The Guarded Larynx: A Practical Framework for Voice Teachers
Voice teachers often work with singers whose voices feel tight, unreliable, or effortful, especially under pressure. Despite good technique and musical understanding, something seems to “hold” the sound back. This article introduces a useful framework for understanding the laryngeal guarding that leads to these patterns.
Children's Vocal Health
This is an edited version of a section from Teaching Singing to Children and Young Adults, Published by Full Voice Music
The Power of Positivity
Positive expectations can shape the outcomes for our students
Consent to touch in the singing studio
Children's Vocal Health
Interview in Music Teacher Magazine 24.10.24
How valid is scientific voice research?
How can we get behind the meaning of published research papers, and how much can we trust the experts to have found the truths?
Did I really mean to say that?
Communication, language and meaning
Learning for Teaching
Teachers need to be learners
Why meet force with force?
Where singing reflects diplomacy
Vibrato in singers
An explanation of how and why vibrato happens in the voice
Tilting - a Quixotic pursuit?
Why is is not useful to ask a singer to 'tilt' the larynx
Help, I’m not an Alto!
In a choir - why it is ok for singers to join a voice part which is not their usual one, and the occasions when we don’t.
Glossary of terms relating to voice and vocal health
The child’s voice – what it can and can’t do
Possibilities and limitations of the developing voice
Singing during Voice Change: Boiling Frogs and Tipping Points
An Article published in the VASTA Journal, July 2019
A re-wording of the paper published in the Journal of Voice
The Guarded Larynx
Stephen R. King, Jenevora Williams (2025), The Guarded Larynx, Journal of Voice, ISSN 0892-1997, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvoice.2025.11.021.
'Ring' in the solo child singing voice
Howard, D., Williams, J., & Herbst, C. (2014). 'Ring' in the solo child singing voice. Journal of Voice, 28(2), 161-169.
The implications of intensive singing training on the vocal health and development of boy choristers in an English cathedral choir
PhD thesis 2010, Dr Jenevora Williams
The use of spectrographic feedback in real time as a teaching resource
Howard, D., Brereton, J., Welch, G., Himonides, E., DeCosta, M., Williams, J., & Howard, A. (2007). Are real-time displays of benefit in the singing studio? An exploratory study. Journal of Voice, 21(1), 20-34.
Warm-ups: what exactly are we trying to achieve?
A research paper written with Dr Alan Watson, Cardiff University
Cathedral Choirs in the United Kingdom: the professional boy chorister
Summary of research into the vocal health and development of the professional boy chorister 2010
Which sung pitch range is best for boys during voice change?
Journal of Voice Vol. 35, Issue 4, p581–588, Published online: January 13, 2020. Jenevora Williams, Graham F Welch, David M. Howard
The Guarded Larynx - A guide for Recognition and Rehabilitation
A guide for clinicians and voice rehabilitation specialists
Why does Stress affect your Voice?
Walls or Bridges?
Some thoughts about teamwork and collaboration in the healthcare community.
Finding a Voice: 2 - Joanne
Illustrating a rehabilitation journey through conversation and collaboration
Top Tips for looking after your Vocal Health
Remember that the wellbeing of your body, mind, and environment, will be linked to the health of your voice. Everything is related, so it’s more effective overall to think about making many small changes, rather than one or two big ones.
Finding a Voice: 1 - Alice
Illustrating a rehabilitation journey through conversation and collaboration
Steroids for Voice Inflammation
This is a summary of when a singer can take steroids to reduce inflammation
Globus
A sensation of something in the throat, even if you know there is nothing there.
Keeping a Vocal Health Diary
If your voice is feeling not quite right, this can be a simple way to begin to find out what might be going on.
Persistent throat symptoms, including reflux, globus and cough
‘Persistent throat symptoms’ is a term that covers all sensations that we may be feeling in the throat, but that may not directly affect voice quality.
Leaflets published by the British Voice Association
A series of leaflets on Vocal Health
Vocal Health – more than a voice
Holistic thinking in voice rehabilitation
What is a Voice Rehabilitation Coach?
Where Voice Rehabilitation fits alongside clinical treatment and singing lessons
Recovery after significant illness or surgery
This is some general guidance for voice users who are recovering from illness that is not necessarily voice-related but has an impact on the whole body.
Muscle Tension Dysphonia
What are the symptoms and what might be the causes of the most commonly diagnosed voice disorder
Interdisciplinary rehabilitative practice
What is the singing teacher's role in the interdisciplinary team Published in PAVA InFormant 2022 Vol 3 Issue 2
Vocal Health for Children and Teachers
Vocal Health guidance for everyone; this is especially useful for classroom teachers
