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.
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Tuesday 28th July 2026
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Thursday 30th July 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
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William Leigh Knight
Only around 3% of the population fall into the category of amusia while over 17% consider themselves ‘tone-deaf’; and this does not account for non-singers, a wider group sometimes described as ‘tuneless’. So, who are ‘the voiceless’? Join William Leigh-Knight as he unpicks this question and considers the purpose of training a voice, when it is considered such a natural human attribute, and he expands on the principles that drive his own practice, which may be summarised as ‘person-centeredness’
Monday 3rd August 2026
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Tuesday 4th August 2026
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Wednesday 5th August 2026
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Thursday 6th August 2026
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1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
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Louisa Morgan
Build on your foundational knowledge of accents and phonetics in this week‑long lunchtime course designed specifically for voice teachers. Whether you have completed our Level 1 Certificate or already possess a basic working knowledge of phonetics and accent work, this Level 2 course will help you deepen your skills, sharpen your analytical ear, and expand your practical toolkit for teaching.