#111. An Integrative Approach to Vocal Wellness with Megan Durham

Our guest this week on A Voice and Beyond, is Megan Durham who currently serves on the voice faculty at the University of Louisville. Megan works as a Singing Voice Specialist, partnering with laryngologists (ENTs) and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to habilitate singers, actors, and professional voice users who have experienced vocal injuries. Megan uses an integrative approach to vocal wellness that cultivates mind-body-voice awareness for maintaining authentic communication.

She explains that by cultivating mindfulness, self-inquiry, and an emphasis on observation rather than correction, this collaborative work provides an approach to voice care that empowers individuals to more clearly identify their voice and its innate creative agency. She uses several different modalities which includes yoga, to help establish composure in times of anxiety, depression and trauma, through breath, physical postures, mudra, and sound. Megan further explains her trauma informed approaches to teaching voice, what it means to be trauma informed, the impact of trauma on our singing bodies, how to create a feeling of safety for our students, and the ways in which we can successfully set boundaries within our teaching voice studios.

This a most fascinating, interesting and not be missed interview with Megan Durham.

In the Episode
1:15 - Introduction
11:22 - Megan’s journey of self-discovery
16:52 - How yoga and pilates changed her voice
32:37 - What is involved with being a singing voice specialist
51:09 - What is trauma-informed
1:09:44 - The importance of self-care in creating safe spaces
1:18:03 - What Megan is working on next

Find Megan Online

• Website
• Instagram

For more go to https://drmarisaleenaismith.com/111

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