Performing Arts in Canada
Summer 1997

It's past midnight. After a full day of seeing patients, Dr. Brian Hands, a Toronto ear, nose and throat specialist, has just returned from Skydome. He was called in to examine a well-known rock star in the middle of a world-wide tour.

"It's not unusual to get a frantic call from a tour manager asking if I can come by to see a rock, opera or stage performer moments before the curtain goes up," comments Dr. Hands, "or from a movie producer on a major film production asking if I can come to the set to take a look at one of the actors. There's not only a lot of money at stake, but, for these performers, their voice is their livelihood. Over the last twenty-five years of practicing medicine, I have developed a real understanding, admiration and fondness for these people." This understanding has lead Dr. Hands to create VOX CURA: VOICE CARE SPECIALISTS, the first and only centre of its kind in Canada specializing in services for the professional voice.

"Traditionally, singers, actors, broadcasters, CEOs, public speakers, lawyers and teachers have had only two choices when vocal problems arise: they could either see a physician using the conventional mirror examination, or they could see a professional voice coach. In my opinion, these choices were not necessarily the most efficient forms of treatment."

Located in mid-town Toronto, VOX CURA's offices have nothing of the sanitized appearance of a typical doctor's office. The waiting room is filled with posters and autographed photographs from the various film, opera, music and stage productions with which Dr. Hands has been involved. In fact, as Dr. Hands is voice consultant for Livent Inc., Mirvish Productions and the Canadian Opera Company, he has, in one way or another, been associated with nearly all the major live theatrical productions being performed in Toronto. Beyond the waiting room is a large piece of sophisticated equipment called the video strobe. Dr. Hands explains that there are currently only a handful of these units in Canada and they are used primarily for teaching or for hospital-based cases. At VOX CURA however, videostroboscopy is available for voice professionals daily.

"The video strobe is a state-of-the-art technology that allows us to pinpoint and asses exact vocal difficulties -- from the more obvious haemorrhage, polyp or nodule, to being able to differentiate very, very subtle abnormalities. Its small video camera and strobe light illuminate the vocal cords' vibratory pattern that is otherwise impossible to see with the human eye." The video strobe provides an immediate image and, more importantly, a personal, portable record on videotape for diagnostic comparison. An opera singer, for example, is able to show the tape to his/her coaches or doctors whether performing in town or around the world.

Dr. Hands explains, "Besides the invaluable use of the video strobe, what really makes the centre unique is its multi- disciplinary approach." Following the initial evaluation, Dr. Hands and his team of a speech-language pathologist and a voice coach then determine the most appropriate rehabilitation and enhancement program. "Apart from the convenience of having everything all under one roof, there is no other place that offers the variety of services and the manner in which our team works together in order to provide the best possible treatment."