Beyond the Mechanics: Vocal Injury Prevention & Performance Optimization
Tuesday 22nd August 2023, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
When addressing vocal injury prevention and management, it is essential to place the voice in the context of the whole body. Issues such as body alignment, breath mechanics, cardiovascular fitness, and even emotional health all play a role in the expression of vocal symptoms. The question of what constitutes a vocal injury may be classified by some as inability to vocalize or pain on vocalizing, but issues such as vocal fatigue, pitch control, vocal range, and perceived vocal ‘breaks’ can all be addressed through an exploration of the underlying anatomy and how the voice ‘sits’ within the fully embodied performer.
The voice is an organic instrument and is therefore deeply rooted in, and expressive of, our identity and how we interact with the world around us. All too often we look solely at the mechanical aspects of voice production when experiencing vocal challenges which can leave out important components that may lead to the recurrence of the issue.
In this session, we will explore the pathways and components that can lead to vocal injury, how to prevent injury where possible, and what to do should an injury occur. The session will include:
- An overview of the anatomy of voice production, beginning at the feet.
- An exploration of the interconnected pathways through the body that influence voice production and breath mechanics.
- Common vocal challenges, how they occur, and how to manage them.
- The physiological connection between emotional states and voice production.
- The role of overall physical health and fitness in voice production.
- Good practices for general performance fitness, injury prevention, and emotional health.
The session will take you on a journey that encourages viewing the voice through a much broader lens, giving you a dynamic toolkit for both short-term and long-term strategies for managing vocal issues. We’ll be learning practical exercises for your personal use and there will be plenty of time for interactive questions and answers.
Jennie Morton
After a long performing career as a Ballet dancer, West End Musical Theatre performer, and lead singer of a London-based Big Band, Jennie is now an Osteopath specializing in Performing Arts Medicine. Now based in Los Angeles...
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 16th December 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
Inspired Sound: Unlocking the Science of Choral Acoustics
Professor Helena Daffern
In this session, Professor Helena Daffern will explore the fascinating science behind choral sound, offering choir singers and directors valuable insights into achieving a cohesive and expressive ensemble, no matter what their standard. The concept of choral blend will be examined —what it is, how it can be cultivated, and the roles of intonation and vibrato will be analysed. The decisions that have to be made around intonation when tuning thirds or dealing with modulations over the course of an a cappella piece will be explained in the context of existing research and different singing styles such as barbershop singing and solo voice ensembles.
Tuesday 16th December 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Unclenching the Jaw: Options from the Physio Lens
Walt Fritz
“Jaw tension” is one of many potential problems facing the singer, and can cause a direct negative impact on the performance in both direct and indirect ways. The underlying cause of jaw issues is attributed to numerous factors (technique, posture, strength, range of motion, etc.), making it often difficult to identify common denominators. Join Walt Fritz as he examines the evidence supporting stretching, strengthening, and manual therapy interventions to address jaw-related concerns in vocal performers, taking into account their unique needs.
Thursday 18th December 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)
Improving Lyric Italian Diction for Classical Singers
Professor Conroy Cupido
Join Professor Conroy Cupido as he offers an in-depth exploration of the most frequent pronunciation errors made by classical singers in Italian lyric diction. Designed for both emerging and advanced singers, the course provides a structured and practical approach to mastering Italian pronunciation as used in opera, oratorio, and art song.