Public Speaking

Build the skills and confidence to turn your public speaking into a poignant performance. Over this 2-1/2 hour course, you’ll learn the basics of public speaking. You will find what keeps you from being happy with communicating in public spaces, and then we’ll work together to set personal speaking goals with achievable expectations. You’ll learn various tools that can be applied now, and cultivated in the future. You will be asked to prepare or improvise short talks or discussions on various subjects and present yourself in front of others in a safe environment, while building a sense of confidence that you will carry with you beyond this course. About the instructor: Aaren Rivard is an opera singer originally from South China, Maine. He holds a Master’s Degree in Opera Performance, with a decade of professional performing experience with opera companies across the country. He has since co-founded a new opera company in Maine - Opera in the Pines - to promote diverse arts experiences for communities throughout the state regardless of age, awareness, or background. Aaren has spoken on various topics in music, performance, and art in academic settings, for executive boards, in public coaching forums, and for individual consultation.