The Royans Professional Vocal School (Vocal Science): Speech, Singing and Non-Surgical Voice Repair

We hope that her testimonial will give you even more confidence embarking onto our services in the near future :) Please see below. ______________ I am a Registered Nurse and teacher with a Masters Degree in Education. I came to Vocal Science after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and a gradual loss of voice. I had been seen by 2 different ENT doctors in Ontario which diagnosed me with laryngospasms and vocal cord dystonia. I was advised to seek speech therapy to correct the hoarse, raspy, fragmented voice and chronic sore throats. I attended speech therapy with no improvement. My voice continued to deteriorate to the point that I could not teach, project my voice or have more than a 30-second conversation before I started losing my voice and the feeling that I was choking. The laryngospasms were so severe, I had two emergency hospital admissions for airway obstructions and required emergency medications to stop the spasms and re-open my airway. I was unable to sing, project my voice for teaching or carry on a simple conversation, even with someone sitting right next to me. I was in deep despair feeling my career and life would never be the same and medical professionals did not offer any hope of improvement due to my progressing autoimmune disease. I was told vocal cord surgery would be my next step, but there were no guarantees my voice would improve and there was a risk that the surgery could make my voice even worse. I never gave up hope that there was a non-surgical treatment somewhere in the world that I could travel to and improve at least my speaking voice if not my singing voice without resorting to surgery. I researched many clinics, websites and specialists around the world, but I was amazed to find Vocal Science and its renowned treatment only a few hours drive from my home. The Vocal Science method offered the most medically sound and logically-scientific approach to treating my vocal cord(s) diagnosis without surgery. I researched the techniques that Diana was using at the (founded-by-her) Royans Professional Vocal School and felt that this might be the miracle cure I was hoping for when nobody else could help. I reached out to Diana and I was so impressed by her detailed assessment and treatment plan that I signed up for 30 hours of instruction and natural treatment. To date, I have taken 12 hours of instruction from Diana and I am already able to project my voice better than I was able to for the last 10 years. Currently, I can carry on conversations for long periods of time with no sore throat and very little hoarseness, if even at all. My medical knowledge and special education training helped me to understand the physical aspects of the training and the actual program. It was remarkable to learn how my current speaking technique was damaging my vocal cords on a daily basis. I was amazed at how Diana’s acute assessment skills and experience quickly pinpointed some key areas of repetitive speaking habits that were chronically irritating my vocal cords. The Vocal Science program is based on a scientific approach to retraining the speaking and/or singing voice. Diana is an amazing instructor and her program requires focus, dedication and perseverance. I can only compare it to the challenge of learning a new language - or to a stroke patient who would be trying to learn to speak again. Throughout this first 12 hours of instruction, I had been visiting my physician, my ENT specialist and my dentist specializing in holistic medicine. The above-mentioned specialists were truly amazed in my progress with my speaking voice and my health improvement overall. They asked me to give them Diana’s business cards so they could check her websites and learn how it became possible in such a short period of time to improve one’s voice and health. Louise Mallows

The Royans Institute for Non Surgical Voice Repair has repaired my voice beyond my wildest dreams. For 40 years, after surgery to remove a nodule on my vocal chords, I have struggled with a hoarse raspy voice and frequent laryngitis. After retirement from a very busy job in the public service I wanted to join a women's chorus however I knew I needed help. First, Diana worked with me to "place my voice" such that I was using my cheeks and face muscles. After dedicated learning on my part and care, expertise and effort on her part we were able to fix my speaking voice. I was thrilled -- and my friends and family were so surprised. Now we are using the similar techniques to improve my singing voice and prevent the sort of damage that I inflicted on my vocal apparatus so long ago. I do not hesitate tp recommend the Royans Institute to those in need of voice repair-- miracles can and do happen!

I have attended my now second workshop with Diana which was intimately and pleasantly hosted in a warm, friendly and fun atmosphere both times. We explored her methods and strategy in a group setting which I find very revealing and enlightening because not only do I receive the direction from her, but also get to see and hear others hit and/or miss the technique on their turn. This has made me develop a keen ear which now listens very differently to people, scanning where the vocal emphasis of their tone is emitting from. After a couple hours of this, I could almost always know, synonymous to Diana herself, with respect to whether the person achieved the vocal direction and delivery which she is talking about or not. Her capabilities in helping you re-execute the delivery methods of your sound are something you can truly and tangibly feel during these sessions. This is what's propelled me towards wanting private sessions as well, because once you've sat in the group, you can theoretically and briefly even physically understand and achieve what she's teaching. And now that I've had the chance to both explore these methods and observe others in exercising them, I look forward to one-on-one time where the focus can be on my training, as we will cut out (however interesting but also limiting) time and conversations with other students being there. What I also love about Diana is that she always gives herself so generously to us because even if at times the sessions ran longer, she carried on until we all had a chance to touch upon her teachings and showcase our primary abilities of application as we learn alongside one another. It was wonderful to see everyone who's come for different reasons; from speech repair needs to singing improvement, is walking away knowing they've come across something truly special and hearing the optimism in their voices knowing they have high hopes for the future of their vocal cords!

Diana is a great vocal coach and the Vocal Science technique is highly effective. When I went to the Royans Professional Vocal School, I was experiencing issues with my voice due to my job. I found that I was no longer able to sing as well as I used to and had trouble maintaining my voice throughout a performance. After Diana’s vocal coaching, my vocal problems disappeared and my singing voice improved drastically. I could hit notes that I normally had trouble reaching without strain and with full power. I could sing through a 6 hour practice without feeling any fatigue in my voice and I could sing through a performance without any pain during or after. I highly recommend the Royans Professional Vocal School. The Vocal Science technique worked better for me than any other vocal technique and Diana is a wonderful vocal coach who cares deeply about the progress of her students.

Hope for the Future. “I found Diana by chance when I was looking for a more natural approach to my MTD (muscle tension Dysphonia) which, some time ago, I was diagnosed with by an ENT Doctor. I have been slowly losing my speaking voice for almost a year. I have gone to several doctors and also speech therapy without a solid resolution. It's like having laryngitis....X50, which never goes away! When I started working with Diana, she right away told me that my voice sounds like I have a Spasmodic Dysphonia (SD). That was even more disheartening than the previous diagnosis of MTD. Diana right away told me that it is not very good news and that, conventionally speaking, is considered to be an untreatable voice disorder. However, the best thing happened when Diana actually offered me hope stating that after hard work, I will be able to speak normally again. I depend on my voice for my job as I need to express myself; and, anyway, it is also a part of my personality. Imagine not being able to speak? I also have a hearing impairment which had never affected me the way my voice had. I'm usually an extrovert, but people began to notice that I have suddenly gone quiet. This process of working with Diana has started to build up my confidence where I can feel like myself again. The teaching and methods Diana has is like no other. It takes time and a lot of hard work. Probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life! I also want to mention that in the last couple of days, I finally have heard people saying that I sound so much better than before. It's so good to hear that… a true blessing! I recommend Diana's teachings, along with the herbal treatments, to anyone having any vocal issues. It's not an easy fix, but it will give those suffering with SD (or any other voice disorders) hope; and possibly, like me, they will finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you Diana!”

When I started working on my vocal technique with Diana, I had set out wanting two specific things: 1) I wanted to expand my vocal range; and 2) I wanted to sing with more power without my voice giving out after a song or two. After 20 hours, I have achieved both of those things. I can hit higher notes, ones that I remember having difficulty achieving previously. The strength of my voice has also significantly improved. As I’m putting Diana’s amazing technique into muscle memory, I’m achieving greater vocal power and the sound I produce is directed and clear. On top of these things, and much to my satisfaction, the quality of my voice has also greatly improved. I continue to receive compliments on my singing and my confidence level has greatly increased. Long story short, what Diana has delivered for me is beyond my expectations and I look forward to continuing to work with her. I’m excited to see what the next level in my vocal ability will look like.

Latest review (2020) ---------------------------------- It was very refreshing to join Diana's vocal workshops, as it has been a long while since I was a full time student. I was able to rekindle and remember many important lessons throughout the workshop; and I got my voice back and also my confidence again. I also got to make some new friends in the workshop as well. Diana has always had the amazing ability to diagnose where the vocal challenges are in each singer and then helps produce the solution right on the spot. She gives it her 100% all and will not give up on each student until they produce the result - all in a healthy, fun and holistic way. Her technique is not just a singing or vocal technique; it is a philosophy, a science and applied action combined into one. I always re-discover this whenever I take her workshops. I know that I can sing 8 hours, or even 8 weeks straight with her technique/philosophy If singing, voice overs, motivational or public speaking - or anything that involves your voice, is your priority - get in touch with the Royans Professional Vocal School and start taking lessons. Trust me - it is highly worth the investment! Review 4 years ago (2016): ------------------------------------------- If you're looking to become a better singer (or even just sing better than where you are at), or if you'd like to improve your speaking skills (including pronounciation, finesse and power), I highly, highly recommend taking lessons at The Royans Professional Vocal School. I myself had been working with singers for many years, having them sing my songs. Although I could sing a little bit (and carry a tune), I couldn't sing the way I been hearing within myself. To make things even more difficult, I had been straining my voice by singing the wrong way for many years. I tried so many teachers, especially the ones who used the "One-size-fits-all" approach with some other methods of training and yet, I ended up hurting my voice in the process (even though these teachers and trainers would say I was doing things the right way.) I then met a friend who sang amazingly, even to the point that she could sing so many hours without damaging her voice - and she was very consistent. I wanted to know how she got to that point. That was until I discovered Diana of The Royans School, who was her former coach/teacher. Diana has trained a lot of amazing stars and one of them that caught my attention was Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace (back in the day.) When I finally booked my appointment with Diana, my first test lesson - she already could hear where my problems where within my vocal anatomy. Seriously! She really knew where it was just by hearing me sing. Then helped me apply a solution based on my own anatomy, ratio and body structure. I sang a couple of times with the new approach and suddenly, I could feel the freedom. My voice didn't hurt! In that instant, I wanted results, so I told her I will not waste time - let's do this! And the rest is history. Diana has the ear and she has the spirit - no other teacher could do what she can do. Plus, she understands the holistic health approach. Being a health and wellness practitioner, this was very important to me and Diana was the right one. It was the best decision I made because after 13 years, I still can sing with power, application, spirit and most of all, without harming my voice! She will give her all holistically. It's very important that the student is ready, because then the teacher will appear. I was ready and I believe God pointed in the direction to Diana. But most of all, 13 years later, she gave me confidence, she taught me to respect myself. She is not only my singing professor of long ago, I am proud to say that she is also one of my longtime, kindred friends. If you want to sing, or speak with confidence and clarity and power, I recommend never hesitating and just do it - check out Royans school and trust me, it is worth it. One of the best investments I ever made for my music and life. Love you Diana!

During those incredible sessions, I evolved immensely on every level of my being, and most prominently, vocally! I could see myself on the road to my success of becoming a professional musician/performer/singer. Diana's method has been definitely a missing link in my vocal abilities, without which, I would not be able to embark to the next level and fully realize my vocal potential. I'm very excited and looking forward to fully mastering this method while developing my speaking and singing voice to its full capacity. Thank you to Diana and your Vocal Science Method!