Vocal Folds (Cords) (vf) Cycle of Opening & Closing

Diagram © The Voice Foundation

It's not just actors and singers who need help to develop good vocal
use. Most of us grow up without any idea of what optimal vocal function
is, or how we make speech sounds and yet manage to communicate successfully in our everyday lives.

So the habitual tensions that have evolved as part of our persona and the way in which we meet life's demands socially, professionally and recreationally, remain below the level of consciousness until we are required to use our voices over and above the norm. Then they present themselves in all their glory as we strain to make ourselves heard, understood, listened to or even admired.

Voice strain can lead to different problems ranging from tiredness at the end of the day, hoarseness, croakiness, to complete voice loss. Sustained misuse can lead to the development of abnormalities such as nodules and polyps.

In most cases these conditions are treated successfully with voice therapy.

Voice therapy means undergoing a process of becoming aware of how you make voice, how to free your voice from unnecessary tension, how to project your voice safely, how to make it sound more interesting.

This can be done privately, one-to-one with Annie, or by attending one of her group workshops (if there is no organic problem to be sorted out first).

Very often one or two individual sessions enable the client to address initial problems before joining a group.

In her private practice Annie helps professional actors and singers overcome voice and speech problems and expand their range achieving a freer, more natural sound.