The Effect of Body Alignment on Voice Production
Thursday 2nd May 2024, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM (London Time)
Voice production involves not just the respiratory and laryngeal mechanisms, but all of the structures of the body. It is therefore key to use a wide lens when assessing the origin of vocal challenges and optimising vocal performance as they may not be local to the vocal or respiratory apparatus. Due to the interconnected nature of the musculoskeletal and fascial systems, the voice can be affected by alignment issues that originate anywhere from the feet to the head.
In this session, we will explore the interconnected pathways of the body’s postural systems in the context of respiratory and vocal mechanics, and offer strategies for both assessing and addressing alignment issues with respect to voice. Topics will include:
- An exploration of the anatomy of voice production from foot to head
- Specific conditions, such as scoliosis, and how they affect voice production
- The role of the head-neck-jaw relationship in postural control
- Understanding the concept of proprioception for optimal postural balance
- How to do a postural assessment for a vocalist
- Practical strategies to address imbalances in alignment and therefore optimise vocal production
This session will deepen your understanding of the role of whole body mechanics in voice production and give you practical tools and strategies to assess and address issues of body alignment for yourself and your students.
Jennie Morton
After a long performing career as a Ballet dancer, West End Musical Theatre performer, and lead singer of a London-based Big Band, Jennie is now an Osteopath specializing in Performing Arts Medicine. Now based in Los Angeles...
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.
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8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
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Performance Anxiety is one of the most widespread and debilitating challenges facing musicians across all ages, nationalities and musical genres. Despite decades of research and the development of numerous interventions, we do not yet have an established way of supporting performers experiencing performance anxiety. Aimed at performers, teachers, researchers and students, this presentation will first summarise the current state of play in performance anxiety research, before exploring alternative ways to think about performance anxiety, drawing on new research outside of performance psychology...
Thursday 19th February 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Thursday 26th February 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
(London Time)
Performing Pain: Vocal Health in Emotional Roles!
Louisa Morgan
How connected are acted emotions to our real-life emotions? Are they expressed differently? Do they feel different in the body? This 2-part course with Louisa Morgan looks at the potential impact of acted emotion on vocal health, why we should consider it as voice practitioners, and how to care for our performers needing to work with it.
Tuesday 24th February 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Incorporating CBT principles within vocal health and voice care
Dr Luke Aldridge-Waddon
Join Dr Luke Waddon as he introduces the principles and techniques within cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) in relation to the voice and voice care. He will discuss psychological factors relevant to the development and maintenance of voice disorders and how these might be approached from a cognitive-behavioural perspective. He will describe theoretical concepts and therapeutic components often used within CBT and consider how these might be applied when working with voice users.