Institute for Healthy Singing & Voice Research
Evidence-based guidance for singers, teachers, and conductors — scientific, practical, and written for the rehearsal room. Educational, not medical advice.
Sing for a Lifetime.
Welcome! Whether you sing in a choir, teach, or conduct, your voice deserves good care. Here you’ll find practical, research-informed articles from our Institute for Healthy Singing & Voice Research on everyday topics like staying hydrated, singing through cold season, and how habits like vaping affect the voice. These articles are for learning and encouragement; for any ongoing voice concern, please check in with a doctor or voice specialist.
Start here: Why Your Voice Needs Water · Recovering from a Cold · Vaping and Your Voice · Post-COVID Singing Voice Difficulties · Honey for Singers
Vocal Health
December 2, 2025
Understanding the Acoustics Behind Unified Choral Sound Every choral director knows the moment when the choir suddenly locks in. The tone blooms, pitch steadies, and the sound seems to float effortlessly through the
ReadNovember 18, 2025
Have you ever noticed how a great singer’s voice seems to cut through an orchestra, ringing with brilliance? That sparkle isn’t magic or sheer force; it’s acoustics. The phenomenon is called the singer’s formant, a c
November 4, 2025
Cold and flu season brings a special challenge for singers: keeping the voice healthy while everyone else is coughing. Even a mild upper respiratory infection (URI) can disrupt vocal fold vibration. When singers push thr
October 28, 2025
When cold and flu season hits, singers often reach for tea and honey. It feels soothing, but is there science behind the sweetness? Recent studies say yes…with some important caveats. 1. Not All Honeys Are Equal
October 14, 2025
Rethinking Posture for Singing: From Alignment to Adaptability If you’ve ever been told to “stand up straight and tall” while singing, you’re not alone. But research suggests that what matters most is not holding
October 8, 2025
Upright, Buoyant, and Balanced: How Posture Shapes the Singing Voice The old adage echoes in rehearsal rooms across the world. We’ve all heard it, and we’ve all said it. But what does good posture really mean f
September 30, 2025
If you’ve ever marveled at how professional singers float effortlessly into the upper reaches of their range, you may have wondered what makes their voices different from everyone else’s. The answer lies in a combination
September 23, 2025
If tongue tension interferes so profoundly with resonance and ease, how can singers identify it and what can they do about it? Awareness is the first step. Press gently under the chin while phonating; if the tissue s
September 16, 2025
When singers think about healthy technique, they often focus on posture, breath, and resonance. But one of the most overlooked muscles in vocal efficiency is the tongue. Its posture shapes vowels, colors tone, and even i
August 26, 2025
This article is the second of a two-part series on the health benefits of singing breath. Part 1 explores how breathing for singing supports posture, digestion, and vocal freedom, while Part 2 examines its wider impacts
August 19, 2025
This article is part one of a two-part series on the health benefits of singing breath. Part 1 explores how breathing for singing supports posture, digestion, and vocal freedom, while Part 2 examines its broader impacts
August 12, 2025
Based on Research by Madison, et al., The Laryngoscope (2022) In recent years, vaping has often been marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking. However, research shows it can harm not only your lungs but a
August 5, 2025
As a voice scientist and specialist in rehabilitating singing voices, I have observed a common pattern in my students, especially those recovering from vocal injury or who self-identify as perfectionists: they tend to “s
August 5, 2025
You’ve probably heard it before: “Drink more water!” But when it comes to vocal health, that advice is more than just a wellness cliché. Research shows that hydration—both internal and surface-level—is key to keeping you
July 27, 2025
Based on research by Dassie-Leite et al., Journal of Voice (2024) Even weeks after recovering from COVID-19, many people say something still feels "off" with their voice. A recent study helps explain why—and offers ins
July 18, 2025
Recent research published in the Journal of Voice (2023) suggests that nebulizing isotonic saline—essentially, inhaling a fine mist of saline solution—may provide measurable benefits for both healthy and dysphonic voic