47. Presentation Advice from Soprano Kiri Te Kanawa: The Importance of Breathing

In 1982, soprano Kiri Te Kanawa was awarded the title Dame Commander of the British Empire for her lifetime achievements as one of the leading operatic singers in the world. These days, Dame Kiri spends most of her time in a backstage role with her own foundation, dedicated to helping New Zealand singers and musicians develop their careers.

As an extension of her supportive role, she came to the United States to deliver a Master Class at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Seven fortunate students had the opportunity to be coached directly by Dame Kiri. One by one, she listened to each of them sing an aria. She then made suggestions about their musical interpretations. Finally, she demonstrated the same passage with her own magnificent voice, providing an enormous treat for both the students and the audience.

The master gave her disciples invaluable techniques about phrasing, enunciation, posture, and breathing—especially breathing, which is so vital to any opera singer. On several occasions, Dame Kiri went right up to some of the students, placed her hand on their stomachs, and asked them to sing a passage again. When they got to an important note, the teacher pushed hard, forcing their breath and enhancing the note significantly.

Although this teaching device is useful for singers, presenters, for whom breathing is equally important, have it easier. All they need to do is pause between phrases and allow the breath to occur naturally. However, this is easier said than done. Most presenters are so stressed by the pressure of business presentations that they ramble on without pausing—or breathing.

In a recent Power Presentations program, one young woman had such a dread of speaking in front of an audience that she raced through each of the program’s morning exercises, anxious to get back to the safety of her seat. Listening to her was, as the saying goes, like trying to take a sip of water from a gushing fire hose. Later in the day, when she finally learned to pause between phrases and stop racing, she was finally able to relax—and even smile. She had given herself what emergency medical technicians give to shock victims: oxygen.

If you’re a presenter who experiences the same dread, you don’t need Dame Kiri to push your stomach. All you have to do is pause.

Try it—the breath you take will contribute to your own lifetime.