All Choked Up

Psychology, Performance Anxiety and Voice

woman holding her hand to her throat
Taught by
Portrait of Anne-Marie Speed
Anne-Marie Speed
West End and International Vocal Coach – Film, Theatre, Musical Theatre, TV; Estill Mentor and Course Instructor (with Service Distinction & Advanced Testing Privileges), Estill Lifetime Achievement Award 2019 Read more
Simon Ward
SIMON WARD is an actor, singer and psychologist. He trained in Musical Theatre & LRAM in teaching voice at the Royal Academy of Music, holds a Licentiate in musical theatre from Trinity College London, trained with the Actors Centre Australia, and completed Psychology degrees at Macquarie University Sydney. He has performed in London’s West End, New York City & throughout Australia in musicals, plays, opera and extensively in cabaret. Simon is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts, a Member of the Australian Psychological Society, a Chartered Psychologist & Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, a member of the Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing, of the Music Theatre Educators Alliance (MTEA), Equity UK & MEAA Equity Australia. Simon is also a member of the MEAA Equity Wellness Committee. He worked in the NSW Health Department, as a consultant psychologist for the Australian Ballet & works in private practice. He presented at the MTEA Conference in NYC and at the Estill Voice Symposium in London. Simon teaches on musical theatre and dance programs at a number of universities and colleges in Australia and has a private singing studio. (www.simonward.info)
Date Sunday, February 6, 2022
Time 10:00–10:00 (UTC)
Venue Online
Price £75.00
Student £45.00 (enter code STUDENT at checkout)
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Suitable for
singersprofessionalsstudentspeople familiar with Estill Voice Trainingteacherspeople new to the Estill model

Across the performing arts, performance psychology and stage fright are hot topics. But in a world of good advice and intention, how is a teacher or indeed a performer to know what works and what to do when it doesn’t?

Teachers on performing arts courses, particularly voice teachers, are increasingly grappling with how best to respond to a seeming increase in students experiencing mental health issues, especially anxiety. Many teachers are finding that lessons are inadvertently becoming semi counselling sessions.

How can a voice teacher teach when a student is ‘all choked up’? Can it be activated by different styles of singing or teaching? How can the teacher help manage the symptoms and ease them into performing? How can we engage the student without become a de facto therapist?

The day will include:

  • Brains: a practical overview of how they work
  • What happens when performance anxiety hits the brain & the body?
  • How is the voice affected by stage fright and how does it respond?
  • What to look for: Recognising signs of performance anxiety in students
  • No G&T?! - How to handle anxiety when it hits a performer we’re coaching & how to calm down healthily.
  • Estill Voice Training tools - how and where to use them
  • What doesn't work – avoiding common traps
  • Lots of practical strategies, tips and tricks.
  • Q & As

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF ESTILL VOICE TRAINING NOT REQUIRED

Suitable For: For those new to the Estill Voice Training and those with experience; anyone working with the voice - SLTs, singing teachers, professional singers, students and amateurs; voice, speech & drama teachers; actors. Suitable for all styles of voice, singing & speaking

N.B. Please note that tutors, guests and course elements may vary from that advertised without notice

Taught by
Portrait of Anne-Marie Speed
Anne-Marie Speed
West End and International Vocal Coach – Film, Theatre, Musical Theatre, TV; Estill Mentor and Course Instructor (with Service Distinction & Advanced Testing Privileges), Estill Lifetime Achievement Award 2019 Read more
Simon Ward
SIMON WARD is an actor, singer and psychologist. He trained in Musical Theatre & LRAM in teaching voice at the Royal Academy of Music, holds a Licentiate in musical theatre from Trinity College London, trained with the Actors Centre Australia, and completed Psychology degrees at Macquarie University Sydney. He has performed in London’s West End, New York City & throughout Australia in musicals, plays, opera and extensively in cabaret. Simon is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts, a Member of the Australian Psychological Society, a Chartered Psychologist & Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, a member of the Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing, of the Music Theatre Educators Alliance (MTEA), Equity UK & MEAA Equity Australia. Simon is also a member of the MEAA Equity Wellness Committee. He worked in the NSW Health Department, as a consultant psychologist for the Australian Ballet & works in private practice. He presented at the MTEA Conference in NYC and at the Estill Voice Symposium in London. Simon teaches on musical theatre and dance programs at a number of universities and colleges in Australia and has a private singing studio. (www.simonward.info)