Dawna Thomas Giving Voice

"One way of increasing the efficiency of the vibrating system is to reduce the viscosity. But how can this be done? What control do we have over the composition of fluids in our vocal folds?

To appreciate this, consider the range of viscosities of various liquids in the body. Water has a viscosity of 0.01 poise, saliva 0.03 poise, and mucus in the respiratory tract 0.06 poise. (A poise is a standard unit of viscosity. Imagine a cubic centimeter of liquid attached to a vertical wall on one surface. If it were to sag downward under the force of gravity about one centimeter per second on the opposite free surface, its viscosity would be about one poise.)

The average viscosity on the inside of the vocal folds is more than 10 poise, much larger than the viscosity of the mucus deposited on its surface. We don’t know exactly what regulates the viscosity on the inside, whether it is the lymphatic system or the circulatory system, or whether the mucus on the outside is allowed to pe*****te through the mucous membrane (skin) to “thin out” the mucus on the inside. Whatever the case may be, it is clear that more watery substance delivered to the vocal folds, inside or outside, will lower the effective viscosity. This will minimize energy loss due to friction. "

from "An Additional Look at Vocal Fatigue: Part II" by Dr. Ingo Titze. First published in NATS Bulletin, a predecessor to the Journal of Voice. Nov/Dec. 1983

So proud of my friend…and my colleague. What a fabulous director. She manages all the drama in that drama department with comportment and diplomacy. She loves big and inspires deep. Brava! Bravo tutti! Rachel Jones!

So young and already so professional. Honored to meet you and give coaching this winter was a highlight!

My heart is so full…”Bring Him Home” brought me to tears. Every moment that this young man opened his mouth to sing was blessed. Glorious. I’m so proud. He worked so hard.

"[Complications arise] when secondary functions of the larynx compete with the primary life-preserving and protecting function. Sound production is not a primary function of the larynx, especially not sound production with specific musical aesthetics. It is therefore difficult to communicate to one’s system, even in an adaptive or evolutionary sense, that the need for an acoustically clear and powerful voice outweighs the need to maintain the larynx in a healthy and robust state as a protector of the respiratory system.

Even though the voice sounds rough with edema or nodules, the risk for life-threatening damage to the larynx has been reduced by their presence. I suppose that listeners will learn to adapt to rough and callused voices before the body will adapt to accommodate vocal extravaganzas in the face of potential danger. Rock singing has already borne that out.

The preferred solution, however, would be to eliminate unnecessary beating of the voice, to educate ourselves to the fact that there is a limit to the mechanical stress that can be placed on the vocal system."

from "A Further Look at Vocal Fatigue: Part I" by Dr. Ingo Titze. First published in NATS Bulletin, a predecessor to the Journal of Voice, Sept/Oct 1983

Bring on more science! Anything that helps students engage (or disengage) more healthfully!

So…true story…I actually cried. But when you have a million dreams and you take them out on the stage…that’s what happens.
Debut performance was Gold. I won’t forget the way the lights hit this pure face.

Gold! Pure gold.
Access Broadway

I found the record on eBay that I used to have my daddy (The Maestro) put on for me when I was FOUR of the Opera Carmen with Marilyn Horne in the title role. I couldn’t read but I would lay on my belly on the floor turning over the pages poring over the pictures. I sang the Habañera for my senior recital at KSU. And now I’m sharing the very sane record with my daughter who studies voice with ME. I’ve had a rich life as the daughter of a symphony conductor, with a singing and teaching career and now the teacher of my own children. The full circle of music that is so Life Giving. Who inspired you?