Alexa is joined on this week’s episode of the Singing Teachers Talk by osteopath and former ballet dancer and singer, Jennie Morton. She also works as a Performance Coach for singers and actors, focusing on anatomical efficiency, embodiment of artistry, movement education, and rehabilitation from vocal injury. Jennie is here to tell you how you can elevate your performance through your anatomy. 
KEY TAKEAWAYS

As musicians and performers, our heart rates can actually reach the levels of endurance an athlete running a marathon would. We don’t think about how our blood is pumping around our bodies to our muscles delivering the right amount of oxygen to avoid fatigue. 
Our muscles interact differently with different musical instruments. For example we lift it with one hand, and manipulate strings with the fingers of the other hand. It is often uneven in which muscle groups they develop and makes our bodies grow in an asymmetrical way. 
Muscular endurance is the ability to continue contracting a muscle, or group of muscles, against resistance over a period of time. Increasing the performance of these muscles means they can continue to contract and work against resistance. 
All of our bodies have a neutral state when it comes to things like the curve of our spines. The issue is that when people have played an instrument for a long time, they don’t know where the neutral state is. 
When we look at the vocal apparatus we think they’re only related to how we speak and sing, but they’re also part of what holds up our heads and is part of how we balance. 

BEST MOMENTS
‘We call instrumental musicians, the athletes of the small muscles’ 
‘People’s bodies actually develop around the instrument’ 
‘Your body is an organic instrument’ 
‘The body ideally has equal tone on the right and left’
EPISODE RESOURCES 
Guest Website:

www.jenniemorton.com

Social Media: 

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jenniemorton9317

Contact:

hello@jenniemorton.com

Relevant Links & Mentions: 

Singing Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep. 40 Integrated Skills: Teaching Singing to Dancers with Jennie Morton: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3fm53D7NcGWTmwzE3Sg2nM?si=bcdb8934210246b9
Masters Degree in Performing Arts Medicine at University College London: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/taught-degrees/performing-arts-medicine-msc
Chris JohnsonVocal Coach: https://www.chrisjohnsonvocalcoach.com/
Singing With Your Whole Self by Samuel H. Nelson and Elizabeth L. Blades
BAST Training Membership: https://www.basttraining.com/bast-training-membership/

ABOUT THE GUEST
After a long performing career as a Ballet dancer, West End Musical Theatre performer, and lead singer of a London Big Band, Jennie is now a Clinical Osteopath specialising in the field of Performing Arts Medicine. She provides treatment for musculoskeletal, neurobiological, and psycho-physiological issues from her base in Los Angeles. She also works as a Performance Coach for singers and actors, focusing on anatomical efficiency, embodiment of artistry, movement education, and rehabilitation from vocal injury. Jennie co-created the MSc in Performing Arts Medicine at University College, London, and lectures internationally to artists, arts educators, and healthcare professionals on the subject of performance-related injuries. She is the author of three books: The Authentic Performer: Wearing A Mask And The Effect On Health; The Embodied Dancer: A Guide To Optimal Performance; and Dancing Longer, Dancing Stronger. Her website www.jenniemorton.com contains many of her published articles and educational resources, as well as links to her online courses on a range of health topics.
ABOUT THE PODCAST
BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events.
Website: basttraining.com
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