Common speaking voice problems: Case studies with optional solutions

Abstract

Editor's Note: This panel discussion took place at the Nineteenth Symposium: Care o f the Professional Voice, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 6, 1990. Rubin: This panel was inspired by David Brewer's Medical Management panels. Dr. Brewer asked his panelists to identify vocal pathologies from projected slides and then to detail managements. Today, our assembled panel of voice trainers and pathologists will identify vocal problems as detected on audio tapes, and then offer solutions. Each of our panelists brings a unique perspective to her work: Ruth Epstein is senior speech therapist at the Middlesex Hospital in London; she also rehabilitates many tired voice users of Parliament and stage fame in her private practice. At the 1988 London Voice Symposium, Ruth chaired the sessions on voice pedagogy and presented a paper on spastic dysphonia. She brings credentials as both educator and therapist. Prof. Catherine Fitzmaurice is from the University of Delaware, where she is the voice coach for the Professional Theatre Training Program. She has also coached at The Juilliard School, the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, and the Guthrie Theatre. Her main interest is in breath. Dr. Bonnie Raphael is a leader in the field of voice for the actor. As a speech and voice coach, she has made outstanding contributions to the theatre world as mentor, writer, and nurturer. She serves on the editorial board of the Journal o f