Together with the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) and the Royal Society of Musicians (RSM), we are launching a three-part series on developing and supporting (1) musculoskeletal health, (2) vocal health and (3) mental health among musicians and other performing artists.
All sessions will take into account:
- Vulnerabilities facing students (including those under 18 years old)
- Healthy teaching practice
- General occupational health frameworks
- Reporting and documentation
Session 2: Vocal Health
Date: Wednesday, 18 March 2026
Time: 11:00 – 13:00 (London)
Format: Online via Zoom
Chairs: Aaron Williamon (RCM), Claire Cordeaux (BAPAM), Charlotte Penton-Smith (RSM)
About the Vocal Health session
Topics will include:
- Understanding exposure and health effects in the performing arts
- Understanding vocal health in the performing arts
- Risk factors for vocal injury
- The hierarchy of control for vocal health
- Particular risks in performing arts education
- How vocal health problems present
- Discipline-specific presentations
- Knowing your scope of practice
- Appropriate actions
- Creating a voice-healthy culture
- Q&A, reflection and case studies
Featured speakers
Lucy Swain has over 30 years of experience as a Speech and Language Therapist and is also a practising musician with a special interest in vocal performance, voice care and preventing health problems for professional voice users and performance students. She is also qualified in Personalised Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine and can provide additional advice in this area to support general health and endurance.
Natalie Watson is a fellowship-trained Consultant Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon and Laryngologist, delivering expert care within both the NHS and private sector. She practices at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust – where she leads multiple specialist multidisciplinary voice clinics, including a dedicated clinic for professional voice users – and at her private practice in London. Natalie manages a comprehensive range of conditions including voice disorders, chronic cough, obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), airway issues, persistent throat discomfort, and swallowing difficulties. She works closely with a team of allied health professionals to deliver individualised care and advanced diagnostics, including vocal health assessments and in-clinic video laryngostroboscopy.
Questions?
Contact: info@bapam.org.uk
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Healthy Conservatoires aims to support environments that promote and enhance the health and wellbeing of performing artists, enabling them to achieve their full potential and to build healthy and sustainable careers. www.HealthyConservatoires.org
We are generously supported by the Royal College of Music (www.rcm.ac.uk) and the Royal Society of Musicians (www.rsmgb.org).