ANATS TAS Chapter News

In late July, ANATS hosted a refresher of the Estill Model for participants who have completed at least one 5 day course.  This weekend in Devonport was organised by Elizabeth Sandman who is the newly elected Tasmanian ANATS President, and Carolyn Harris.
Helen Tiller (CCI with Testing Privileges and Service Distinction) took participants through a refresher of the Estill Model and over half of the 20 participants (from 14 – 50 years) were able to view their vocal tract using flexible endoscopy performed by Adelaide based ENT John Tomich.  They were able to observe the changes that occurred in the following structures while being coached by Helen:
 

False vocal folds – constriction/retraction
Twang - Aryepiglottic narrowing/widening
Laryngeal Height
Thyroid cartilage control – thin/thick folds
Soft palate – high/mid/low velum
Changes in the epiglottic tubercle during tongue compression
 

This was a highly successful workshop enabling participants to see the results of their ability to voluntary control laryngeal structures.
 

Comments from those attending:
 

A wonderful opportunity to re-cap in a friendly non-threatening environment.  A truly magnificent experience with Dr John, which helps to visualise what Helen and Jenny were re-inforcing.  Thank you for your enthusiasm and dedication to us.
 
Very useful and confidence-building to recap previously covered material, in more detail and with Helen’s ever-patient and thorough guidance.  Fantastic to have visual confirmation through endoscope of the techniques learned and practised.  An exciting and satisfying learning experience.
 
 
Great to see the science-arts crossover with the control over voice.  Very impressed with the capacity to demonstrate how dynamic the larynx can be.  Good fun.
 
I have been teaching classroom music and choirs for 16 years now and never
before have I had such an opportunity to actually experience so much detail
regarding my voice and singing.  Having Dr John actually show me what is
happening inside my body has helped me improve my techniques.  I have learnt so much and have had heaps of fun during this refresher course.

By the time this newsletter goes to print our first event of interest will have been and gone.

On Friday 4th March from 4.00 - 5.30 at the Conservatorium of Music, Dr. Matthew Broadhurst (ENT & singer) will present a talk entitled The Anatomy and Physiology of the Voice. This should be of interest to all singers and teachers alike.

AGM

Our AGM will take place on Saturday 2nd April (venue to be confirmed).

Jo Estill
Helen Tiller will again be visiting Devonport to present Parts 1 & 2 of Estill Compulsory Figures from 6-10 June inclusive. For detalils email Angela Polden.

This follows on by popular demand from the success of the workshops last September.

Mark Meylan

We are hoping to host a visit from Music Theatre specialist Mark Meylan from the U.K. as part of the ANATS Master Teacher tour. This will be either on the weekend of July 16-17 or July 23-24 at the Conservatorium in Hobart.

Details to be confirmed later.

Marilyn Smith