Kate Sutherland - Voice Studio

Need a few ? Here are a couple of things to keep in mind for a healthy voice:

Speaking loudly or over long periods may lead to a voice disorder. Recognize when your voice is tired. Consider vocal training if you have to talk or sing loudly, or speak extensively for your vocation or avocation. Vocal endurance, like athletics, requires special skills.

Stress can lead to forceful voice production, resulting in possible tissue damage. Relaxation techniques can improve your voice and allow you to speak more effectively and longer. Try stretching shoulder, neck and facial muscles periodically; slow, deep breaths also may help.

Have you see this article in The Guardian yet......? 🤩

AUDITION REGISTRATIONS OPEN THIS WEEK!
From 01 February booking slots open for the 2023 season of WICKED at the St James Wellington. Season 17 August to 3rd September 2023.

Register for this once in a lifetime opportunity!

https://www.capitaltheatretrust.co.nz/auditions

An interesting commentary on singing and COVID-19 -

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

Did you know that voice problems can occur after COVID-19? If you have been ill and have problems with your voice, this is a great article that includes tips for voice recovery as well as guidelines around when to seek help.

BRITISH VOICE ASSOCIATION : Advice for people experiencing voice problems after COVID-19 As a result of the COVID-19 virus you may experience some temporary changes to the sound of your voice, and to your comfort and effort levels when using it. These changes are similar to the changes you would expect to experience with a cold or 'flu, but are expected to be more intense and longer las...

Voice therapy is largely an invisible journey. You can be doing all this work where no one can see, and progress can be difficult to measure. Different from physical therapy, there are more than just physical components to address AND you can't see sound production or the vocal cords easily, like you can your knee or arm.

Voice disorders can be more physical in cause, like vocal paralysis, vocal cord stiffness, or vocal cord lesions. They can be entirely functional and muscle tension driven, following a traumatic event or secondary to a structural change and there may be much guilt when vocalizing again.

Remember you are not alone in your struggle, and it's important to listen to all 3 components of Emotional, Physical and Mental areas. It's important to know there are things you can't control in all 3, but there's ability to grow and progress in a positive direction in all 3 as well. Keep working, you're worth the work. (Thanks to my patient who inspired this graphic.)

For my private music teaching friends here are the government guidelines for private music studios under the new COVID-19 Protection Framework.

New Mandate re Teaching and Vaccinations under the "Traffic Light" System - Learn Music NZ 30 November 2021 We have received the following official advice today. Please note that the previous advice regarding vaccination mandate has now... (more)