Mindfulness and Voice: Exploring the Intersection through Peer-Reviewed Literature

There is a natural synergy between mindfulness and voice work. Both require and cultivate sustained attention, self-knowledge, somatic (bodily) awareness, and breath work. Mindfulness research has exploded in recent years, and interest in mindfulness and voice is growing, as evidenced by the amount of mindfulness-related content at conferences of the International Congress of Voice Teachers, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the Voice Foundation, and the Pan-American Vocology Association, among others. 

Despite strong interest, only a handful of peer-reviewed studies have examined the relationship between mindfulness and voice. Emerging research indicates that mindfulness can help voice users learn to respond to stress more effectively and may help them manage performance anxiety. It can increase attentional and somatic awareness, which may lead to faster vocal change. It may even help reduce the symptoms of some voice disorders, particularly muscle tension dysphonia. Finally, mindfulness can help voice users gain perspective on internal and external criticism and maintain a sense of agency in the face of setbacks and change.

In this course, we will examine several types of peer-reviewed literature. First, we will look at mindfulness studies that indirectly relate to voice work. This will include studies on the psychological and physical benefits of mindfulness. Second, we will review research that examines mindfulness as it relates to voice-adjacent fields (e.g., music performance anxiety and stammering/stuttering). Third, we will look at the few published studies that have directly investigated the relationship between mindfulness and voice, including work with healthy singing populations and research in people with voice disorders. Lastly, we will examine directions for future qualitative and quantitative research.

🏷️ 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