Saskia Koehler - Singer, Speaker und Teacher using the Lichtenberg® Method
I first became actively involved in the Lichtenberg Method® in 2003, after having already been passively involved since 1988. At that time I was still studying at the Music Conservatory of Dresden. Several times I had heard vagues rumours about the so-called „functional voice training“ in the cafeteria. It seemed to blend the latest insights of vocal physiology and other modern siences with ancient wisdom, like for instance the belcanto-technique of the 18th century.
I was immediately fascinated by this idea, but putting it into reality seemed to be impossible for me. Even after the fall of the Berlin Wall, when the Lichtenberg Institute (which is situated in the West of Germany near Darmstadt) had become physically accessible to me, I first had to explore my limits by performing with independent opera- and theater groups, comedians and jazz-musicians (just to name a few) , before I finally attended an induction class in the Lichtenberg Method®. There I gradually learned everything that I always wanted to know about voices and sounds and never dared to ask.
I love to pass on this knowledge, because this kind of working with sound did not only influence my development as a singer, but also as a person in a very constructive way. I do not see myself as a producer of sounds anymore who is making efforts to impress the audience: now I am able to become aware of vibrations, making myself available to them and by doing so, I can touch people to the core.
This is an experience I wish everyone could have.
Curriculum vitae
Saskia Koehler
was born 1965 in Berlin, grew up in Dresden
1983 graduated from the secondary school „Kreuzschule“ (School of the holy cross) in Dresden
1983 – 90 studied classical singing at the conservatories in Leipzig and Dresden
1990 – 93 engaged as Mezzosoprano/Contralto at the German-Sorbian Popular Theater in Bautzen
since 1993 freelance work
diverse concerts in Germany and abroad, working together with the first Dresden OFF-Opera, the Johann-Gottlieb-Society (a registered association), the timbre actuel ensemble, the Euro Youth Chamber Orchestra and the North Bohemian State Philharmonic Orchestra
2002 CD „Spells“ with songs written by the singer/songwriter Götz Lindenberg (Berlin)
2003 – 2004 training as a certified tourguide, since then tourguiding in Dresden and its surroundings (German/Englisch), with an emphasis on musical tours
2005 bis 2008 Training as a voice teacher using the Lichtenberg Method®, certificate
since 2008 concerts and LandArt-projects, Batzdorfer Barockfestspiele 2008, Soundpark-project „Pillnitz dreams unplugged“ in 2010
since 2012 lectures and seminars as a voice coach, as well as recitals and musical performances