OU’s ‘Voice Day’ to focus on vocal function, health

OU’s ‘Voice Day’ to focus on vocal function, health
Voice Day 2018
The ‘Voice Day’ event at Oakland University will help singers and actors, as well as those who speak to and with others in their professional work, gain a new understanding of the inner workings of the voice.

Oakland University’s School of Music, Theatre and Dance will welcome laryngologist and singing voice specialist Dr. Adam Rubin, author of The Vocal Pitstop, as the special guest speaker during OU’s annual “Voice Day” event, which will take place from noon to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13 in Varner Recital Hall.

 

Rubin, along with voice therapists Juliana Codino, Jean Skeffington and Austin Collum, from the Lakeshore Ear, Nose and Throat Center will walk participants through the anatomical function of the singing voice and offer tips to maintain healthy function for vocal longevity. Singers of all ages and skill levels will leave with a new understanding of the inner workings of the voice.

 

“So many of us work in situations where using our voices is a central part of our work,” said Distinguished Professor of Music Education Jackie Wiggins. “Our speaking voices represent us — they present our selves and our ideas to the world. A healthy voice is a clear, resonant voice that enables us to represent and present ourselves more effectively.

 

“This ‘Voice Day’ presentation would be valuable for singers and actors, but also for everyone who speaks to and with others in their professional work,” Wiggins added.

 

Before attending medical school, Rubin was a professional actor and singer, as well as a member of the Actors Equality Association, Screen Actors Guild, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. He has performed in musicals and plays at off-Broadway and regional theaters, as well as in a national tour.

 

He started directing the Lakeshore Professional Voice Center in 2004 after completing a fellowship in Laryngology and Care of the Professional Voice under the direction of Robert T. Sataloff, M.D., D.M.A., at the American Institute for Voice and Ear Research. He graduated summa cum laude from Yale University with degrees in Theater Studies and Economics. He received his medical doctorate from Harvard Medical School.

 

“We’re excited to feature Dr. Rubin,” said Dr. Alta Dantzler, visiting assistant professor of voice at Oakland University. “We hope that that greater OU community takes advantage of the opportunity to learn from Dr. Rubin — whether your voice is your profession or not, it represents you to the world.”

 

Admission to the event is free. Register online here, or visit Oakland.edu/mtd/workshops for more information.

 

Schedule:

 

  • Noon - 3 p.m.: Dr. Adam Rubin, Lakeshore ENT Speech Pathology Team present “Vocal Health and Function”

 

  • 3:15 - 3:45 p.m.: Voice and Music Education study at OU – Q&A with OU voice faculty

 

  • 3:45 – 5:30 p.m.: Performance Workshop with OU voice faculty

 

  • 7:30 p.m.: Oakland University Opera production of Martha. Filled with beautiful music, charming choruses and timeless operatic confusion, Martha tells the tale of Lady Harriet Durham and her maid, Nancy, who disguise themselves as peasant women, only to find they don’t like country life. Tickets to the 7:30 p.m. performance of Martha can be obtained at the box office or online at startickets.com.