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.

Advanced Certificate in Accents and Phonetics for Coaching Actors
Wednesday 7th May 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday 14th May 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday 21st May 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday 28th May 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday 4th June 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)

Advanced Certificate in Accents and Phonetics for Coaching Actors

Louisa Morgan

12 week course! Sharpen your coaching skills, discover new tools, and learn how to connect more deeply with your clients in our advanced certificate in accents and phonetics for coaching actors. The course provides an in-depth look at some of the key fundamental aspects of coaching accents, like phonetics and prosody, as well as introducing some theory and practice-based concepts relating to the complexities of this field, such as coaching for neurodiverse performers, English as an additional language (EAL) speakers and identity politics.

Certificate in Foundations of Vocology with Adam Roberts
Monday 2nd June 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Monday 9th June 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Monday 16th June 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Monday 23rd June 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Monday 30th June 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)

Certificate in Foundations of Vocology with Adam Roberts

Adam Roberts

This fifteen week (30-hour) Vocology Cohort Intensive provides a comprehensive overview of basic vocal anatomy, physiology, and theories of voice production & perception, fundamentals of vocal health, pathology, evaluation, performance, and habilitation of the speaking and singing voice, and a survey of research, resources, and professional opportunities.

THE MUSICAL BREATH : Singing for Lung Health – 2007-2025
Tuesday 3rd June 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)

THE MUSICAL BREATH : Singing for Lung Health – 2007-2025

Phoene Cave

This presentation will offer an overview of Singing for Lung Health in the UK and how it has developed over the past 17 years. Phoene Cave started the work at the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals in London and has gone on to train 320+ facilitators globally. Her personal experience is at hospital bedside with individuals and with groups of outpatients. The session will appeal to singing teachers, community choir leaders, respiratory nurse specialists, as well as allied health professionals (e.g. music therapists, respiratory physiotherapists and occupational therapists) and anyone challenged with breathlessness.