Raise the voices of millions of female elders on World Voice Day April 16
First-of-its-kind international virtual conference for women to discover and strengthen their voice both physically and emotionally.
Downers Grove, IL-Humans connect through voices. Think of Amanda Gorman reciting her Inauguration Day poem, the widespread appeal of the voice-only app Clubhouse, or that nearly 55 million people regularly sing in choirs. All are contemporary examples of human evolution that developed over eons to share stories through spoken word and song. But many of us fail to recognize the voice is a mechanical, physical, and athletic tool requiring support. This is particularly true for women.
Beginning as early as age 40, hormonal changes can start altering the female voice. Lori L. Sonnenberg, a speech-language pathologist, clinical voice specialist, nationally recognized professional voice expert, and Celebrate Singing conference presenter, says, "Voices change during the life span, many times coinciding with other biological and physical changes. These changes affect speech and singing. Medical care providers are not always familiar with these changes, and the voice is overlooked as a symptom of perimenopause and menopause. It is so important for women to know that their voices are resilient and strong. That they are not alone in the changes they are experiencing. And that help is available."
This April, voice experts of all kinds will come together during a first-of-its-kind international conference, Celebrate Singing, designed to connect choral directors, singing teachers, and singers with the knowledge they need to keep a woman's voice strong all her life. The event will feature voice professionals from United States, the UK, Europe, and Australia, in the areas of vocal pedagogy, laryngology, speech language pathology, vocal research, psychology, somatic education, yoga, naturopathy, and performance. Creator and organizer, Nancy Bos of Seattle, WA, has assembled 23 academicians, researchers, and professionals to present workshops. The conference begins on April 16 to correspond with World Voice Day. That is the day the American Academy of Otolaryngology joins with voice health professionals worldwide to encourage everyone to assess their vocal health and take action to improve or maintain good voice habits.
Through a series of recorded and live workshops, participants will learn:
• How to counter the physical and neurological changes that can cause speech, and singing, to noticeably slow down.
• How food choices affect women and their voices.
• Why most doctors ignore the most noticeable symptom of menopause, a hoarse voice.
• Why aging and menopause affect the voice differently and what it means for women.
• The mind-body connection methods to keep the voice strong.
While the threat of COVID-19 has forced choral groups to stop gathering and professional singers to stop live performances, it has given us access to new virtual connections to connect across the globe. The international reach of the Celebrate Singing conference is one woman's work to bring joy to singers silenced through the pandemic and hope to women who want to keep their aging voice strong.
About Lori L. Sonnenberg
LORI L. SONNENBERG is a Speech-Language Pathologist and Voice Specialist. With over 20 years' experience in the Singing and Speech Pathology fields, she combines her passion for treating injured voices with her extensive background as a singer and voice teacher. This blend of talents and skills makes Ms. Sonnenberg a formidable asset to the clinical and singing voice worlds. She works exclusively with voice and breathing disorders and specializes in helping singers overcome voice injuries, postoperative voice struggles, and problematic technical voice issues. She has particular interest in supporting, educating, and helping female voices in midlife and beyond. Ms. Sonnenberg is the owner and founder of her comprehensive voice care practice, Sonnenberg Voice, located in Downers Grove, IL. She is a certified member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) holding the Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC-SLP) and is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS). She is a former Speech Pathologist with Dr. Robert Bastian and Bastian Voice Institute in Downers Grove, IL, and has been teaching private voice since 1998.
About World Voice Day
The precursor to World Voice Day started in 1999 in Brazil as an initiative in the Brazilian Society of Laryngology and Voice to raise awareness of the voice as a crucial tool in education, as crucial in daily work for about 30% of the working population, and as highly significant to quality of life. In 2002, the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery officially recognized the celebration and the event obtained the name "World Voice Day." The objective of the initiative is to increase public understanding of the voice disciplines and as an accessible topic for education in physics, mathematics, and biology, as well as cultural and personal development.