Short Courses & Events / Archive

The Nature Of Empathy And Its Relevance For Voice Work

Thursday 10th June 2021, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)

How do we sense, understand, and respond to other people’s feelings? What neurobiological, situational, and sociopolitical influences modify these reactions? In the pandemic era, how have online interactions and social distance modified our capacities for empathy? Can empathy be trained; can it go too far; and does it always lead to helpful action? This presentation will combine research from animal studies, neurology, and social psychology, plus real-life examples, leading to suggestions for effective teaching and impactful artistry.

DEFINITIONS: WHAT IS EMPATHY?

Terminological problems

Three recognized components: Somatic; Cognitive; Action-oriented

SOMATIC OR EMBODIED EMPATHY

Neurobiological mirroring of others’ feeling-state

  • Influence of sensitivity to own feeling-state
  • Influence of kinship and close social bonds
  • Relevance of boundaries: whose feelings are whose?

COGNITIVE EMPATHY

Thinking about, imagining, or mentally assuming how someone else feels

  • Influence of group affiliation, moral judgment, and cognitive bias
  • Importance of active listening and verbal confirmation

COMPASSIONATE ACTION

The choice to relieve others’ distress, or to withdraw

  • The difference between caring and making a difference
  • How the arts may inspire action—or not

THE TRAINABILITY OF EMPATHY

  • Subjective, experiential training
  • Objective, formal training
  • How compassionate action can feed-back into feelings
  • How screens (virtual world) help or hurt

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ARTS AND ARTS TEACHERS

  • Empathy enhances learning
  • Empathy touches audiences
  • The importance of self-care
  • The importance of community
  • Life after lockdown: empathy at home, in classrooms, and in the wider world

Joanna Cazden

Joanna Cazden, MFA, MS-CCC is a speech pathologist specializing in vocal arts rehabilitation, now in private practice after 18 years as senior voice clinician...

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.

Certificate In Applied Neuroscience And Voice with Voice Scientist Heidi Moss
Tuesday 22nd April 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday 23rd April 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday 24th April 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday 25th April 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday 28th April 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 29th April 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)

Certificate In Applied Neuroscience And Voice with Voice Scientist Heidi Moss

This six-day course is designed to provide an introduction to the neuroscience of vocalization. It aims to provide a foundation for those who are looking to fuse science with art and understand that the voice is so much more than an instrument.

A Critical Overview of Perceptual Motor Learning: Coaching Implications
Wednesday 23rd April 2025
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
(London Time)

A Critical Overview of Perceptual Motor Learning: Coaching Implications

Michele Capalbo

Perceptual motor learning (PML) theory is characterised by the convergence of perception and action. PML focuses on how we teach, not what we teach, in order to optimise learning and ultimately, performance! This short course will outline strategies for teaching and coaching with both long- and short-term goals in mind. These strategies have been adapted for the voice from motor learning theory and the Alexander Technique.

Singing and the Brain: A Harmonious Connection
Thursday 24th April 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Friday 25th April 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)

Singing and the Brain: A Harmonious Connection

Dr Patricia Izbicki

Unlock the transformative power of music with our two-part lecture series that delves deep into the fascinating intersection of neuroscience, music education, and music therapy. This course aims to achieve three distinct objectives: to demonstrate the multifaceted benefits of music training and therapy, to equip you with a neuroscience-informed perspective for teaching, practice, and research, and to provide a comprehensive understanding of the science of singing across all stages of life. Join Dr Patricia Izbicki on this captivating journey and unlock the secrets of music's impact on the brain and human development!