Five Tips for Healthy Singing at All Levels
By Julianne Davis
Whether you are a young singer just discovering your voice, a teen navigating vocal change, or an adult returning to singing after time away, one truth remains constant: your body is your instrument. Healthy singing is not about forcing sound or chasing volume—it’s about alignment, breath, intention, and connection. Here are five foundational principles that support vocal health at every stage of singing.
1. Take Care of the Whole Instrument
Your voice does not exist in isolation—it lives inside your body. Nourish it accordingly. Consistent sleep, good nutrition, hydration, and regular movement are essential to vocal stamina and clarity. Dehydration, fatigue, and stress all show up immediately in the voice. Think of self-care not as optional, but as part of your vocal practice.
2. Get Curious About Your Breath
Singing is, at its core, exhalation. How you breathe determines how you sing. Instead of trying to “take a big breath,” explore how freely your breath can move through your body. Notice habits that interfere—raised shoulders, gripping the ribs, holding the belly. Healthy breathing feels expansive, responsive, and unforced. The more curiosity you bring to your breath, the more freedom you’ll discover in your sound.
3. Release What Doesn’t Help
Not all effort is productive. Be clear about which parts of your body truly contribute to singing—and which only get in the way. Tension in the neck, jaw, shoulders, or tongue does nothing to improve sound. In fact, it restricts breath flow and interrupts communication between body and brain. Releasing unnecessary tension often unlocks resonance, ease, and expressive range you didn’t know you had.
4. Trust Your Natural Alignment
Your body was designed to stand upright without strain. When alignment is balanced—whether standing or seated—your muscles don’t have to work overtime just to hold you up. Find your balance over your feet or sitting bones and allow gravity to do its job. When posture is easy and grounded, breath and sound can travel freely.
5. Fall in Love with the Words
What makes singers unique among musicians is our ability to transmit text. Healthy singing isn’t only physical—it’s communicative. No matter the language, understand every word you sing. Let the meaning shape your phrasing, articulation, and emotional intent. When communication is clear, the voice responds naturally and healthily. Expression, after all, is one of the most powerful forms of vocal freedom.
At Boulder Opera Company, we believe vocal health is foundational—not just for professionals, but for students, emerging singers, and community members discovering their voices. These principles guide our voice lessons, youth programs, and productions, helping singers build skills that last a lifetime.
If you have a voice, you have an instrument. Treat it with curiosity, care, and joy—and it will serve you beautifully.
Check out our voice lessons offerings at Boulder Opera.