In the traditional training and education model for speech-language pathologists, experience in evaluating and treating voice disorders is few and far between. If one is fortunate enough to land a voice-specialized internship and/or fellowship, it is still rare that one would have sufficient opportunities working with high level singers to feel confident and equipped to identify as a “singing-voice specialist.”

Similarly to the historical vocal pedagogical model, many voice SLPs learn the “tricks of the trade” through a lineage of mentors and teachers. This workshop will provide insight and expertise from both mid/late-career and early-career singing voice SLPs who also have professional singing, performing, and teaching experience.

Objective: The objective of this workshop is to provide resources specifically geared towards early career voice SLPs who wish to work with singers. This will include topics such as gathering a solid, “singer” case history to be able to provide task specific singing rehabilitation exercises and the appropriate timeline of sending singers back to their voice teacher / vocal coach.

Methods: The methods will include role playing to demonstrate mock relationship between singer (patient) and SLP, live demonstrations from with singer (patient) and SLPs, and Q&A session.

At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will have the tools to continue to build confidence in working with singers, regardless of their own personal experience with singing voice. This workshop hopes to specifically provide confidence to early career clinicians to begin providing high quality care to patients who are professional singers.

Natalie Sheppard, B.M., M.A., CCC-SLP, The Professional Voice Center of Cincinnati; The Blaine Block Institute of Voice Analysis and Rehabilitation

Erin Donahue, B.M., M.A., CCC-SLP, The Professional Voice Center of Cincinnati; The Blaine Block Institute of Voice Analysis and Rehabilitation