Karen Sussman, M.A., CCC, celebrity voice trainer and vocologist, is the Director of the Professional Voice Care Center, located in Hicksville, NY. She has been a licensed speech pathologist, voice therapist, speech trainer, and singing specialist since 1981. Karen has trained thousands of performers, executives, teachers, attorneys, sales reps, and other professionals to achieve excellent speaking and/or singing voices and eliminate voice and speech problems. We can offer you expert singing lessons in Plainview to help you reach whatever goals you have set for yourself!

As a singer-actress, Karen has a special interest and expertise in professional voice/speech training. She has lectured extensively for hospital otolaryngology departments, voice and speech symposia, corporations, choirs, and continuing education programs. She has appeared on television and radio shows devoted to voice care and accent reduction. Karen authored a book chapter on voice care for performers, and wrote a journal article on voice care for fitness instructors.

Karen is certified by, and a member of, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and holds New York and California State Licenses in Speech Pathology. She is a member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), and VASTA (Voice and Speech Trainers Association), as well as Long Island and New York State Speech-Language-Hearing Associations. Karen Sussman is a Voiceworks® Associate Voice Instructor.

Karen is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Doctors’ Choice Awards DCA Top 100, the DCA City Winner in Hicksville NY, and the Distinguished Woman in Health Services from the Town of Oyster Bay Women of Distinction Awards. Her practice was selected as an Opencare Patients’ Choice Winner. She was also nominated for Best Speech-Language Pathologist by the Bethpage Best of Long Island contest.

Karen, a Hofstra University graduate (B.S. in Music/Voice Performance and M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology), lives on Long Island. When not working with clients or performing, Karen’s passions include hiking the great outdoors and long walks with her dogs

As a singer (professional or amateur), you may be interested in improving your vocal skills with singing lessons. You want to be sure that your voice is healthy and your singing technique is solid and dependable. You may want to develop confidence, improve breath control, even build repertoire and style. Most importantly, you need to prevent vocal damage or eliminate existing vocal cord nodules, strain, or hoarseness. Your goals: to build range, power and projection, beautiful tone quality, and vocal stamina. In addition, you’d like to develop your style, artistry, stage presence, and song interpretation. If you want to improve your abilities than singing lessons in Plainview may be just what you are looking for!

At our Center, your voice therapist and/or singing teacher will create a personalized program for total singing voice development. This is our “Singing Voice Mastery Program”. If you already have a vocal problem, we will include voice therapy techniques. We do this using our unique “Therapeutic Singing Lessons” program. Almost immediately, you’ll find that utilizing our techniques results in reduction of vocal strain and vocally-abusive behaviors. You’ll improve range, power, tone quality, and vocal stamina. Furthermore, you can master the breath control techniques that are the hallmark of great singing.

Because we are licensed speech pathologists, we can also help you to improve your speaking voice. You can even reduce or develop an accent for acting roles. Our modern studio is equipped with electronic and digital keyboards, guitar, PA system, and professional accompaniment to simulate actual performance conditions. All sessions can be recorded to your own smartphone, digital recorder, or MP3 device for home practice.

Our singing teachers can help prepare students for auditions for college performing arts programs, NYSSMA festivals, musical theater productions, chorus solos, etc. In addition, we’ll help you to achieve excellence in sight-singing through our systematic Sight-Singing Instruction program. Read more about our NYSSMA Preparation, Audition Preparation, and Sight-Singing Instruction programs by clicking the hyperlinks.

We are pleased to offer singing lessons in the comfort and convenience of your own home as online singing lessons via Skype are now available. This is a great option when there is inclement weather, or when you are unable to travel to our Center. Speak to our Voice Program Coordinator for more information on scheduling Skype lessons. If you are looking for singing lessons in Plainview than Karen Sussman can help you!

Singers’ Injuries

Are you searching for singing lessons in Plainview? Pro Voice Care can help! Losing your voice can be frustrating, even if it’s only for a few days after a cold or after using it too much the day before. For a singer, losing your voice can be more than just frustrating; it can be career-ending. Whether you’re a professional or an amateur singer, the thought of hurting your vocal cords in some way can deter you from participating in events or from singing and speaking as frequently as you want. 

Since our voice is one of our most distinguishable assets, it’s important to take quality care of it and be aware of the correct methods to employ while singing. If you’re interested in receiving singing lessons in Plainview, contact Pro Voice Care and save yourself from future injury!

Types of Vocal Injuries

There are several ways that you can injure your vocal cords when overdoing it or singing incorrectly. Some of the most common injuries include:

• Vocal Nodules: “Nodes” can be caused by overuse or misuse of the voice and are usually characterized by small growths in the middle of the vocal cords. Some symptoms include decreasing pitch and voice quality, hoarseness, voice breaking, and voice fatigue.
• Vocal Polyp: These can also be caused by overuse or misuse and are bigger than nodes and can occur on either vocal fold. Polyps can also be caused by abusing the voice by screaming or smoking. Polyps typically have similar symptoms to nodules.
• Laryngitis: This is often caused by a virus but can also be caused by acid reflux, sinusitis, inhaling irritants, and smoking. Laryngitis can result in hoarseness, soreness, and loss of voice.
• Contact Ulcers: Also known as a granuloma. These growths are caused by irritation and inflammation usually caused by excessive vocal cord contact from voice misuse, severe acid reflux or feeding tubes. Symptoms include throat pain and a lump in the throat sensations.

What Causes Vocal Injury?

Over-singing, straining, or singing incorrectly can cause injury to your vocal cords.  This sometimes can result in several days of resting or potentially something even greater, such as surgery, or the recommendation to stop singing altogether. Some may think they don’t need a vocal coach or that their voice is already the best it can be, however, this is a huge mistake. A professional vocal coach can teach you the best methods for utilizing your voice, can monitor the general well-being of your vocal cords and can instruct you on ways to not only keep your voice healthy but to improve sound and talent.  If you are searching for singing lessons in Plainview then Pro Voice Care is the place for you!  

Singing Lessons in Plainview

Our specialized vocal coach can offer you the most professional, quality training in order to keep your voice in tiptop shape and keep you injury-free. We offer singing lessons in Plainview, voice therapy, audition preparation, voice modification, and vocal health guidance. Contact us today at Pro Voice Care to see what we can offer you!