Maria   Weiss   is   simply   one   of   the   best   teachers   I   have ever   encountered   in   all   my   training   and   professional experience   in   the   theater.      I   have   performed   with   a professional   theater   troupe   for   eight   years   and   have struggled    constantly    with    my    voice.        It    was    very sensitive,    and    seemed    to    go    hoarse    very    easily.        I studied   rigorously   at   my   university   trying   all   kinds   of techniques   to   improve   my   voice-   some   were   geared toward    singing    others    were    simply    geared    toward freeing   the   voice.      These   techniques   helped   at   times, yet   ultimately   they   contributed   to   a   lasting   gravelly sound   and   a   continued   diminishing   of   my   vocal   range.     Finally,   as   I   took   up   singing   in   a   rock   ‘n   roll   band   I discovered   that   no   matter   how   much   I   warmed   up   my voice, I could barely speak the next day. I   tried   everything:      I   warmed   up   less,   I   warmed   up more,   I   drank   hot   water   with   honey,   I   drank   pineapple juice,   and   I   wrapped   a   scarf   around   my   neck.      I   was desperate.      Then   I   found   Maria.      I   had   heard   of   the Alexander   Technique   but   never   managed   to   put   myself into   a   training   class.      I   thought   it   certainly   couldn’t hurt to give it a try. At   times,   I   would   walk   into   Maria’s   studio   and   be unable   to   get   a   word   or   even   a   sound   out   of   my   voice.     After   about   45   minutes   of   working   with   Maria   I   could talk   again.      I   know   it   sounds   impossible,   but   that   is   the truth.      I   could   walk   into   Maria’s   studio   with   no   voice   and   walk   out   centered   on   my   voice   and   talking   on   the breath.      It   is   an   amazing   process.      Though   I   am   unable to   stay   in   that   place   for   a   whole   week   between   lessons, I   now   see   that   it   is   possible,   that   my   voice   can   do   it and that in time, I will get there.

My   voice   is   not   fully   back   yet,   however,   I can   sing   an   entire   rehearsal   without   losing my   voice   -   which   was   a   weekly   event   for   me.     I   am   able   to   understand   why   this   happens   to me and I can begin to undo those habits. Not   only   has   my   voice   started   on   the   road   to recovery,   but   there   are   other   fringe   benefits to    the   Alexander    Technique    as    well.        My posture   is   better;   my   low   back   says   thank   you every   time   I   release   it,   my   neck   is   straighter, and I feel better too!  I    was    nervous,    as    a    rock    ‘n    roll    singer, thinking   that   Maria   as   a   trained   opera   singer wouldn’t    want    to    work    with    a    voice    like mine.      But   that   couldn’t   be   further   from   the truth.      She   is   non-judgmental   and   gives   me every   bit   of   respect   that   I   imagine   she   gives her   finest   opera   students.      Her   education,   her skill   and   her   experience,   combined   with   her positive    spirit    makes    for    a    rare    and    gifted teacher.      Maria   believes   in   what   she   does   and if you study with her, you will too. Lauren