Functional Solutions for the Professional Voice User
Presented by Katelyn Swiader
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Professional voice users—including singers, educators, broadcasters, clergy, and coaches—face unique challenges when a vocal injury interferes with their livelihood, identity, and emotional well-being. This course explores evidence-based, functional strategies for assessment, intervention, and recovery tailored to the distinctive physiological, psychological, and environmental demands of this population. Through practical examples, therapeutic adaptations, and case studies, learners will discover how to individualize therapy plans to support vocal performance, prevent reinjury, and foster long-term vocal health. Designed for speech-language pathologists, this course is applicable to outpatient, private practice, telehealth, and performing arts settings.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the specific vocal demands and career lifestyle factors of professional singers and speakers to comprehend the impact of their vocal injury within their performance context
- Adapt standard voice therapy techniques to build a therapeutic plan that accommodates the unique performance schedules and career pressures of professional voice users
- Infer potential career-related accommodations and modifications by recognizing the impact of specific performance environments and routines on the vocal recovery of professional singers and speakers
Meet your instructor
Katelyn Swiader
Katelyn Swiader, MS Ed, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist specializing in vocal health and performance. She holds a master’s in speech-language pathology and a bachelor’s in vocal performance, with over 15 years of voice coaching experience. With a background as a professional singer, she provides comprehensive voice…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Understanding the Professional Voice User (aka the Vocal Athlete)
This chapter introduces the wide-ranging group of professionals who rely on their voices as a critical tool, from singers and speakers to educators and performers. It discusses the occupational risks, lifestyle demands, and emotional impact of voice disorders in this population. Through case examples, learners gain insight into the high-stakes nature of vocal injury and why specialized intervention is essential.
2. Clinically Tailored Therapeutic Approaches
Chapter 2 demonstrates how to adapt traditional voice therapy techniques for the specific vocal tasks of singers and speakers. Learners will explore methods such as straw phonation and resonant voice therapy, applied in functional contexts to support vocal agility, projection, and sustainability. The chapter emphasizes skill scaffolding and task relevance, ensuring that exercises directly translate to real-world vocal demands.
3. Facilitating Career Continuity and Recovery
The final chapter focuses on strategies for reintegrating the professional voice user into their performance schedule while managing recovery and preventing setbacks. Topics include interdisciplinary collaboration, calendar and environment analysis, personalized recommendations, and long-term vocal health planning. Learners will walk away with tools to guide patients through both clinical treatment and real-life performance accommodations.
