About the AVA
The AVA began in 1991. It is an umbrella organisation for all involved in the care of the human voice including speech pathologists, singing teachers and voice teachers, ENT surgeons, voice scientists and other professionals and amateur voice users.
Through meetings, professional development events, publications, lobbying and representation, the AVA aims to provide services to its members in a variety of ways;
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To act as a central point of focus for many disciplines involved in voice and promote the field of voice in Australia;
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To encourage links between artistic, clinical and scientific disciplines related to voice;
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To promote education and training in the clinical care of voice, as well as vocal performance and voice science;
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To promote research into voice.
Meet the National Board of AVA
With a special interest in disorders of the voice box and trachea, he completed a Fellowship in Laryngology at the National Centre for Airway Reconstruction in London, performing endoscopic and open approaches to airway and voice disorders. He spent time at the Royal Brompton Hospital, learning middle airway disease and chronic cough. Anthony then completed a second Fellowship on voice and swallowing disorders in Poole, UK. He trained in local anaesthetic techniques, such as vocal fold augmentation, subglottic stenosis management, laser surgery, as well as transnasal oesophagoscopy.
Anthony works as both Laryngologist and Ear, Nose, Throat, Head & Neck Surgeon at Monash Health as well as in the private setting. He is the recipient of multiple research grants and has a number of publications and presentations, as well as regular attendance at national and international training courses. He has a keen interest in teaching and is a supervisor of training at Monash Health.
With a specialist interest in disorders of the voice box and trachea, he achieved a Royal College of Surgeons England-approved Fellowship in Laryngology at the National Centre for Airway Reconstruction in London, with a focus on endoscopic and open approaches to airway and voice disorders. He also spent time at the Royal Brompton Hospital, learning about middle airway disease and chronic cough. His time in London was followed by a second Laryngology Fellowship focusing on voice and swallowing disorders in Poole, United Kingdom. He trained in local anaesthetic techniques, such as vocal fold augmentation, subglottic stenosis management, laser surgery for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, as well as transnasal oesophagoscopy.
Since returning to Melbourne, he works as both Laryngologist and Ear, Nose, Throat, Head & Neck Surgeon at Monash Health as well as in the private setting. He is also the recipient of multiple grants for his research, which he is currently involved in through Monash Health. With a number of publications and presentations as well as regular attendance at national and international training courses, Anthony maintains his knowledge and experience in current techniques to benefit his patients. He has a keen interest in teaching and is a supervisor of training at Monash Health.
As a singer Stephen has trained in classical voice and musical theatre and currently sings in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Chorus. He has previously sung with community choirs around Melbourne and as a soloist at the Lyrical Lunchtime series with Bottled Snail Productions.
Elissa’s passion for voice originates from her background as a singer and singing teacher and she holds a Bachelor of Music and Masters in Music Studies (vocal pedagogy) in addition to her speech pathology qualification. Elissa has previously worked as a vocal tutor at JMC academy in Brisbane and presented for the Australian National Association of Teachers of Singers. Elissa enjoys being a member of Australian Voice Association, British Voice Association, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and British Laryngological Association.
She has worked as a Senior Speech Pathologist (Voice Therapist) with leading laryngologists in Melbourne and Sydney and worked in London with a prominent voice team and managed the voice therapy departments across 3 major London hospitals. She also currently works at Knox Private Hospital as a Speech Pathologist.
Samantha is a professional singer and has worked with Opera Australia, Victorian Opera and performs as a soloist at concerts and corporate events.
She is a certified practising member of Speech Pathology Australia (SPA), The Laryngology Society of Australasia, (LSA) and The Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing. (ANATS) and has been a board member of the ANATS VIC and NSW Chapters.
A self-confessed ‘vocal nerd’, Tania has a firm belief that all voice users should have the opportunity to feel empowered and confident. Tania enjoys combining her sound knowledge of voice science, vocal health and the performing arts with her 20 years of vocal coaching experience, to offer practical solutions to common vocal issues for voice users.
With a passion for holistic voice training and care, Tania is also currently undertaking a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at the University of South Australia. Upon completion of her degree, she plans to move into voice rehabilitation and therapy to treat people diagnosed with voice disorders. Tania has a special interest in vocal health for professional performers and is experienced in coaching singers and occupational voice users who have recently recovered from vocal injury.
Tania is the founder and co-director of Vocal Hub Enterprises, a company whose mission is to “provide all voice users with a community in which one can safely, confidently and successfully find the most authentic path to self-expression”. She holds an Advanced Diploma of Music (Performance) and is an Estill Master Trainer Candidate. Her extensive coaching experience includes working with clients of all ages in varied educational settings. Tania currently coaches an array of clients from her private studio as well as being the group facilitator for the Hospital Research Foundation’s Shout Out Singing Group – a singing group for people living with Parkinson’s Disease. She is also student certified in LSVT Loud, the gold standard voice therapy treatment for Parkinson’s Disease.
As well as being a board member of the Australian Voice Association, Tania is also on the board of directors for the Australian Dysphonia Network and is a committee member for the Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing (SA/NT branch).