Freeing The Natural Voice
Linklater Voice Workshop — Stroud, UK (6 weekends)
Free the full expressive range, depth, power and clarity of your spoken voice with this transformative six-weekend voice course in Stroud UK from September to February.
Invest in yourself and reclaim the way you speak with renowned voice coach Ashley Howard — Designated Linklater Teacher.
Iris Warren, Kristin Linklater
Ashley Howard
Freeing The Natural Voice is a voice method for anyone who wants to transform their spoken voice and was originated by pioneering voice coach Iris Warren in the 1930s. Iris changed the shape of voice work in the UK by asserting that voice is psychophysical; it is as much a psychological phenomenon as it is physiological. She was interested in freeing the person through their voice not just liberating the instrument. In the early 60s her protégé Kristin Linklater took Iris's work to America, where it is now revered as the pre-eminent approach to training the spoken voice.
Kristin's 60 year career saw her publication of Freeing The Natural Voice and training of over 200 designated Linklater teachers worldwide, of which Ashley Howard, the voice coach leading this course, is one. Ashley has been teaching for 19 years, and became a designated Linklater teacher 14 years ago. He has a global private practice and was also the head of voice at the world-renowned actor training conservatoire, The Oxford School Of Drama. This course with Ashley takes you through the complete Linklater progression, freeing your full expressive range, depth, clarity and connection so that you feel confident when you speak. This is a group Linklater voice course held in Stroud, UK.
Weekend One
Freeing the body, breath and vibration
Experience your body freer of unwanted tension, balanced and aligned, with a centred breath and vibration that begins to wake up and flow through the body. Have a freer breath, balanced alignment and initial vibration for a supported, a clearer sound.
> Physical Awareness
The spine, the support of the natural breathing ... a tree
> Breathing Awareness
Freeing the breath, the source of sound … the air
> The Touch Of Sound
Initial vibrations … pool of water
> Freeing Vibrations
Lips, head, body … river of sound
to free the voice is to free the person
Weekend Two
Freeing the jaw, tongue and soft palate
Experience freedom and looseness in your jaw, tongue and soft palate, getting rid of the gatekeepers so as to liberate your full voice. Have a released jaw, tongue and soft palate for a free channel and clearer articulation.
> Freeing The Channel - Jaw
Jaw awareness and relaxation, getting rid of tension ... prison gate or open door
> Freeing The Channel - Tongue
Tongue awareness, stretching, loosening, releasing ... story-teller
> Freeing The Channel - Soft Palate
Opening and limbering the soft palate ... space
Meaningful Change
-
![Angharad client of voice coach Ashley Howard]()
I am leaving your training with not only a voice that is louder, fuller and brighter, but also a much wider and more colourful sense of myself. I feel connected to myself in a way I have never experienced before. I feel braver, more capable and more versatile. Thanks for your generosity and patience.
Angharad
-
![Billy client of voice coach Ashley Howard]()
Your work has been life changing; deeply moving and revelatory. You are an incredibly kind, dedicated and impressive person. It's been a privilege.
Billy
-
![Libby client of voice coach Ashley Howard]()
I'm not entirely sure I know how to write how much your work has meant to me and the profound places that you have taken me. I have really stepped into the extraordinary. I am immeasurably grateful.
Libby
-
![Gregor client of voice coach Ashley Howard]()
You have truly been the most inspirational teacher. Your teachings have absolutely transformed my voice and helped me to find my confidence.
Gregor
-
![Maire client of voice coach Ashley Howard]()
I wanted to give a small and quite inadequate thank you for what you have facilitated. Voice work is deeply personal and you create such a safe and playful space for me to explore that personal journey. Thank you for your kindness, patience and love you have for voice work. It's utterly contagious.
Maire
Weekend Three
Opening the throat and freeing deep resonance
Experience the depth and resonance of your voice, feeling it reverberate from your belly through a wide open throat and out, filling the space with ease. Have an open throat and deeper resonance that carries with ease.
> The Spine and the Channel
Connection ... source, journey, destination
> Throat Awareness
The open throat ... chasm
> Developing and Strengthening
Finding resonance, chest, mouth, teeth ... purple, blue, yellow
> Releasing the Voice from the Body
Calling, triads, the rainbow
the thought moves the breath the breath moves the body
Weekend Four
Freeing your full breath capacity
Experience your full breathing power and stamina, finding more ease and consistency in your voice without effort. Have more stamina, consistency and ease in your speaking voice.
> Breathing Power
Diaphragm, intercostals, pelvic floor … breathing gym
> Sensitivity and Strength
Enlivening and strengthening impulses … free weights
Life Changing
-
![Billy client of voice coach Ashley Howard]()
Your work has been life changing; deeply moving and revelatory. You are an incredibly kind, dedicated and impressive person. It's been a privilege.
Billy
-
![Maire client of voice coach Ashley Howard]()
I wanted to give a small and quite inadequate thank you for what you have facilitated. Voice work is deeply personal and you create such a safe and playful space for me to explore that personal journey. Thank you for your kindness, patience and love you have for voice work. It's utterly contagious.
Maire
-
![Gregor client of voice coach Ashley Howard]()
You have truly been the most inspirational teacher. Your teachings have absolutely transformed my voice and helped me to find my confidence.
Gregor
-
![Angharad client of voice coach Ashley Howard]()
I am leaving your training with not only a voice that is louder, fuller and brighter, but also a much wider and more colourful sense of myself. I feel connected to myself in a way I have never experienced before. I feel braver, more capable and more versatile. Thanks for your generosity and patience.
Angharad
-
![Libby client of voice coach Ashley Howard]()
I'm not entirely sure I know how to write how much your work has meant to me and the profound places that you have taken me. I have really stepped into the extraordinary. I am immeasurably grateful.
Libby
Weekend Five
Freeing your full range, flexibility and dynamism
Experience the strength, freedom and total expressive range of your voice, projecting with ease and flow in all situations. Have expanded range and presence with effortless projection.
> Sinus Resonators
Carrying power ... mountain peak
> Nasal Resonators
Middle of the face, middle range ... the road out
> Skull Resonators
High intensity ... playing the dome
> Range
three to four octaves ... from basement to attic
the mind is reluctant to embrace deep change and will play devious games to maintain the status quo
Weekend Six
Freeing the clarity and connection of your speech
Convey your words, feelings and ideas with clarity of speech, clarity of thought and clarity of intention. Speak with depth, power, sensitivity and connection. Have clear articulation, thought and intention with authentic listener connection.
> Articulating the Voice into Words
Consonants and vowels - voice joints
> The Impulse to Speak, Clarity of Thought and Intention
Unlocking words, connection, affecting the listener
> The Complete Linklater Progression
45min voice workout
> The Next Step
Autonomy and self practice
Extraordinary
-
![Libby client of voice coach Ashley Howard]()
I'm not entirely sure I know how to write how much your work has meant to me and the profound places that you have taken me. I have really stepped into the extraordinary. I am immeasurably grateful.
Libby
-
![Maire client of voice coach Ashley Howard]()
I wanted to give a small and quite inadequate thank you for what you have facilitated. Voice work is deeply personal and you create such a safe and playful space for me to explore that personal journey. Thank you for your kindness, patience and love you have for voice work. It's utterly contagious.
Maire
-
![Angharad client of voice coach Ashley Howard]()
I am leaving your training with not only a voice that is louder, fuller and brighter, but also a much wider and more colourful sense of myself. I feel connected to myself in a way I have never experienced before. I feel braver, more capable and more versatile. Thanks for your generosity and patience.
Angharad
-
![Gregor client of voice coach Ashley Howard]()
You have truly been the most inspirational teacher. Your teachings have absolutely transformed my voice and helped me to find my confidence.
Gregor
-
![Billy client of voice coach Ashley Howard]()
Your work has been life changing; deeply moving and revelatory. You are an incredibly kind, dedicated and impressive person. It's been a privilege.
Billy
FAQs & How To Book
*Places are limited; this Linklater voice workshop runs across six weekends in Stroud, UK
What is the Linklater Voice approach?
A psychophysical method that frees the natural voice by releasing tension, aligning the body and breath, and developing resonance, range and presence.
Who is this workshop for?
Actors, educators and professionals who want a fuller, freer, more expressive speaking voice — no prior Linklater experience required.
How is this different from 1-to-1 voice lessons?
This is a group course with embodied, experiential practice across six weekends. For individual goals or schedules, see 1-to-1 lessons.
What should I wear and bring?
Comfortable clothes you can move in, water, and a notebook. Work is floor-based at times; mats provided (or bring your own).
Is this suitable for singers?
Yes — the focus is the spoken voice, but singers often benefit from freer breath, resonance and presence.
Refunds
Places are limited so refunds are available up to 4 weeks prior for the first weekend of the course and no refunds are available thereafter.
What’s included?
6 weekends (audio recorded for future reference) including short 15 min audio recordings for practice between sessions and 2 x 1hr group zoom check-ins
When is the course?
September 20th and 21st 2025
October 11th and 12th 2025
November 8th and 9th 2025
December 13th and 14th 2025
January 10th and 11th 2026
February 7th and 8th 2026
Where will the course be held?
CSA 13 Lansdown, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 1BB (separate carpark here)
What are the timings for each day?
Saturday and Sunday 9.30-12.30pm and 1.30-4pm
How much is the course?
£990 (VAT exempt)
More Questions?
Contact me here.
Looking For Something Else?
Podcasts | Articles | Videos
How To Fix A Monotone Voice
How Do I Stop Talking So Fast
How To Get A Deeper Voice
Keep In The Loop