Speaker Spotlight – Dr. Bradley Williard

Researcher, Opera Singer, Creator & Founder of The Williard Method

Website  |  Instagram  |  Facebook

Theme: Surreal  |  January 2019

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your practice.

Have you ever had one of those moments where you think you know exactly where you’re life is going, and something greater than yourself takes you on a very different path?

Almost two-decades of being in the performing arts as an opera singer, all-but-dissertation in my doctoral degree, and I was thrown face first into my “Eat, Pray, Love” moment. That moment change the trajectory of my life: I left a partner of 4 years and multiple friendships, sold everything I owned, and dove into the unknown. I lived in Berlin for over 2 years, experiencing every color of emotion and aliveness. I thought I was going to Germany to sing, but really I was going to find the truth of my voice.

Fast forward, I am the creator and founder of The Williard Method, a somatic breathing and voice integration process that I created from my doctoral research. I help thought leaders, voice professionals and unheard voices discover what it means to embody their voice and truth, helping them to step into a life of purpose and love.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be in the performing arts. I started out in ballet in the Dance Preparatory division at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, but I stopped dancing because my family had a different idea of masculinity. I am so grateful I followed my heart and passion for the arts, and that my love for self-expression was greater than the gender barrier I knew growing up.

Can you remember when you first learned about your field of work? How did you discover what it was, and how did you know it was what you wanted to do?

I starting studying vocal technique when I was 15, but the work I do today with the voice, breath and body is pretty specific to my gifts and experience. To be honest, there are not a lot of people doing this type of healing work, which is why I created the method. I wanted to introduce a new a way of looking at the voice that did not put the voice first, but instead focused on creating a deeper relationship with our inner and outer experience of the breath, body and life. I knew I had landed in my purpose when I could fully let go of the singing career and step into the path that my soul was calling forth.

What is the best part and hardest part of your job?

With a doubt, the best part of my profession is getting to work with clients that are really invested in their inner and outer growth. That particular mindset tends to create more vulnerability and emotional openness around the voice and its connection to the breath and body. On the other hand, someone who has a fixed idea about their voice and body can be very challenging, because the emotional body has already created walls. The voice is a very intimate relationship for most people, and it always needs to be approached with gentleness, compassion, and great sensitivity.

What on-the-job tools do you use every day?

The only tools I need to guide my clients are my ears, hands, eyes, breath, voice, and intuition – and my client’s willingness to dive deep!

What about your community inspires you?

I am constantly inspired by our community’s commitment to equality and inclusiveness. We have a ways to go when it comes to race, but I am happy to see the women of this community finding their voice. My hope is that the community as a whole can move beyond the confinements created by gender and race, and focus on creating the relationships that make room for all of our voices, while healing our community.

What is the best piece of business advice you’ve been given?

Make mistakes, and make a lot of them!

Can you name a moment of failure in your business experience that you learned from or that helped you improve your business or the way you work?

My biggest moment of failure actually came during my doctoral degree - I failed my first attempt at the qualifying exams. I realized that I had focused on the intricacies of music, and glossed over the foundations. For six months, I relearned the basics and re-built my foundation, and passed the second round. As much as that failure hurt, I learned a very valuable lesson - it is not about the impressive details, it’s about how solid your basic foundation is. That lesson became invaluable when I created a healing modality for the spoken and sung voice, built on the foundations of the breath and body.

What books/resources (if any) would you recommend to someone interested in furthering their creative practice, or starting a creative business of their own?

One of my favorite authors and researchers is Brené Brown. We both tend to look at vulnerability and self-worth through the same lens. Everything she has written thus far is solid from a social science perspective, and she walks the talk of being vulnerable in her research and writing. She is paving the way for how scientific research can also speak the language of the heart, while helping people awaken to their own possibilities.

If you were magically given three more hours per day, what would you do with them?

Can I be choosy as to where I want to use these three magical hours? I would love to have two hours in the morning that doesn’t include feeding the dogs or getting ready for the day. Simply walk from the bedroom to my office, with a cup of coffee, and begin my creative process! I would like to give the other hour to my beautiful and loving partner. I know, I didn’t give him half… that’s the Capricorn in me!  

Who are your favorite creators and makers, local and beyond?

One of my favorite creatives here in Asheville is local artist Matt Willey who created the Good of the Hive initiative. Matt is hand-painting 50,000 honeybees in approximately 50-70 murals around the world to raise awareness about their population decline and celebrate their incredible behaviors. I admire his focus and commitment to standing in his joy, truth, and purpose.

Anything else you’d like to share?

For all those voices who are trying to find their way to their truth: true power lies in our willingness to cultivate a relationship with ourselves, grow our self-confidence, and embrace vulnerability as a strength.