Hey there! I'm Renée, a gender-affirming voice teacher, and today I want to share an exciting exercise that can help you define your voice goals, whether you're interested in masculinizing, feminizing, or finding something in-between. This exercise is called the Draw Your Name exercise, and it's great for honing in on your particular flavour of gender, which can do a long way in deciding what voice will give you gender euphoria.

You know, I often talk about altering your voice to align with your gender presentation, but one question that comes up frequently is, "How do I decide what my target voice should sound like?" Well, that's precisely what we're going to explore together.

First things first, let's take a deep breath and get started!

Introducing the "Draw Your Name" Exercise

I came across this amazing exercise in Liz Jackson Hearns' book, "One Weird Trick," and it's been a game-changer for many of my students. So, a big thank you to Liz for this wonderful inspiration!

Step 1: Unleash Your Creativity

The first step is all about embracing your creative side. Take a moment to draw, paint, or collage your name in a way that represents your gender identity and how you want to be seen by the world. This artistic process allows you to visually explore and express your flavour of gender - masculine, feminine, and beyond!

Personalizing Your Name

Now, if your current name doesn't quite capture your true gender identity, don't worry! This exercise is flexible and open to personalization. You can write the word of the gender you identify as, or you can even stylize the word "myself" or any other word or affirmation that holds special meaning to you. The goal is to create a visual representation that speaks to your authentic self.

Need Inspiration? Let's Share Some Collages!

To give you a little inspiration, I reached out to my student Wes, and he kindly allowed me to share his name collage with you:

Wes told me that this exercise helped him embrace his unique masculinity. His collage is a wonderful blend of genderbending men, soft/stylish men with long hair, and references to empowering figures like Julie Andrews in Victor Victoria. And let's not forget our beloved bisexual king, Bob Belcher!

My favourite part is the quote from Victor Victoria:

"You’re one kind of man and I’m another, the kind that doesn’t have to prove it to myself or anyone."

More Inspiration: Embracing Feminine Expression

Now, let's take a look at my student Kelli's collage for a more feminine example. Kelli's artwork showcases feminine interpretations of traditionally masculine elements, such as suits, intertwined with punk and hyper-feminine details. It's a beautiful representation of her femininity.

Step 2: Imagining Your Voice

You know, you could stop right here, and it would still be an excellent exercise. But if you want to connect this visual representation of your gender to your voice practice, let's move on to the next step.

Close your eyes and imagine how your name drawing would sound if spoken. Connect the visual representation to an auditory experience. This step helps you envision the voice that aligns perfectly with your gender identity.

Drawing Inspiration from Voices

If there are real people on your collage, like in the examples I shared, feel free to draw inspiration from their voices. You can also come up with something completely unique and authentic to you. Remember, your voice is as individual as you are!

Dive Deeper with My Trans Voice Training Courses

Before we wrap up, I want to let you in on a little secret. The "Draw Your Name" exercise is just the beginning of your voice journey. For a deeper dive into voice feminization, masculinization, and voice alteration beyond the binary, check out my courses: Mindful Voice Feminization and Masculinize Your Voice Without Testosterone. In these courses, I share specialized techniques and guidance to help you unlock the full potential of your voice.

Closing Thoughts

I hope you're feeling inspired and ready to embark on this incredible journey of self-discovery. If you try this exercise and post it, don't forget to tag me, @reneeyoxon! I'd love to see your unique creations and support you in your voice training adventure.

Your voice is a powerful tool to express your true self, and with dedication and practice, you can achieve a voice that aligns perfectly with your gender expression. So, let's draw our names and let our voices ring out confidently and authentically to the world!