Dance Teachers Guide To Saving Your Voice

By: Olivia Mode-Cater 

  

I don’t know about you, but it’s week 3 and my throat is killing me! Saving my voice is a constant issue in my teaching practice. I always get caught up in the moment and end up shouting over music or projecting loudly, even when I don’t need to. I’ve gotten into the habit of clapping students in for 5, 6, 7, 8 instead of saying it. It helps, but it hasn’t fixed my problem. That is why I turned to all of you to help me figure out better solutions! I was amazed by the amount of awesome suggestions and I thought that many other dance educators could benefit from hearing your answers. So, without further ado, here are your Dance ED Tips on how to save your voice while teaching: 

  

@thebeaglequeen: 

• I get a more advanced student to lead while I control the music  

• Let students take turns “leading” or have them make up the combinations 

  

@annandag 

• Student leaders, peer to peer feedback, group discussion…basically having the students talk for most of the time 

  

@cnrodriguez1036 

• When it’s bothering me I drink hot water and a lemon honey ricola cough drop dissolved in it (I hate tea lol) 
• Also, I try to focus on projecting my voice from my diaphragm instead of just from my lungs/throat 

  

@mksapata 

• SO MUCH TEA AND HONEY (especially instead of coffee bc milk makes it worse) 

  

@courdance 

• Throat Coat Tea! 

  

@foreverdancer 

• Throat coat tea or throat coat spray look up on amazon 

  

@a.l.l.i.s.o.n. 

• I drink more water and I take breaks from talking whenever I feel like I’m straining 

• Singers have this problem… they use Echinacea spray. 

  

@aryn.kay 

• I use essential oil thieves throat drop. It is strong, but definitely works. :) 

  

@jessicalewisarts 

• I tell my students that I am loosing my voice (which is true) and speak extra quietly 
• It increases their focus as they have to listen 

  

@eliemax 

• Take a few voice lessons to learn forward placement and moving the breath! Life saver! 

  

@jamierose06 

• As unprofessional as it is, I’ve found that chewing gum while teaching helped me a ton! 

  

@mixxk_roxygirl 

• Lifesaver peppermints between classes and on water breaks! 

  

@ladycrunktress 

• Gargle salt water every morning! 

  

@alysonallegra 

• I transition to my “head voice” (thanks voice lessons!) to take the strain off :) 
• When all else fails..a stash of throat coat tea and honey! 

  

  

Happy teaching! 

Olivia 

  

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