When a singer’s voice is compromised by injury or pathology, a coordinated voice team approach is essential to restoring healthy vocal function. As a Singing Voice Specialist (SVS), I have specialized training that enables me to work in close collaboration with medical professionals to rehabilitate injured voices.
After an initial medical evaluation by a laryngologist and a speech-language pathologist—both of whom specialize in the care of the performing voice—a singer may be referred to my studio for a singing evaluation and the development of a rehabilitative vocal plan.
The term Singing Voice Specialist (SVS) refers to either a voice teacher or speech-language pathologist with advanced training in the rehabilitation of singers with voice disorders. An SVS always works in affiliation with a medical voice team, typically under the care of a laryngologist and a speech-language pathologist. (See Understanding Voice Doctors-Whom to Call and When to Call Them (JOS, 2017)) and speech-language pathologist–to help restore the voice of a singer. Just as professional athletes rely on a team of specialists to recover from injury, singers recovering from vocal injury deserve a similar standard of interdisciplinary care.
It is an honor to support singers as they reclaim their voices. The loss of a singing voice touches every facet of life—emotionally, professionally, and artistically. Through careful rehabilitation, many singers not only return to healthy voice use but often emerge with greater technical insight and deeper artistic connection than before the injury.
If you are a singer navigating vocal injury and would like more information about referrals or the voice care process, please feel free to contact me.