Robert Orlikoff, chairperson of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and associate dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Education and Human Services, was selected to present a keynote address at the International Istanbul Voice Symposium Nov. 29-30. The symposium was sponsored by the G�rel Arts and Science Foundation and the Turkish Voice, Speech, and Swallowing Society.

Orlikoff is an internationally recognized laryngeal physiologist and voice pathologist. Addressing an audience of Asian and European laryngologists, voice therapists, and singing teachers, Orlikoff discussed how recent theoretical and technological advances are impacting the assessment and treatment of voice disorders across the globe.

“It was fun to address professionals who approach voice from multiple perspectives,” Orlikoff said. “I find vocal performance a true marriage of art and science,” adding that it’s a partnership maintained best by “balancing the objective reality of voice physiology and acoustics with the subjective reality of physical self-perception and emotional response.”

Orlikoff views the application of voice science to vocal performance as a means to improve communication for the voice user and to enhance artistic impact for the professional vocalist while serving to promote a longer and healthier singing career.

Orlikoff joined the WVU faculty in 2008, but has been researching voice production for the past 30 years. He has published numerous papers on the acoustic and physiologic characteristics of voice and co-authored two popular texts, ‘Clinical Measurement of Speech and Voice’ and ‘Evaluating Research in Communication Disorders.’

In addition to his previous academic appointments, Orlikoff served for several years as a voice researcher and clinician at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

“It was a tremendous honor to be asked to address the International Istanbul Voice Symposium,” said Orlikoff. “I would find it particularly gratifying if I was able to assist in the advancement of clinical voice practice and vocal pedagogy in Turkey and the surrounding region.”

“Voice in speech and song is a uniquely human activity that has a way of bringing a diversity of people together,” said Orlikoff.” In a part of the world with such unrest, it’s wonderful to address those things that improve communication and unify us despite our differences.”

-WVU-

ro/12/04/15

CONTACT: Robert Orlikoff, College of Education and Human Services
304-293-4743; Robert.Orlikoff@mail.wvu.edu

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