Muscle Tension Dysphonia in the Singing Voice!
Friday 2nd October 2026, 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM (London Time)
A specialist course for singing teachers and voice professionals!
Designed specifically for those working with singers, this course explores Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) through the lens of the singing voice - bridging clinical research and studio practice.
Based on a five-year investigative project, the course equips singing teachers with the knowledge and practical tools needed to confidently understand MTD, and support singers experiencing MTD beyond their initial therapeutic input.
This is a practical 2-hour workshop for singing teachers and voice practitioners! Building upon the previous course to create a practical teacher pathway in order to recognise what is happening, reduce unnecessary effort, transfer coordination into singing, manage load and recovery and know when to refer back. Not one size fits all, but a guide to making informed choices with voice users.
What You’ll Gain
- A clear understanding of the physiology and biomechanics underpinning MTD
- Insight into primary MTD, including the patterns associated with 4 types
- Recognition of key symptoms in both spoken and singing voice
- Awareness of common causes and contributing factors (including stress, vocal load, posture, reflux, and anxiety)
- Guidance on general diagnosis pathways and the roles of GP, ENT, and SLT
- Exploration of evidence-informed treatment approaches, including: Accent Method, Estill Voice Training elements, Vocal Function Exercises, SOVT work (including Lax Vox) and tension-release strategies.
Practical, studio-based approaches to support recovery and prevent recurrence with consideration of the psychological impact of MTD will be included, with the aim of empowering singers through rehabilitation.
Why This Course Matters
MTD is increasingly prevalent, yet there remains a significant resource gap for singing teachers. Early recognition and informed support can reduce recurrence, improve rehabilitation outcomes, protect vocal longevity, strengthen collaborative relationships with clinical professionals, Keep the singer confidently at the centre of the process
This course provides both the theoretical framework and practical applications needed to integrate MTD awareness into your everyday teaching.
Whether you are encountering singers with persistent fatigue, range restriction, strain, breathiness, or unexplained vocal change, this training will enhance your support skills and expand your studio toolkit.
🏷️ 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
Dr Claire Thomas
Claire is a singer, singing teacher and voice researcher. She currently lectures in singing on the Musical Theatre programmes at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and runs a private singing studio just outside Edinburgh.
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 13th October 2026
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
(London Time)
MA Voice Pedagogy: Online Information Session & Q&A
Debbie Winter
Considering our MA Voice Pedagogy? Join our Director for a focused online presentation and discussion to explore the course, ask questions, and discover whether postgraduate study at Voice Study Centre is right for you.
Tuesday 13th October 2026
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
(London Time)
Musical Theatre Singing Pedagogy: A Framework for Teaching Musical Theatre Singers!
Amanda Flynn
Join Amanda Flynn for this extended 2.5 hour session on the the pedagogy of teaching musical theatre singing. She will begin by exploring the flexibility needed for musical theatre singing through definitions, listening exercises, and some historical context.
Wednesday 14th October 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)
Thinking Outside the Voice Box: Adolescent Female Voice Change
Dr Bridget Sweet-Manternach
Join Dr Bridget Sweet for this 2 hour session as she unpacks this fascinating topic. The purpose of this course is to bring attention to adolescents who experience an estrogen-dominant voice change and to encourage new and holistic ways of thinking about [assigned at birth] female voices. While considering physical changes during adolescence, we will unpack basic vocal anatomy and physiology and then discuss what happens to the vocal mechanism during voice change for females vs. [assigned at birth] males.