Types of Testosterone Therapy and their Effects on the Voices of Transgender Singers

Hormone therapy (HT) is the administration of hormones in an attempt to relieve gender dysphoria by obtaining the phenotype and vocal quality of one’s gender identi-ty. The information contained in this article is designed to help transgender singers and their voice teachers understand what to expect vocally during initial changes that occur on testosterone therapy in order to build awareness around and facilitate the accommodation of this period of rapid vocal change.

Mastering the Aria through Song: Daron Hagen’s Amelia, “Apostrophe to the Stars,” and Selected Hagen Art Songs

Contemporary arias in English are too often excluded from student repertoire because they are perceived as being overly complex atonal works that are too challenging for the student. In order to counter this misconception, voice teachers should foster curiosity within students to seek repertoire with an open mind. Exploring music of living composers such as Daron Hagen can ignite student interest in contemporary art song and opera literature that expands the realms of what is thought to be traditional or appropriate vocal repertoire for students seeking a professional singing career.

Efectos de la terapia de Tracto Vocal Semi-Ocluido sobre los parámetros acústicos de la voz en docentes-Effects of the semi-occluded vocal tract therapy on acoustic parameters of the voice teachers

El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar el efecto de la terapia de Tracto Vocal semi-ocluido, sobre los parámetros acústicos de la voz en docentes de educación básica de la comuna de Chillán. La presente investigación se sitúa en la población de docentes, principal grupo de profesionales que requieren usar su voz por períodos prolongados; por lo que están más expuestos a padecer desórdenes vocales. Esta investigación propone la terapia de Tracto Vocal semi-ocluido, ya que según autores como Guzmán, Titze, Belhau entre otros, ofrece resultados inmediatos manteniendo los parámetros acústicos tono e intensidad, permitiendo que se mantenga la calidad de la voz, evitando así padecer disfonías. Es entonces, la fonoaudiología la encargada de aplicar ejercicios de calentamiento y enfriamiento vocal, con el fin de evitar efectos negativos en los parámetros acústicos tono e intensidad. Metodológicamente, la investigación se orienta al paradigma cuantitativo, de tipo descriptiva y comparativa. En relación al diseño es de tipo cuasiexperimental y longitudinal. Para este efecto se midieron los parámetros acústicos de la voz utilizando el programa de análisis acústico de la voz Praat, en un grupo experimental y control. Respecto a los resultados obtenidos se evidenciaron efectos positivos sobre los parámetros acústicos de la voz, probando así la efectividad de la terapia de tracto vocal semi-ocluido.

Efectos de la terapia de Tracto Vocal Semi-Ocluido sobre los parámetros acústicos de la voz en docentes-Effects of the semi-occluded vocal tract therapy on acoustic parameters of the voice teachers

El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar el efecto de la terapia de Tracto Vocal semi-ocluido, sobre los parámetros acústicos de la voz en docentes de educación básica de la comuna de Chillán. La presente investigación se sitúa en la población de docentes, principal grupo de profesionales que requieren usar su voz por períodos prolongados; por lo que están más expuestos a padecer desórdenes vocales. Esta investigación propone la terapia de Tracto Vocal semi-ocluido, ya que según autores como Guzmán, Titze, Belhau entre otros, ofrece resultados inmediatos manteniendo los parámetros acústicos tono e intensidad, permitiendo que se mantenga la calidad de la voz, evitando así padecer disfonías. Es entonces, la fonoaudiología la encargada de aplicar ejercicios de calentamiento y enfriamiento vocal, con el fin de evitar efectos negativos en los parámetros acústicos tono e intensidad. Metodológicamente, la investigación se orienta al paradigma cuantitativo, de tipo descriptiva y comparativa. En relación al diseño es de tipo cuasiexperimental y longitudinal. Para este efecto se midieron los parámetros acústicos de la voz utilizando el programa de análisis acústico de la voz Praat, en un grupo experimental y control. Respecto a los resultados obtenidos se evidenciaron efectos positivos sobre los parámetros acústicos de la voz, probando así la efectividad de la terapia de tracto vocal semi-ocluido.

Students’ Voice Toward Good English Teachers' Characteristics at Secondary Schools in Indonesia

This research aims at finding out the secondary school students’ voices towards good English teachers’ characteristics and the most dominant good teachers’ characteristics preferred by the students. This research employed descriptive method supported by descriptive statistics. There were thirty-two students participated in this research who were in the second year in 2012. The instrument used in this research was the checklist in which the students were asked to choose the descriptions which consisted of three choices; disagree, agree, and disagree. The research reports illustrate that students' voices toward good English teachers' characteristics in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) at a secondary school in Indonesia are ranging from explaining lesson objective clearly to provide jokes while teaching. The most dominant good teachers' characteristics preferred by the secondary school students were "gives clear explanation" in which there were 56.25% students gave "strongly agree" answer. There were also "56.25% students gave "strongly agree" answer to "the teacher should provide jokes or funny stories in the classroom setting." There were 65.62% students gave "agree" answer to "the teacher should use a variety of materials." There were 65.62% students gave "agree" answer to "the teacher should be relaxed and he should create a pleasant atmosphere." Well prepared is also important in the classroom, where there were 62.5% students gave "agree" answer to this statement. There were 43.75% students gave "disagree" answer to “gives follow up/feedback.” Even though, the “disagree” choice to this statement is highest than other choices in the “disagree” choice but the “agree” and “strongly agree” choice have higher score, because the accumulation of the total score is 56.25%. This means that the teachers need to give feedback to students’ works in the classroom. Keywords: students’ voice, teachers’ good characteristics, EFL, secondary school