Muscle Tension Dysphonia in the Singing Voice!
Friday 2nd October 2026, 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM (London Time)
A specialist course for singing teachers and voice professionals!
Designed specifically for those working with singers, this course explores Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) through the lens of the singing voice - bridging clinical research and studio practice.
Based on a five-year investigative project, the course equips singing teachers with the knowledge and practical tools needed to confidently understand MTD, and support singers experiencing MTD beyond their initial therapeutic input.
This is a practical 2-hour workshop for singing teachers and voice practitioners! Building upon the previous course to create a practical teacher pathway in order to recognise what is happening, reduce unnecessary effort, transfer coordination into singing, manage load and recovery and know when to refer back. Not one size fits all, but a guide to making informed choices with voice users.
What You’ll Gain
- A clear understanding of the physiology and biomechanics underpinning MTD
- Insight into primary MTD, including the patterns associated with 4 types
- Recognition of key symptoms in both spoken and singing voice
- Awareness of common causes and contributing factors (including stress, vocal load, posture, reflux, and anxiety)
- Guidance on general diagnosis pathways and the roles of GP, ENT, and SLT
- Exploration of evidence-informed treatment approaches, including: Accent Method, Estill Voice Training elements, Vocal Function Exercises, SOVT work (including Lax Vox) and tension-release strategies.
Practical, studio-based approaches to support recovery and prevent recurrence with consideration of the psychological impact of MTD will be included, with the aim of empowering singers through rehabilitation.
Why This Course Matters
MTD is increasingly prevalent, yet there remains a significant resource gap for singing teachers. Early recognition and informed support can reduce recurrence, improve rehabilitation outcomes, protect vocal longevity, strengthen collaborative relationships with clinical professionals, Keep the singer confidently at the centre of the process
This course provides both the theoretical framework and practical applications needed to integrate MTD awareness into your everyday teaching.
Whether you are encountering singers with persistent fatigue, range restriction, strain, breathiness, or unexplained vocal change, this training will enhance your support skills and expand your studio toolkit.
🏷️ 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
Dr Claire Thomas
Claire is a singer, singing teacher and voice researcher. She currently lectures in singing on the Musical Theatre programmes at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and runs a private singing studio just outside Edinburgh.
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.
Tuesday 27th October 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Pop Pedagogy - an Overview
Kim Chandler
Some successful pop stars are celebrating career lengths of over sixty years, having been around since the 1950s when pop music emerged and diversified from jazz, so pop singing has been in existence sufficiently long now that, for teaching purposes, we can observe and analyse what type of approach serves it best.
Friday 30th October 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)
Feldenkrais Method® - its application in speech and song!
Marina Gilman
The Feldenkrais Method® is a form of somatic education that uses gentle movement and directed attention to improve physical and mental functioning, including singing and speaking. Since we are not always aware of the source of tension or discoordination, it is difficult to make the necessary adjustments to ensure optimal use of the voice!
Monday 2nd November 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday 3rd November 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
The Vocal Health Challenges for Actors and Singers!
Leda Scearce
Two part course! Vocal health principles are inextricably and symbiotically linked with singing and acting voice pedagogy: Good vocal health allows the singer and actor to more easily and effectively achieve their technical and artistic goals, and good teaching reinforces vocal technique that diminishes the risk of vocal injury. We now also recognize the necessity for singers and actors to understand how their instruments work, how to take care of their voices, and what to do when something goes wrong. Singing and acting teachers are indeed on the front lines of vocal health!