Short Courses & Events / Archive

Respiratory Aging and Its Effects on the Voice: Mechanisms and Training Approaches

Tuesday 17th December 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)

As the larynx undergoes physiological changes with aging, vocal performance is often affected. Older adults may for example notice shifts in the quality of their voice or experience increased effort when speaking or singing. Additionally, age-related or disease-related changes in the lower respiratory system can reduce the amount of airflow and pressure needed for voicing, further compounding the vocal challenges faced by older speakers and singers.

With aging, some individuals may therefore benefit from approaches directly targeting the respiratory system – as a complement to more traditional vocal exercises – to enhance their voice quality and voice-related quality of life. In order to identify the most effective respiratory approaches, it is important to first understand how respiratory function impacts voice production in aging, and the mechanisms of action through which targeted respiratory exercises may improve voicing.

During this course, we will (1) describe the principal respiratory changes occurring with aging and their effects on voice production; (2) explain the different mechanisms by which some respiratory exercises may impact voice outcomes, with an emphasis on those that are particularly relevant in aging; and (3) provide a concrete example of a respiratory exercise that can be used to improve respiratory and voice outcomes, inspiratory muscle strength training.

By the end of this course, you will have a deeper understanding of the intricate interactions between the respiratory system and the larynx, and how these interactions can be enhanced to help mitigate some of the effects of aging on the voice.

🏷️ 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

Maude Desjardins

Maude Desjardins is an assistant professor at University Laval and researcher at the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Rehabilitation and Social Inclusion (Quebec, Canada).

CPD Course Logo

Attend this course for as little as £22 as part of the Voice Professional Training CPD Award Scheme.

Learn More

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.

Certificated Public Speaking Coach qualification - with John Henny
Tuesday 22nd July 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday 29th July 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday 5th August 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday 12th August 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday 19th August 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday 26th August 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)

Certificated Public Speaking Coach qualification - with John Henny

John Henny

Would you like to be a certified public speaking coach? Join the renowned John Henny for this exciting new online course! This six-week online certification course is designed to equip voice teachers with the specialised skills needed to work with public speakers, corporate trainers, educators, and presenters. Unlike a general public speaking course, this program is specifically tailored to train-the-trainer, giving voice professionals structured methodologies, coaching techniques, and applied skills to enhance vocal delivery, confidence, and influence in professional speakers.

Certificate in Acting Approaches for Singing Teachers
Tuesday 5th August 2025
1:00 PM - 12:00 PM
Tuesday 12th August 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 19th August 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 26th August 2025
1:00 PM - 12:00 PM
Tuesday 2nd September 2025
1:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Tuesday 9th September 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 16th September 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday 23rd September 2025
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
(London Time)

Certificate in Acting Approaches for Singing Teachers

Louisa Morgan

Are you a singing teacher looking to elevate your students’ performances? Join our very own Louisa Morgan, as she takes a deeper dive into acting approaches that singing teachers can use to integrate powerful acting techniques into singing lessons. This 8 session course is perfect for those who want to help their singers connect deeply with the story behind the song. Gain practical tools and techniques that you can immediately apply in your teaching! Come along live for an interactive experience, or watch on playback at your leisure.

What Broadway Singers Wish You Knew About Mixing!
Thursday 28th August 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)

What Broadway Singers Wish You Knew About Mixing!

Regina McAllen

Despite countless studies on vocal technique, few have asked Broadway singers to speak for themselves! In this research-informed session, Regina McAllen presents findings from her two qualitative studies, which amplify the voices of Broadway performers as they reflect on how they experience, develop, and refine their vocal mix. Through selected excerpts from performer interviews and surveys, these investigations offer a rare insider perspective on how elite singers approach and experience their mix on the Broadway stage.