Frequently Asked Questions

Singers and teachers from a variety of backgrounds attend Somatic Voicework™. Some are novices who have sung for most of their lives without any formal training, while others hold Doctoral degrees. We have rock and pop singers, jazz singers, musical theatre singers, classical singers, singer-songwriters, and every other style imaginable. Participants and faculty include Grammy-nominated artists, Broadway performers, recording artists, K-12 educators, choral directors, private voice teachers, and singers who have not yet begun to teach. We welcome anyone who wishes to find more ease and efficiency in their singing, wants to learn how to sing authentically in different styles, or teach more effectively in one or more genres.

While Somatic Voicework™ is associated with CCM training, the principles are universal across musical styles. Somatic Voicework™ can help you learn how to hear what the voice is doing functionally, something that is not always taught in traditional music degree programs. Many of our attendees are classically trained singers and teachers who are asked to teach musical theatre, pop/rock, and other styles. Through our training, they learn how to shift from their default singing patterns without losing their classical singing ability; in fact, their classical singing often improves as well.

When learning to work with the voice using the functional approach of Somatic Voicework™, it is important to start at the beginning, reviewing the anatomy and physiology of vocal function, establishing a commonly accepted practical vocabulary for describing registration and vowel colors, distinguishing between what a voice is (size and timbre) from how a voice is functioning in the moment. This is done by learning to listen keenly to a variety of voices in a variety of styles and experiencing all of this in one’s own voice during the small breakout groups.

Absolutely! Somatic Voicework™ can be utilized at any level of experience. Many of our attendees come as singers looking for help and answers about their own voices, then fall in love with teaching after deepening their understanding of the work.

Yes! Somatic Voicework™ is taught in accessible, practical language. You’ll learn the science in a way that connects directly to what you hear and feel in the voice.

Yes! You can schedule a lesson with one of our faculty at any time based on mutual availability. Click on the Faculty Page for bios and contact information.

Somatic Voicework™ will guide you to discover your unique sound as a songwriter. Through individually tailored exercises, you will build strength, release tension, gain flexibility, and discover all the colors and textures your voice is capable of. This will inspire your writing and singing because your voice won’t be limited. As a result, your expressiveness will soar.

You would be a partner in the process of your vocal development and coordination.

• Warmup exercises so your teacher can listen to how your voice is functioning and observe how your body interacts with your voice
• Exercises designed to target a specific goal or area for improvement
• Teacher asks you to pay attention to what you hear and how and where you sense your own sound-making to cultivate your kinesthetic awareness
• Teacher asks for pitch, vowel, volume, register, or body/facial adjustments using simple language
• Lots of repetition - “wait for the bus” - let the exercises do the work
• Notice if there’s any change in the sound
• Work with repertoire to see if vocal changes carry over

It varies for everyone. Some people feel immediate breakthroughs, while for others, the shifts are more gradual. The key is that the work is lasting and functional, not a "quick fix."

Yes. While Somatic Voicework™ teachers are not medical professionals, they are educated in vocal health and medical issues impacting the voice, so they are comfortable collaborating with SLPs and laryngologists. Many singers with past injuries use Somatic Voicework™ to rebuild strength and confidence in their voices.