15 Feb 2026 l NSW l "Advanced Tools & Techniques; Unwind and Rebuild: Caring for the Singer’s Body and Voice"

SUNDAY 15 February

1:00pm - 4:15pm

The Tramsheds - Harold Park Community Hall

1 Dalgal Way Forest Lodge 2034

TICKET LINK

https://events.humanitix.com/anats-nsw-presents-advanced-tools-7-techniques-unwind-and-rebuild-caring-for-the-singer-s-body-and-voice

ANATS NSW Presents: Advanced Tools & Techniques; Unwind and Rebuild: Caring for the Singer’s Body and Voice

This practical three-hour workshop brings together two specialists working at the intersection of singing, vocal health, and functional movement:

Rachael Cunningham; Vocal Massage Therapist, body mapping educator, and professional singer; and Nadine Manion (MSPS, BCA); Speech pathologist, singing teacher and researcher.

THIS IS AN IN-PERSON LIVE EVENT ONLY. There will not be a recording of this event due to the hands-on approach of this workshop.

This event will offer a practical approach to understanding the body, supporting healthy vocal function, and guiding students through both everyday technique and post-injury recovery.

🔹 Part 1 — Rachael Cunningham: Body Mapping, Posture & Tension Release

Rachael will introduce teachers to fundamental body-mapping principles and how inaccurate internal “maps” affect movement, breath flow, and vocal efficiency. Participants will learn a practical body mapping exercise to use directly in lessons, followed by guided demonstrations in:

•        recognising common postural patterns that impact singing

•        identifying areas of tension in the jaw, neck, larynx, torso and breath mechanism

•        using simple, safe self-massage, stretches, and release work to promote vocal freedom

Rachael’s approach gives teachers concrete, hands-off strategies they can confidently introduce in the studio to reduce tension and support sustainable breath use.

🔹 Part 2 — Nadine Manion: Functional Voice Exercises & Supporting Vocal Recovery

Nadine will lead a practical demonstration informed by her clinical work in singing voice rehabilitation. She will address questions teachers frequently face:

•        What exercises are safe once a singer is cleared to return to lessons?

•        How do we structure the first few sessions after injury, surgery, or fatigue?

•        Which early-stage singing tasks help rebuild coordination without straining the voice?

Participants will learn a sequence of evidence-based, functional exercises that teachers can safely guide their students through.

Nadine’s session will guide participants through the interpretation of clinical reports and scoping videos and their pedagogical implications. There will be time of discussions about how to work with speech pathologists and laryngologists to best serve students.

🔹 A Holistic & Practical Teaching Experience

Throughout the workshop, both facilitators engage participants through demonstration, guided practice, and group involvement.

Together, they provide a holistic, accessible pathway for teachers to:

•        understand how the body influences vocal function

•        assess posture and tension patterns

•        reduce physical strain through movement and release work

•        support students recovering from injury using research-informed vocal tasks

•        confidently apply early-stage, safe singing exercises in lessons

•        Interpretation of clinical reports and laryngoscopes

All activities require no teacher–student physical contact and are designed for use in school, studio, and community choir environments. Comfortable clothing is recommended; participants may bring a yoga mat or physio band for use in exercises.