Care and Feeding of the Singer

by Bonnie Draina

Singers are unique among musicians in that our instrument is our self. On the plus side, we don’t have to spend tens of thousands of dollars to acquire an instrument; on the other hand, we must consider the health of our instrument in daily life. How would you sing when you are angry, as opposed to elated? Now imagine singing an hour after eating several candy bars and a soda versus after a healthy lunch. How well would you perform after a long walk on a sunny day compared to an hour in front of the computer? Our emotional and physical states have a direct impact on our singing, and are therefore worthy of our attention on a daily basis.

A holistic approach to wellness, in which we acknowledge the connections between multiple facets of the self, can be particularly effective in optimizing vocal and musical development as well as overall well-being. Rather than repeatedly treating a symptom with quick fixes, we can look at the problem from a whole-person perspective.  For example, if you tend to get headaches in the afternoon, you might simply take a few acetaminophen capsules and go on with your day. Remember, though, that the root cause of the headaches has not been eliminated. Could something you are eating for lunch be causing a reaction? Do the headaches tend to occur on Thursday, just before you carpool to choir rehearsal? Maybe you carry a heavy bag to class, and  tension in your neck is causing the headaches. In any case, you would be better served to resolve the underlying problem, either by changing your diet, improving your schlepping method, or recognizing and dealing with whatever stress your Thursday evenings provide. This same approach can be utilized to address issues ranging from TMJ disorder to performance anxiety.

I’m not suggesting that you suffer through occasional headaches or avoid Western medicine. Sometimes x-rays or Tylenol are the way to go. However, taking the time to contemplate a problem and its possible causes can save a lot of time and frustration in the long run and contribute to a healthier body and more positive mental state. In addition, proactively addressing our well-being on various levels can prevent many problems from arising in the first place, freeing us to focus our attention and energy where we choose.

Sometimes it can seem overwhelming to explore so many possibilities. Having a support network and appropriate resources on hand can be very helpful. At the University of Colorado-Boulder, the Musicians’ Wellness Initiative http://www.colorado.edu/music/departments/wellnessinitiative/index.html is a comprehensive program that supports the health and well-being of students through a variety of components:

Education – Classes and consultations in Alexander Technique and Body Mapping are offered each semester and summer, as well as special guest workshops on topics such as TMJ health and stress reduction.

Support services – Students have access to a network of health care professionals versed in the special needs of musicians. Free massage clinics are provided through a partnership with Boulder College of Massage Therapy.

Psychological counseling – A psychotherapist specializing in performance-related issues provides free counseling to students through the University, and also conducts workshops on performance management skills, effective practice techniques and meditation.

Balance – Workshops on yoga, tai chi and meditation are offered, and yoga is a regular component of opera classes. MWI faculty emphasize the benefits of thoughtful practice over rote repetition, and encourage a collegial, cooperative atmosphere.

MWI is unique in its comprehensive nature, and many students take advantage of one or more facets over the course of their degree. But what if you aren’t a CU student? You deserve wellness, too!

Education – Take a class in Alexander Technique http://spot.colorado.edu/~brody/alextechbasicinfo.html or Body Mapping http://www.colorado.edu/music/departments/musiceducation/summer.html, maybe this summer at CU or a school closer to your home. Maybe a continuing education program in your community offers classes in Aikido or Feldenkrais. Consider private lessons, too. Perhaps the performing arts department at a university in your area has an AT or Body Mapping teacher who also offers private lessons.  Books on these topics as well as human anatomy are a wonderful resource for those on a budget, and websites such as the National Center for Voice and Speech (NCVS) http://ncvs.org/e-learning/health.html or Andover Educators http://www.bodymap.org provide a wealth of useful information.

Support services – Finding a good primary physician is important. Ask friends and colleagues about their doctors, or read doctors’ bios online. If you can find a doctor who is familiar with the special demands placed upon musicians, fantastic! If not, a doctor who is open-minded and a good listener can be worth her weight in gold. For singers, knowing (ahead of time!) who to call for vocal emergencies is important.  In most major metropolitan areas you will be able to find an ENT who works extensively with singers. Consider doing some research on your own about medications and procedures. For example, a list of 200+ medications and their effects on the voice is available at NCVS: http://ncvs.org/e-learning/rx2.html Other health care professionals to consider for your “team” might include a physical therapist, massage therapist, structural integration practitioner, nutritionist, acupuncturist or chiropractor, depending upon your needs. If you are on a budget, contact schools to see if they offer student clinics or client model opportunities. For help with jaw problems, look for a dentist with special training in TMJ issues who is affiliated with specialist organizations such as the International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics.

Psychological counseling – Emotions reside in the body, which means that emotional issues affect the body, and physical issues can affect our emotional state. If you have problems with performance anxiety, time management, or other issues, seeking out counseling can free up your energy to focus on more productive things, like character development. Speaking of which, the clearer you are with your own emotions and motivations, the easier it is to get inside characters and create meaningful art. And remember that headache at the beginning of the article? It may have emotional roots, as might TMJ disorder, back pain or throat tension, just to name a few. Again, ask friends and colleagues for referrals, do some research on the therapist, and don’t be afraid to ask questions about their qualifications regarding performing artists. If finances are an issue, consider techniques such as Emotional Freedom Technique or Be Set Free Fast that you can learn in one session or class and use as needed.

Balance – Stop and smell the roses. It can be that easy, but sometimes we need help to break away from the competition and craziness that often surround us. Creating time in our daily schedule to center and breathe can make the rest of the day more productive and pleasant. Consider learning yoga, tai chi, meditation or another contemplative practice. Low-cost classes are available through recreation centers, and many books, CDs and DVDs are available to get you started, too. If you feel discouraged or stuck, look for ways to re-energize your creative spark. How about reading a book such as The Artist’s Way, by Julia Cameron, to nurture your creative, playful side? Better yet, get together a group of performers to go through the book and its artistry-building exercises together over several months, creating community while you grow together as artists.

Are you worrying about how much these ideas might cost? Let’s face it, most musicians struggle financially at first. Remember, though, that taking some of the steps above can help you avoid costly injuries and positively affect your singing, amplifying the effect of every dollar you spend on voice lessons, coachings and auditions.

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Bonnie Draina, DMA, teaches at CU-Boulder’s College of Music, where her courses have included studio voice, graduate and undergraduate vocal pedagogy, and repertoire for young voices. As a somatic education specialist certified in Body Mapping through Andover Educators http://www.bodymap.org, she plays an integral role in CU’s Musicians’ Wellness Initiative http://www.colorado.edu/music/departments/wellnessinitiative/index.html. A soprano with wide-ranging interests, she is a frequent guest on Colorado Public Radio’s “Colorado Spotlight.” She has premiered solo works by Lee Hoiby, Sayaka Ishiguro, Laurie Altman, John B. Hedges and Sabina Pauta, and operas by Randall Shinn and Peter Westergaard. Recent performances include Vivaldi’s solo motet In turbato mare irato with Boulder Chamber Orchestra, Messiah and St. Matthew Passion with Bethany (KS) Messiah Festival, and with hammered dulcimer expert Lucille Reilly, a series of recitals featuring Appalachian music. Bonnie holds degrees in voice and pedagogy from Drew University, Westminster Choir College and the University of Colorado – Boulder. She lives in Boulder with her husband, Matt, who can occasionally be heard singing from rooftops while working on solar systems. For more information, please visit http://www.bonniedraina.com.