Hi, I'm Renée, a gender-affirming voice teacher, and today I want to talk about a question that came up during one of my TikTok Live sessions. Someone asked if the exercises in my course, Mix & Match: Designing Your Nonbinary Voice, would be helpful for those whose first language isn't English, particularly for native Spanish speakers. This question is so important because it touches on the complex relationship between language, culture, and gender expression.

How Language Influences Gender Expression

One of the key things to understand is that the way we express gender through our voices is deeply influenced by our language and culture. In my course, I have an entire lesson dedicated to exploring how gender is expressed vocally across different languages, cultures, ages, and even micro-cultures. This isn't just about learning to speak in a way that's more aligned with your gender identity; it's about understanding the codes of gender within your own community and deciding how you want to engage with or diverge from those codes.

For example, even within the English language, there are countless dialects, each with its own way of expressing gender. The same is true for Spanish, and this diversity can actually be a strength when you're working on your voice. The exercises in my course are designed to be adaptable to these variations, making them useful regardless of your native language.

Why Mix & Match is Suitable for Everyone

The way Mix & Match is structured makes it particularly beneficial for people from all over the world. The course is not about imposing a one-size-fits-all approach to voice training. Instead, it encourages you to do your own research into the gender codes present in your community. This is crucial because if I were to simply give you my personal codes of gender and tell you to follow them, it might not resonate with the cultural reality of your environment.

Instead, I encourage you to observe the gender cues in your surroundings. Pay attention to how men, women, and nonbinary people in your community speak, move, and express themselves. Are there specific phrases, tones, or body language habits that are associated with a particular gender? How do these differ between languages or dialects? This information is invaluable and will inform how you approach the exercises in the course.

Centering Yourself in Your Voice Work

Ultimately, this course is about centering yourself in your own voice work. There is no universal way to express gender, and what works for one person might not work for another, especially when factoring in the nuances of language and culture. That's why Mix & Match is designed to be flexible, allowing you to tailor the exercises to fit your unique needs.

By grounding your voice work in your cultural and linguistic context, you're not just working on your voice—you're crafting a voice that truly represents who you are, in a way that's meaningful within your community.

So, to answer the question: Yes, the exercises in Mix & Match can absolutely be helpful for someone whose first language is Spanish or any other language. The course is designed to help you navigate the intricate dance between language, culture, and gender expression, so you can create a voice that feels right for you.

If you're ready to explore this journey and discover how to design your own nonbinary voice, I invite you to join me in Mix & Match: Designing Your Nonbinary Voice. Let's start crafting a voice that truly represents you, in any language.