Rena Cook | SpeakerHub

Personal Details

Bio

Rena Cook, speaker, author, voice, speech, confidence, and presentation coach, is Professor Emerita at the University of Oklahoma. She is the founder of Vocal Authority, a training consultancy serving corporate clients, politicians, and attorneys, to use their voice in more commanding and authentic ways.

Her TED talk is titled “Power without Press: the foundation of authentic communication,”

Rena is the author of Empower your Voice: For Women in Business Politics and Life, and Voice and the Young Actor, used throughout the US and the UK.

She has an MA in Voice Studies from London’s Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, an MFA in Directing from the University of Oklahoma.

Current position (3)

Vocal Trainer & Presence Coach

Vocal Authority

Professor Emeritus

University of Oklahoma

Professor Emeritus

University of Houston

Degrees (3)

Master’s Degree Voice Studies

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

1999 to 2000

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) Directing and Theatrical Production

University of Oklahoma

1988 to 1991

Master’s Degree Counselling and Guidance

University of Tulsa

1980 to 1981

Presentations

Presentations (2)

Empowering Women’s Voices

There are professional challenges that all women in the professional arena face each day. There are many reasons, both culturally and socially, why we lose our voices. Although we can’t change society quickly, we can rediscover our natural authentic vocal power!

There are many books and seminars for women on various issues concerning women’s professional challenges, all encouraging us to speak up, own our power, lean in, push back, take our place, take our seat, have confidence and have presence. But the question remains: How exactly does a woman do this? How does a woman overcome years of habitual ways of thinking and behaving, to find a clear, strong voice that conveys confidence, presence, and authentic power?

Empowering Women’s Voices consists of sequential exercises that work on our body’s muscle memory to actually learn to speak in a new and more effective way.

The Expressive Litigator: Voice and its Relation to Persuasive Story Telling

Expressivity and confidence in front of judge and jury, the ability to build suspense and to hold an audience are all skills that can be taught!

The Expressive Litigator: Voice and its Relation to Persuasive Story Telling, is an in-depth training course for the attorney who wants to have more vocal power, clarity and expressivity in front of judge and jury.

Interactive, informative and fun – these exercises produce lasting results and can be applied immediately.

• Divided into three primary sections:
• Elements of Voice
• Principals of Expressivity
• Expressive Story Telling

Participants delve deeply into various aspects of voice, including breath, resonance, articulation, inflection that communicates meaning and using verb imagery to find authenticity and variety. Using their own opening/closing statements, participants can receive one to one coaching to enhance Confidence and effectiveness.

Workshops (3)

Speak Your Truth to Authority

Full day

This workshop outlines a strategy for sharing facts, ideas and opinions with supervisors and colleagues who may or may not be receptive to what you have to offer.

Put Your Best Voice Forward

Full day

The minute you open your mouth people will begin to form opinions about you. The quality of your voice adds or detracts from your general “attractiveness” and your perceived leadership potential.

Perfecting your Elevator Speech

Full day

This workshop will help you create the perfect elevator pitch, gain confidence in the presentation, learn to speak clearly with ease and passion.