We often think of our voices simply as tools for communication, but they’re so much more. Our voices are perhaps the most personal instruments we possess—uniquely ours, immediately identifiable, and deeply connected to our sense of identity. Ask yourself, how has your voice shaped your life?
The Sound of Difference
“You have such a deep and resonant voice for a woman.”
This observation has followed me throughout my life—sometimes delivered with fascination, other times with confusion. My speaking voice would often be misgendered on the phone with callers assuming they were speaking to a man. And my singing voice didn’t fit neatly into conventional categories. In a world where female vocalists are often celebrated for their ability to hit soaring high notes, a naturally deep, resonant voice can feel like an outlier.
This relationship with my voice has been a journey—one that mirrors many of our experiences with the qualities that make us distinctive. We often begin by wishing we could blend in, only to eventually discover that our differences are where our greatest strengths lie.
Cultural Expectations and Voice
Have you ever noticed how gendered our expectations of voices are? The pressure on female singers often revolves around lightness, sweetness, and range—particularly the ability to hit those impressive high notes. Think about how many singing competitions feature women belting out Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey songs, showcasing their upper register.
But what happens when your natural voice sits elsewhere? When your resonance and power come from a deeper place? What does that mean for how we are perceived, how our communication is interpreted and how we fit in?
The journey toward embracing a distinctive voice isn’t just about singing technique or how we explore the nuances of our speaking voice—it’s about identity, authenticity, and finding the courage to claim your natural sound in a world that might expect something else.
Finding Musical Mirrors
For those of us with voices that don’t follow conventional expectations, discovering artists who share similar qualities can be a revelation. These musical mirrors show us possibilities we might not have imagined for ourselves.
My own journey included unexpected moments of recognition—hearing certain artists such as Edith Piaf and thinking, “That sounds like… me.” From the emotive vibrato of French chanson to the rich, resonant tones of particular jazz and blues singers such as Nina Simone, these discoveries became touchstones in my relationship with my own voice.
What’s fascinating to me is how our voices often seem to know where they belong before we do. They naturally gravitate toward certain genres, timbres, and expressions—if only we learn to listen and follow rather than force them into shapes that don’t fit.
From Limitation to Strength
The most powerful transformation happens when we stop viewing our distinctive qualities as limitations and begin exploring them as strengths. This shift is rarely instantaneous—it’s a winding path with moments of doubt and breakthrough.
For me, developing “Hear My Voice” became part of this journey. Creating a show that directly addresses my relationship with my voice allowed me to transform personal exploration into shared experience. What began as private reflection became an opportunity for connection—discovering how many others have navigated similar territory in their own lives, perhaps with different distinctive qualities but similar emotional landscapes.
The process of selecting and arranging songs to tell this story became an act of claiming space. Each piece chosen not despite my distinctive vocal qualities, but because of how those qualities could bring new dimensions to the music.
The Universal in the Personal
While my specific journey with my voice is unique to me, the experience of reconciling how we sound with how we see ourselves—and how others see us—is surprisingly universal. We all navigate the territory between fitting in and standing out, between meeting expectations and honoring our authentic selves.
When we share these personal journeys, something magical happens. Listeners find themselves reflected in unexpected ways, discovering parallels to their own experiences that might look entirely different on the surface but share the same emotional core.
An Invitation
On May 10th at Gingers Vintage Lounge Bar, I’ll be bringing “Hear My Voice” to life in an intimate setting that allows for genuine connection. Through carefully chosen music spanning jazz, blues, and beyond, the show explores how embracing our distinctive qualities—such as our voices—shapes who we are and how we connect with others.
In this performance, I’ll share the moments of doubt, discovery, and eventual celebration that marked my journey with my voice through heartfelt storytelling interspersed with a fabulous selection of songs to bring the story to life. It’s a story told through music and words, but it’s ultimately about something more universal—finding the courage to embrace what makes us different.
The journey of finding home in your own sound is one worth sharing. I hope you’ll join me.
We look forward to seeing you there,
Alex
Alexandra Frost performs “Hear My Voice” at Gingers Vintage Lounge Bar (109 Goodwood Road, Goodwood SA 5034) on May 10th, 2025. Dinner from 6pm, show from 8pm-10pm. Limited seating available—booking details available through Trybooking or by contacting Gingers directly at 08 7073 2361 or booking online