Back-to-School Vocal Checkups: Why Every Performing Arts Student Needs One
As students head back to school, those involved in music, theater, debate, or any performance-based curriculum are preparing for a busy season of rehearsals, auditions, and classes. While many students check in with their primary care physician or get routine physicals before the school year begins, few take time to check in on their most valuable instrument—their voice.
A baseline vocal exam is a comprehensive voice health assessment designed to identify how the vocal folds are functioning before the stress of the academic year begins. At the Center for Vocal Health, Dr. Reena Gupta uses advanced diagnostic tools, including stroboscopy, to assess vocal fold movement, tissue health, and subtle issues that might not yet cause symptoms but could become problematic over time.
Why is this important? The voice is incredibly sensitive to physical, emotional, and environmental factors:
Stress from schoolwork or performances can cause muscle tension that impacts vocal efficiency.
Sickness, especially during flu season, can lead to inflammation, vocal fold swelling, or even vocal injuries if students continue to push through illness.
Environmental changes, like dry air from HVAC systems or exposure to allergens in new classrooms or dorms, can also affect vocal fold hydration and flexibility.
Because the voice is used so heavily by students in performing arts programs, these risk factors compound quickly. Without a baseline, it's difficult to know what’s “normal” for a student’s voice—and harder to catch small issues before they turn into serious conditions like nodules or polyps. By establishing a vocal baseline now, students and their care team can track any changes over time and intervene early if needed.
Baseline exams are particularly useful for students attending music conservatories, performing arts high schools, and collegiate-level theater or voice programs, where vocal use is constant and often intense. Even students participating in extracurricular choirs, drama clubs, or speech teams can benefit from having a record of their vocal health at the start of the year.
At the Center for Vocal Health, we specialize in caring for vocal athletes—those who rely on their voices with the same intensity that elite athletes rely on their bodies. Dr. Gupta works closely with speech-language pathologist Tressa Cox to offer a holistic approach to vocal wellness, combining diagnostics, therapy, and if needed, surgical care.
Protecting your voice now sets the stage for a stronger, healthier year ahead. If you or your student is preparing for a demanding performance season, a back-to-school vocal checkup can provide peace of mind—and a proactive plan.
Start the school year strong. Schedule your baseline vocal exam with Dr. Reena Gupta today.
