THE VOICE CLINIC
Bespoke vocal rehabilitation for singers
Bespoke vocal rehabilitation for singers
Sara Gourlay is a Speech & Language Therapist and professional singer. She will make a comprehensive assessment of voice problems related to singing, and offer expert advice on good vocal hygiene for voice users. In some cases, a client may need to be referred to an ENT specialist before help can be offered.
If you are at all anxious about your singing voice, make contact to arrange an initial consultation to discover if you need help. You will then have an assessment of your singing/speaking voice and a therapy programme will be devised to suit your needs. help.
Fees are £48 an hour or £40 an hour for concessions
The initial assessment and report will be £80
Testimonial: Sara
'I was experiencing persistent problems, including a constantly sore throat, that were affecting both my singing and speaking voice. Visits to my GP hadn't led to any solutions, so it was a real relief to be referred to Sara and discover someone could help. Sara has taught me techniques that not only relieved the symptoms I was experiencing, but are also helping me to retrain the way in which I use my voice. I am now much more conscious of how what I do affects my voice and have a much better understanding of what I can do to take care of it. Without time - both to talk about the problems I was experiencing and to work out the solutions to them - and without support, it would have been very difficult for me to make the progress that I have, and to be back to pain-free singing and speaking, so I am very grateful to Sara for her help.'
- Katie Walter, Lecturer, University of Sussex
If you are at all anxious about your singing voice, make contact to arrange an initial consultation to discover if you need help. You will then have an assessment of your singing/speaking voice and a therapy programme will be devised to suit your needs. help.
Fees are £48 an hour or £40 an hour for concessions
The initial assessment and report will be £80
Testimonial: Sara
'I was experiencing persistent problems, including a constantly sore throat, that were affecting both my singing and speaking voice. Visits to my GP hadn't led to any solutions, so it was a real relief to be referred to Sara and discover someone could help. Sara has taught me techniques that not only relieved the symptoms I was experiencing, but are also helping me to retrain the way in which I use my voice. I am now much more conscious of how what I do affects my voice and have a much better understanding of what I can do to take care of it. Without time - both to talk about the problems I was experiencing and to work out the solutions to them - and without support, it would have been very difficult for me to make the progress that I have, and to be back to pain-free singing and speaking, so I am very grateful to Sara for her help.'
- Katie Walter, Lecturer, University of Sussex
Ongoing Convalescent Singing Training can be offered either after SLT treatment, or in conjunction with it, by Lucinda Houghton, Canto's Singing teacher
Testimonial: Sara and Lucinda
Sara and Lucinda of Canto Song and Voice School can work miracles!
After many years of singing in choirs, as well as being a teacher which placed its own strain on my voice, I suffered an extreme and long-lasting bout of bronchitis followed by a thyroid operation, after which my singing voice gradually faded away.
It felt as if my vocal folds had seized up and I had difficulty getting any sound out at all. I was forced to give up my lifetime-long hobby and I resigned myself to just listening to the music I loved.
Then, after ten years of no singing, Canto Song and Voice School was recommended to me and, since then, I haven't looked back!
Within six months of gentle exercises and learning new ways of breathing and producing sounds, Sara had miraculously coaxed my vocal folds into motion and, to my joy and surprise, I could sing again!
Then I moved on to singing lessons with Lucinda, who has used her vast range of experience as a performer and teacher to improve my singing and teach me new techniques in a way that is both sympathetic and fun.
It is a joy to work with such lovely ladies who can produce such amazing results.
I cannot recommend them highly enough.
Christine Dent
Sara and Lucinda of Canto Song and Voice School can work miracles!
After many years of singing in choirs, as well as being a teacher which placed its own strain on my voice, I suffered an extreme and long-lasting bout of bronchitis followed by a thyroid operation, after which my singing voice gradually faded away.
It felt as if my vocal folds had seized up and I had difficulty getting any sound out at all. I was forced to give up my lifetime-long hobby and I resigned myself to just listening to the music I loved.
Then, after ten years of no singing, Canto Song and Voice School was recommended to me and, since then, I haven't looked back!
Within six months of gentle exercises and learning new ways of breathing and producing sounds, Sara had miraculously coaxed my vocal folds into motion and, to my joy and surprise, I could sing again!
Then I moved on to singing lessons with Lucinda, who has used her vast range of experience as a performer and teacher to improve my singing and teach me new techniques in a way that is both sympathetic and fun.
It is a joy to work with such lovely ladies who can produce such amazing results.
I cannot recommend them highly enough.
Christine Dent
Ann Coxhead
Ann is a Registered Osteopath with 38 years’ experience who specialises in treating Singers and Performing Artists, using Osteopathy, Laryngeal Manipulation and Inspirational Breathwork. She studied Laryngeal Manipulation with Jacob Lieberman, an internationally recognised specialist in treating the voice.
Laryngeal Manipulation is a method for releasing muscular tension within the Larynx which can improve stamina and range.
Dysphonia can be caused by emotional stress and over use of the voice, the physical reaction to which may produce hoarseness or roughness - or even loss of voice. Globus, the sensation of a lump in the throat, lack of stamina and a change in pitch, whether too high or too low, can also result.
Laryngeal Manipulation treats the soft tissues of the Larynx which houses the vocal folds and the accessory muscles that are recruited in phonation.
Treatment of the muscles of the jaw and tongue are vitally important.
Ann also assesses relevant postural issues and emotional holding patterns that may affect the supporting breath, both of which have an important role in a healthy and efficient voice.
For Ann's fees please make contact
Website Ann Coxhead
Ann is a Registered Osteopath with 38 years’ experience who specialises in treating Singers and Performing Artists, using Osteopathy, Laryngeal Manipulation and Inspirational Breathwork. She studied Laryngeal Manipulation with Jacob Lieberman, an internationally recognised specialist in treating the voice.
Laryngeal Manipulation is a method for releasing muscular tension within the Larynx which can improve stamina and range.
Dysphonia can be caused by emotional stress and over use of the voice, the physical reaction to which may produce hoarseness or roughness - or even loss of voice. Globus, the sensation of a lump in the throat, lack of stamina and a change in pitch, whether too high or too low, can also result.
Laryngeal Manipulation treats the soft tissues of the Larynx which houses the vocal folds and the accessory muscles that are recruited in phonation.
Treatment of the muscles of the jaw and tongue are vitally important.
Ann also assesses relevant postural issues and emotional holding patterns that may affect the supporting breath, both of which have an important role in a healthy and efficient voice.
For Ann's fees please make contact
Website Ann Coxhead
Testimonial: Lucinda, Sara and Ann
I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Canto Song and Voice School.
As a postgraduate in singing from Trinity College of Music, I started attending singing lessons with Lucinda in order to revive my voice with which I was having trouble. I had a problem with my throat which we believed may have been down to poor breathing/breath flow technique.
I was encouraged to visit an ENT specialist and it was diagnosed that I indeed did have a throat problem which might be able to be remedied through singing and speech therapy. Continuing with singing lessons and working hard on my breathing and airflow was invaluable but the throat issue did not really improve generally so Lucinda suggested I saw Sara, a SALT, to see if she could shed any light on the issue.
After a very productive session with Sara in which she highlighted and confirmed many of the things Lucinda had been saying about my breathing, she recommended that I go to see Ann, a laryngeal osteopath, about the throat issue.
After one session with Ann, she had completely fixed the twist in my throat and the trouble I had been having for over six months had completely disappeared.
I continue to see Ann once in a while to check that things are still okay and have regular singing lessons with Lucinda which are very rewarding.
I have been fortunate enough to experience all three aspects of CANTO and can fully appreciate how they all intertwine together.
Mike Bunting - Baritone
As a postgraduate in singing from Trinity College of Music, I started attending singing lessons with Lucinda in order to revive my voice with which I was having trouble. I had a problem with my throat which we believed may have been down to poor breathing/breath flow technique.
I was encouraged to visit an ENT specialist and it was diagnosed that I indeed did have a throat problem which might be able to be remedied through singing and speech therapy. Continuing with singing lessons and working hard on my breathing and airflow was invaluable but the throat issue did not really improve generally so Lucinda suggested I saw Sara, a SALT, to see if she could shed any light on the issue.
After a very productive session with Sara in which she highlighted and confirmed many of the things Lucinda had been saying about my breathing, she recommended that I go to see Ann, a laryngeal osteopath, about the throat issue.
After one session with Ann, she had completely fixed the twist in my throat and the trouble I had been having for over six months had completely disappeared.
I continue to see Ann once in a while to check that things are still okay and have regular singing lessons with Lucinda which are very rewarding.
I have been fortunate enough to experience all three aspects of CANTO and can fully appreciate how they all intertwine together.
Mike Bunting - Baritone
