LoVetri Institute for Somatic Voicework™
The LoVetri Institute in partnership with Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music
offered In an online format
Level I - January 14 - 16, 2023
Levels I-III - July 22 - 30, 2023
Somatic Voicework™ is a body-based method of vocal pedagogy that incorporates physical awareness, aural acuity, kinesthetic development and vocal freedom. It is supported by voice science, vocal hygiene and medical information. It promotes technical security, stylistic accuracy and personal satisfaction. It honors the wholeness of healthy vocal use and the individuality of every vocal artist. It was developed to address contemporary commercial music but encompasses all styles. Past participants have come from all vocal disciplines and nearly every state as well as 13 foreign countries. Participants have remarked that the work is different, new, unique, powerful, honest and open-hearted.
The three-tiered course of LoVetri’s method, Somatic Voicework™, is comprehensive but accessible to everyone from singers not yet teaching to those with decades of experience. Vocal function is clearly explained, and the exercises presented are designed to empower teachers to create solutions for a wide variety of pedagogical needs. Since 21st-century music continues to diversify, the need to understand vocal function, vocal health and voice science has never been greater, and new tools are needed to supplement those that were used for the past two hundred years. These tools are found in Somatic Voicework™. There is no special jargon, nothing to prepare, and it avoids any direct manipulation of the structures in the throat. It has the honor of having had 12 nationally recognized laryngologists as lecturers and four highly acknowledged speech language pathologists as faculty over the past decade. The training days are filled with information, demonstration and application balanced with camaraderie, networking and social interaction among participants at all levels.
Level Descriptions
Level I is called “Basic Application” and includes the following: introduction to functional principles of voice science and medicine. It guides singing teachers to enhance their own qualities as the “building blocks” of The LoVetri Method. It looks at terminology and at objectively describing vocal behavior. It also addresses attitude, intention and appropriateness of the interaction between student and teacher. Level I states that the teacher must have a clear intention for the vocal exercise when it is given. The teacher must know (a) either what is missing and needs to be added or (b) what is wrong and needs to be corrected, such that the student’s singing will somehow improve. It rests on vocal function, vocal health and on traditional pedagogy, but it is also meant to help singers be marketable. There will be a vocal health lecture to instruct the teacher how to listen functionally, to hear aural distinctions and relate them to responses.
Level 1 Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to describe methods for effective communication with singers and singing teachers.
- Participants will be able to describe musical vocal production, the way in which stylistic parameters impact voice production, the relationship between speaking and singing voice production, music industry terminology, and industry expectations for voicing style and vocal load.
- Participants will demonstrate that they are able to listen “functionally” to singers’ voices both from a vocal health and a musical perspective, including the distinction between hypo- and hyper-functional singing in Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM).
- Participants will demonstrate the ability to assess the intention/purpose for any given sung vocal exercise.
Level II is called “Advanced Application” and is largely devoted to exploring how singing exercises work, what they do and why. It examines the age, background and desires of the students and how those things relate to the teaching process. It enhances the teacher’s ability to evaluate the students in terms of vocal behavior and aptitude. In Level II, the teacher acquires greater skill in choosing exercises that are appropriate and adjusting them to meet the level of ability of the student at any given point. There is also greater exploration of the many CCM styles, examining performance aspects that may impact vocal health. The main objective of Level II is understanding how to use vocal exercises functionally.
Level 2 Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to describe teachers’ rationales for choosing specific voice exercises in the singing environment and also how to evaluate the functional appropriateness of those exercises for individual patients.
- Participants will be able to evaluate singers’ vocal responses in the context of age, background, past vocal training, and natural aptitude.
- Participants will be able to verbalize at least two distinct ways in which specific Contemporary Commercial Music singing styles interact with vocal health.
- Participants will demonstrate basic competence in guiding a sample student through a sequence of Somatic Voicework™ singing exercises with supervision by LoVetri Institute faculty.
Level III addresses “Repertoire, Problem Solving and Voice Medicine”. It features a noted music theater expert from New York City, Carmel Dean, Music Director of multiple Broadway shows, who will conduct a master class in audition skills with chosen participants. Level III also touches upon acting for Music Theater and provides an excellent and quick approach to teach pitch matching for anyone with that problem. It promotes interdisciplinary interchange, i.e., the need for fellowship with Speech Language Pathologists and Medical Doctors. It also supports the idea that teachers should acquire the ability to read, understand and possibly even undertake research of interest to those in voice disciplines.
Level 3 Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to verbalize at least two considerations for communicating and collaborating with their patients’ singing teachers to support their progress during therapy and transition back to the lesson environment on discharge
- Participants will be able to state at least two potential impacts of vocal disease processes, injuries, medications, and phonosurgery on singing voice function.
- Participants will be able to verbalize at least two physiologic voicing demands that are specific to singing at the professional level in the Broadway environment.
This is an intensive vocal health course for graduates of Level III of Somatic Voicework™ in any year prior to 2019. Dr. Milstein will cover a review of basic vocal anatomy and physiology, refreshing the definitions of terms used in clinical and medical discussion of vocal problems. It will present typical problems, through audio and visual examples, of various types of vocal pathology and vocal illness or injury and help singing teachers identify their student’s auditory cues for suspicious vocal qualities and behaviors. Recommendations for referring to a voice care team will be discussed, as well as suggestions on how to interact with these medical professionals to assist in the vocal health of the students. Other topics will be addressed at his discretion. Singing teachers will be free to interact with Dr. Milstein to clarify various issues or questions. The course size is limited, so those who are interested should register as soon as possible.
Senior Faculty
The senior faculty are both experts in the method and are excellent examples of how this work, which started out as being unique to Jeannette LoVetri, can be used effectively by everyone. They bring decades of experience as educators and vocalists to Somatic Voicework™ and understand the open-hearted philosophy which brings together science and art, pedagogy and personal expression, and a trust of the body’s ability to produce beautiful, authentic sound in any voice and in any style.
Jeannette LoVetri is founder and director of The Voice Workshop™, creator of Somatic Voicework™ and creator of the original course for Contemporary Commercial Music Vocal Pedagogy, which for 13 years garnered over 1200 participants from all over the USA and 12 foreign countries.The work is unique, practical and based on voice science, vocal health and vocal function. It has received rave reviews from vocal experts in every discipline and has had a significant influence on vocal pedagogy worldwide.
For 45 years LoVetri has delved into every aspect of singing as both teacher and vocalist. Her studies took her to the world’s greatest voice experts and through all manner of vocal investigation. Her work with laryngologists and speech language pathologists, and her broad base of experience teaching all levels of singers from beginners to international celebrities, has allowed her to develop an approach to teaching singing that is effective with all of today’s Contemporary Commercial Music styles.
Michelle Rosen is in her sixth year teaching musical theatre majors at Tisch School of Drama. She previously taught BFA musical theatre majors as assistant professor at Rider University, Westminster College of the Arts for seven years. She spent fifteen years teaching young people at the Grammy-winning Brooklyn Youth Chorus, and is in demand as a private teacher in her Brooklyn, NY studio. She holds a master’s degree in vocal performance from NYU Steinhardt and received the Distinguished Voice Professional certificate from the New York Singing Teachers' Association. Certified in Somatic Voicework™ The LoVetri Method since 2005, she joined the CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute faculty in 2012 and is now Senior Faculty at the LoVetri Institute for Somatic Voicework™ in residence at Baldwin Wallace University. Ms. Rosen has enjoyed a performing career in musical theatre and opera and has sung folk music and performed in a rock band. Performing credits include various settings of "The Phantom of the Opera," notably as Christine in the Lloyd Webber Phantom in Germany. Other credits include Aldonza in "Man of La Mancha", Rosabella in "The Most Happy Fella", Carrie in "Carousel", Jeanie in "The Stephen Foster Story", as well as leading roles in such operas as "The Medium" and "Dialogues of the Carmelites". She has appeared in Europe, in New York venues, in regional theatres across the country and on National Tours, and twice had the honor of singing the National Anthem at Shea Stadium.
Elizabeth “Betsy” Fiedler teaches music in her own private studio, and is the Director of Music at Holy Family of Nazareth Church. In addition, she is an adjunct faculty member at Mount Wachusett Community College, the Voice Consultant for the Arts Magnet at Burncoat High School, and is a soloist at local churches, colleges, and with the Greater Gardner Community Choir. Betsy enjoys performing on the stage at Theatre at the Mount and Greater Worcester Opera Company, and sings at local nursing homes. She has recorded 3 CDs of contemporary Christian Music. Her enthusiasm for music spills over into her teaching style and is evident in her performances. She has interest in many types of music from classical and sacred, to music theatre and jazz. Her love of learning has compelled her to seek out additional professional development and course work with the motivation of becoming the best teacher and singer possible. She holds a BS and MM in Music Education, and has completed coursework in Vocal Pedagogy. Betsy is certified in Levels I, II, III of Somatic Voicework ™ the LoVetri Method, and is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, National Pastoral Musicians, and National Association for Music Education.
Additional Information
Online Tuition: $350.00/participant per Level or Graduate Course
Limited automatic payment installments are available. It is preferred that participants pay via credit or debit card through the online registration, however checks are accepted. Please call the BW Community Arts School office to arrange for this.
Online Re-certification: Participants who have completed Levels I, II or III and plan to retake one or all Levels are eligible for a discounted rate of $200.00. To obtain the discount code, email cas@bw.edu and indicate which Level(s) you plan to re-certify, and where you took them previously.
Continuing Education
Baldwin Wallace University School of Education CEUs
Graduate level credits are available for degreed music educators through Baldwin Wallace University School of Education for this course. 1 CEU is available for each Level, and is an additional $208.00. Registration for CEUs can be added to your regular attendance fees when you register online.
On-Campus Housing
Limited on-campus housing is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once you have registered for the Institute, reserve housing online.
Rate: $99 per night/per person (includes linens, lunch and dinner each day)
Off-Campus Housing
Sonesta ES Suites Cleveland Airport: $95 per night with the Group Code “0717BWLOVE”, includes complimentary breakfast buffet. Airport and Institute shuttle service will be available for hotel guests.
More housing information is available here.
On-campus Meal Plan
Attendees staying off-campus may purchase a meal plan for $24/day which includes lunch and dinner at the University restaurant on the days of the Institute. Reserve your meal plan here.
The University restaurant meals will be open to any attendee throughout the Institute; payment will be accepted at the door.
Travel
The LoVetri Institute will take place at the Boesel Musical Arts Center, Baldwin Wallace University, 49 Seminary Street, Berea OH 44017.
Air Travel: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is located 3 miles from campus. Shuttle service is available to the Institute hotel, Sonesta ES Suites.
Driving: Free parking is available on campus.
Grounded in voice science and informed by traditional vocal pedagogy, this is the most comprehensive short training course for voice teachers available. Its innovation centers on registration, rendering it applicable to the broad range of musical styles of our time. It introduces the student to a community of colleagues who support one another in this work for life. It is the most valuable vocal pedagogy course you will ever take.
- Andrew R. White, DMA
Kearney, NE
Somatic Voicework™ offers indispensable, fact-based education for voice teachers who aspire to serve students at the highest level. The perspective I gained through Levels I-III informs my work every day as I guide students to unleash their artistic potential through functional voice training.
- Emily Siar, DMA
Boston, MA
As a devoted academic, I have always valued knowing things with my mind. Singing, of course, demands knowing with your body. I was in my 30’s and had just landed my first college teaching job after years of singing classical music. There I was, trying to teach theater students by dint of whatever I could learn through reading. I could hear what was necessary to sing in other styles, but I didn’t know what it felt like in my own throat. Somatic Voicework™ encouraged me to step out and DO. The Institute balances voice science—knowing with your mind—and experience—knowing with your body. Highly recommended.
-Oliver Henderson, DM
New York, NY
Somatic Voicework™ changed my teaching by giving me tools to help students understand the anatomy and physiology of their own voices, how they make sound, eventually how to recognize and control it in a performance situation. My students enjoy discovering these “superpowers” in their voices. It’s exciting to empower singers (and speakers) with the tools they can use to develop their voices and reach their goals.
-Cymber Quinn, Teacher
Denver, CO
This is the most accurate voice course I’ve ever been to!
-Karin Bengmark, Singer, Voice Teacher
The Academy of Music and Drama, Gothenburg University, Sweden
Studying Somatic Voicework™ has had an undeniably positive impact on both my singing and my teaching. Singers from all around the world, representing a wide variety of musical genres, quickly form bonds of friendship and mutual support. My only regret about studying Somatic Voicework™ is that I didn't start sooner!
-Andrea Wolper, Jazz Vocalist, Songwriter, Teacher
New York, NY
Attending The LoVetri Institute for Somatic Voicework™ has completely changed my teaching and singing. Jeanie’s Solution Sequences are very helpful and I have learned to really hear and see what’s working with my students and what isn't working, and how to get to the solution! Jeanie is passionate, patient, and knows how to diagnose the problem, and work with you to the solution. I really loved working with vocalists who sing opposite styles and us teaching one another.
-Karen Carr, Assistant Professor, Voice
Berklee College of Music, Georgetown, MA
I LOVED watching Jeanie work … and hearing from a working Broadway Music Director about what is actually happening in New York is priceless!
-Deborah Conquest, Voice Faculty
Nazareth College, Rochester, NY
The most comprehensive and compassionate vocal pedagogy!
-Kaoruko Pilkington, Voice Faculty
Berklee College of Music, Georgetown, MA
Somatic Voicework™ has changed the way I teach and the way I approach the voice in general. My language and direction [in lessons] has become clearer, long and short term goals have become more refined, exercises are more purposeful and effective, and the student leaves each lesson in better voice than they walked in with…It is the kind of work that one summer of study does not suffice due to its deep, holistic and interdisciplinary nature. I can't wait to come back for more.
-Elana Hedrych, Vocal Artist, Composer, Teacher
New York, NY
The program gave me a set of tools that takes the guess work out of working in multiple styles.
-Jay Gardner, Professor of Voice
Collin College, Plano, TX
Somatic Voicework™ fundamentally changed the way I approach my teaching. With a more complete understanding of voice science and functional training, I am more capable in my work. Jeanie’s approach is scientifically sound and so accessible. It has surpassed my expectations.
-Michael Walsh, Professor of Music
Lone Star College-Montgomery, Houston, TX
The grounded, practical approach I have been looking for. This is bodywork for the voice.
-May Oskan, Associate Vocal Coach
Songbird Studios, Bay Area, CA
Not only is Somatic Voicework™ a clear method for understanding and teaching singing, it is a method steeped in patience, kindness and continual learning.
-Alexandra Platos Sulack, Performer, Voice Teacher
Chicago, IL
