Classes, Workshops, & Events
Vocal Tech Drop-In Class with Liz Johnson
A vocal tech group class for singers of all levels - with emphasis on having FUN and asking lots of questions.
Each class Liz will present a science-based voice concept. Students will gain more understanding of how and why to use different kinds of exercises, and how to experiment with their singing sounds in general.
Students each bring in 1 to 2 songs (or portions of songs) to sing with accompaniment. All styles of singing are welcome.
Dates: October 12th and 26th
Time: 6 - 8pm CT
Where: Zoom, link provided upon registration
Cost: $50
Voice Consults for Working Singers
Nashville singers ask a lot of their voices—long shifts, loud bars, late nights, multiple gigs, rehearsals, and long weekends.
Whether you're dealing with fatigue, inconsistent high notes, recovery after gigs, vocal injury, or just wondering if you're doing the right vocal exercises, these 30-minute consults are specifically designed for working vocalists.
Together we'll talk through your concerns, create practical strategies to keep you singing, and, when needed, connect you with trusted specialists including voice physicians, speech-language pathologists, and body workers.
No judgment. No mystery. Just evidence-informed guidance to help you keep doing what you love.
30 minutes • $30
Monday, October 19th: 3-6pm
At the Film House, Nashville, TN
Sing! Party
Once a month we gather online and sing. Join SING! party as a way to practice performing, share what you are working on, or just enjoy being with a group of supportive humans. Free for subscription members and their guests.
Date: Tuesday, October 20th, 7:30pm CT
Where: ONLINE via Zoom
Email to register.
Liz Johnson, Christina Watson, and Joe Freel
Featuring the Bruce Dudley Quartet
"We're In This Together"
Sunday, November 8th
Time: 3 pm
Where: Nashville Jazz Workshop, Nashville, TN
Connecting Through Rhythm and Breath
Monday, November 16th
Time: 6 - 7:30 pm
Where: Nashville Jazz Workshop, Nashville, TN
Cost: Free
Connecting Through Rhythm and Breath is a community arts workshop that uses breathing, listening, rhythm, and collaborative music-making to foster connection, creativity, and well-being. Designed for groups of 8–15 participants, this workshop is open to adults of all musical backgrounds, including those with no prior musical experience.
The session begins with guided breathing, listening, and improvisation exercises that help participants become present and connected to themselves and others. Participants then engage in interactive rhythm and music-making activities using voice, body percussion, hand percussion, and acoustic instruments, culminating in a guided improvised ensemble experience.
The workshop's primary goal is to demonstrate that music-making is a fundamentally human activity accessible to everyone. By creating a welcoming space for play, exploration, and creative expression, participants experience the joy of making music together while developing greater confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging.
This event is funded by the Metro Arts Nashville Thrive Grant.
Sound Health
A Mini Conference on Voice and Wellness
Monday, December 14, 2026
6 - 8:30pm
FilmHouse Building
810 Dominican Drive
Nashville, TN 37221
Keynote Presenters
Miriam van Mersbergen
Dr. Miriam van Mersbergen is a voice researcher and Associate Professor at the University of Memphis. Her research focuses on the interaction between voice, emotion, cognition, and physiological processes, with particular interest in understanding how psychological and neurological factors influence voice production and communication.
Ingo Titze
Dr. Ingo Titze is a renowned voice scientist, researcher, and educator known for his work in voice production, vocal acoustics, and vocal health. His research has greatly influenced the fields of speech-language pathology, singing, and voice science.
Practitioner Talks
Short Presentations
Forward Head Posture and Somatic Strategies for Singers
Noah Rice, MM
Forward head posture (FHP) is a widespread postural pattern in contemporary life linked to disruptions in musculoskeletal alignment, respiratory function and vocal production. This short talk explores the current research on FHP within the context of vocal pedagogy, and how voice teachers might address these postural deviations in the singing studio through somatic and awareness-based strategies, alongside complementary bodywork modalities.
Effective Vocal Routines for Singer-Songwriters
Bri Worek, MS, CCC-SLP
For busy singer-songwriters, maintaining vocal health while navigating demanding performance schedules can be challenging. This presentation focuses on realistic, evidence-informed strategies for building effective vocal routines that fit into the lives of working musicians. From efficient warm-ups and cool-downs to practical recovery strategies and everyday vocal habits, attendees will explore simple, sustainable ways to support vocal health, flexibility, and endurance without adding unnecessary demands to an already busy schedule.
Massage Therapy for The Vocal System
Ralph Magliano, MS, CCC-SLP, LMT
Speech-Language Pathologist and Licensed Massage Therapist Ralph Magliano will share how he uses massage therapy to help his clients with tension related restrictions of the vocal system. He will also share his published research, “Massage Therapy for a Voice Student with Behavioral Dysphonia When Singing: A Case Report”. His guiding clinical principle is that voice is a product of the whole body, not only the larynx.
The Vagus Nerve and Voice
Liz Johnson, MM, PAVA-RV
The vagus nerve is a hot topic these days, but what does it do, and why as singers should we care about it? Learn about the anatomy of the vagus nerve and how we can use our superpower of singing to influence central nervous system function positively.
Keynote Presentations
When the Speaking Voice Is Fine: Functional Voice Disorders in Singers
Miriam Van Mersbergen
Functional voice disorders may not always affect the speaking voice. This presentation explores a group of singers whose difficulties emerged primarily in singing, examining their clinical characteristics, possible underlying mechanisms, and implications for recognizing and working with functional voice symptoms in the voice studio.
The Inner Joy of Serving the Vocal Arts with Science
Ingo Titze
In the performing arts, we embellish, we overstate, we make something small into something big. In science we do not seek bravado; we do not embellish our findings. We understate our results. There are always caveats and qualifications with every discovery. The more we discover, the more we realize how little we know. There is an inner joy in giving deference to a higher intelligence. So, if any of you want to simultaneously live on a stage and in a laboratory, you will likely adopt two different personalities.
Subscribe to my newsletter by entering your email:






