Singing in the Brain

July 27th 10am-12pm PST

10:00am-11:00am: LECTURE
11:00am- 12:00pm: DISCUSSION, CASE STUDIES, and PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS*

July 28th 10am-12pm PST

10:00am-11:00am: LECTURE
11:00am- 12:00pm: DISCUSSION, CASE STUDIES, and PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS*

*PLEASE BRING AN EXAMPLE FROM A SONG—a phrase or series of phrases — to experiment for yourself! Volunteers are encouraged to demo their process in a master class format!

WHY THIS COURSE?

When we vocalize, breath has two essential roles:

1. It is an integral part of homeostasis, regulating our automatic nervous system. This includes a bidirectional impact on heart rate, energy, music performance anxiety, and more.

2. As the activator in the complex motor system of vocalization, it is signaled by a UNIQUE motor pathway, independent from all other respiratory signals. In other words, a completely separate process from those we utilize when we are NOT vocalizing.

   All muscles of respiration—including the intercostals, abdominals, and pelvic floor—are coordinated by the laryngeal motor cortices. It is a necessary coupling to adapt to the constant changes in configurations and pressures.

The interplay of these two elements which must be considered in singing and can help us design more efficient strategies that not only allow singers and teachers to tackle challenging phrases with ease, but more simply and accurately and with greater reproducibility.

It’s also MORE FUN!