Auggie’s Story
Auggie (Age: 18-24)
If anything, I’ve become more determined to pursue a career in musical theater. I think it’s important for others with these conditions to see that it can be done, and I hope to lead by example. Also, I’m not about to give up my dream!
SINGING PRACTICE
Auggie is a college student, studying theater and musical theater.
Singing is a unique way of expressing myself— it brings something extra to what I have to say. I don’t know exactly what, but I’m able to say things I can’t normally say when I sing.
AUGGIE’S STORY
I had a lot of sprains as a kid/teenager and they finally came to a head in November of 2022, right in between the two weekends of Rocky Horror performances. I couldn’t stand from such a bad sprain and I worried my performance would suffer from it. I finally went and saw a doctor for my sprains, and in April of 2023 I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. I started physical therapy basically right afterwards and learned how to properly manage the pain and other symptoms.
Has your singing practice or pursuit of singing shifted in any way since your diagnosis/onset of symptoms?
I use my voice a lot, from playing/running table-top role playing games to singing at karaoke night with friends to, of course, performing musical theater.
Of course— The vocal folds are made of collagen, and at its core EDS is a collagen deficiency, which means I have a “vocal budget”. I have to be careful about how I use my voice to avoid swelling, overuse, or nodes. I also tend to tire more quickly when singing than most of my colleagues do.
ACCOMMODATIONS THAT HELP AUGGIE WHILE SINGING
Vocal steaming has been awesome. Spring allergies combined with EDS means I tire my voice out really, really fast, and steaming has helped extend that vocal budget a little. I also attended a lot of speech therapy last summer, and my therapist taught me some exercises to keep my voice healthy.
AUGGIE’S ADVICE
For singers:
Throat Coat tea, vocal steaming, and rest your voice. You don’t need to be the loudest in the room to be a successful singer. Save your voice for those glorious notes that need it the most.
For professionals working with singers with these conditions:
Be patient with us, and be ready to combat overzealousness. Two very different things! Know that a lot of exercises that work for other singers may cause us pain, and work with your singer to develop exercises that keep them healthy.
