]

Dear Mrs DiDonato. Your words are veeeeery helpful. Love this clip of yours. Still, why every time I listen to myself in a recording or watch myself in a videoclip I almost always get a bit depressed and my confidence looses strength, no matter how successful I have been in it?...Could you kindly or not so kindly tell my inner voice to be a bit more positive? Thank you very much. A faithful admirer and once-in-a-lifetime colleague.

[@Operaandchant90]

Sure enough, the inner voice killed my joy and passion for singing. RIP bubby dramatic tenor

[@YadaiDelacruz]

Qué mujer tan sabia !

[@mircavalcante]

You know what? We are our worst enemy. We have always to make this inner voice to shut up! You are so great! Thank you for posting. How can we contact you to ask a question?

[@TrevorMarty69]

Amazing. I had a performance yesterday in which I came across that little voice. I said, "Hey, I wonder what advice 'The Yankeediva' has about this? I was just about to figure a nice way to ask you and 'Vwala'. Thank you.

[@iiAngelic]

It's hard. I shut off the voice, but my body seems to still be in "fight or flight" mode. Deep breaths seem to work, but only in the beginning of the performance. Then I begin to slip.

[@sarahhannajo]

I love the Pink Martini intro :-)

[@caninbar]

The Inner Game of Music

[@kiarawade]

💜💜

[@manageuyangoda4942]

Hai good morning

[@Dajachi1990]

This voice is called ego...