This paper aims to present the basic principles of methodological, practical, and philosophical approaches in alternative voice training. These were collected through participatory observations at workshops of chosen professionals who specialize in voice education (I. Vostárková, K. Linklater, I. Kelarová, and others). These principles reflect a holistic approach to the student, which is based on somatic, psychological, and psychosomatic perspective and development of one’s creativity and sensitivity to internal and external impulses. It contributes to a more complex understanding of voice development and offers practical recommendations.
Anna Čonková is a performer, actress and experimental musician from Bratislava, Slovakia. She gained her Master of Arts degree in Acting at the Department of Alternative and Puppet Theatre at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. She continues her studies in the Ph.D. programme at Janáček Academy of Performing Arts in Brno, Czech Republic. The focus of her research is on the holistic approach in voice education, especially on freeing the voice. She worked as an actress in different state and independent theatres in Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Switzerland. She collaborates with musicians, especially ensembles focusing on interpreting contemporary music (Clusterensemble, Musica Falsa et Ficta, Veni Academy). She performed locally and abroad (Vienna, Poland, Switzerland). She established her own “a-musical” platform called Stavros Papadopulos where she explores voice potential in practice and its combination with different media and material. With this platform, she performed at many festivals of experimental music in Slovakia.