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Three Little Birds Coaching

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Three Little Birds Coaching

My name is Emily Flynn and I am a Music Teacher (Voice/Piano), Performance Coach & Choral Musician with 25+ years of professional experience. Welcome!

I offer individual and group coaching that is trauma-informed and evidence-based. Reach out to get started today! Your journey is sacred and deeply personal and I am humbled to be part of it. Your well-being matters to me, and you are worthy of love and belonging. I am excited that you are taking time to explore your options and to find a coach that resonates with your needs. My work is body-infor

med. I believe that your authentic truth lives in your body and is always informing your choices. As you learn to reconnect with this somatic wisdom, you can release old patterns and make space for the life you truly desire. Your lived experience is a measure of the systems you live and work in, your relationships, childhood, past traumas, and greatest joys. Your body is responding and you can learn to listen and connect with it. Change is possible, and I believe that it is your birthright to feel loved, safe, and empowered. You deserve to feel alive and free in your life, and to be the truest, most beautiful version of yourself, whatever that means for you! As a music educator, singer, and certified somatic practitioner with over 20 years of professional experience, I offer a unique and holistic approach in my coaching work. I specialize in vocal and performance coaching for teens and adults who wish to overcome personal and professional challenges. Everyone is on their own path to self-expression and this takes many forms. Our services are not just for singers! So, what exactly does Three Little Birds offer? Each client's coaching experience will be deeply personal, and my services are for anyone seeking greater freedom and flexibility in their life and work. My method can be applied with singers, musicians, conductors, music educators, and anyone in any kind of performance role. I believe my years of experience in the art of singing and choral music offer a niche that is generally underserved. I also specialize in clients working through big life transitions, such as moves, career changes, relationships, parenting, and more. I will meet you where you are without judgment and develop a culturally responsive and trauma-informed coaching plan tailored to your needs, interests and goals. Together, we will help you reconnect to your values, desires, and authentic self. Informed by the Hakomi Method, I offer a loving presence grounded in the principles of mind-body holism, mindfulness, unity, organicity, and non-violence. Using your body's wisdom as our guide, we will move with genuine care at your pace. Likewise, as you discover what is important to you, you can develop greater psychological flexibility and take values-driven actions in your life and work. So, if you made it this far, I see you, friend! It know that it takes courage to make a change, so I want to validate your efforts to find a coach that aligns with your values and goals. Having done this work for myself, I can assure you it is not always easy but it is most definitely worth it. Please contact Three Little Birds for more information or to book your a free 20 minute consultation: [email protected]

12/03/2026

Hi everyone!

It's been a while since I posted on my business page. I have been focused on creating a whole new life and career, and well, that has had all my focus lately!

I love teaching Music again full-time. I have been working with young people from ages 7 to 18 in singing and piano lessons, during and after school hours. It has been a richly rewarding time for me professionally. I feel very fortunate to have landed in a welcoming community who values the arts. The students I work with each week are truly special.

These two lovelies are Poppy & Daisy and they are THE FUNNIEST and most spirited little duo. They are enjoying their partner piano lessons each week and the best part has to be their laughter as they burst through the door each week in another set of matching outfits!

We have some good giggles and fun while learning about all aspects of musicianship related to piano, including rhythm, ear training, counting, sight reading, music theory, and of course, all technical aspects of playing the piano. The endearing part of this lesson structure is the natural encouragement and teamwork that unfolds each week.

Partner lessons are a great way for tamariki to enjoy learning to play the piano or sing while removing some of the inherent nerves associated with starting private music lessons. And, whānau can split the driving and costs which is a "win" all around.

Shout out to for the matching sweatshirts!

Keep up the great work Daisy & Poppy! I can't wait to see your "piano twins" look next week!

14/12/2025

Hey friends,

I don't share my own singing too much. I literally spend hours singing most days of the week, but I am generally so immersed in what I'm doing that I don't have much video evidence. I'm truly fortunate that music has once again met me and carried me through this latest transition in my life.

I talk to my students a lot about facing fears, being brave, and singing from a place of truth. Today, I took my own advice, finding joy and belonging once again through the beautiful artform that is choral music. I kept it simple with my mantra of "just sing," which helps ground me in the present moment. I also reminded myself to prioritize beauty over perfection, aiming to be a vessel for the composer and story I'm telling. Taking this approach is an act of self care, and I'm glad I've done the work on myself to come to this place musically and emotionally.

This is a solo performance from The Edgecumbe Choir concert on December 14th, 2025, under the direction of Chalium Poppy. These are lovely folks who have welcomed me and supported me to sing some really beautiful music over the last year. I'm grateful.

Don't mind the video quality... Andrew was battling with the piano light in front of me to make it make sense. 😆

I hope you enjoy, and more importantly, I hope you continue to experience connection and purpose doing something you love to do. ❤️

- Emily

07/12/2025

🎶 Just me and my piano desk (IYKYK) prepping for new students in 2026!

🎶 Please reach out if you're interested in knowing more about my voice, piano, and performance coaching.

🎶 I'm passionate about what I offer and am excited to be opening a few new spaces for 2026.

🎶 Ready to get started now? I have limited availability over the December-January period locally in EBOP and on a continuous basis through my virtual coaching services.

🎶 Email me at [email protected] today!

25/05/2025

It's been a weekend of singing! 🎶

As a parent, watching the amazing cast of Newsies Jr. (including my incredible daughter, Isla) over the last two weekends has been so heartwarming. These kids are amazing, as are their directors!

It's sheer magic to witness your child find their sense of belonging and joy on stage with other like-minded peers. I was also one proud voice teacher seeing so many of my new students doing what they love... singing, acting, and dancing!

Then, to my own choir performances this weekend with the .choir, where beautiful soloists and a talented guest organist added to a program of works by Mozart and Hadyn.

I sure missed my choir friends back home in Canada. I was also grateful to be included in such a lovely new (to me!) group of singers. Never underestimate what it means to take time to be welcoming. Us newbies appreciate it!

I was reminded once again that music never fails to unite people, bring healing, and create community. ✨️

04/05/2025

Shame is the "elephant in the room" of modern rehearsal and learning spaces. Let's talk about it.

You see, shame is a full-body state, and the voice doesn’t open under threat. It opens under safety.

Shame driven instruction can trigger a shutdown or freeze response in the nervous system as part of our primal survival wiring. While it may produce desirable short-term effects, it is quite harmful in the long run.

For singers, this can cause:

- Throat tightness or constriction.
- Shallow breathing or breath holding.
- Collapsed posture or a “shrinking” sensation.
- Tension in the jaw, neck, or chest.
- Loss of vocal coordination (voice cracks, shaky tone, unpredictable breath).

This may lead to:

- Avoiding singing in front of others.
- Holding back in lessons or rehearsals.
- Feeling like you have to “prove” your worth constantly.
- Perfectionism or fear of making mistakes.
- Shutting down emotionally or mentally during correction or critique.

Shame tells the singer:

"I am not enough as I am."
“It’s not safe to be seen.”
“I have to hide or disappear.”
“My voice is wrong, and so am I.”

I propose a better way forward:

- Relationship first, technique second.
- Environments where vulnerability is met with care.
- Gentle breath and grounding work.
- Validating the singer’s experience as they are the expert on their body.
- Replacing fear-based instruction with curiosity and connection.
- Normalizing common experiences such as voice cracks, "unpleasant" sounds, and a variety of postures to meet all body types.

As your voice coach, I value genuine connection over compliance. So, I vote for a world in which the deepest parts of you as a singer are honoured and held in high esteem.

Have you experienced shame driven leadership in your musical spaces? Are you looking for a more holistic and inclusive space to sing?

Reach out to get your process started!

[email protected]

16/04/2025

💓 We took a quick family trip to Gisborne recently, and wow... so much natural beauty!

🎶 We singers tend to appreciate esthetically pleasing sights like this waterfall as, so often, our work centers around conveying the beauty of the music that we sing.

✨️ What a gift it was to be surrounded by new sights and sensations to ignite my creative spark and reconnect with my family.

🍁 We even saw a few maple-like leaves! Food for our Canadian souls!

27/03/2025

✨️ Music is good for the soul! ✨️

✨️ I'm blessed to work with such wonderful voice students and their whanau.

✨️ I have a few voice lesson times left for Term 2 on Mondays and Thursdays after school. Lessons run April 28th to June 26th.

✨️ Interested in a partner or small group lesson? Reach out to me by email to join my waitlist!

✨️ [email protected]

16/03/2025

As a singer, your body is your instrument. To promote longevity in your voice, try to incorporate these 10 practical steps!

1️⃣ Stay Hydrated. Your vocal cords need moisture to function properly. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep them hydrated and responsive.

2️⃣ Warm Up Your Voice Gently. Start each practice or performance with gentle vocal exercises. Warming up reduces the risk of strain and prepares your voice for more demanding work.

3️⃣ Avoid Straining Your Voice. Listen to your body. If you feel any discomfort, take a break. Pushing through pain can cause long-term damage. Think stretch rather than strain.

4️⃣ Focus on Your Breathing. Proper breath support is key for a strong, healthy voice. Breathe "low" in your back/ribs, not your chest, to engage your core/support.

5️⃣ Rest and Recover. Vocal rest is just as important as practice. Give your voice time to recover, especially after long singing sessions. Adequate sleep is beneficial for vocal health.

6️⃣ Nourish Your Body. A balanced diet supports both your body and voice. Your muscles, including those involved in singing, need proper nutrition to stay strong. Prioritize protein, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables.

7️⃣ Move Your Body. Regular exercise improves your posture, lung capacity, and overall stamina.

8️⃣ Nurture Your Nervous System. Managing stress and nervous system regulation is essential. High levels of stress can affect your voice, so take time to relax, stretch, and practice mindfulness.

9️⃣ Manage Access to Harmful Substances. Smoking, excessive alcohol, and environmental pollutants can damage your vocal cords. Protect your instrument by reducing your consumption of these irritants.

🔟 Seek Professional Guidance. If you’re experiencing vocal issues, don’t hesitate to consult a vocal coach or an ENT specialist. Early intervention can prevent more serious problems.

Are you doing all of the above and still dealing with blockages in your voice? I offer somatic coaching for singers!

Email me at [email protected] to get started!

11/03/2025

Oh, hey there. It's been a while since I've posted!

Among other things, I've been adapting to my new professional roles and navigating the realities of our current world. It's heavy out there for a lot of people and places.

Given this, I'm opting to engage with some "tried and true" strategies that help regulate my nervous system and promote stability and well-being for myself. These are small actions that allow me to control the things I can control and feel a little bit better in the midst of adversity.

Engaging with community, increasing my movement (especially walking), singing, somatic resourcing, and establishing household routines are some of my go-to's. These actions promote present moment awareness and personal empowerment.

Of course, there are all kinds of science-y words to explain the benefits of belonging, intuitive movement, and mindful living, but it's how I feel that matters most to me.

You see, caring for myself allows me to show up well in my life, my work, and my family, especially in uncertain times. It also allows me to fulfill my birthright, which is to feel safe, seen, and deeply loved.

So... perhaps this post will serve as a loving reminder to take that deep breath, find some sunshine, or develop a plan for your well-being. You deserve it! Change starts with each of us.

Interested in some support on your healing or singing journey? Reach out via email at [email protected] to learn more!

-being

21/02/2025

❤️ Breathe.

❤️ Ground.

❤️ Settle.

❤️ Sometimes all we need are a few simple words to anchor us in the present moment in love, for ourselves and those around us.

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