At Augusta Vocal Week (Elkins, WV) a couple weeks ago, I took "Care of the Voice," taught by Anne Louise White. ALW is a magnificent teacher. She spent a lot of time teaching us ideas and exercises based on Alexander Technique, although she also drew on Feldenkrais Technique and a lot of other sources as well as her own creative ideas.

It does work! Not only am I very happy with the changes in my voice (which I can't give this class all the credit for, there were other wonderful classes that made a difference), but I have a lot less back and neck pain since I took the "Care of Voice" class.

For example, I find I notice it more now, if I tense up and thrust my head forward. I can usually loosen up and "let my head float up there like a little ping pong ball," as ALW kept saying....

I suspect that any exploration of this technique would be valuable if you think you are tensing up when you sing. Even a little improvement can be very helpful.

Thanks for starting this thread, John, and thanks to the folks who have supplied all this information.

Rita Ferrara