Voice (& beyond) Care Team: Who's Who?

We all know that athletes have a team behind them - a coach for their specific sport, a coach for the gym, a nutritionist, a physical therapist, a physician, and on and on. We also know that using our voice, singing, and performing are very physical acts. And yet, we don’t hear much about the TEAM alongside the singer (except the voice teacher). Below, I’m going to explain what a voice care team looks like and how they can help you. 

Voice Teacher

Description: A voice teacher is someone who focuses on vocal technique to help increase vocal range, build vocal strength, give you a better ability to blend smoothly between vocal registers, coordinate different vocal registers, improve musical and vocal styles, sing efficiently and safely, gain confidence, and eventually help you achieve technical and artistic mastery.

Importance for the singer: You need someone you trust who will guide your voice and help you as an individual achieve your goals. A trusted voice teacher should be someone who helps build confidence and who can technically and artistically guide and inspire you on your journey.

Speech-Language Therapist/Pathologist (SLP)

Description: A speech-language therapist/pathologist is trained and certified to identify, assess, and provide solutions for pathological conditions of communication. In addition to speech and language (phonation, articulation, resonance, fluency, and language) they can also address cognitive functions, literacy, social interaction, and swallowing. 

Importance for the singer: You might need to see a speech-language pathologist after the ENT to work on exercises that directly help with dysfunction (hoarseness, stamina, nodules, resonance, etc). 

Otolaryngologist (ENT)

Description: An otolaryngologist is a physician who diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the head and neck. As a singer, you want someone who specializes in the voice and singing.

Importance for the singer: You might need to consult an otolaryngologist for a persistent sore throat, constant runny nose, chronic cough, severe allergies, hoarseness, chronic tonsillitis, laryngitis, or vocal cord conditions such as vocal nodules, vocal cord dysfunction, or vocal cord paralysis. 

Acting and Speech Coach

Description: An acting and speech coach helps to enhance your speaking voice, on-stage voice, public speaking, and communication skills. They can also help with accent work, vocal presence, tone, projection, breath, and delivery.

Importance for the singer/actor: You might want someone to help you with your speaking voice and how you are using it in social situations, on stage, or at work. This person will help build skills related to the art of speaking in different settings.

Mental Performance Coach

Description: A mental performance coach is someone who helps people with the mental game of performing, stress management, audition anxiety, performance nerves, and building confidence. 

Importance for the singer/actor: You might (and probably do!) deal with stress and anxiety surrounding performing, auditioning, public speaking, and/or social situations. This person will help you tackle the mental/psychological aspect of using our voice effectively.

Different Professionals for Different Issues!

To be clear, not everyone will want or need to see all of these specialists. But it’s also important to make sure you know that there are MANY types of people who can help you with various aspects of voice use. Also, as I’m sure you can tell, some of these jobs can and do overlap. Obviously, where there is zero overlap is with a physician. Only a physician is able to diagnose possible voice issues or disorders. At the end of the day, we want to be able to use our voice effectively and efficiently. With the right folks by your side, you will hopefully create the vocal longevity you deserve!