Outside of the Voice Box, from Head to Toe: Tools for Keeping Vocal Athletes in Peak Performance
Vocal athleticism extends far beyond the vocal folds; it is a full-body, full-mind discipline. This interactive 45-minute workshop examines the external factors, from mental focus to musculoskeletal alignment to physical and vocal demands, that influence the efficiency, sustainability, and artistic excellence of pre-professional and professional-level vocal athletes. Participants will learn and practice evidence-based strategies addressing five key domains that directly impact vocal performance: mental focus/cognitive readiness, physical alignment, respiratory engagement, resonance optimization, and targeted genre-specific vocalise.
This 50-minute session (10 minute focus per domain) begins with a vocal athlete guided mental-focus exercise designed to enhance attention, emotional regulation, and cognitive readiness; key aspects that may influence vocal efficiency and performance consistency. Participants will then complete a dynamic posture and alignment screening with emphasis on recognizing and modifying patterns associated with upper crossed syndrome. Corrective strategies and accessible modifications will be introduced to support efficient breath intake, reduced extrinsic laryngeal tension, and improved kinesthetic awareness. Next, participants will explore ribcage mobility, diaphragmatic responsiveness, and breath-to-phonation coordination using brief, functional drills, focusing on respiratory engagement. This will be followed by resonance optimization, incorporating tactile awareness and semi-occluded vocal tract (SOVT) resets. Finally, the workshop will conclude with a set of targeted genre-specific vocalizes aimed at improving flexibility, agility, and dynamic control.
Participants will leave with practical tools that extend beyond the larynx, empowering them to optimize performance, reduce fatigue, and maintain peak vocal fitness throughout the demands of a professional performance schedule. This workshop is appropriate for all levels (beginner to advanced) of vocal pedagogues, voice clinicians, and performers.