Title: Heritable Aspects of Voice: Comparing Siblings Raised Together and Apart

Objectives: Genetic inheritance in voice is a relatively new exploration. Existing literature indicates both genetic and environmental influences on voice production. This study aims to provide more granular detail on the heritable aspects of voice by examining a unique sibling cohort with two distinct rearing conditions: siblings raised together and siblings raised apart from their biological father. This comparative approach allows for a clearer separation of shared genetic influences from environmental and learned vocal behaviors. Our primary case involves the offspring of a renowned singer, the "King of Bluegrass," and their half-siblings, one of whom was adopted and raised separately.

Methods: We utilize Praat to extract and compare core acoustic features from both speech and singing samples across the sibling groups. These features include: average fundamental frequency (F0​), pitch variability (F0​ SD), articulatory rate, and the formant frequencies. To control for sex-based differences, we explore the modulation of F0​ across the subjects. Furthermore, a panel of expert listeners will assess the perceptual similarities of the recorded sound examples.

Results and Conclusions: We will present our findings, contrasting the vocal similarities observed in siblings raised apart (attributable to shared genetics) with the similarities found in siblings raised together (attributable to both genetics and a shared environment). Our discussion will focus on the extent of heritability across average fundamental frequency, pitch variability (F0​ SD), articulatory rate, and formant similarities/dissimilarities, ultimately contributing to the understanding of the nature vs. nurture balance in human vocal characteristics.

Edrie Means Weekly, B.M.E., M.M., Associate Professor of Voice and Vocal Pedagogy, Musical Theatre Styles Specialist, Contemporary Commercial Music Vocal Pedagogy Institute, Co-Founder, Shenandoah University and Conservatory of Music, 1460 University Ave., Winchester, VA 22601, 703-470-9443, EdrieW@aol.com

Dr. Brian P. Gill, DMA, Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University at Bloomington. 3300 South Southern Oaks Drive, Bloomington, IN 47401. 917-232-5669, brpgill@iu.edu

Matthew Edwards, DMA, MM, Associate Professor, Coordinator of Musical Theatre
Voice, Shenandoah Conservatory, 1460 University Drive, Winchester, VA 22601, medwards09@su.edu