Vocal Freedom Episode 24 - Emily Foulkes

My guest this week is Emily Foulkes, Director of a music for well-being charity, Cymaz Music based in Cornwall, UK.  During the interview, Emily shares how grief affected her relationship with music and singing, which I can certainly relate to from the months of difficult gigs following the death of my Mum in 2011.  Finding her voice again after joining the Eden Choir, Emily is a multi-faceted voice user, a singer, a helping practitioner, a researcher and trainer.  Emily is passionate about sharing knowledge, creating the Singing for Health Network that will provide resources & intelligence for other helping practitioners, singing teachers, choir directors, group leaders, for anyone who would greatly benefit from understanding emerging findings in voice and health research.

Emily shares about her own research working with children and young people who have suffered adverse childhood experiences.  Creating a safe, comfortable environment, leading intuitive person-centred music practice, working creatively to support children with their wellbeing and mental health.   At the centre of helping someone, is the trust and development of that relationship. By using voice, musical instruments and drums, as working with rhythm is particularly useful in terms of helping people to get into a regulated state after suffering trauma.  This work is so needed, everywhere right now. 

During lockdown, Emily and her partner Jane, were busy providing Mindfulness and Sound Healing practices online, that resulted in such powerful positive effects for all the people who took part for 80 straight days! 

The Singing for Health project in Cornwall runs alongside the Social Prescribing Initiative, to provide groups for people with various health conditions.  This includes a respiratory group, mental health group, fibromyalgia group and on the horizon a new group for people with Multiple Sclerosis.  At the moment all groups are running well online but will return to face to face when it is safe to do so. 

I’d go as far to say everyone would benefit from increasing their knowledge and understanding about how regular practice of singing, meditation & relaxation; developing your connection to your breath and your voice, improves your general well-being, particularly for those living with any health issues, chronic pain, depression or anxiety.  Inclusive to all human beings, we can all benefit from connecting and understanding how we can use our voices more mindfully, to do good in this world.  The Vocal Freedom podcast fully supports the Singing For Health Network.  Emily is invited to return as a guest to keep us updated as the network grows and progresses.

The two songs that Emily mentioned are The Carpenters - Goodbye to Love & The Indigo Girls - Power of Two

You can learn more about Emily by visiting these websites:

Sounds Like Healing Website

Singing For Health Network Website

Singing for Health on Facebook

Sounds like Healing on Facebook