Vocal distortion and extended vocal techniques have often been viewed as dangerous or harmful.
But many vocal distortions can be better understood when broken down into acoustic, laryngeal, respiratory, and physiological phenomena.
In this on-demand webinar, Geddy Warner, MM. PhD(c), and Katelyn Swiader, MS Ed, CCC-SLP, explore vocal distortion as a misunderstood vocal color, performance tool, and possible rehabilitative or habilitative strategy.
Geddy gives an overview of what distortion is, how it can be identified, and what is happening anatomically, physiologically, and respiratory during different distortion sounds. The discussion also contextualizes distortion across popular music, extended vocal technique, rehabilitation, habilitation, alternative methods of speech and communication, and the role respiratory muscle training may play in some types of vocal distortions.
This conversation is designed to help clinicians, voice teachers, performers, students, and voice professionals move beyond fear-based assumptions and toward a clearer, more practical understanding of vocal distortion.
This conversation is designed to help clinicians, providers, current Breather users, students, and voice professionals better understand how to connect training to carryover — and how to use The Breather as part of a bigger picture of health, communication, performance, and quality of life.
WHO THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR
This session is designed for:
Singing teachers
Speech-language pathologists
Laryngologists
Singers
Actors
Voice actors
Voice teachers and vocal coaches
Vocologists
Performing voice professionals
Students and educators
Clinicians working with voice
Anyone interested in extended vocal techniques
DISCUSSION POINTS
What constitutes vocal distortion and how it can be identified
How distortion can be understood acoustically, laryngeally, respiratory, and physiologically
Basic anatomy and physiology of various vocal distortions
General vocal tract posturing and airflow components
Respiratory components involved in certain vocal distortions
Examples of vocal distortion in popular musical genres and extended vocal techniques
Potential uses of distortion in rehabilitation and habilitation
How supraglottal phonation techniques may relate to alternative speech and communication
The need for respiratory muscle training as it relates to some types of vocal distortions
Clinical, studio, and performance-based context
Common questions about vocal distortion and voice science
WHY THIS MATTERS
Vocal distortion can sound intense, rough, or extreme.
Because of that, it has often been labeled as dangerous without a deeper look at what is actually happening.
This discussion gives voice professionals a more grounded way to understand distortion by looking at the mechanisms behind the sound, including acoustic, laryngeal, respiratory, and physiological components.
For singers and actors, that can support more intentional vocal choices. For teachers and coaches, it can support more informed instruction. For clinicians, it can open a broader conversation around extended vocal techniques, alternative communication, possible rehabilitative or habilitative applications, and the role respiratory muscle training may play in certain distortion-related goals.
The goal is not to suggest that every distortion is automatically safe, appropriate, or useful for every voice.
The goal is to better understand vocal distortion so it can be discussed and applied with more clarity, context, and care.
Vocologist | Singer | Voice Teacher | NYU PhD Candidate in Voice Research
Geddy Warner, MM. PhD(c)
Geddy Warner is a vocologist, singer, voice teacher, and PhD candidate in Voice Research at New York University. He has served as Graduate Adjunct Voice Faculty at NYU Steinhardt and has managed a private voice studio since 2018. As a vocologist, he collaborates with otolaryngology teams at major New York voice clinics and other nationally recognized voice clinics to improve vocal quality in patients with a wide range of vocal pathologies.
His PhD research focuses on examining supraglottal phonation techniques as alternative methods for speech and communication. His work has recently explored vocal distortion and extended techniques as rehabilitative and habilitative tools, showing success in both studio and clinical practices. These findings have been presented at the 2024 ASHA Convention in Seattle, the 2024 PAVA Symposium in Houston, the 2024 Fall Voice Conference in Phoenix, and the 2025 and 2026 Voice Foundation Symposium in Philadelphia.
Learn more at geddywarner.com.
Voice Specialist | Master Coach, PN Medical
Katelyn Swiader, MS Ed, CCC-SLP
Katelyn Swiader is a speech-language pathologist specializing in voice and upper airway function, with a background in vocal performance and over 15 years of coaching experience. As Master Coach at PN Medical, she leads clinical training initiatives focused on respiratory muscle training and collaborates on global education and research outreach.
