The Team
Meet our amazing team
We’re all human, and being human means we’ve all experienced anxiety and lacked confidence at some point in our lives. Our facilitators are no different. They’ve all stood in front of audiences whether singing or speaking and felt the crippling nerves or lack of personal confidence. Now, having put the Simply Voice method into practice, they’ve discovered how to work through their fears, find their own confidence and are dedicating their lives to helping others do the same.
It’s all about the people
CLODAGH SWORDS
CEO & FACILITATOR
Clodagh Swords (Founder of Simply Voice) has appeared on T.V., radio, and film for both acting and singing. But back in 2011, she had dropped into a very challenging time in her life. She had become crippled by full-blown anxiety that started to filter into a lot of her life. She had lost her way and most definitely her voice. She had stopped singing or putting herself forward to speak. But in a moment of sheer desire to begin again and find her way back to herself, she created Simply Voice. Initially, it was to help her find her own power and to express herself again. Realising it was so much more, and how much people benefitted from it- she created it into a business in 2018. Beckoning from Trinity College Dublin in the Drama and Theatre Studies department she shared her class with some very well-known actors!! Deciding she had to do more, putting in some hard work managed to get a first-class in her MA in Applied Drama/Voice and facilitation, specializing in improvisation and the voice as that was the most fun! Professionally trained in physical theatre and developing confidence in people’s singing & speaking voice.
Not afraid of hard work as a creative entrepreneur and advanced public speaker with over 12 years of experience within facilitation and communications. In a ‘blink of magic,’ she developed the Simply Voice method and has run extensive workshops in Ireland & Europe. Simply Voice has helped 1000’s gain confidence in their voices since 2018. To add more strings to her bow she is an accredited Life Coach, a qualified ‘Train the Trainer’ facilitator and now training as NVC ( Non-Violent Communication) trainer.
Singer/ Song-writer Facilitator
Chris joined his first Simply Voice session in 2014. Having overcome his journey with performance anxieties, over the last couple of years Chris has blossomed into an acclaimed singer, songwriter, and recording artist. Chris has made a meteoric rise on the music scene. In March 2018 Chris was short listed in the top 10 for the DublinLive, Nathan Carter – Search for a Star. February 2020 saw the release of Chris’ debut single “Your Smile”, making it to #1 in the iTunes singer/ songwriter charts, followed by “Higher”, in November 2020. Chris has released his first single of 2021 “Consumed”, returning to the top spot in the iTunes singer/ songwriter charts. Plans are already in motion for a follow up single “Flint & Steel”, with his 5 song EP “Somewhere”, due for release in May this year.
Personal Brand and Digital Media Facilitator
She came to Simply Voice originally because she had a passion for music and she wanted to develop her singing voice. ” I ended up coming every week,” she says. ” Because it helped develop my confidence and my anxiety around performance and public speaking. Now, I’m part of the team, I’m delighted to be able to share my experience to help participants create a personal brand that authentically and effectively communicates their values and professional gifts.”
Georgina Heffernan has been working at the forefront of publishing and media in Ireland for over two decades, but she is a woman with many feathers in her cap. Entrepreneur, journalist, educator and digital Pr – her passion and creativity only seem to be matched by an insatiable curiosity.
Always in demand as a contributor and public speaker, Georgina has been featured on numerous TV shows such as Xpose, Off the Rails, Open House, The Afternoon Show, Irish TV – and NBC’s Today show. She has also been interviewed on national radio for The Sunday Business Show and Spin FM’s Morning Show.
In 2014, she was awarded the Gladys McNevin Trophy for PR excellence by the Public Relations Institute of Ireland; she was also awarded the John J Doyle award and was made a fellow of the European Institute of Education. In 2016, she won significant investment on the RTE show Dragon’s Den and launched her own lifestyle magazine and website.
Vocal Technique, Sound & Podcasting Facilitator
Paddy Groenland was born in Ireland to an Irish mother and Dutch singer-songwriter father. Despite the early exposure, Paddy – a middle child in a big family – found it challenging & sometimes painful to get heard and so, a performance anxiety followed him into adulthood, despite winning scholarships to study jazz at Berklee School of Music and later, global music pedagogy at the Sibelius Academy, Finland.
Paddy now successfully leads his own group – Paj – and performs in bands like Ensemble Eriu, Rob De Boer, Aby coulibaly, Monjola and more, and is still learning & developing new skills – working with audio production & podcasting Paddy can offer specialised audio & broadcasting requirements.
Through his lived experience of requiring a balance of singing technique & support, and in balancing a busy performance career with teaching, Paddy resonates with singers who feel held back by performance expectations and challenges of bringing their inner voice to the public arena. Paddy has studied CVT (complete vocal training) and privately with vocal coach Judith Mok, and is a Fulbright scholar.
transformation
Do you want to join our team?
We are always open to hearing from people who are passionate about the voice and the power of sound. Contact us and lets see whether there is an alignment.
