An Interdisciplinary Approach to Gender Affirming Voice Training

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article describes a collaboration between a cisgender speech-language pathologist, a cisgender theatre arts voice practitioner, and a transgender art therapist to construct community-based voice feminization workshops. The evidence-based approach to speech-language pathology pairs well with the expressive methodologies of the theatre arts and the trauma-informed considerations of transpersonal art therapy. There are limitations to viewing gender affirming voice training solely from the lens of one discipline, and gatekeeping of resources is an issue for the transgender community. The literature about voice training presumes the highest discipline is that of the medical/scientific field and reinforces bias that undermines the rigor and legitimacy of the vast resource available in the expressive arts. When these biases and cisgender privilege are examined and humility is employed, powerful results can occur from collaboration. Specific exercises are described, and recommendations are made for practitioners wanting to offer similar programing for transgender people seeking vocal training.