Voice and Ear, Nose & Throat

Adam Chell is an audiologist, highly commended for the Rayovac ‘Audiologist Of The Year’ award in both 2017 and 2018 for his person-centred approach to hearing care.

Adam qualified as an audiologist in 2009 and worked his way through the ranks of the NHS to become chief paediatric audiologist before joining the largest hearing aid manufacturer in the world. Afterwards, Adam became an expert in hearing technology and innovative audiological care in the independent sector.

Adam can help with issues relating to hyperacusis, acoustic trauma, tinnitus, hearing loss, hearing loss prevention, hearing protection, and hearing rehabilitation. He offers services in hearing tests, tympanometry, speech in noise testing and high frequency audiometry.

Andrew manages a busy client list at his Glasgow clinics, as well as hosting in-house theatre treatments throughout Scotland with clients including; Dundee Rep, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Lyceum Theatre, Tron Theatre & MacRobert Arts Centre.

"I know what it takes to perform as the highest level physically, mentally & vocally and having massage treatment has 100% helped me maintain my body and mind through long, demanding contracts. I'm really passionate about massage therapy and believe it can play an important role in maintaining proper body function, performance, and health as well as having an overall positive effect on your physical and mental wellbeing".

Carrie Garrett is a Voice Specialised Speech & Language Therapist, Vocal Coach and Vocal Massage Therapist.

She offers support, assessment, and evidence-based treatment options to help with a range of voice issues which may result vocal fatigue or pain, voice quality change, or singing voice problems.

Whether it’s anatomy or technique contributing to your voice change, Carrie is trained in vocal performance (singing and speech techniques) and has experience evaluating with observation, discussion, manual palpation, acoustic analysis, and behavioural assessment to get you back to doing what you love.

She brings experience from professional live performance (Rock/Pop/CCM), studio recording and singing teaching, alongside 12 years working in NHS. This includes ENT/SLT Voice Clinics (Wythenshawe Hospital, South Manchester and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham) and working in outpatient settings across both acute and community-based services.

Hafiza Choonara is a senior audiologist with almost twenty years of experience in the NHS and private sector. She helps musicians, creators and performers with a variety of issues related to hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, hearing aids and earplugs. Hafiza has a passion for ear health and the latest hearing aid technology. She provides hearing assessments, tinnitus and vestibular rehabilitation, microsuction ear wax removal and ear protection.

Ian Nicholas is a Soft Tissue Therapist and highly experienced singer and singing teacher with a special interest in voice rehabilitation and vocal massage. As an experienced Estill Master Trainer (EMT), Ian was the first practitioner in the UK to hold both the EMT and the UK’s highest qualification in Soft Tissue Therapy. Ian combines voice training exercises and Laryngeal Manual Therapy (LMT), pioneering an integrated model for the treatment and rehabilitation of Muscle Tension Dysphonia and other issues. He works as part of a Multidisciplinary Voice Clinic team in South Wales, and also works closely with senior laryngeal surgeons in London.

He lectures in Singing at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and was formerly a Vocal Tutor at the Faculty of Musical Theatre at Mountview, London. He has been a visiting or guest lecturer at Arts Ed, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Sibelius Academy, Helsinki and The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Ian holds an Honours Degree in Music from Goldsmiths College, University of London.

Ian is extensively involved with the recording industry, preparing singers for major tours, and coaching in the recording studio. His clients work within Musical Theatre and in Contemporary Commercial Music.  He works at How The Voice Works, and supports individual singers in productions at the Helsinki City Theatre.  As an experienced choral performer and conductor, Ian has outstanding ensemble teaching skills and gives workshops and classes to theatre companies and choirs including recently working with Theatre Vanemuise, Estonia on their production of Sister Act.

Kate Valentine is a Sports Massage Therapist who works extensively with singers and professional voice users, specialising in vocal massage, laryngeal manual therapy, vocal health, and injury prevention. Whilst enjoying a successful career as a principal artist on the international operatic stage Kate sustained a vocal injury which sparked her fascination with vocal health, rehabilitation, and the long-term benefits of manual therapy for voice.

In 2023 Kate Founded Valentine Voice Care, a multidisciplinary centre in Lewes, East Sussex dedicated to the care and support of voice, and as well as offering Vocal Health Triage and Vocal Massage herself, now runs a team of 18 cross-disciplinary practitioners between her main Lewes centre, and another smaller centre in Glasgow. She manages a busy client list including English National Opera's Harewood Artists, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Scottish Opera, Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Swap'ra, Voces8, and The Dunedin Consort and is a trusted name in the Classical music world.

"It is my mission to help remove the mystery and stigma surrounding vocal wellbeing and injury, and to provide a safe space to help you with your journey – whichever part of that journey you are on".

Kate offers services in Vocal Massage, Manual Therapy for Voice & Swallowing disorders, Laryngeal Manipulation, TMJ management, Myofascial Therapy, VoiceRelease Massage and Sports Massage Therapy. She can help with issues relating to relieving postoperative and post viral tension, globus pharyngeus/globus hystericus (a sense of a ‘lump’ in the throat), muscle tension dysphonia, TMJ, improving vocal function, alleviating acid reflux symptoms, releasing emotional tension, improving vocal stamina, range and flexibility, freeing up the breathing mechanism, jaw and tongue root tension, releasing muscles which have been overcompensating, performance anxiety, vocal pacing, vocal health advice and injury prevention.

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.

Lucy gained her degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Manchester University in 1990, before working in the NHS for 22 years, seeing both adults and children with a variety of speech and language difficulties. Her practice covers assessment of voice problems, referral to ENT, and therapeutic interventions including laryngeal manual therapy (LMT) and Speech and Language Therapy exercises. She is experienced in voice care and vocal cord pathology prevention, and helping patients with vocal cord pathology and those undergoing therapeutic intervention. She provides services in person and online.

Lucy maintains her registration with HCPC, the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, as well as being a member of the British Laryngological Association and a certified member of the British Society for Lifestyle Medicine.

Lydia Hart is a specialist Speech and Language Therapist, working in the field of Voice and Upper Airway. She works with people experiencing difficulties with their speaking or other throat symptoms, and has particular expertise helping singers, vocalists, actors and voice over artists.

Lydia works for the NHS including the Joint Voice Clinic at Wexham Park Hospital, with leading laryngologist Declan Costello, and privately at the Voice Care Centre. This involves assessment and management of a range of voice disorders, from muscle tension dysphonia to vocal cord paralysis.

Lydia is dedicated to developing her knowledge and experience in fields outside of Speech and Language Therapy, in order to provide holistic, biopsychosocial care. She is currently undertaking a Diploma in hypnotherapy, and has undertaken training in manual therapy for singers and professional voice users. She is experienced in breath work, including training in Buteyko Breathing Method, and is also undertaking training in Reiki.

Lydia can help with issues relating to dysphonia or aphonia of any structural or functional origin, singing voice issues, laryngeal hypersensitivity, chronic cough, globus, throat clearing, nasal airway issues, dysfunctional breathing, breathlessness and poor breath control. She offers video assessment and treatment sessions for speech therapy and in person assessment for manual therapy/vocal massage.

Mr Declan Costello is a highly experienced consultant laryngologist with extensive expertise in treating all aspects of voice disorders and hoarseness from vocal cord nodules and cysts to polyps, papilloma, vocal cord paralysis and spasmodic dysphonia. As a singer himself, he has a particular interest in treating voice disorders in performers. He is also one of the leading exponents of local anaesthetic laryngeal procedures, which can be particularly beneficial for patients with vocal fold paralysis. He regularly runs workshops for singers and performers on voice health and anatomy. NHS Voice Clinic in Slough at Wexham Park Hospital. Private appointments at King Edward VII's Hospital, London.

Mr Jonathan Fishman is a consultant ENT surgeon working at the Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals, and privately via www.londonvoicedoctor.co.uk. He has worked with many professional voice users e.g. musical theatre and opera singers presenting with hoarseness and voice disorders.

He graduated with a triple first class honours degree in pre-clinical medicine from the University of Cambridge and completed his clinical training at the University of Oxford.

He completed his higher surgical training in both London and Oxford. During his training he was awarded a PhD from University College London.

He has received numerous awards, grants, prizes and research fellowships and has published widely in the field of ENT. He has lectured both nationally and internationally and has organised and chaired sessions at National, European and International meetings. He is senior editor for the Journal of Laryngology and Otology, a current leading UK ENT journal, established in 1887.

He has a sub-specialty interest in laryngology. He is an elected member of the Council of the British Laryngological Association, a council member of the British Voice Association and an executive council member and scientific committee member of the European Laryngological Society.

Mr Richard Steven is an NHS Ear, Nose and Throat Consultant and Laryngologist leading the multidisciplinary voice service at Victoria Hospital, Fife, which provides assessment, diagnosis and management for voice and airway disorders. He has regularly seen patients from the performing arts during his specialist training and work with NHS voice clinic teams and understands the importance of specialist clinical assessment and care for singers and professional voice users. He works closely with Speech and Language Therapy and Vocal Coach colleagues. Mr Steven can accept NHS referrals from anywhere in Scotland.

More information and contact details available from BAPAM.

Mr Stuart Robertson is a Consultant Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon with advanced training in laryngology and microlaryngeal surgery (surgery of the vocal cords). He has extensive experience in the management of voice disorders and hoarseness, having worked in ENT for over 20 years. 

Stuart graduated in medicine from the University of Aberdeen in 2000 and undertook both Basic and Higher Surgical training in the West of Scotland. He completed an international Head & Neck Cancer Fellowship at the Monash Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia in 2010. This provided advanced training in several aspects of Head & Neck Surgery including laryngology (voice surgery) and Stuart is trained to the highest level in this field.  

Stuart’s out-patient laryngology practice is based at Ross Hall Braehead Clinic in Renfrew and he undertakes microlaryngeal surgery at Ross Hall Hospital in Glasgow. He works closely with a number of Speech and Language Therapists across the city to offer a comprehensive diagnostic and treatment service to all patients with voice symptoms. 

Pemma Ashdown is a voice specialist Speech and Language with extensive experience working with singers and professional voice users. Pemma´s approach and ethos is as holistic, integrated and embodied as possible, working with each individual's strengths to improve vocal quality and health whilst developing wellbeing. Pemma has additional training in Mindfulness for singers and for musicians which she draws on when appropriate. She works with a range of intervention approaches including supporting breath work, de-constriction exercises, posture, alignment. She is experienced in working with transgender and non-binary voice and communication with people who are going through their transition process.

Pemma is also a singer, songwriter and musician and knows from experience how challenging it can sometimes be to have your vocal instrument in top condition. From an early age she has been inspired by singing, music and the benefits these bring. Her own journey to overcome vocal challenges in her early twenties was the catalyst to embarking on a degree course in speech and language therapy.

She has been a Speech and Language Therapist since 2000, graduating from City University London in Clinical Communication Studies/Speech and Language Therapy. Wishing to deepen her integrated approach to voice intervention, in 2010 to 2012 she completed training in a postgraduate course in Mindfulness from Aberdeen University. She has also trained with the Mindfulness Association. She is interested in the art and science of voice and wellbeing, and maintains an interest in continually learning about this.

Pemma has a wealth of experience in improving people’s voices and rehabilitating vocal difficulties and problems. For many years she was the Specialist Voice Speech and Language therapist in Tunbridge Wells NHS, and has worked in the NHS and with independent clients for many years.

Physio Ed Medical was established in 2004 to provide professional physiotherapy services to the general public and entertainment industry. The clinic specialises in manual therapy techniques which optimise and accelerate injury recovery.

A large gym and rehabilitation space are available for specialist rehabilitation needs.

Specialist physiotherapy services are provided for all dance, sport and general musculoskeletal injuries. Physio Ed Medical are renowned for their work with the entertainment industry, particularly stage, music and television, and for vocal physiotherapy for both professional and amateur voice users.

About Companies and Group Practices listed on the BAPAM Directory

Robert Price is a vocal manual therapist and Advanced Clinical Massage Therapist who works with the multi disciplinary team at the Voice Care Centre. Robert has worked extensively in the professional theatre and at many of the most prestigious drama schools in Britain and Ireland, including Rada – where he held the senior post in voice – as well as Lamda, East 15, the Central School of Speech and Drama, Arts Ed, BADA, Rose Bruford and the Lir in Dublin. He holds a Masters Degree in Voice Studies from the Central School of Speech and Drama and was awarded a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy for his work with voices in the British Conservatoire. He trained in Vocal Massage with Stephen King of The Voice Care Centre and has pursued post graduate training in Manual Therapy for Voice and Swallowing disorders with Walt Fritz. He is also a Jing Method Holistic and Deep Tissue Therapist and a Medical Acupuncturist. Robert has also been a professional actor and theatre director.

Robert specialises in working with singers from all styles along with actors and other elite voice users. He can help with issues relating to muscle tension dysphonia, globus pharyngeus, temporomandibular joint disorders and any conditions responsive to manual therapy. He also does work relating to chronic musculoskeletal problems including lower back and neck pain.

Robert offers trigger point therapy, deep tissue release and myofascial release type contact. He also offers a broad and eclectic range of touch therapies combined with voice work and self care.

Sally Dennis is an HCPC and RCSLT registered Senior Specialist Speech and Language Therapist with clinical specialism in the field of Voice Disorders. She has particular interests in Voice Therapy and vocal rehabilitation for professional voice users (including singers, performers, actors and teachers) who are experiencing voice difficulties and applies a goal focussed approach to intervention. She has worked in the field for over 20 years and is experienced in supporting service users to achieve improvement or resolution to voice difficulties and associated symptoms of throat discomfort. She has extensive experience with working with creative professionals, including contemporary commercial musicians, musical theatre and classical singers particularly over the last 12-14 years, including professional and student singers/performers and actors including commercial, soap opera, and West End.

In her NHS role she is Clinical lead for Voice at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where she see's patients in voice therapy clinics, joint voice clinics and in a dedicated Performer and Professional voice user Clinic, with laryngoscopy and stroboscopy alongside an ENT Consultant with special interest in voice and a Vocal Rehabilitation Coach and Singing Specialist. She also sees patients privately online and for face-face sessions.

Sally can help with issues relating to assessment of voice and factors influencing the presenting difficulties, including medical history, auditory perceptual analysis and laryngeal manual palpation and assessment of the extrinsic laryngeal musculature; voice care advice / vocal health; voice therapy for Muscle Tension Dysphonia, functional dysphonia, vocal nodules, vocal polyps, vocal paresis/paralysis/palsy, presbyphonia, spasmodic dysphonia, vocal fold haemorrhage; pre and post-operative therapy and rehabilitation for vocal cysts and polyps, sulcus, papilloma, and vocal fold palsy/paresis; laryngeal manual therapy; SOVTE (Semi Occluded Vocal Tract exercises), including LAX Vox, Doctor Vox, and active SOVTE’s; accent method techniques to address factors impacting on vocal biomechanics, function, fatigue, stamina, vocal projection and vocal range such as working on optimising postural alignment, breath patterns for voice, laryngopharyngeal postures, efficient use of resonance and articulatory patterns.

Sally engages in continued professional development and training so that she can offer effective intervention with her clients and patients. She arranges learning events for Voice Specialist Speech and Language Therapists for the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapist North West Clinical Excellence Network, and has been invited to present at national conferences and study days (Association of Teachers of Singing (AOTOS) and British Voice Association (BVA). She is a guest lecturer at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) where she offers training on vocal health and vocal mechanics. She arranges supervision for voice specialist SLT’s and vocal coaches and singing teachers with an interest in vocal health.

Tori is a voice specialist speech and language therapist who has extensive experience working with singers and performing artists who are experiencing voice difficulties. She continues to work as the Clinical Lead for voice services at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals but also offers a private practice through Tori Burnay Associates. Her approach to working is always highly collaborative with her clients, linking in with other professionals working with the person to ensure that the client reaches optimal vocal recovery or development. Her practice currently runs in person in her studio in Finchley, London and online.

Tori is able to offer:

• Pre and post-operative care for polyps, cysts, sulcus/scar, vocal fold palsy, presbyphonia, recurrent respiratory papilloma
• Vocal health advice
• Voice therapy for nodules, polyps, cysts, sulcus/ scar, vocal fold palsy, spasmodic dysphonia, vocal fold haemorrhage and muscle tension dysphonia/‘functional’ dysphonia.
• Management of persistent vocal tract discomfort symptoms and chronic refractory cough
• Laryngeal manual therapy
• Significant experience working with musical theatre performers, classical singers, and singers of contemporary and commercial music.
• She regularly supports touring recording artists to ensure that they remain in optimal vocal health.

Treatment is always linked to evidence-based practice and goals are set with the client to ensure that the client is at the centre of the work.

Tori also delivers training to undergraduate singers and performers and is a guest lecturer on the Speech and Language Therapy MSc at UCL on the voice therapy module.

She offers clinical supervision to speech and language therapists and vocal coaches working with clients who require rehabilitation and is highly experienced in delivering training to other voice professionals at national and international level.  She is the current Chair of BAPAM’s Vocal Health Group and sits on their medical board; and continues to chair the British Voice Association’s Voice Clinics Forum having sat on their Education Working Party for 9 years. She is also a National Advisor to the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists for the voice specialism.