SINGER’S STORIES
Read the shared experiences of singers who have and are navigating chronic conditions while pursuing the arts. The stories below include students in college, professional, and avocational settings, sharing their preferred singing practice and accommodations, diagnostic journey, and advise for others with shared conditions and the teachers that support them. Each story is categorized with key words that can be searched as filters. If you would like to share your story, click the button below! We would like to thank each and every one of these incredible artists for sharing their journey with us. We hope it helps those that are seeking community and understanding.
Sierra’s Story
It may seem like you are alone and that the world is against you, but there are people just like you, who experience the pitfalls and challenges of chronic health issues, and they will embrace you.
Marlee’s Story
I felt like I was starting over my junior year in college, because my body had changed so rapidly over the first two years of my voice study...You’re waking up to a new body every day.
Bailey’s Story
For as long as I can remember, my parents have understood that the gorgeous lines I can create for dance were not medically normal.
Elizabeth’s Story
After my onset, I absolutely wondered if becoming a choir teacher was something I could pursue … I knew there was no other career that I would find truly fulfilling except being a music teacher.
Melanie’s Story
(Excerpt from Stryker, 2024)
There are lots of opportunities for solos and there are a couple of songs this coming season that would have been really fun to audition for. But I don’t know when I’m gonna flare - which makes my heart palpitate, I feel air hungry, dizzy, and super tired. Having to bring a stool up with me for a solo would be a pain and draw more attention to me than I already have. Things like that have been barriers to fully participating in the group, which has been kind of a bummer. But the last thing I need is to go up there, also nervous, not feeling great, and then have a solo in front of the whole choir and not feel like I can do it the best that I could if I felt fine.