Reflections from 2026 AVA Conference

We asked the 2026 AVA Scholarship recipients to reflect on the recent AVA Conference...here is Julia Shved's reflection:

I was delighted to attend the 2026 Australian Voice Association Conference, One but Many, as one of the AVA Student Scholarship recipients.

Having spent over 16 years performing and teaching voice, and now pursuing my PhD at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, I have developed my understanding of the voice through years of practice, teaching, and research. Yet, the more experience I gain, the more I appreciate how much there is still to explore.

What I particularly enjoyed about this conference was the opportunity to approach familiar questions from different perspectives. The keynote presentations by Dr Ron Morris and Dr Irene Bartlett, alongside contributions from speech pathologists, ENT specialists, researchers, and fellow voice educators, reminded me how much our disciplines have to offer one another. I found myself connecting these perspectives with my own teaching experiences and occasionally questioning some of my assumptions.

Beyond the presentations, one of the highlights was simply being surrounded by like-minded people. There is something genuinely special about meeting others who share your curiosity, enthusiasm, and passion for what they do. I particularly valued the conversations between sessions, where we could exchange experiences and learn from one another.

A special thank you to Jessica Ruhle, who looked after us scholarship recipients so thoughtfully. She made sure we were always informed, included, and comfortable throughout the conference. Her kindness and attention made the whole experience even more enjoyable.

I also want to acknowledge the wonderful work of the Australian Voice Association. Bringing together people from different professional backgrounds and creating a space for genuine exchange is no small thing, and AVA does it beautifully.

I am grateful for the scholarship, the conversations, and the opportunity to be part of such a welcoming and passionate community.I left Brisbane with fresh perspectives, new connections, and plenty of food for thought!