WATCH | Mindfulness for People with Voice Disorders: Research and Resources

Catherine K. Brown is a mindfulness and singing teacher with vocal fold paresis. She is the first person to study the effects of an 8-week mindfulness course in people with voice disorders. In this webinar, she summarized her research findings and led participants in some of the mindfulness exercises used in her groundbreaking study. Below are the links mentioned during the webinar:

MINDFULNESS COURSE
EMAIL LIST
JOURNAL ARTICLE
RESOURCES

ABOUT CATHERINE BROWN

Catherine K. Brown is an adjunct voice instructor at Immaculata University and a private voice teacher in Downingtown, PA. During her graduate studies at West Chester University, she researched the effects of mindfulness in people with voice disorders. She presented the study results at the Voice Foundation’s Annual Symposium in 2023, and the corresponding article has been accepted for publication in the peer-reviewed Journal of Voice. She presented a workshop, “Mindfulness Exercises for Use in the Voice Therapy or Pedagogy Settings,” at the 2023 Pan-American Vocology Association (PAVA) Symposium with Julia Gerhard, DMA, CCC-SLP of the University of Miami. In March 2024, Ms. Brown will present a workshop on mindfulness for singers at the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Eastern Regional Conference at West Chester University. She is currently collaborating with the University of Miami’s voice center on several research projects related to voice and mindfulness.

Ms. Brown’s singing voice students have been accepted to top performing arts colleges including American Musical and Dramatic Academy (NYC), Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Manhattan School of Music, Marymount Manhattan College, New York University (Tisch School of the Arts and Steinhardt School), Pace University, Point Park University, and Temple University. Her students have performed with professional theaters including Walnut Street Theatre, Bucks County Playhouse, Fulton Theatre, Media Theatre, Resident Theatre Company, and Candlelight Theatre. 

Ms. Brown is a member of the Voice Foundation, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and the Pan-American Vocology Association (associate member). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in music and German from St. Olaf College and a Graduate Certificate in applied mindfulness from West Chester University.