Let’s talk.
“We’re communicating all the time. Sometimes we even use words.”
Your voice is so much more than just what you say and how you sound. It’s the way you show up. It’s how your ideas get transferred from your brain to other people. It’s putting your values visibly, audibly, and deliberately in the world.
If you’ve done any sort of google search on best speaking / communication practices, you probably landed in a quagmire of “simple”, trying-to-be-helpful, ultimately impossible to execute advice. What does “vary the tone of your voice” even mean? Does saying “just” really undermine your leadership presence? Should you go into hiding if you said “um” too many times during that presentation? It’s contradictory, it’s confusing, and most importantly, IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT.
Here’s the thing:
No matter how how good that communication advice seems in theory, “Say X words in Y tone of voice, and we guarantee you’ll get Z outcome” is just . . . not how any of this works.
At Vital Voice Training, we help you understand what’s going on as you speak. Communication is context-specific, and not every solution works for every person or every situation. We believe in asking why before we even get to how. We’re not into “quick fixes” or surface-level vocal or body language tricks. We have a special knack for seeing your full potential and immediately identifying what might be getting in your way. And together, we’ll clear away the roadblocks that keep you from sounding like your true self, and help you tap into your grounded, confident core
It's not about putting on a "take me seriously" voice — it's real transformation.
“Meet the public speaking goddesses —
I can’t speak highly enough of them.”
Katia Verresen, KVA Leadership
What makes Vital Voice Training different from other public speaking or speech coaching companies?
We've devoted our lives to studying the art and science of “why we say what we say in the way that we say it” and gathering tools from neuroscience, performance theory, organizational psychology, and sociolinguistics to bring to our clients. Our coaching toolbox is varied, dynamic, and fun. Within one session, we may have you rapping to the Hamilton cast album or singing karaoke with Prince, improvising a conversation with your boss or direct reports, reading Shakespeare out loud, or making sounds you've never heard come from your throat before — all with an ultimate eye (and ear) on your specific communication goals. No two clients and no two sessions are exactly the same.
Our years of experience as both professional actors and voice and speech coaches give us a deep knowledge of human behavior, and of your voice and body as a physical, mental, emotional, and social instrument. Theater is a training ground for action — stepping into the spotlight with bravery, releasing perfectionism to give a present performance (instead of a boring "perfect" performance, because theater people know there's no such thing).
You’ll work with both Julie and Casey, bringing you the benefit of our years of experience, our shared philosophy, and our two complementary approaches to accessing your Vital Voice.
Your voice is a powerful tool for expression and connection. True, powerful communication happens when your voice is grounded in the core of YOU. When you feel at home and centered in who you are, you can respond in the moment with all the best you have to offer. You land your message, communicate with charisma, and create a space of true connection and understanding.
This is the heart of our mission: We want to change the world — by changing the conversation about what LEADERS are supposed to look and sound like.
In order to create this new paradigm, we need everyone’s voice at the table — particularly voices that have been consigned to the margins for too long. When we understand how communication really works and have access to our voices, we can start to change how we talk to each other, how we listen, and how we collaborate to make the world a better place.
We start from a basic truth: YOUR VOICE, YOUR BODY, AND YOUR IDEAS DESERVE TO TAKE UP SPACE IN THE WORLD.
We’re on your team. Bring your message. Let's get to work.
What People Are Saying
Meet your coaches
Casey Erin Clark
Casey Erin Clark is a voice, public speaking, and communication coach, performer, author, entrepreneur, podcast host, and leader in both the entertainment and business worlds. She is a fierce advocate for gender justice and spends her days speaking, teaching, and writing about the power of women’s voices, while seizing fulfilling opportunities to perform on screen and stage. In 2014, Casey and Julie Fogh co-founded Vital Voice Training, a voice and speech coaching company on a mission to change the conversation about what leaders are “supposed” to sound like and empower everyone to own the power of their full vocal instrument and presence. Casey hails from the cornfields of southern Illinois (where she grew up singing with her family Von Trapp-style) and has a BFA in musical theater from Illinois Wesleyan University. She also coaches musical theater pros of all ages, is a member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA, performed at the 2013 Oscars with the Les Miserables movie cast, and sings with the Grammy-nominated and Tony-honored Broadway Inspirational Voices choir. Recommending books and breakfast restaurants is her love language. Will perform the Lafayette speed rap from Hamilton on demand.
Julie Fogh
Julie Fogh is a voice coach and interpersonal communications specialist who works with actors and business leaders helping them navigate their individual tensions and blocks, revealing the personal power and unique and captivating humanity that exists in all of us. Through Vital Voice Training, Julie and her co-founder Casey Erin Clark blend the toolbox of the professional actor with their powerful frameworks for embracing one's authentic speaking voice to businesses, schools, and organizations all over the country. Julie was raised in Seattle and earned her BA in Theatre and Women Studies from University of Washington. She earned an MFA in acting from Northern Illinois University, a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum that engaged with the physical body, the emotional life, imagination, use of language, character construction, non-verbal communication and the truth of the moment. She has studied with the Moscow Art Theatre and University of Copenhagen and has studied Meisner Technique with Kathryn Gately, Michael Chekhov Technique with Deborah Robertson, and Movement and Period Style with Lloyd Williamson. She loves YA novels and her cranky rescue cat, Ashland.
