REGISTRATION LINK
The Fitzmaurice Voice Institute, recognized as a "global leader in voice training for performance," is offering a specialized new 3-day workshop for Speech-Language Pathologists and Voice Teachers.
Join us for the workshop at the University of Nevada, Reno! Our setting will be the UNR School of the Arts, Department of Theatre & Dance. Lunch is provided, along with coffee/tea and snacks throughout the day.
1.8 ASHA CEUs are available for speech pathologists who complete the 3-day Fitzmaurice Voicework® sessions.
Sign up soon to catch the early bird rate!
This 3-day, in-person course emphasizes the interplay of body awareness, breathing, and voice. Participants will learn Fitzmaurice Voicework® (FV) breathing, movement, and somatosensory exercises that help release excess muscular tensions and improve breathing, phonation, vocal resonance, and articulation. Participants will also gain knowledge of the value of somatosensory learning in the areas of voice and breathing. This method supports a patient-centered approach to voice care by enhancing interpersonal sensitivity at both nonverbal and verbal levels.
Workshop participants will learn ways to enhance vocal strength, confidence, and ease. Exercises are introduced for use in both in-person and virtual settings and can be modified for small spaces and seated
positioning. Discussion will include empathy and patient/client communication, potential applications to specific voice disorders, and ongoing research on Fitzmaurice Voicework. UK-based speech pathologist Christina Shewell (and Sansom, 2025)1 notes that "there is a two way connection...breathing affects phonation and laryngeal behaviour affects breathing patterns." In their approach, which addresses both speech therapy and voice training, "attention to breath will generally be the first part of the equation."
The effectiveness of Fitzmaurice Voicework is recognized and taught in leading acting and performance training programs around the world. The multidisciplinary nature of this course continues in the path of existing, well-established techniques of voice therapy whose sources are the performing arts.
1Shewell, C. and Sansom, R. Voice Work: Art and Science in Changing Voices, John Wiley & Sons, 2nd ed. (2025).
COURSE WORK
WORKSHOP LEADERS: RACHEL HIRSHORN-JOHNSTON & LYNN WATSON
- ●Foundations of Fitzmaurice Voicework – Destructuring, Restructuring, Presence, and Play
“Destructuring” and “Restructuring” – Exploring the dynamics between body, breath, voice, imagination, and language. Destructuring incorporates physical exercises, including modified yoga positions. Restructuring focuses on physical/muscular use to balance effort and ease in breath support.
Presence – Somatosensory practices for enhanced awareness of self, the surrounding environment, and others within the flow of communication.
Play – As an effective and motivating learning modality.
GUEST PRESENTER: JOANNA CAZDEN
- ●The Nature of Empathy in Clinical Practice & Education
- ●A Neurophysiological Hypothesis of Fitzmaurice Destructuring
GUEST PRESENTER: ADI CABRAL
- ●Individual Expression in “Destructuring”
Registration Details
DATES: January 9-11, 2026
COST (includes daily lunch, coffee, tea):
$600.00 USD* Full price
$480.00 USD* Early registration discount for the first 10 registrants
$50 (Add-on for ASHA CEU registration fee*)
$480.00 Current full-time student discount
LOCATION: University of Nevada, Reno
1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557
CONTACT: rachel.hirshorn@ttu.edu - for other questions about the workshop.
