Revisiting the Question

Music Therapists and Their Vocal Health

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v25i2.4369

Keywords:

vocal health, music therapy education, clinical voice skills, occupational harm

Abstract

Vocal health issues were not a focus in the music therapy literature until the early 2000s. Beginning with a seminal article in 2008, the question of whether music therapists were at risk for voice problems, along with a comparison with literature about teachers with voice disorders was broached. Subsequent research articles, Continuing Music Therapy Education (CMTE) courses, conference sessions, online resources, and social media have emerged since that time indicating that vocal health and the use of clinical voice skills are of concern to the profession. This article discusses what resources and research have been generated 2000-2024, responding to the initial question posed and providing suggested paths for research and a more integrated music therapy education and training in clinical voice skills and vocal health for student and professional music therapists.

 

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the contributions provided by the following readers of this article pre-submission: Dr. Yasmine Iliya, Dr. Lisa Gallagher, Mary Stryck, M.S., MT-BC, and Michael B. Boswell, M.M.

Author Biographies

Sharon Boyle, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, United States

Sharon R. Boyle, D.H.Sc., LPMT, MT-BC, is Associate Professor of Music Therapy, Director of Arts in Health, and Program Director for the Master of Applied Arts in Health program at Ohio University. A co-author of the book Functional Voice Skills for Music Therapists, she has written chapters in several music therapy textbooks on the role of voice in clinical musicianship along with topics related to music therapy education curriculum and assessment. Recently, her research has explored relationships, growth, and connection for mid-life women who sing together.

Rebecca Engen, Alverno College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

Rebecca L. Engen, PhD, MT-BC, is Professor and Director of Graduate Music Therapy and Doctorate in EducationAdvisor for Alverno College. She has presented internationally, often on the topic of voice use in clinical practice and strategies for maintaining vocal health in a demanding profession. Also an accomplished editor and writer, she has published in multiplejournals and is a co-author of the book Functional Voice Skills for Music Therapists.

Author photo, 4369 Boyle and Engen

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Published

2025-07-01

How to Cite

Boyle, S., & Engen, R. (2025). Revisiting the Question: Music Therapists and Their Vocal Health. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 25(2). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v25i2.4369

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Section

Position Papers