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Natalie Andrews
Co-Committee Chair 

 

Rudy Hendrikx
Co-Committee Chair 

 

Empowering VASTA members to succeed as businesses.

VASTA's Business & Consulting (BizCore) Interest Group is a support community for those who are either in business for themselves or working as a voice/speech consultant or trainer within another business. 

Whether it’s a side-job or your whole job, you are welcome here!

Mission:

  1. Creatively deliver our services while maintaining the integrity of our professions and upholding the overall mission of VASTA.
  2. Maintain an ongoing dialogue among the various business areas, the arts industry, and academia, enabling us to utilize best practice methods when teaching/coaching/training those who patronize our services.

The BizCore community meets online quarterly to serve one another’s success and continue to find ways to enhance awareness of VASTA to our clients & students.

Curator (Steering Committee) Members: 
Melissa Hurt, Natalie Andrews, Rudy Hendrikx, Sarah Nichols, Melissa Reed, Cheryl Moore Brinkley, and… YOU?


Board Liaison:sgrant@vasta.org 

 

 

BizCore offers ALL VASTA members an important resource to draw upon to develop their business and coaching practices:

LIGHTHOUSE TRAINING SESSIONS - Video Archive

Lighthouse sessions are 90-minute learning sessions held on Zoom and hosted by fellow VASTA members. They cover a wide variety of topics, from setting up as an independent practice, to translating your practice for the business world. Whether your clients are business people, artists, or other professional speakers, you can learn skills, find validation, and gain creative ideas.


View VASTA's Virtual Training Archive 
 
View the History of BizCore
 

BizCore will continue to find new ways to help members learn and grow and will let you know by the website events calendar, e-blast (you have to register as a member to be on our e-list), and our Facebook page of new offerings.

If you are interested in serving as a BizCore Curator or offering a training or presentation to the group, or simply have questions, please email the Chair BizCore@vasta.org.

Interested in becoming a BizCore member? Follow these instructions: 

  1. Log in to your vasta.org membership account.
  2. Click your name (on the upper right), and select "Profile" from the dropdown menu that appears.
  3. Click on "VASTA's Programs" in the "Your Website Functions" box.
  4. Scroll down and select any interest groups that you would like to join!



This August, BizCore presents Adding Group Sessions to Your Voice Coaching Practice with guest facilitator Elissa Maas Weinzimmer, founder of Voice Body Connection.

In this 90-minute interactive session, Elissa will share her story of assembling independent group classes in person and online. She'll introduce a point-by-point checklist of tasks you'll want to consider when preparing to teach groups, as well as answer individual questions from folks in attendance. If you currently have a voice coaching practice that primarily focuses on private clients, come to learn how you might begin creating group programs as well!

Monday, August 11th, 2025
4pm PDT / 7pm EDT / 9am AEST (Tuesday, August 12)

Find your time zone: www.worldtimebuddy.com

Time converter at worldtimebuddy.com

Register to attend by clicking here.
 
Elissa Maas Weinzimmer is a vocal health educator, presence coach, and the founder of Voice Body Connection. After suddenly losing her voice at age 21 due to a vocal hemorrhage, severe onset of acid reflux, and muscle tension dysphonia, Elissa began studying the mechanics of the human voice. Over time she developed a unique, concrete approach that empowers performers, leaders, and speakers to optimize their voices and share them more authentically. Elissa's clients include Broadway stars, music icons, television personalities, politicians, and CEOs. Her YouTube videos have reached over 1 million views. Elissa has been running a robust independent voice coaching business for nearly fifteen years; Voice Body Connection offers online courses (both pre-recorded and live), Community programming, and an Instructor Training Program. Elissa earned her MFA in Theatre Voice Pedagogy from the University of Alberta and is certified in Body-Mind Centering®, Fitzmaurice Voicework®, and Hatha yoga (200 hours)®. She also serves as the Managing Director of Vibrant Voice Technique, alongside founder David Ley. You can find Elissa's music on all platforms by searching Elissa Maas. She is based in the Hudson Valley of New York.





BizCore July 14, 2024 Recording: Audrey LeCrone on "The Unmuted Show"