Keynote Presentation: Performance Longevity and the Science of the Aging Voice
The human voice possesses a magic unparalleled in the natural or artistic world. An ongoing source of wonder is its interplay with the body over the course of a lifetime. The vocal organ- the larynx- changes significantly with age, in concert with the entire phonatory apparatus. This discussion will explore age-related changes of the adult voice and the anatomy and physiology that produce them. It will include current methods to protect and enhance the aging voice to promote healthy voice use across the lifespan.
Panel: Atypical Voice Issues in Singers: Nothing to Pluck, Pop, or Pump
Not every singer who struggles has a lesion to remove or inflammation to suppress—and that’s exactly the point. This session tackles the gray zone we all see but don’t always name well: singers with pain despite a “normal” exam, subtle movement disorders like tremor that defy easy categorization, and hormonally mediated voice changes that don’t read like classic pathology but clearly impact performance. We’ll move quickly between framework and function—how to think about these problems, how to talk about them with singers, and what to actually do on Monday morning.
Brianna Crawley, MD
Dr. Crawley is a Laryngologist and professor at UC Davis. She is a board-certified Otolaryngologist and member of the Academy, the ABEA, and the post-grad ALA. She completed her fellowship training with Drs. Blitzer, Strome, and Sulica at the New York Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders. Her interests include neurolaryngology, swallowing disorders, performing voice and the surgical airway. She has also completed training in classical vocal performance. Her recent research includes dysphonia and dysphagia in the elderly and patient experience of in-office otolaryngologic procedures.
Financial Disclosure: Dr. Crowley is receiving an honorarium from NW Voice for presenting. She has no other financial relationships to disclose.
Non-Financial Disclosure: Dr. Crowley has no non-financial relationships to disclose.