Spotlight Seminars > Tension Release: A Singer’s Guide

Tension Release: A Singer’s Guide

Have you ever wondered why you feel tight when you sing?

Does tension seem to show up at the worst possible moments—on high notes, while sustaining long phrases, when you have to hold out a note, or as you begin to run out of breath?

Do you notice your jaw gripping, your neck working harder than it should, your ribs locking, or your tongue refusing to cooperate?

Have you ever been told to “just relax,” “let go” or “not be so controlling”…with no clear explanation of what that actually means or how to do it?

If you’ve had these experiences, it’s probably because no one ever taught you how tension patterns develop in the first place—or how to influence them in a systematic way.

Muscular tension in singing rarely exists in isolation. What you feel in the throat is often the result of coordination patterns involving your legs and hips, breathing system, posture, jaw activity, tongue behavior, and even the way you monitor your own effort.

But most singers have never learned how these patterns interact, or which specific training strategies can help reduce unnecessary effort. They have also never been shown how to recognize early signs of tension before it begins to interfere with vocal function.

Without that knowledge, tension can feel unpredictable and even unavoidable—even when you are practicing diligently.

Tension has “pathways”.

Just as movement patterns in athletics follow predictable chains of influence, muscular tension in singing tends to travel through the body along recognizable routes. When you understand these pathways, you can begin to intervene earlier and more effectively.

Introducing Tension Release: A Singer’s Guide

In this brand-new 2-hour seminar, you will learn a practical framework for reducing unnecessary muscular effort in singing, using five trainable approaches:

• Mobility

• Movement

• Massage

• Monitoring

• Mindfulness

You will explore how tension patterns commonly develop in the:

• Lower body (legs, hips, and glutes)

• Back (upper and lower)

• Torso (abdominals and ribs)

• Shoulders

• Neck

• Jaw

• Tongue

Then, you will learn how targeted interventions in these areas can influence vocal coordination, helping to reduce the laryngeal tension that so many singers struggle with.

By the end of the seminar, you will understand not only where tension is showing up, but why—and which training strategies are most likely to help you sing with greater comfort and stamina.

What success looks like

You’ll walk away knowing:

• How body alignment influences—even causes—muscle tension

• Important stretches for singers that improve mobility before you even start to sing

• Simple movement strategies that can both prevent and release common muscle tensions

• Basic self-massage techniques that can reduce excess muscular activity

• Hands-on and visual monitoring tools to combat different types of muscle tension

• How mindfulness can support more efficient motor learning in singing

• How to build short tension-release routines into your regular vocal work

The seminar includes:

60 minutes of interactive presentation by Dr. Julia Nielsen
Clear, structured explanation of tension patterns and coordination strategies for singers

60 minutes of guided vocal exercises
You remain muted while experiencing vocal exercises and practice strategies designed to decrease tension and support physical freedom

A comprehensive seminar booklet (30+ pages)
Organized around the 5 M’s framework, with notated exercises and illustrated tools

A recording of the seminar (available for 60 days)
Unlimited viewing through June 25, 2026 to reinforce learning

Live Q&A
Time to address your questions

Register for Tension Release: A Singer’s Guide

So that tension no longer feels inevitable—because you understand how to recognize it, influence it, and train your body toward more comfortable singing.

Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 10:30am-12:30pm (PT)
Cost: $85 (seminar booklet included)

Level: All levels

Recording available! All Co-Vo seminars are recorded. Within 24 hours of the live event, all registrants will be emailed a link to the seminar recording, which will remain accessible for unlimited viewing through June 25, 2026.