Therapeutic Tools for Performance and Living: Mind/Body Connection, Safety and the Vagus Nerve
Tuesday 30th January 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
This workshop looks at the role of the Autonomic Nervous System in performance and in vocalisation; the importance of developing an internally validated source of motivation for our work; the relationship with our inner critic, perfectionism and acceptance; and how our interpersonal interactions affect our feelings of safety.
We’ll experience together some exercises around the vagus nerve, visualisation and breathing, and look at how our relationship with self, others and the world and the ‘three flows of compassion’ can help us to vocalise with ease and live fulfilled, creative lives of safety and connection.
Ed Lyon
Ed Lyon is a classical tenor and therapist specialising in anxiety conditions. He studied at St John’s College, Cambridge as a choral scholar, then at the Royal Academy of Music and the National Opera Studio. For the past 20 years, he has been involved in the world of classical music at the highest level, performing major roles internationally on the opera stage and concert platform.
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.
Tuesday 28th October 2025
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
(London Time)
Do you practice what you preach? Strategies for optimal practice
Professor John Nix
“Best practices.” “Practice makes perfect.” “Practice what you preach.” There are many popular phrases about practice that people toss about in conversation – but what is practice anyway, how does it work, and what is the relationship between practicing, learning, and performance? This course will examine current evidence from motor learning research on how we learn motor skills like singing. We’ll define practice, learning, and performance, and the importance of distinguishing learning from performance in how we practice.
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
Thursday 6th November 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday 13th November 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday 20th November 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday 27th November 2025
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)
Certificate in Gender-Affirming Voice & Communication with Gillie Stoneham
Gillie Stoneham
In this five-part course, join Gillie for a deep dive into coaching transgender voices, drawing on her specialist knowledge to deliver introductory and orientation material right through to professional competence and vocal coaching implications – and everything in between!