Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Fall 2025 49 By Dr. Lara Brooks, Clinical Assistant Professor of Voice & Lyric Theatre, The University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign T hanks to generous support from Sigma Alpha Iota and the Professional Development/Education Grant, I had the opportunity to attend the 12th Estill World Voice Symposium, held July 27th to 29th, 2025, at the InterContinental Chicago on the Magnificent Mile. This international gathering brought together singers, teachers, speech language pathologists, researchers, and performers, all united by a shared commitment to empowering every voice through accessible, evidence-based training. At the heart of the Estill Voice Model is a commitment to scientific rigor, pedagogical clarity, and artistic freedom. Based on Jo Estill's pioneering research in vocal anatomy and acoustics, the model offers a series of "figures," which are discrete, trainable elements of vocal function that can be isolated and mastered. Few pedagogical systems integrate physiology, technique, and joy as seamlessly as Estill, and the 2025 symposium was a vibrant demonstration of that synthesis. The keynote speaker, baritone Nathan Gunn, set the tone for the weekend with humor, candor, and heart. Known for his GRAMMY- winning performances on opera and musical theatre stages, Gunn spoke about his evolution as a singer, educator, and advocate for vocal health. He emphasized that understanding the voice brought him greater freedom rather than restriction. "There's no mystery to good singing," he said. "It's physics, it's anatomy, and it's permission to play." His words resonated with many attendees, affirming that vocal artistry and technical knowledge are not opposites but partners in expression. That spirit of expressive freedom continued with musical theatre and cabaret icon Klea Blackhurst. In a powerful session blending vocal demonstration and personal reflection, she shared her experiences studying with Jo Estill and the transformative moment when she realized that her voice, exactly as it was, was more than enough. Her belt technique was dazzling, but even more striking was her ability to tell stories with authenticity, heart, and humor. Blackhurst reminded us that healthy technique should liberate, not limit, the storyteller. Dr. Kimberly Steinhauer, President of Estill Voice International, served as both host and visionary for the symposium. Her leadership honored Jo Estill's legacy while amplifying Estill's future relevance across cultures and disciplines. Whether moderating panels or explaining acoustic phenomena with memorable rhymes such as "the chart is the heart" and "you don't know what's going on unless you've got a hose in the nose," Dr. Steinhauer demonstrated how accessible and joyful voice science can be. She emphasized that Estill's mission remains rooted in inclusion, transparency, and artistic respect. There is no aesthetic bias in the model, as long as the voice is functioning healthily. And most importantly, all voices are beautiful! The closing session "EVT Treat: Gospel Figures for Vocal Grace" by Jaron M. LeGrair was nothing short of electric. Blending personal testimony, research insights, and urgent advocacy, LeGrair challenged attendees to expand their definitions of healthy or legitimate singing. Drawing from his work with gospel, soul, and commercial styles, he called for a pedagogy rooted in authenticity, cultural relevance, and care. He led the room into a powerful Gospel sound by through play and utilizing of EVT. His words were a powerful reminder that accessibility is not only about comprehension but also about representation and equity. Throughout the weekend, every session centered on science, clarity, repeatability, and vocal agency. Workshops covered topics ranging from passaggio strategies to commercial belt, all anchored in acoustic science and always grounded in practical application. The generosity of knowledge sharing was palpable. There was no gatekeeping, only invitation. After all, the symposium's theme was "Vocal Empowerment: Stronger Together." I returned to my studio inspired and equipped with new tools, including new ways in which to utilize VoicePrint Plus, a spectrogram program that allows students to visualize their resonance. One assignment I am eager to implement involves having students record the easiest and most challenging four bars of a song at the start of the semester that is assigned in their repertoire, then repeat the recordings at the end. With the visual data from VoicePrint Plus, they will be able to observe measurable vocal changes across time such as clarity, strength, and resonance. This will help students recognize their growth and progress in a concrete, visual way. Perhaps most importantly, I left the symposium energized to pursue Estill Mentor and Course Instructor certification. To be in a room filled with educators, performers, speech language pathologists, vocologists, medical doctors, and public speakers, all speaking the same codified language of Estill, was an extraordinary reminder of how this model unites disciplines and transcends borders. Attendees came from across the globe including China, Brazil, New Zealand, Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, and yet the conversation felt seamless. I am deeply grateful to Sigma Alpha Iota for supporting my professional growth through this grant. I look forward to bringing these insights back to my students, colleagues, and fellow SAI sisters. The Estill model is more than a pedagogical tool. It is a framework for vocal respect, empowerment, and joy. As musicians, educators, and advocates for the arts, we are at our best when we uplift every voice. After all, everyone has a beautiful voice! EMPOWERED VOICES: Reflections on the 12th Estill World Voice Symposium 2025 SAI Philanries, Inc.

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