Singing Through Change: Women's Voices in Midlife, Menopause, and Beyond

by Nancy Bos, Joanne Bozeman, Cate Frazier-Neely

A BOOK FOR ALL WOMEN WHO LOVE TO SING AND ARE STRUGGLING WITH CHANGE Written by women, for women, about women, this compelling and easy read fills a huge hole in what we understand about challenges that female singers face. It is a collection of unique lived singing experiences from every stage in an adult woman’s life, accompanied by equally unique and individualized solutions. Singing Through Change is a must read for women who sing, and also for anyone who is a voice teacher, singing specialist, or medical professional. “A thorough, thoughtful, and compassionate look into the complexities surrounding the singing voice for women during midlife and the menopausal transition, interwoven with stories that inform, encourage and inspire us to keep singing. This will no doubt be a tremendous resource for the singing and medical communities for years to come.” -- Lori L. Sonnenberg, Clinical Speech Pathologist, Singing Voice Specialist, Soprano - Sonnenberg Voice “Readers will find a bounty of information which, for the first time, summarizes current research on adult female voice change, while allowing a glimpse into the lives of women who have faced the results of adult female voice change. Written in an accessible style, the book provides case studies which enable a better understanding of adult female voice change and its effects physically, vocally, emotionally, psychologically and socially. This book will be an invaluable resource to singers, voice teachers, choral directors and any woman who loves to sing!” -- Lynne Gackle, Ph.D., Baylor University, President, ACDA, Author, Finding Ophelia’s Voice, Opening Ophelia’s Nurturing the Adolescent Female Voice “This book is a beacon of light for all women who sing and for whom singing is important. It provides information, objective data, resources, suggestions, and many individual anecdotes from women who have openly shared their experiences singing while going through perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause. It fills a gaping hole in our knowledge and opens a path to new dialog on this vital topic. Every expert in all the related voice disciplines needs to know what is in this excellent book.” -- Jeanie LoVetri, Director, The Voice Workshop, New York, NY NANCY BOS, JOANNE BOZEMAN, AND CATE FRAZIER-NEELY are known experts in the field of voice. Their cumulative teaching and writing careers of over a century form a broad scope of experience in voice health and pedagogy. Singing Through Change is the culmination of over two years of joint research of female midlife singing voice. www.singingthroughchange.com

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2020

Reviews

[Lisa Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book for ANY woman going through perimenopause/menopause, but especially those who sing. Although I don't sing, I do do public speaking, and I had not realized some of my voice projection and cracking challenges were potentially linked to perimenopause/menopause. Although I work with perimenopause/menopause challenges with clients as a meditation teacher/energy healer, I was not aware of some of the voice/hormonal links. This book provides a great overview of the physical and psychological changes and challenges that occur during this time, and includes many stories/case studies of how it unfolded for different women, along with specific advice for addressing each challenge. Although it is focused on women who sing, many of the stories include typical struggles from this time that aren't singing specific, and in that sense I really feel this book is a contributing piece to the larger reframing of perimenopause/menopause that is occurring right now. This is not just a physical, medical event that needs to be medicated - it is a powerful transit, and with adjustments can be a new beginning rather than an ending for

[Loesje · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains a broad selection of experiences what might, and might not happen with the voice during (peri)menopausal stage. That can be comforting to know that this wide broad all can be considered as ‘normal’. This book doesn’t offer a wide broad of solutions. Logically as most solutions should be individually sized. May be I could have uses a little bit more technical background information what is happening with the voice, and why it does face some female singers and not all of them. Meanwhile I follow the most given advice: accept the change and keep on with singing!

[Kirsten Belzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful and informative

Great read for women of a certain age who sing dealing with voice changes. There is hope for improvement, but the book also helps with acceptance of the changes. I really like that the authors discuss natural solutions.