VOICECRAFT PROTECTION

“Voicecraft” is based on the innovative research of Jo Estill, singer and researcher of New York.  Her teaching is known as “Compulsory Figures for Voice” or “The Estill Model”.   “Voicecraft” incorporates Feldenkrais style body awareness, precise task analysis, therapeutic techniques and a focus on the psychodynamics of voicing.  These aspects are unique to “Voicecraft”. 

“Voicecraft” is a registered Trade Mark in both Australia and New Zealand.  Under Common Law, the Mark also belongs to Alison Bagnall in Europe.

“Voicecraft” workshop participants are provided with an extensive and comprehensive manual to assist them with their own practice of “Voicecraft” techniques.  The manual does not include the research data from which many of the techniques have been developed.  It does, however, provide a detailed over-view of workshop material, providing explanation and further practice exercises to assist skill development.

“Voicecraft” tuition is predicated on the concept that everyone is heard by Alison performing every critical manoeuvre.  In this way, all workshop participants can be assured that they leave the workshop with “Voicecraft” skill.   Further practice is required to ensure mastery and automaticity with the various skills taught in a “Voicecraft” workshop.

The “Voicecraft” Manual is therefore privileged material and is prepared with workshop participants in mind and is protected by Copyright to Voice Learning Systems Pty. Ltd.  It is hazardous for it to be passed to those who have not participated in a “Voicecraft” workshop.  Vocal injury could result should the techniques be attempted without guidance and evaluation as is provided at a “Voicecraft” workshop.  Workshop participants understand this issue and sign a disclaimer to the effect that they undertake not to distribute the material contained in the manual and if communicating this information or skill to another person, they commit themselves to drawing their own diagrams and describing the techniques in their own words whether oral or written. 

“Voicecraft” is being further developed by Alison and, currently, research into its validity is on-going.  It is hoped that within the next three to four years to establish a “Voicecraft” Certification process so that previous workshop participants may undergo “Voicecraft” Certification Training to equip them to teach workshops. 

“Voicecraft” workshops require not only a knowledge of “Voicecraft” but also training in the precise mode of transmission which is the hallmark of a “Voicecraft” workshop.   This involves careful consideration of the background, skills and sensitivities of each “Voicecraft” workshop participant.   It also requires a thorough knowledge and understanding of the research data which is the foundation of many of the techniques.   Without this knowledge and understanding, “Voicecraft” workshop teachers would be unable to defend this unique approach to the development of the human voice from those who would seek to equate it with their own work or who wish to understand how the techniques were validated.  Further information concerning “Voicecraft” Certification Training will appear on this site as it becomes available. 

“Voicecraft” is a term coined by Alison in 1989, is a registered Trade Mark and applies to the body of work which she developed and now teaches internationally.  Until “Voicecraft” Certification becomes a reality,  “Voicecraft” workshop participants are at liberty to teach “Voicecraft” within their studio, classroom, clinic etc. but are not equipped or sufficiently skilled to teach workshops.   Unfortunately, in the past, a few adherents of “Compulsory Figures for Voice” “The Estill Model” have annexed the term “Voicecraft” for their own work which gave rise to significant confusion and was the subject of legal action.   It is, therefore, essential that those undertaking “Voicecraft” workshops realise the legal implications should they promulgate their work as ““Voicecraft” training”.  If they have taken a “Voicecraft” workshop with Alison Bagnall, then they are at liberty to describe themselves as someone who has undertaken a “Voicecraft” workshop with Alison Bagnall. 

For further clarification, please contact the Voicecraft International Pty. Ltd. office. 

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