Members' CPD Events

All VCN members have an interest in the 'Voice' and most a professional interest. Many members are either Speech and Language Therapists, working with patients with voice disorders, or Voice Coaches, many of whom are also qualified teachers. All professionals have a responsibility for their own Continuing Professional Development (CPD), to regularly update their knowledge, skills and share the latest research and best practice. The VCN provides a number of CPD opportunities throughout the year in various parts of the country:

The Spring and Autumn Study Days – usually a Saturday, where specialist speakers are booked to lead on a particular topic or theme (See reviews of recent events). These are open to both members, guests and non-members. Please see recent study day reviews for 2009 (Spring, Autumn) and 2008.
Members Regional CPD 'meet and share' days are also open to all. These days are usually led by 2 or 3 senior VCN tutors, but allow for all members attending to contribute to the chosen theme by illustrating a particularly useful exercise or piece of knowledge gained with a particular occupational voice user group with which they have direct experience.
The Annual Study Meeting (ASM) is usually held over the weekend in the first week of September (Friday evening through to Sunday lunchtime) Please see recent ASM reviews for meetings held in 2009, 2008 and 2007.
Prospective Tutor Meetings are held when the VCN needs to expand its current number of specialists around the country. Please see the Tutor Network.

Forthcoming Events

The Accent Method - 18 and 19 October 2011 and 8 February 2012

THE ACCENT METHOD

18 and 19 October 2011 and 8 February 2012

Annual Study Meeting 2011 - 2 to 4 September

ANNUAL STUDY MEETING 2011

The Language of the Voice

Reports on Past Events

Spring Study Day, Nutford House, London Saturday 15th May 2010

Making Sense of Accents - Report by Mei Lee, Speech and Language Therapist

Autumn Study Day 2009 - 'Making Sense of Breath'

We all have an integral sense of voice being the bridge of art and science and this study day certainly delivered on both counts. From the comprehensive medical talks of Dr John Costello (Respiratory physician) and Mr Ed Blake (physiotherapist) to the artistic exploration of the singing voice with Janice Chapman and imaginative use of breath with Jane Boston.

Annual Study Meeting - Sept 2009, Kingston University

Suzanne Parke announced that her vocal warm-up which kicked off the proceedings on the morning of Saturday 5th September could be done ‘in the shower, car or on public transport’. Stretching, shaking and shoulder-rolling could cause commuters (or fellow showerers) to dodge or possibly join in.

Annual Study Meeting 2010

Movement and Voice with Glynn MacDonald - Report by Martine Dunn, Voice and Performance Coach and Speech Examiner

Spring Study Day 2009 - London, Saturday 16 May: Making Sense of Voice with Meribeth Dayme, PhD

Our Spring Study Day with Meribeth Dayme was a rich feast indeed giving VCN members an opportunity to benefit from Meribeth’s vast wealth of knowledge and practical experience. She began the day by telling us that our education system is full of “old wives tales”, especially those associated with the voice.

Reports on Occupational Voice Symposium, London - March 2009

There were over 30 Papers presented over the 2 very full days, from a range of UK and International specialists. Individual morning and afternoon sessions were chaired by well known and much respected people - John Rubin and Jan Svec, as well as Dr.Ruth Epstein and Philippa Ratcliffe from The Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital.

Dates For Your Diary

Occupational Voice Symposium in London in March '09

VCN were strongly represented at the first international Occupational Voice Symposium held in London and organised through the Speech and Language Department of the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital in Grays Inn Road and University College London (UCL). The inspiration behind the Symposium was Dr Ruth Epstein, Head of Speech and Language Therapy Services at the Royal.

Annual Study Weekend - Sept 2008, Bristol

The Bristol ASM got off to an impressive and active start on the Saturday morning with an Interactive Workshop on ’Physical Presence’ led by Pete Bailie, voice specialist at the Bristol Old Vic School. The activities began with walking in a circle, then ‘as if observed’: what difference did that make?

Spring Study Day - Apr, 2008

The ‘Sound Sense for Learning’ Study Day on 26 April was an enjoyable and enlightening day for me. This was only the second study day I have been able to get to since joining the VCN a few years ago. The venue was easily accessible and the format of the day had variety and interest throughout.