Flexible Pedagogy: Teaching Singers with Dynamic Conditions

In recent years, there has been increased awareness in the singing voice community about invisible conditions such as Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD), Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Symptomatic hypermobility and hEDS affects joints and connective tissues including the vocal folds, vocal tract, laryngeal structures, and the respiratory subsystem. Although hypermobility may offer singers some advantages, including increased range and flexibility, voice disorders occur more frequently with these conditions, so related awareness is important for singers and teachers. POTS is a multi-symptomatic dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system. Voice, breath, and cognitive function may be negatively influenced, making performance and practice more challenging. HSD, hEDS and POTS are often overlapping diagnoses, each associated with a long list of symptoms and comorbidities that affect various systems of the body. If voice students disclose one or more of these syndromes, teachers need to use supportive and flexible pedagogy in their practices.

This session includes a basic overview of hEDS, HSD, and POTS. Approaches will be presented that can help students to sing healthily and advocate for appropriate accommodations. Via case studies, participants will gain an understanding of both special challenges and management strategies for living and singing with these conditions. This will give teachers tools to compassionately and knowledgeably support their students.

Pedagogy for singers with hEDS, HSD, and POTS must be adaptable and creative, tailored to individual goals while remaining achievable under the circumstances of each day. Singing teachers have the great privilege of encouraging their students to advocate for themselves, and most importantly, to keep singing!

🏷️ Price £30 (UK VAT inclusive)
🎥 Recording automatically sent to all who book (even if you cannot attend live)
▶️ Rewatch as many times as you like
📜 Certificate of attendance available