Flexible Pedagogy: Teaching Singers with Dynamic Conditions
Thursday 4th June 2026, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
In recent years, there has been increased awareness in the singing voice community about invisible conditions such as Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD), Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Symptomatic hypermobility and hEDS affects joints and connective tissues including the vocal folds, vocal tract, laryngeal structures, and the respiratory subsystem. Although hypermobility may offer singers some advantages, including increased range and flexibility, voice disorders occur more frequently with these conditions, so related awareness is important for singers and teachers. POTS is a multi-symptomatic dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system. Voice, breath, and cognitive function may be negatively influenced, making performance and practice more challenging. HSD, hEDS and POTS are often overlapping diagnoses, each associated with a long list of symptoms and comorbidities that affect various systems of the body. If voice students disclose one or more of these syndromes, teachers need to use supportive and flexible pedagogy in their practices.
This session includes a basic overview of hEDS, HSD, and POTS. Approaches will be presented that can help students to sing healthily and advocate for appropriate accommodations. Via case studies, participants will gain an understanding of both special challenges and management strategies for living and singing with these conditions. This will give teachers tools to compassionately and knowledgeably support their students.
Pedagogy for singers with hEDS, HSD, and POTS must be adaptable and creative, tailored to individual goals while remaining achievable under the circumstances of each day. Singing teachers have the great privilege of encouraging their students to advocate for themselves, and most importantly, to keep singing!
🏷️ Price £30 (UK VAT inclusive)
🎥 Recording automatically sent to all who book (even if you cannot attend live)
▶️ Rewatch as many times as you like
📜 Certificate of attendance available
Joanne Bozeman
Joanne Bozeman, graduate of the University of Arizona, has taught singing for over 50 years and is retired from Lawrence University's Conservatory of Music in Appleton, Wisconsin, where she taught studio voice and voice-related courses. Her students have gone on to excellent graduate and young artist programs, and have pursued careers as performers, teachers, conductors and voice care professionals.
Marita Stryker
Marita Stryker is a voice educator, performer, PAVA-recognized Vocologist, and movement specialist. She serves as Assistant Professor of Music (Contemporary Voice) and Director of Musical Theatre at St. Olaf College.
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.
Monday 6th July 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
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Friday 17th July 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
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Dr David Cane
Reading music at sight is an invaluable asset for singers and singing teachers of all genres. Whether you want to ace auditions, learn repertoire faster, or expand your versatility as an educator, this short course hosted by Dr David Cane offers practical, evidence-based strategies to build your skills and broader musicianship. No formal prerequisites are required, though a basic familiarity with standard music notation is beneficial.
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5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
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Dr Luke Aldridge-Waddon
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