Opera Dialogues

Welcome to the very first episode of Opera Dialogues, a podcast from SWAP'ra,  supporting women and parents in opera.   In our debut episode, hosts Kitty Whately and Nina Brazier sit down with British soprano Louise Alder to talk about singing through pregnancy and returning to the stage after a C-section. Louise — recorded while pregnant with her second daughter — opens up about the bone-deep exhaustion of the first trimester, navigating reflux and morning sickness mid-rehearsal, and the strange reality of being awake for major abdominal surgery. She shares what recovery was really like: the numbness, the breath that wouldn't hold, the frustration of baby brain, and the mental scramble to feel whole again while chomping at the bit to get back to work. There's also a guest appearance from vocal coach and rehabilitation specialist Gillian Ramm, with a taster of her upcoming "Let's Get Technical" episode.   Coming up in the series: an episode with obstetrician Dr. Brian Tsai on what really happens during a C-section, and a deep dive into post-birth vocal rehabilitation with Professor Dinah Harris and Gillian Ramm.   If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review — it really helps others find the show. SWAP'ra is run entirely by volunteers; every penny helps us continue our work.   Links: —For regular updates about future episodes, sign up to our mailing list at https://www.swap-ra.org/#subscribe — Donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/2ZKGD48U5XTQU — More info about SWAP'ra : https://www.swap-ra.org/podcast   Follow us on Instagram:   -SWAP'ra @swap_ra   -Kitty Whately @kittywhately   -Nina Brazier @nina_brazier   -Louise Alder @louisealdersop   Credits: — Hosts: Nina Brazier and Kitty Whately  — Produced & edited by: Nina Brazier and Kitty Whately  — In association with: SWAP'ra — Music composed by: Oliver Pashley — Music performed by: The Hermes Experiment — Technical consultation: Jan Capinski

In this episode of Opera Dialogues, hosts Kitty Whately and Nina Brazier dive into the technical side of singing through pregnancy and after birth, joined by two leading voice experts: vocal coach and rehabilitation specialist Gillian Ramm and Professor Dinah Harris from the Royal College of Music. Kitty kicks things off with a deep dive into the physiology of pregnancy and how it affects the singing voice — from increased blood volume and reduced lung capacity to thickened mucus, acid reflux, and the hormone relaxin loosening joints and ligaments. Gillian offers practical tips for managing reflux-ravaged cords, including steaming, semi-occluded vocal tract exercises, and her brilliant "practice snacks" approach to rebuilding vocal stamina in short, manageable bursts. Professor Dinah Harris shares her decades of experience rehabilitating singers post-birth, introducing the accent method breathing technique that helped Louise Alder get back to work after her C-section. She and Gillian demystify what "support" really means, discuss the importance of pelvic floor awareness, and stress that — whether or not you've had a C-section — recovery takes as long as it takes. Gillian also makes a passionate case for the performing arts to adopt the kind of sports medicine support that elite athletes take for granted, and encourages singers to build their own "A team" of specialists before starting a family. Coming up in the series: a fascinating conversation with obstetrician Dr. Brian Tsai on what really happens during a C-section, an episode with a group of opera dads exploring career path options and family life, and stories of lived experience of singing during pregnancy and after childbirth from busy international singers Lise Davidson and Sydney Mancasola.   If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and leave a review — it really helps others find the show. SWAP'ra is run entirely by volunteers; every penny helps us continue our work.   Links: —For regular updates about future episodes, sign up to our mailing list at https://www.swap-ra.org/#subscribe — Donate via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/2ZKGD48U5XTQU — More info about SWAP'ra : https://www.swap-ra.org/podcast   Follow us on Instagram:   -SWAP'ra @swap_ra   -Kitty Whately @kittywhately   -Nina Brazier @nina_brazier   -Louise Alder @louisealdersop   Credits: — Hosts: Nina Brazier and Kitty Whately  — Produced & edited by: Nina Brazier and Kitty Whately  — In association with: SWAP'ra — Music composed by: Oliver Pashley — Music performed by: The Hermes Experiment — Technical consultation: Jan Capinski

What does it really mean to pursue an opera career while starting a family? From singing through pregnancy and returning to the stage after birth to IVF, childcare, finances, and the realities of balancing family life with a demanding career, Opera Dialogues opens up the conversations that matter. We launch October 29th, with episodes every other week. Let's open up the conversation.