Ask the BVA...
Welcome to 'Ask the BVA' webpage. This initiative is inspired by the many enquiries we receive at the BVA office. Most of these enquiries are from our members or from the general public who are worried about their own or a relative/friend’s voice. Most of these enquiries are requests for information or advice, however, some have asked if there is a support group available for people suffering from voice disorders. We are delighted to be able to tell you that there is now a support group, designed especially for people whose primary problem is a voice disorder. It is called the Lary Project and is run by a man called Terry McDermott, who knows first hand what it is like to suffer from a voice problem. Anyone who would like to be in touch with others having similar problems is welcome to contact Terry. Please do look at the Lary website on: www.lary.org.uk
'Ask the BVA' is here to help BVA members and the general public. You can contact us for information and advice as before and we will do our best to help you. We would sometimes like to post your letters or emails on the website, anonymously, of course, to protect your identity. We would like to do this if we feel you are asking about a difficulty others are likely to have experienced, in case our reply to you may help others with same problem. No one will have their enquiry posted on the website without their permission. Anyone wishing to “Ask the BVA” can contact Sara Harris, Communications Officer via the BVA email address: bva@dircon.co.uk
We must stress that the advice given does not necessarily represent the views of the BVA, nor can the BVA be held responsible for it.
5th November 2009
We have received two very helpful replies to the query about breathing for dance and singing which appears at the bottom of this page. I will keep it there for a little longer in case anyone else would like to respond. Many thanks to the two people who sent in very helpful comments, they have been passed on to the member who raised the question.
Meanwhile, a student needs your help (her letter appears below). She would value the help of anyone out there with information about how much vocal training is given to student teachers and also about the effect of vocal knowledge on teachers voices. Do send any information that might help her to bva@dircon.co.uk Your responses will be sent on to her. So far I have directed her to Voice Care Network in case they can help.
"I'm a student speech and language therapist and for my dissertation I am researching the impact of vocal knowlege on teachers voices. I have been trying to find some up to date data on the amount of voice training a student teacher is offered as part of their course. Is this something the BVA would have data on or could you point me in the right direct as to where I could find this information?
My question is about breathing and recoil for the dancer/singer. I work in a College with students who spend much of their day dancing although some are promising singers. The students learn about breathing for dancing and singing as separate entities, but there is nothing to give them guidelines as to how they can marry the two when they (obviously will) have to in professional performance. Are there been any studies in the this area? If so, could you direct me there? Otherwise, do you have any tips, or should I continue to slightly hijack what is considered to be the dancers' department of Pilates?.