A Voice Teacher’s Guide to Temporomandibular Disorders
Tuesday 4th February 2025, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
Have you or your singing students ever experienced jaw pain or tension during or after singing? This class is for you!
Temporomandibular Disorders are characterized by pain and functional limitations affecting the temporomandibular joints and surrounding structures. While this group of disorders is prevalent, conversations with voice teachers, voice pedagogy literature, and social media all suggest an incomplete understanding of TMDs among voice teachers and singers.
The purpose of this class is to outline a practical, science-based guide to Temporomandibular Disorders that would be relevant to singing and applicable for the voice teaching studio.
The class will begin with an overview of the anatomy and pathophysiology of the TMJ from the perspective of the biopsychosocial medical model and a summary of the literature describing the relationship between TMDs and the voice. How do TMDs affect the voice? What causes TMDs in singers? Does singing make TMDs worse? How can the singer mitigate the impact of TMDs?
We will then continue the discussion from the perspective of what to do as a voice teacher if you suspect your student may have a TMD. Topics include how to screen for a TMD, the voice teacher's role in diagnosis and management of TMDs, considerations for voice teacher response, and recommendations for adaptations in the voice studio.
The lecture portion of the class will conclude with a summary of major takeaways for voice teachers and a discussion of possible areas for future research.
There will also be a hands-on portion of the class, during which we will learn and practice an array of possible functional and vocal exercises that the voice teacher may offer for management of TMDs in singing. 10 minutes at the end of class will be reserved for question and answer.
Dr. Jane Clukey
Dr. Jane Clukey, mezzo soprano, is an active performer and teacher of classical and commercial singing styles from Maine, USA. She appears frequently throughout Maine as a presenter, adjudicator, lecturer, music director, and workshop facilitator.
Attend this course for as little as £22 as part of the Voice Professional Training CPD Award Scheme.
Learn MoreSorry, this is an archived short course...
We have plenty of upcoming short courses coming soon. See details of some of them below or look at the full list of short courses.
Tuesday 6th October 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Inspired Not Bound: The Promise of Science-Informed Voice Pedagogy
Lynn Helding
Lynn Helding defines Science-Informed Voice Pedagogy in her upcoming book Practicing Science-Informed Voice Training as, “A type of hybrid singing voice pedagogy that unites science and art by researching current voice science, translating it, combining it with extant historic voice knowledge, and transmitting it to singers.” Join Lynn Helding as she seeks to understand human behaviour of both sides of the “Science versus Art” debate via research from the fields of cognitive science and behavioural science, focussing particularly on lessons learned due to several societal shifts.
Tuesday 13th October 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
(London Time)
MA Voice Pedagogy: Online Information Session & Q&A
Debbie Winter
Considering our MA Voice Pedagogy? Join our Director for a focused online presentation and discussion to explore the course, ask questions, and discover whether postgraduate study at Voice Study Centre is right for you.
Tuesday 13th October 2026
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
(London Time)
Musical Theatre Singing Pedagogy: A Framework for Teaching Musical Theatre Singers!
Amanda Flynn
Join Amanda Flynn for this extended 2.5 hour session on the the pedagogy of teaching musical theatre singing. She will begin by exploring the flexibility needed for musical theatre singing through definitions, listening exercises, and some historical context.