Campus departments collaborate to host World Voice Day

April 18, 2023 (Volume 46, Number 16)
Article by Clemence Daniere

one person seated in medical lab, two people standing, one with gloved hand on seated person's vocal chords

Standing at left, Sri Nandamudi, assistant professor of speech-language pathology, gives instructions in the GV2 Voice and Swallow Lab. The lab in Finkelstein Hall provides space for clinical education and interprofessional collaborative practice.

Professional voice users learned the importance of vocal health, mindfulness and muscle strength at the fourth annual GVSU World Voice Day.

Voice Day began in Brazil in 1998, and has become an internationally recognized World Voice Day that brings together all kinds of voice experts. At GVSU, the Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Music departments collaborated to organize this event.

“Our goal is to disseminate as much voice information as we can to people who will rely heavily on their voice for a paycheck,” said Rachael Gates, adjunct instructor of voice. “We aim to present a preventative lifestyle so that people understand what can go wrong with the voice and what to do if something does as well as what resources are available.”

During the April 14 virtual conference, professional voice users from around the globe showcased their knowledge of voice health and raised awareness about the preventative measures one can take to preserve and improve the health of their voices. Professional voice users include anyone who uses their voice as an essential part of their livelihood, such as singers, actors and teachers.

Sri Nandamudi, assistant professor of speech-language pathology and director of the GV2 Voice and Swallow Lab, explained the importance of whole-body health. “People think that voice production is only focused on vocal health from the throat, but that is not true," Nandamudi said. "We have to think about whole-body health and many other factors that focus on posture, breath, resonance and lifestyle choices.”

Her specialty lies in voice, swallowing and upper airway disorders. Nandamudi and Stephen Glass, professor of exercise science, gave a presentation, "Building Muscle Strength and Endurance: Applications of Voice Interventions."

Laker singers let their voices be heard between professional talks and performed for the event, including a performance by the GVSU Men’s Glee Club, which closed the conference.