A Comprehensive Performing Arts Health Curriculum: Moving Beyond ‘Drink More Water’
Thursday 19th December 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
It is widely known singers experience voice disorders and injuries. Such injuries may be mitigated through education of vocal health concepts, and many resources exist to assist in guiding singers to competency in this area. Due to lack of awareness and knowledge of other aspects of performing arts health (PAH), singers may be at risk for non-voice related injuries as a result of their participation in singing activities.
While many singers and teachers of singing may feel comfortable talking about voice health and offering specific advice to their students such as “drink plenty of water” or “avoid yelling and screaming,” far fewer professionals feel confident in discussing other principals of performing arts health such as musculoskeletal, hearing, and mental health concepts.
Whole-person wellness is an essential element in the lives of all performing artists, and this course presentation will encompass each of the four core areas of performing arts health (neuromusculoskeletal, hearing, mental and voice health). We will explore these areas in both a broad overview format and in an immediately applicable ‘tips and tricks’ design. Examples of current research in the field will be combined with best practices for both teachers and students. Awareness and knowledge of the concepts related to performing arts health can improve performance abilities, skill acquisition, and overall well-being. Obtaining competency in application of these principals can be achieved after first being made aware of the issues and gaining knowledge of the problems and solutions. This presentation is a valuable piece in achieving performing arts health competency.
At the conclusion of this course, you will have solid information on understanding the occupational risks that surround you, the intrinsic and extrinsic factors you bring to the table, and how to help yourself navigate the internal and environmental factors affecting your occupational health and wellness.
🏷️ 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
Kourtney Austin
Dr. Austin is an Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She earned her Ph.D. in Performing Arts Health at the University of North Texas, and holds degrees in voice from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and music education from Northwest Missouri State University.
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 5th May 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday 12th May 2026
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Tuesday 19th May 2026
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Tuesday 2nd June 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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Voice pedagogy has advanced significantly in the last decades in relation to knowledge of the vocal apparatus (anatomy and mechanics), acoustics, and performance psychology (to name just a few subfields) – this is a wonderful thing! Nonetheless, musicianship and the foundations of music theory are still relevant to the teaching and coaching of singers and this course aims to empower voice teachers and coaches with skills to support the fundamental musicianship development of their students.
Tuesday 12th May 2026
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
(London Time)
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Beatrice Szczepek Reed
In this course, we will take an introductory look at what prosody is and consider its functions in natural everyday dialogue. Prosody refers to the rhythm, stress, and intonation of speech. It's the musicality of language that helps convey meaning, emotion, and emphasis in conversation!
Thursday 14th May 2026
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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Feldenkrais Method® - its application in speech and song!
Marina Gilman
The Feldenkrais Method® is a form of somatic education that uses gentle movement and directed attention to improve physical and mental functioning, including singing and speaking. Since we are not always aware of the source of tension or discoordination, it is difficult to make the necessary adjustments to ensure optimal use of the voice!