Inhalation hazards and the performing vocalist
Tuesday 10th December 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
Vocal production requires inhalation. But in some performance venues there are chemicals in the air we inhale. Examples include the glycols, glycerine or mineral oil mists in special effects such as haze, fog and smoke. There also is combustion smoke and metal fumes from pyrotechnics, bullet hits (squibs), fire bars and cold spark gerbs. Or there are particles from dust effects, artificial snow, and Holi powders.
While we rarely have to deal with tobacco smoke anymore, there is marijuana and vaping smoke in many locations. In fact, some new information on the hazards of haze fog and smoke chemicals are from studies of vaping since the same chemicals are used in both.
Then there are air pollutants in the dressing and make up rooms including from hair sprays, from powders including talc, from air brush makeups, solvents from lotions, and more.
Next, there are air pollutants from some of the venues themselves. Old buildings may contain lead paint, asbestos sources, or mould. New buildings often contain plastic and resin materials and polymer paints that off-gas chemicals. The ventilation systems in both old and new venues are often less than helpful.
And we can’t ignore the airborne particles that spread infectious diseases which are changing the way we plan events, design ventilation systems, and select air purifiers.
In this course we will look at the respiratory system as a structure that is potentially vulnerable to many types of air pollutants. We will cover the physics needed to understand how particles, gases, and vapours behave in the air. We will review some of the studies of the chemicals encountered in performance venues and view short videos showing typical exposures. Lastly, we will cover strategies to protect ourselves and our voices both on and off the job.
🏷️ 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
Monona Rossol
Monona Rossol was born into a Vaudeville family, began working as a professional entertainer at age three, and continues to perform occasionally to this day. She has a BS in Chemistry with a minor in Math, an MS and MFA with majors in art and a minor in music.
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 7th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 8th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday 9th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday 11th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Monday 14th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 15th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday 16th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday 18th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
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Dr David Cane
This certificated statistics course is ideal for individuals interested in laying a solid foundation in quantitative research methods. By focusing on essential statistical principles, you will be equipped with the tools to understand and apply quantitative research techniques effectively. Statistics is a crucial component of quantitative research; mastering it will enable you to grasp quantitative methods more confidently and precisely.
Tuesday 15th July 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
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Walt Fritz
As a relative outsider looking into the voice and performance world, I witness the bell curve of thoughts and actions on how the tongue contributes to voice problems and how best to tame that tension. Traditional ways of taming tongue tension seem adequate (or would seem so, based on feedback), so what is different and new? In this short course for the Voice Study Centre, Walt Fritz will introduce the learner to variations on self-applied tongue stretches and exercises.
Wednesday 16th July 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
Emotion and Performing Accents and Dialects: why does Emotion Get in the Way?
Louisa Morgan
At points of heightened emotion, it is common for actors working in an accent to default to their natural speech. How do we help performers to avoid this issue and provide them and their directors with the confidence they need regardless of the emotional demands of the piece? What can we learn from research in vocal expression of emotion to help actors to embody the emotion and keep control of their voice and accent? Our very own Louisa Morgan will guide participants through the latest research and offer practical suggestions for working with performers needing to navigate this challenge.