Singing for Health Network Series Workshop 5: Singing for Parkinson's

All sessions are recorded and will be sent out to all registered participants.

Voice Workshops

Health and wellbeing: Singing for Parkinson’s

Aims

• The student will gain a holistic understanding of the symptoms of Parkinson’s.
• The student will understand the neural, cognitive, and motor learning challenges present within sessions.
• Teachers and facilitators will experience how to use their existing knowledge of vocal pedagogy and body mapping to create an enhanced singing programme specifically targeting the needs of their clients.

Objectives

• Can recognise and react appropriately to Parkinson’s symptoms within a singing session.
• Can deigns targeted exercises to enhance the therapeutic benefits of sing for Parkinson’s classes.
• Can begin to develop a toolkit of strategies that can support motor learning.
• Can develop safe working practices for themselves and their clients.

Session

What is Parkinson’s?

• An overview of symptoms and the possible profile of our clients
• Established therapies
• The benefits for people with Parkinson’s of being part of a sing for Parkinson’s programme

What the research suggests

• The neurological and cognitive implications of Parkinson’s for the singers.

• Skill acquisition and motor learning in a choral Parkinson’s class.

Putting theory into practice.

• Integrating research and a knowledge of singing pedagogy to enhance the therapeutic outcomes for a Parkinson’s vocal session

Break out groups 1

Develop aims and objectives for:

1. One targeted physical warm-up
2. One vocal exercise
3. Suggest a song that demonstrates how you will develop these exercises.
4. Reflection in action: consider how you may need to adapt to the clients learning needs.

Setting up a Sing for Parkinson’s Group.

Break out group 2

Things to consider

• A question of diversity.
• What are the barriers to attendance?
• Thinking about a community approach.
• What are my biases and assumptions as I teach the class?

Health and safety round-up

References and Bibliography