Department of Theatre
Amount Awarded: $1,960.00
Awarded for 2018-19
Title: Summer Vocology Institute
This proposal seeks funding to complete training begun last summer at the Summer Vocology Institute through the National Center for Voice and Speech. Fulfilling the mission of the Dee Grant, this will enhance the effectiveness of my teaching by allowing me to more thoroughly meld the science and art of singing. It will positively impact department curricula as my newfound understanding of research methodologies will inform my teaching, keeping it current and relevant.
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Block 1 of the institute, Principles of Voice Production, presented physical, physiological, and pedagogical principles aimed to help students understand professional, nonprofessional, and impaired voice production. Additional areas of exploration included vocal anatomy, voice classification, control of loudness, pitch, register, and quality as well as efficient and inefficient use of voice.
While much of the work included the math and physics related to voicing, one of the memorable hands-on experiences included dissecting a cow larynx, excising the vocal folds, and measuring the strain and stress they can withstand.
Voice science and voice performance are becoming increasingly intertwined. Although in the past, science and art were viewed by many as lying on opposite ends of the academic spectrum, modern instruction continues to uncover how scientific understanding of vocal function and acoustics can improve studio teaching and help students become more efficient and more effective performers.
The Summer Vocology Institute has been a leader in this movement. Since vocology is defined as the science and practice of voice habilitation, it brings together many stakeholders interested in healthy vocal practices. My class was made up of speech-language pathologists, an otolaryngologist, voice coaches, acting coaches, as well as singers and singing teachers from across the United States and at least six different countries.
The Summer Vocology Institute provided me a deeper understanding of voice habilitation that I am already incorporating into my courses and studio voice lessons in the Department of Theatre. In fact, I have invited one of their faculty members, Lynn Maxfield, Ph.D., to give guest lectures on vocal wellness and voice acoustics to my singing classes.
My studies in vocology have led me to the Pan-American Vocology Association, where I have found like-minded scholars and professionals (and other SVI graduates) from across North America. In fact, I was recently elected the Western States Governor for the organization. One of my main goals in this role is to establish a regional conference at the University of Utah, which will allow our students, faculty, and the greater community to learn more about vocology
and how it can benefit all who have an interest in the voice.
I have also been establishing deeper connections with the National Center for Voice and Speech, which is the organizational host for the Summer Vocology Institute. These connections have led to collaborative research projects, international presentations, and peer-reviewed papers. It has further introduced me to a network of resources and opportunities that I am continually sharing with my students
The Summer Vocology Institute has had an immediate impact on every element of my professional life (as an educator, scholar, and performing artist). While further building my understanding of how research can inform modern vocal instruction, I am now pursuing opportunities to conduct research of my own that is contributing to the greater body of knowledge within the field and providing additional tools as I work with students.
I am greatly indebted to the Council of Dee Fellows for making this work possible.