Making Holistic Connections Between the Voice, Body & Emotions
Tuesday 26th March 2024, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (London Time)
Discover the rich and expanding capabilities possible within you as this course introduces you to the Emotional Body® method’s approach to making physical, vocal and emotional connections. The emotional effector patterns will be introduced as the primary approach during this two-hour introductory lesson. References will be made to how Estill Voice Training® and gentle movement lessons inspired by the Kinēsa® process of somatic education can also assist individuals in expanding their expressive capabilities and developing harmonious communications throughout the body.
Emotional effector patterns are precise breathing and muscle manipulations linked to specific emotional feelings. Each effector pattern has three parts: (1) a breathing pattern, (2) facial expression, and (3) postural attitudes. All three parts work together to create one effector pattern, or biological code, that directly stimulates nerves, cells and organs. The resulting pattern works like a key that opens the door for one particular basic emotion to express throughout the entire body. The patterns are based on scientific findings, independent of gender or social heritage influences, and result in the expression of basic universal emotions and modes of expression.
Estill Voice Training® is an evidence-based system that promotes body awareness and mindfulness and provides exercises designed to develop control of specific anatomical areas of voice production that contribute to the sound and feeling of the voice.
Kinēsa is a somatic method that combines kinaesthetic movement lessons with physical emotion regulation techniques and somatic sensing methods, all designed to assist the individual in raising their awareness of their individual habits, and helping them assess and consider opportunities to form new behaviours that might improve their overall wellbeing.
During this lesson participants will explore…
- Emotional Effector Patterns and how they could impact the physical and vocal expression;
- Vocal expressions of emotion and feelings, and the impact internally and externally of what occurs with the shared energy that sounded expressions create;
- Fully connecting the voice and body with the patterns, along with intentions, desires, and actions in the creation of more consistent, holistic expressions;
- Concepts around physical, vocal and emotional personal tolerance levels, identifying and setting personal boundaries, and considering consent-based agency around emotional expressions;
- Centering, destressing, revitalizing and restoring the nervous system to achieve a calm and restful state, and a quiet mind.
Professor Laura Bond
Laura Bond is a Full Professor of Drama and Interdisciplinary Studies at UNC Asheville teaching acting, vocal and physical expression, voice-over, voice acting, and emotional expression.
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.
Thursday 20th November 2025
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
(London Time)
The Art and Science of Accents and Dialects: Bridging Linguistics and Dialect Coaching
Louisa Morgan
The Voice Study Centre in partnership with the University of Essex are delighted to be hosting a free-to-attend symposium event on the 20th of November 2025: The Art and Science of Accents and Dialects: Bridging Linguistics and Dialect Coaching. The session will include a two-hour online roundtable panel discussion including time for a 30-minute Q&A from the audience at the end.
Tuesday 25th November 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
(London Time)
Singing In Regional Accents: Introducing a Strategy!
Jennifer Rhodes
Do you find your students lean towards a particular accent when they sing? Is there a discrepancy between their spoken and sung accent, or have they have been instructed to change their accent when they sing? Changing an accent can change the way a song is sung, and may unearth unforeseen technical vocal challenges. Join Jennifer Rhodes as she unpicks the latest research on this topic!
Wednesday 26th November 2025
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
(London Time)
Voice Study Centre Online Symposium 2025
Join us for our very first online symposium, dedicated to bridging the gap between artistic training and athletic conditioning for performers! Bridging the gap between artistic training and athletic conditioning, a diverse group of speakers and researchers will be delivering presentations and papers, focusing on promoting longevity and health of musical theatre performers. This symposium aims to elevate awareness surrounding the unique demands of performers, define best practices for training and care, and bridge the gap between different disciplines.