Hyperadduction: A Preventative and Therapeutic Approach to Voice Teaching
Tuesday 9th January 2024, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (London Time)
“Hyperfunctional vocal behaviours are considered to be a primary cause of the most common voice disorders: throat discomfort, vocal fatigue, nodules, polyps, oedema, inflammation and haemorrhage of the vocal folds.” – Freeman and Fawcus
Speech pathology has long been the therapeutic route for treating hyperadductive speakers. Other practices like physical therapy, The Feldenkrais Method®, Alexander Technique and yoga practices have also assisted practitioners in the alleviation of hyperfunction in the body.
This workshop is designed to provide voice teachers and professionals with strategies to counter hyperfunctional vocal behaviours (such as constriction and overexertion of the muscles around the larynx) and thus enable ease of vocal fold functioning. Self-awareness, muscle-release lengthening and awareness stretches, laryngeal massage, neck-release and alignment, athletic-aspirated onset, silent inhalation, and SOVT exercises/practices are the chief tools for addressing this ongoing vocal trend.
As vocal pedagogy evolves, we must challenge ourselves to constantly grow and adjust to the modern expectations of the different genres we hope to be qualified to teach. Utilizing an approach that puts health and longevity before aesthetic is a good way to begin the journey of embracing diversity within our scope of instruction.
Dr John Seesholtz
Dr. John Seesholtz, baritone, is the cofounder of the Canciones project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of Latin American music throughout all stages of academia and former Director of Vocal Pedagogy at the University of Colorado.
Sorry, 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 4th November 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 11th November 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 18th November 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 25th November 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday 2nd December 2025
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
(London Time)
Introduction to Postgraduate Academic Skills - Join Live!
Debbie Winter
Are you ready to elevate your academic journey? Hosted by our very own Debbie Winter, join our comprehensive Introduction to Academic Skills course, designed to equip you with essential tools and strategies for success in higher education. Perfect for bridging the gap between undergraduate and postgraduate study, this course offers a pathway to our full MA for students without an existing degree. We offer both live, interactive sessions and standalone, pre-recorded content.
Tuesday 18th November 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Seeing Sound: An Acoustic Approach to Voice for Actors!
Professor Kathryn Cunningham
Dr Sri Nandamudi
In this short course, Professors Kathryn Cunningham and Srihimaja Nandamudi (CCC-SLP) will introduce accessible ways to integrate acoustic voice analysis into actor voice training. Expanding on their article for Voice and Speech Review, Cunningham and Nandamudi will demonstrate interactive strategies that crossover from the clinical realm to the acting studio.
Thursday 20th November 2025
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
(London Time)
The Art and Science of Accents and Dialects: Bridging Linguistics and Dialect Coaching
Louisa Morgan
The Voice Study Centre in partnership with the University of Essex are delighted to be hosting a free-to-attend symposium event on the 20th of November 2025: The Art and Science of Accents and Dialects: Bridging Linguistics and Dialect Coaching. The session will include a two-hour online roundtable panel discussion including time for a 30-minute Q&A from the audience at the end.