In this episode, Christiane Karam joins Charlie Christenson for a conversation about the relationship between the voice, the body, and our lived experiences. Drawing from her work in non-violent conflict resolution and somatic approaches, Christiane shares how experiences of conflict can shape the way we communicate and relate to our own voices.
They discuss what safety and agency can mean in the voice studio, how a singer’s experiences can influence the way they use and experience their voice, and why working with the voice means working with the whole person. Christiane also considers where the role of a voice teacher begins and ends, particularly when issues of trauma and healing enter the studio.
Professor Karam shares her perspective on embodiment, listening, and the importance of giving students meaningful choices in their own development. The conversation considers how singing can become a means of connection, expression, and finding greater agency in ourselves and with one another.
CREDITS
Produced and hosted by Charlie Christenson
Music by Charlie Christenson and Aubrey Johnson, “Berklee Voice Ex. 1”
GUEST BIO
A native of Lebanon, Christiane Karam is a vocalist, composer, and educator who helps others find, claim, and express their full selves through voice, communication, and mind-body practices. A Professor of Voice, Songwriting, and Ensemble at Berklee College of Music, she has taught and performed extensively across continents and has appeared in the PBS documentary "The Music Instinct.” Drawing on her Armenian heritage and personal history with war and conflict, she is a dedicated advocate for cultural understanding and non-violent conflict resolution, and has founded and directs both the Berklee Annual Middle Eastern Festival and the Pletenitsa Balkan Choir. Through her method "Voices: Your Path To Embodiment," her published writing, and her holistic practice, she continues to guide people worldwide toward healing, wholeness, and creative freedom.
LINKS
Berklee College of Music
Berklee Voice Department: Web | Instagram
Charlie Christenson: Site | Berklee
Christiane Karam: Site | Berklee | Instagram | YouTube
FURTHER READING
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.