Walt Fritz, PT, has evolved traditionally taught tissue-based approaches into a unique interpretation of manual therapy. This approach advances views of causation and impact from historical tissue-specific models into a multifactorial narrative, leaning heavily on biopsychosocial influences. He emphasizes patient input as a critical driver, balancing clinical expertise and knowledge with patient-driven feedback as core aspects of his approach.
Walt presents his workshops internationally through his Foundations in Manual Therapy Seminars and maintains a physical therapy practice in Upstate, NY. You will find Walt in print with Manual Therapy in Voice and Swallowing: A Person-Centered Approach (Compton Publishing, LTD), is a contributing author for The Oxford Handbook of Voice Pedagogy (Oxford University Press, release date in late 2024) and The Vocal Athlete, Third Edition (Plural Publishing), and wrote, The mechanism of action for laryngeal manual therapies: the need for an update (Current opinion in otolaryngology & head and neck surgery, 32(3), 151–155).
Featured Posts
Student & Alumni News
MA Voice Pedagogy student Walt Fritz to be published in otolaryngology journal
Voice Study Centre
Monday 26th February 2024Walt’s article is titled ‘The mechanism of action for laryngeal manual therapies: The need for an update’ and will be published in an upcoming issue.
Read More...
Course Reviews
Course Review: The Diaphragm in Voice: A Touch-Based Approach with Walt Fritz
Voice Study Centre
Friday 7th July 2023Physical therapist and MA Voice Pedagogy student Walt Fritz’s two-hour short course explored the effectiveness of manual therapy in treating diaphragm-related issues as well as strategies for improving awareness and strength.
Read More...
Student & Alumni News
Meet Our Students and Alumni - Walt Fritz
Voice Study Centre
Sunday 26th February 2023International MA Voice Pedagogy student Walt Frtiz is a physical therapist and educator based in New York, USA.
Read More...Upcoming Short Courses
Thursday 27th February 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Options with laryngeal manipulation: Widening the aperture
Walt Fritz
This workshop will provide an overview of the available styles of laryngeal manual therapies, both clinician-applied and self-applied, and offer the voice clinician an understanding of the relative equality of evidence supporting each model.
Past Short Courses
Thursday 1st August 2024
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Stretching for the singer: Moving beyond routines
Walt Fritz
Exercises and stretches for the singer/performer can easily be found online, many of which seem to conflict with or contradict others. Does this dilemma make one model wrong or another model better? Join me as we unpack these and other issues.
Thursday 21st March 2024
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
Digging Deeper into Mechanisms: How Exercises and Stretching Impact the Voice
Walt Fritz
Tight and weak muscles are often seen as culprits needing remediation, but what goes into these interventions? Though pleasantly simple narratives, the mechanisms behind such interventions are nuanced and variable. This short course will guide the learner into a deeper understanding to provide a more straightforward path to client instruction.
Thursday 6th July 2023
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
(London Time)
The Diaphragm in Voice: A Touch-Based Approach
Walt Fritz
The importance of the diaphragm as an integral component of voice production is frequently discussed. In this short, 2-hour course, we will look at options that the voice coach and other professionals can leverage to increase awareness and efficiency of that region.