The Singing Voice Specialist
What is a Singing Voice Specialist?
The human voice is an incredibly unique and complex instrument with an ability to express a wide range of emotions and nuances. Similar to any other instrument, the voice can encounter problems requiring the expertise of a professional to help diagnose, treat, and prevent voice disorders. This is where the role of a Singing Voice Specialist (SVS) becomes critical.
Bridging the Gap Between Science and Art
The SVS is a professional who specializes in the science and art of the performer’s voice. They are often trained in fields such as vocal pedagogy, vocal performance, and/or speech-language pathology providing them with a comprehensive understanding of how the voice works from both a physiological and an artistic perspective. Their expertise and professional training lies not just in teaching vocal techniques, but also in identifying, aiding in diagnosing, and rehabilitating voice disorders specific to singers and professional voice users.
Singing Voice Specialists impart not just technical singing skills but also vocal health strategies to their students. They are adept at teaching how to use the voice efficiently to prevent injury, making them invaluable to both novice and seasoned singers. Their understanding of vocal anatomy and physiology enables them to tailor lessons to the unique needs of each student, fostering a healthy vocal technique that supports a sustainable singing career. An SVS can be found in various settings from a private voice studio, a medical office, an academic university voice program, to a high school choral classroom.
A Multifaceted Role
In speech pathology, a Singing Voice Specialist addresses problems related to voice production in the clinical setting, offering therapeutic interventions that can help restore or improve the voice from a place of disorder or dysfunction. Under state mandated licensure they can work closely with individuals who have experienced singing voice changes or loss due to various reasons, including vocal surgery, illness, or injury. An SVS without clinical licensure often has advanced degrees and training in the areas of vocal performance, vocal pedagogy, vocal health, and vocology which provide them provide essential insights into how voice disorders impact vocal performance and can be instrumental in developing a comprehensive treatment plan.
The Controversy of Identity
While the need for the skills of an SVS has become further recognized as a necessity when working with professional voice users, the definition of an SVS is a subject of considerable debate. Is this specialist more accurately described as a singing teacher, a voice coach, a speech pathologist, or an amalgamation of all these professions? The core of the controversy lies in the intersecting competencies and training required for the comprehensive care of the voice. While singing teachers and vocal coaches often focus on the artistry and technique of vocal performance, speech pathologists offer a clinical perspective essential for diagnosing and managing voice disorders. Organizations like The Voice Foundation, the Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA), the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) have all been active players is seeking to better define the roles and responsibilities of the SVS to provide clarity to a crucial role in the care of vocal performers. This debate underscores the need for a professional who embodies a hybrid of these skills, capable of addressing both the artistic and health-related aspects of the voice.
The Heart of Their Work
At the heart of a Singing Voice Specialist's work is a deep passion for the voice and its abilities. They are dedicated to the art of helping singers achieve their voicing potential while balancing the longevity and health of their voice. By bridging the gap between the medical and musical worlds, they play a pivotal role in nurturing both the physical and artistic aspects of the voice.
Conclusion
The role of a Singing Voice Specialist is multifaceted, integrating the science of voice function and physiology with the art of vocal performance and training. Amidst controversy over their precise identity, what remains clear is their indispensability in diagnosing, treating, and preventing voice disorders, offering a blend of therapeutic and educational services tailored to the needs of singers and professional voice users.
We here at VoiceProEd believe in the role of the SVS and seek to support voice professionals from all backgrounds in their journey to achieving competence and expertise.
