Claire’s Story

Claire (Age: 18-24)

Singing means freedom, expression, and a way to tell my story when words alone fail.

SINGING PRACTICE

Claire is a professional recording artist and voice teacher, who is a classically trained vocalist, focusing primarily on healthy vocal technique and musical listening skills. Claire also  composes and produces music featuring their own vocals.

CLAIRE’S STORY

I was always called “double jointed” and “flexible” as a child, and got injured frequently, and in situations that the average person wouldn’t. I had hypermobility related joint pain starting at around 10 years old in my wrists and knees. At 15 years old, my pain increased and became more widespread, and that combined with a bad ankle sprain that wouldn’t heal led to my diagnosis of HSD. It was around this time that I got diagnosed with autism and ADHD, which are both related to hypermobility.

Has your singing practice or pursuit of singing shifted in any way since your diagnosis/onset of symptoms? 

I’ve been a classically trained vocalist since I was 11 years old. Now that I’ve graduated college, I teach a wide range of students from 6 years old to 16. We focus on building healthy vocal technique, strengthening our musical listening skills, and learning a variety of pieces from classical to modern. On top of my teaching, I also songwrite and produce my own music featuring my vocals!

I’ve realized that I have to pace myself and manage my fatigue properly, which means I may not get to sing as much as I want to. The stiffness in my neck and shoulders, which I believe to be a side effect of lax joints, contributes to tension in my voice. I’ve also noticed my voice has dropped significantly since my teen years (and I’m only 22). Knee pain and foot pain from hypermobility can make it hard for me to stand while singing.

ACCOMMODATIONS THAT HELP CLAIRE WHILE SINGING

To relieve tension in my voice, I sing leaning upside down, which relaxes my muscles. I like to use a microwavable heating pack that warms me up before I record, too. I usually practice sitting down, and teach sitting down as well, to avoid knee and foot pain.

CLAIRE’S ADVICE

For singers: 

Find out what works for you and your symptoms; what works for one person might not help you, and that doesn’t mean you’re failing! Don’t push yourself and get to know your limits, which might change over time.

For professionals working with singers with these conditions: 

Believe your students when they tell you their symptoms! Allow your students to sit down as needed, as long as they maintain correct posture.