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).
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.
Wednesday 29th October 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
A neurodiversity-affirmative approach to the voice!
Hilary Davies
In recent years, the music therapy profession has begun to consider the application of the neurodiversity paradigm to music therapy practice, in particular In relation to autism, and an increasing amount of literature embracing this perspective has been published. This lecture, delivered from a lived experience perspective, will provide an explanation of the key concepts around neurodiversity - particular consideration will be given to the use of the voice, both one's own but also to the neurodivergent individual’s particular ways of using language, song and vocal sounds.
Thursday 30th October 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Creative Articulation
Annie Morrison
Most of us have little idea of HOW we speak, or what to do to make speech more muscular. Join Annie Morrison (creator of the 'Morrison Bone Prop') for this two hour session on Creative Articulation, a holistic and haptic approach to the touchings and feelings of the articulators in the dance of speech. Seeing articulation as a purely mechanical skill is detrimental to an actor's process: it is crucial to understand what language is doing on a biological level.
Tuesday 4th November 2025
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
(London Time)
The Belt Voice in R&B/Soul Singing: Vocal Characteristics & Physiology
Dr Matt Allen
The belt’s got soul! This course offers a deep dive into the vocal artistry and biomechanics of R&B/soul singing, with a particular focus on the belt voice—a powerful and expressive vocal technique central to the genre. Drawing from over 80 years of stylistic evolution, the course explores how R&B/soul singing has shaped contemporary commercial music and investigates the unique vocal traits that define its sound.