The Vocal Athlete: Application and Technique for the Hybrid Singer.

Second Edition

Marci Daniels Rosenberg, Wendy D. LeBorgne

Details: 157 pages, B&W, Spiral Bound, 8.5" x 11"

ISBN13: 978-1-63550-164-3

Companion Website

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About

A new edition is available.

The Vocal Athlete: Application and Technique for the Hybrid Singer, Second Edition is a compilation of voice exercises created and used by well-known voice pedagogues from preeminent colleges, established private studios, and clinical settings. The exercises focus on various aspects of contemporary commercial music (CCM) including bodywork, mental preparation, registration, and much more.

New to the Second Edition

20 new singing exercises
Updated and expanded exercises, figures, and references throughout
Access to a PluralPlus companion website with audio and video files to enhance understanding of exercises

Wendy D. LeBorgne and Marci Daniels Rosenberg join the VocalFri Podcast to talk about The Vocal Athlete, a landmark voice pedagogy text that was the first of its kind to fully incorporate contemporary and musical theater singing pedagogy alongside classical voice pedagogy in a fully evidence based manner. Listen here.

Related Textbook

The book is designed to accompany the textbook, The Vocal Athlete, Second Edition, a first of its kind in singing science and pedagogy developed for singers of all styles with a particular emphasis on CCM.
The Vocal Athlete text and workbook are invaluable tools for anyone who uses or trains the singing voice or works with CCM singers.

Preface

Acknowledgments

Contributors

Section I. Preparing the Singer’s Mind and Body

Introduction and Overview

Chapter 1. Exercises for Mental Focus

Centering the Breath

Barbara J. Walker

The Voice Scan

Robert C. Sussuma

Dialogue with Your Voice

Joanna Cazden

Your Voice in Real Life: A Vocal Exploration Through Laughing and Crying

Jeremy Ryan Mossman

Mental Focus and Vocal Preparation

Martin L. Spencer

Scale of Vocal Effort

Marci Daniels Rosenberg

Notes

Chapter 2. Physical Stretches and Alignment

Body Movement to Achieve Vocal Freedom

Sarah L. Schneider

Semi-Supine with Spinal Jiggle and Pelvic Bowl Slosh/Slide

Marya Spring Cordes

Freeing the Neck and Shoulders

Marina Gilman

Balancing Your Head

Marina Gilman

Climbing the Ladder

Caroline Helton

Anterior Chest Openers to Improve Posture

Jill Vonderhaar Nader

Lower Back Expansion

Sarah Maines

Postural Alignment, Core Strength, and Breath Support

Suzan Postel

Re-Organizaing the Entire Vocal Tract

Robert Sussuma

Notes

Chapter 3. Stretches and Exercises for Breathing

Physical Stretching for Optimal Rib Cage and Respiratory Muscle Expansion

Erin N. Donahue and Wendy D. LeBorgne

Finding the Abs

Joan Melton

Breath Management Strategy for Vocal Percussion

Bari Hoffman Ruddy and Adam Lloyd

Breathing Body Release Visualization

Suzan Postel

Breath Stamina Exercise for Aging Singers

Barbara Fox DeMaio

References

Notes

Chapter 4. Stretching and Relaxation for Tongue and Jaw

Jaw Exercises for Singing

Miriam van Mersbergen

Jaw Opening/Tongue Tension Isolation

Miriam van Mersbergen

Reducing Jaw Region Tension and Cramping

Walt Fritz

Tongue Stretches for Singers

Maria Cristina A. Jackson-Menaldi

Staccato and Legato Tongue Release

Tracy Bourne

Increasing Vocal Resonance by Decreasing Facial Tension

Catherine A. Walker

Guy-La Tongue Release and Flexibility

Edrie Means Weekly

Reference

Notes

Section II. Training the Hybrid Singer

Introduction and Overview

Chapter 5. Vocal Warm-Ups and Cool-Downs

The Motor Boat

Caroline Helton

Blowfish

Marci Daniels Rosenberg

Descending 5-Tone on Lip Trill

Norman Spivey

Middle Voice Palate Stretch

Beverly A. Patton

Mirening

Thomas Francis Burke, III

The Gargle Exercise: Calibrate and Condition

Jennifer C. Muckala

Straw Phonation to “Floaty” /u/ for Vocal Cool-Down

Kari Ragan

Vocal Cool-Down Exercise for the Hybrid Singer

Renee O. Gottliebson

Lifting the Palate

J. Austin Collum, Emily Dunn, and Bari Hoffman Ruddy

References

Notes

Chapter 6. Laryngeal Strength and Coordination

Connecting the Voice to the Body and Breath

Stephanie Samaras

Clari-Bees

Katherine McConville

Messa di Voce for Musical Theatre/CCM Singers

Mary Saunders Barton

Cup Phonation: A Semioccluded Vocal Tract Exercise

Marci Daniels Rosenberg

The Elusive Whistle Register: Hanging Out Up High

Jonelyn Langenstein and Brian E. Petty

Finding Efficient Vocal Fold Closure with Glottal Fry and Creaky Voice

Amelia A. Rollings

Notes

Chapter 7. Registration and Vocal Tract Modification

Head Voice Stability

Sarah Maines

Head Voice in the Passaggio

Beverly A. Patton

You Send Me

Kathryn Green

Pinball Wizard

Kathryn Green

Released Vocal Regulation

Martin L. Spencer

Swing Arpeggio

Michelle Rosen

Speech-Like Arpeggios

Norman Spivey

Sustained (2nd, 3rd, 5th, and Octave) Glide

Bari Hoffman Ruddy and Adam Lloyd

Accessing “Mix”

Jeannette L. LoVetri

Vocalizing the Speaking Mix

Mary Saunders Barton

Four Exercises for Simple Speech

Beverly A. Patton

Aaron M. Johnson

Honking

Sarah L. Schneider

Meow Mix

Kelly M. Holst

Fix It in the Mix

Starr Cookman

Slidy aa’s

Lisa Popeil

Hoot-n-Hollar

James Curtis and Brian E. Petty

A Three-Part Exercise for Bright Vowels in High Tenor Voices

Billy Gollner

Belt Tactics: Physical Cues for Success

Ann Evans Watson

The Three Birds

David Harris and Laurel Irene

References

Notes

Chapter 8. Training Vocal Styles

Bratty Twang

Norman Spivey

Closed Position for High Conversational Music Theater

Benjamin Czarnota

Woah Yeah!

Patricia M. Linhart

Belted “Hey”

Joan Ellison

Belt High Notes Like Oprah Winfrey

Jennifer DeRosa

Blissful Belting

Joan Lader

Layla and the Canadian Surfer—Belting in Four Easy Steps

Chris York

Boom Ba Chicka

Matthew Edwards

Phrase Shifting

Marcelle Gauvin

R&B Riff Exercise

Jeffrey Evans Ramsey

Multiple Personalities Vocal Exercise

Wendy D. LeBorgne

Edward Reisert

Light Chest Mix for Mixed Choir

Thomas Arduini

Acting Through Song: Discovering Connections to Express Ourselves Clearly as Artists

Naz Edwards

The Ultimate Rock Sound

Sheri Sanders

Verbal Diadochokinesis Exercise for Postmenopausal Women and Aging Male Voices

Barbara Fox DeMaio

Creating the Logical 16-Bar Audition Cut

Robert Marks

References

Notes

Conclusion

Authors

Marci Daniels Rosenberg

Marci Rosenberg, MS, CCC-SLP, is a singer, speech pathologist, and clinical singing voice specialist. She has worked clinically for over 20 years at The University of Michigan Vocal Health Center. Additionally, she serves as the on-site vocal health consultant to the Department of Musical Theatre at the University of Michigan. Ms. Rosenberg teaches workshops and lectures nationally and internationally on a wide array of topics. She is a featured author in several voice pedagogy books. Among the first cohort to receive the PAVA-RV distinction, Ms. Rosenberg is an active PAVA member serving as Chair of the PAVA Symposium Oversight Committee. She was recently a featured voice expert on the award-winning Canadian science documentary program The Nature of Things - A User’s Guide to the Voice. In addition to her clinical practice, Ms. Rosenberg maintains an active private voice studio and consulting practice. Her varied clients include performers, executives, and teachers spanning the boardroom, Broadway stage, Metropolitan Opera, and everything in between.

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Wendy D. LeBorgne

Wendy LeBorgne, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a renowned voice pathologist, international speaker, bestselling author, and executive communication coach with over two decades of experience. She combines the artistic and scientific aspects of voice to profoundly impact communication and vocal performance. Dr. LeBorgne’s work on Voice Branding™ gained attention through her influential TED talk, emphasizing authentic communication. As CEO of Professional Voice Consultants, LLC, operating as Dr. Wendy Voice, she evaluates and treats vocal injuries and enhances communication skills. She is also an associate professor at Mount St. Joseph University and an adjunct at Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Dr. LeBorgne has authored over 10 textbook chapters and 20 articles, and delivered over 200 lectures worldwide. Her private coaching studio caters to vocal athletes from various platforms, including radio, TV, film, Broadway, and opera globally. Her holistic approach to vocal and communication maximization has established her as a pivotal figure in helping performers excel and maintain vocal health and audience engagement across diverse settings.

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