top of page
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;
-
To act as a central point of focus for many disciplines involved in voice and promote the field of voice in Australia;
-
To encourage links between artistic, clinical and scientific disciplines related to voice;
-
To promote education and training in the clinical care of voice, as well as vocal performance and voice science;
-
To promote research into voice.
Meet the National Board of AVA
Dr Heather Fletcher (VIC)
President
Dr Heather Fletcher is a lecturer and voice teacher at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and Victorian College of the Arts at The University of Melbourne. Her PhD in music psychology focuses on the practices of expert classical and music theatre voice teachers in Australia, while her other research in social and music psychology explores how music-making and listening impacts everyday well-being. Heather’s work has been published in voice and education journals, and she has presented at conferences across the globe for organisations such as ANATS, PEVoC, and the ICVT. As an advocate for young developing voices in Australia, she has adjudicated eisteddfods nationwide and hosts a live-to-air performance radio series which provides opportunities for emerging classical musicians. Heather is also an accomplished mezzo-soprano and has performed with companies including Opera Australia and Victorian Opera, as well as in venues such as Carnegie Hall and St Martin-in-the-Fields.
Dr Anthony Rotman (VIC)
Vice President
Anthony is a Melbourne-based Laryngologist.
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.
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.
Vicki Dwyer (NSW)
Secretary
Vicki Dwyer is a singing teacher and vocal coach based in the Sydney area with over 20 years’ experience. Along with her private teaching practice, Vicki is the musical director of two a cappella ensembles, Circular Keys Chorus and Sydney Harmony. Having graduated from the Australian Institute of Music with a Masters in Music, contemporary voice, Vicki has a keen interest in research in singing pedagogy and frequently presents workshops for ensemble singers throughout Australia. Vicki frequently performs in her a cappella quartets, Alouette and Alter Ego for television, radio and stage.
Stephen Bordignon (VIC)
Treasurer
Stephen holds Bachelors Degrees in Arts and Law from Monash University as well as a Masters Degree in Law from the University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma in Law from the Australian National University. He has had a long career in the Commonwealth public service and is currently the Director of Risk, Compliance and Audit at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Stephen has also previously worked in senior roles at the Australian Energy Regulator and the National Competition Council. Stephen is also a graduate of the company directors' course at the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
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.
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 Finn (UK)
International Liaison
Elissa is a speech pathologist originally from Brisbane, Australia who is currently located in London, England. Working in the NHS Elissa sees paediatric and adult clients with a range of functional and organic voice and upper airway disorders both independently and alongside ENT colleagues in voice assessment clinics. She also offers private voice therapy to clients at the Voice Care Centre in collaboration with her multidisciplinary colleagues.
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.
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.
Paul Scott-Williams (VIC)
Governance
Paul Scott-Williams brings four decades of experience in the Arts as a performer, teacher, creator and leader to the Board of the AVA. He recently completed eleven years as CEO / Artistic Director of Hume Conservatorium facilitating diverse music education programs and services across the Southern Highlands and Tablelands of New South Wales. During his tenure the institution grew in size, scope and reputation winning the 2014 APRA Art Music Award for Excellence in Regional Australia and was an APRA finalist for Excellence in Music Education in 2017 via innovative collaboration with Dr. Anita Collins. He served for six years in the Board of Regional Arts New South Wales including an extended period as Deputy Chair where he led complex negotiations with Create NSW and oversaw the disbursement of a variety of Arts funding mechanisms and programs. Other governance experience includes Chair of Southern Tablelands Arts (Life Member), Vice President and Secretary of the ANSWRC Committee, Regional Arts Australia and the Board of the NSW State Government Arts Body for Contemporary Music. Paul was the founding Director of Performing Arts at Aitken College, Greenvale, Head of Music a The Knox School and Director of Performing Arts at Mount Scopus College. He originally trained operatically at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with Valerie Collins-Varga and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Johanna Peters where he completed a Master in Performance / Vocal Teaching. He began his professional performing career at the age of eight and has since performed in opera, music theatre, cabaret and as an actor in Australia, the UK and Europe. Having recently retired from music education Paul is now working full time as a psychotherapist and remains a committed supporter of the Arts in all its forms.
Samantha U'Ren (VIC)
Professional Development
Samantha U’Ren has been a Speech Pathologist since 2004 and holds a Bachelor of Music (Melb Uni) and a Bachelor of Speech Pathology. She has been a singing teacher for over 25 years and runs her own private practise, and Voice Studio “In Good Voice”, where she provides Voice Therapy, Singing Lessons, and Vocal Health Education.
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.
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.
Tania Savelli (SA)
Professional Development
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).
bottom of page