The Voice Foundation

• Chicago Chapter of the Voice Foundation (CCVF)
• Atlanta Chapter of the Voice Foundation (ACVF)
• Greater Milwaukee Chapter of the Voice Foundation (GMCVF)
• Seattle/Northwest Chapter of the Voice Foundation (NWCVF)

If you would like more information on starting a local chapter of the Voice Foundation please contact Kathryn Murphy, Executive Director, at (215)735-7999 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Chicago Chapter of the Voice Foundation (CCVF)

The Chicago chapter started out 2010 with the departure of Dr. Lee Akst, our Vice President. He left the area for a great position at Johns Hopkins and we wish him the best!

New chapter officers are as follows:

• Jan Reed                  President
• Kay Meyer                Vice President
• Marie Gillespie          Secretary/Treasurer
• Dr. H. Steven Sims   Medical Director

Our January event featured Kay Meyer, presenting a workshop on professional networking. The March event was sponsorship of Dr. Kittie Verdolini's course on Lessac Madsen Resonant Voice therapy.

The exciting news is that we have worked out details to offer ASHA CEUs to speech-language pathologists, starting this summer. As a result, there will be no meeting in May. There will, however, be a day-long workshop in July on PVFM/VCD, featuring presentations by two experienced voice clinicians, as well as physicians well-versed in the disorder. This is tentatively planned for July 24 in Evanston. A small fee will be charged to cover the ASHA costs. Details will be posted on the group site: http://groups.google.com/group/TVF-CC.

We're very proud to report that our chapter membership is close to reaching 100, with new members being added weekly. New members are welcome at any time!

Atlanta Chapter of the Voice Foundation (ACVF)

The newly formed Atlanta Chapter of the Voice Foundation held it's first event/meeting in late January of 2009. The chapter plans to hold quarterly meetings/events. Events will be held in Atlanta, Georgia. Upcoming events will include an artists round table, workshops and master classes.

The Atlanta Chapter of the Voice Foundation has a very interesting Spring 2010 planned. In January Dr. Karen Tedeschi of Tedeschi Wellness Center spoke to the group.  Dr. Tedeschi is a Chiropractor with strong interests in the role that nutrition, allergies and emotional balance play in our lives. She has worked with many performers and discussed the importance of maintaining emotional balance through nutrition for performers. In celebration of World Voice Day, April 16, the chapter will be sponsoring a ½ day Symposium: Rethinking Voice and Disability together with the Emory Voice Center and the Emory Program of Health Science Humanities.  Featured speakers will be Rosemarie Garland-Thomson PhD and Ani Satz, PhD, J.D, both leading scholars of disability studies and Nelson Roy, PhD CCC-SLP, whose research of voice handicap in teachers has lead the way for a serious look at voice disorders as disability.  Highlights of the 2009 season were a Vocal Health Workshop together with Walter Huff and members of the Atlanta Opera Chorus as well as a very informative talk on working with R&B, and Rock singers by Jan Smith, voice teacher and coach.

Upcoming meetings are scheduled for:

April 16th, 2010

Please contact Marina Gilman, President, for more information at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Greater Milwaukee Chapter of the Voice Foundation (GMCVF)

The Wisconsin Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing has once again generously invited us to attend their spring meeting.

It will take place Saturday, March 27, in Madison and feature the learning opportunity, Preparing Students for Musical Theatre.  Presentation/master classes by Ray Jivoff, Associate Artistic Director at Skylight Opera Theatre, Corinne Ness, renowned musical theatre pedagogue from Carthage College.

• There is no charge for the educational presentations. 
• There is a luncheon meeting for those who would like to attend that costs $14.00 (RSVP to Tanya Kruse Ruck by March 15). 
• Flyer.pdf
• Luncheon Reservation Form.pdf

Sincerely,

Carol Jorgensen Tolejano

Secretary, Greater Milwaukee Chapter of the Voice Foundation

PLEASE NOTE: We have drastically changed our meeting structure this year.  This is the only Monday night meeting we will be having all year. The remainder of our meeting plans for the 2009 - 2010 year is as follows:

JANUARY 26, 2010: Networking/Planning Meeting : Members interacting and communicating with other members in their areas of special interest and expertise. Generating ideas for outreach projects for World Voice Day (April 16, 2010). Location: Dr. Dindzans' house. 

FEBRUARY 20, 2010: HALF DAY VOICE HEALTH SEMINAR. Presentations to be determined.

Throughout APRIL: Individual or group outreach projects to celebrate World Voice Day (APRIL 16, 2010).

Looking forward to see you there!

Sincerely,

Carol Jorgensen Tolejano, BFA, MA, CCC-SLP

GMCVF Secretary

GMCVF Mission Statement

Established in 2005, the Greater Milwaukee Chapter of the Voice Foundation is a multidisciplinary gathering of voice professionals and health practitioners dedicated to the distillation, discussion, and distribution of research, opinion, and experience, for the purpose of fostering and maintaining the lifelong health of the human voice.

The mission of the Greater Milwaukee Chapter is to promote and enhance voice education, healthy voice practices, and open dialogue and improved understanding among voice-related professions within and around the Milwaukee area. Through involvement in educational and other activities, including lectures, master classes, hosting guest artists and speakers, and social events, the organization seeks to support and participate in the goals of the parent organization.

For further information please contact:
Carol Jorgensen Tolejan at (414) 805-8951.
        • One does not have to be a member to attend.
        • One does not have to be a "voice expert" to attend. 
        • These meetings and the educational presentations that follow are FREE.
        • Please encourage your students, choir members, and patients to attend if they are interested!

Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,
Carol Jorgensen Tolejano , MA , CCC-SLP
Secretary, Greater Milwaukee Chapter of the Voice Foundation.

Northwest Chapter of the Voice Foundation (NWCVF)

Next Meeting: 

Just a reminder that the next Northwest Chapter of the Voice Foundation meeting and presentation will be Monday, January 11th at the usual place and time.

            Dr. Joshua Benditt

            "Chest Mechanics for the Vocal Performer"

            January 11, 2010

            Eagleson Hall, 15th Ave NE and NE 42nd St

            Business Meeting: 6:30

            Presentation and Discussion: 7:00

We are excited to host Dr. Joshua Benditt, a renowned Pulmonologist and Professor from the University of Washington Medical Center. Dr. Benditt is currently the Director of Respiratory Care Services at UWMC, and has clinical and research interests in non-invasive ventilation methods for individuals with different types of neuromuscular diseases, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. During this NWCVF meeting, Dr. Benditt will present information related to the respiratory demands for vocal performers.

Hope to see you all there to kick off another year of great speakers and topics. Bring a friend!

The Northwest Chapter has been going strong for a year now with meetings every other month, and we just hosted our 7th meeting in November. Topics have included: Reflux; The Injured Singer (from the Singer's perspective); The Irritable Larynx; Birdsong; Breathing and Emotion; and the Challenge of Choral Directing. All have been well received and generated lively and sometimes challenging discussions.

Attendance has been great with an average attendance of 40. Our official email list of interested individuals is now at over 100 addresses. Attendees include SLPs, MDs, singing teachers, choir directors, dialect coaches, theatre and singing professionals, and medical and SLP students. As far as we know, no mimes have managed to sneak in to any of the meetings.

Our officers are:
President - Al Merati
VP - Helen Ingham
Secretary - Nancy Bos
Treasurer - Jennifer Sherley

We are looking forward to more enticing and challenging discussions in the coming year. Plans are in the works for various fundraising activities. More on those later as they come to fruition.