Lori L. Sonnenberg, Voice Pathologist

Lori L. Sonnenberg, Voice Pathologist Specialized voice and breathing therapy services. Comprehensive voice care services. Expert care for the singing voice and other professional voice users.

Performing arts medicine. Voice and Breathing Therapy, Speech Therapy, Singing Voice, Professional Voice Care, Transgender Voice, and Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement.

Voice teachers, did you ever wish you had a clinical expert in your corner?You work hard to help your students sing free...
10/17/2025

Voice teachers, did you ever wish you had a clinical expert in your corner?

You work hard to help your students sing freely, but sometimes the challenge goes beyond technique. What if you could better understand what’s really happening in the voice and get expert support in the process?

That’s where the Voice Teacher Collective comes in. A collaborative monthly workshop where teachers bring real student cases and receive real-time guidance from Voice Rehabilitation Specialist SLPs, helping you build confidence, clarity, and deeper insight in every lesson. Because when teachers and clinicians work together, every singer benefits.

We're offering a one-time special preview coming up soon!

Here's the Details:
🎤 Inside the Voice Teacher Collective: A Special Preview Workshop led by Lori Sonnenberg & Natalie Sheppard
📅 Friday, Nov. 14, 2025
🕘 9:30–10:30am CDT
📍 Virtual

In this preview, you’ll experience live feedback on vocal health, case studies, and teaching strategies—PLUS a first look at our upcoming 2026 subscription series featuring monthly live workshops + a full replay library.

👉 Don’t miss this chance to learn, grow, and be part of something new before it officially launches!

🔗 Registration link in first comment.



10/16/2025

The PAVA Conference is a wrap and what an incredible weekend it was!

My favorite part? The interactive, interdisciplinary sessions where voice pathologists, vocologists, and other professionals came together to discuss real case studies and collaborate on how to best support vocalists in their recovery and performance.

It was a powerful reminder of how much stronger we are when we work together to care for the voice.

Are you a voice teacher who wants deeper confidence when supporting your students’ vocal health, technique, and lesson d...
10/09/2025

Are you a voice teacher who wants deeper confidence when supporting your students’ vocal health, technique, and lesson decisions? Here’s your chance!

We’re opening the doors for a one-time, interactive preview of the Voice Teacher Collective—a brand-new workshop series designed exclusively for voice teachers seeking expert feedback and professional support.

Here's the Details:
🎤 Inside the Voice Teacher Collective: A Special Preview Workshop led by Lori Sonnenberg & Natalie Sheppard
📅 Friday, Nov. 14, 2025
🕘 9:30–10:30am CDT
📍 Virtual

In this preview, you’ll experience live feedback on vocal health, case studies, and teaching strategies—PLUS a first look at our upcoming 2026 subscription series featuring monthly live workshops + a full replay library.

👉 Don’t miss this chance to learn, grow, and be part of something new before it officially launches!

🔗 Registration link in first comment.

Did you know that Laryngeal Dystonia (LD)—formerly called Spasmodic Dysphonia —can also affect the singing voice? This r...
10/08/2025

Did you know that Laryngeal Dystonia (LD)—formerly called Spasmodic Dysphonia —can also affect the singing voice?

This rare condition, known as Singer’s Laryngeal Dystonia (SLD), is a task-specific form of dystonia that impacts professional and avocational singers. Essentially, it's a movement disorder of the vocal folds that results in spasms during voicing or phonation when singing. It can be present in both the speaking voice and the singing voice, but sometimes it ONLY affects the singing voice. The symptoms can be confused by clinicians as "technical problems," making diagnosis and treatment incredibly challenging.

In the earlier years, singing-related symptoms were often dismissed as signs that a person did not have LD or Spasmodic Dysphonia. Thankfully, recognition of this unique condition has grown, and with nearly 21 years of experience working with singers, I’ve seen that while it may not be curable, there are strategies and techniques that help minimize symptoms, allowing singers to keep practicing and performing.

If you suspect that you, a client of yours, or a singer you know may be dealing with this disorder, there is hope for navigating these challenges. Support and strategies are available.

📩 Send us a DM to find out how we can help.

10/06/2025

One of the most powerful tools I’ve discovered in clinical voice therapy? 👉 Reframing negative thoughts about the voice.

It's important to do this mindset work to support the process of recovery and healing. As Voice SLPs and other voice professionals, its our job to not only educate our clients in the recovery process, but to also open their minds to new thought pathways and habits. This can be done with kind, gentle, but firm support and guidance in the therapy and singing studio settings.

The good news? Many clients are ready to embrace positivity and the relationship they have with their voices.

💬 What are some of your favorite reframes and affirmations to use? Share them in the comments.

We had such an incredible turnout for our Closing the Gap: Creaky Voice Techniques for Improving Adduction workshop this...
10/02/2025

We had such an incredible turnout for our Closing the Gap: Creaky Voice Techniques for Improving Adduction workshop this past Friday!

One attendee, who has been navigating muscle tension dysphonia since 2018, shared how transformative the technique felt for them, and we couldn’t be more thrilled!

Huge thanks to for your kind words and for trusting us on your voice journey!

10/01/2025

✨ My "unfortunately I do love" starter pack, aka me in a nutshell!

What's something you "unfortunately love?"
💬Share in the comments!

Excited to be presenting on several of my clinical interest topics and research areas at the upcoming Pan American Vocol...
09/25/2025

Excited to be presenting on several of my clinical interest topics and research areas at the upcoming Pan American Vocology Association’s 2025 Hybrid Symposium in Mexico City, Mexico, taking place October 10–12.

I’ll be presenting virtually (in 2D!) alongside three incredible US colleagues on topics that are central to my daily work as a Voice & Singing Specialist SLP. Together, we’ll be sharing in Ped Talks and a special interest panel, diving into areas I’m deeply passionate about.


If you’ll be joining in person (3D) or virtually (2D), I’d love for you to stop by, say hello, and join the conversation. See you in PAVA Village!

Come creak with me (THIS WEEK!) at Closing the Gap: Creaky Voice Techniques to Improve Adduction workshop!Here's a sneak...
09/25/2025

Come creak with me (THIS WEEK!) at Closing the Gap: Creaky Voice Techniques to Improve Adduction workshop!

Here's a sneak peak at what you will learn:
✅ The difference between vocal fry & creaky voice
✅ How to produce creaky voice (step by step!)
✅ Benefits for singing & voice rehab
✅ Tips for teaching students & clients

Last chance to register!
🗓 September 26, 2025 from 9:00AM - 10:30AM (CDT) via LIVE online
🎥 Can’t make it live? All registrants get a 2-week recording playback

You don't want to miss out on this workshop, secure your spot today!

Link to register in comments ⬇️


From morning coffee ☕, to helping singers, teachers, and performers find their best sound, no two days are ever the same...
09/23/2025

From morning coffee ☕, to helping singers, teachers, and performers find their best sound, no two days are ever the same in the clinic! 🎵

Every voice has unique challenges, and with the right care, every voice can thrive.

Curious about how voice therapy can support you?
💬 Drop your questions in the comments!

I believe that adduction exercises are a common missing ingredient in vocal rehab, singing voice, and voice therapy prot...
09/19/2025

I believe that adduction exercises are a common missing ingredient in vocal rehab, singing voice, and voice therapy protocols. Yes, I know this is a strong statement but in my experience as a specialized voice and singing voice clinician - a true one! Many other therapy strategies and techniques fall short and aren’t very successful if adduction patterns are not adequate.

Many times, improving laryngeal coordination and adduction for phonation can help shed light on other technical issues with breathing, resonance, and registration. And not just in the singing voice, the speaking voice, too!

Check out some common phrases we use in laryngology and speech pathology associated with poor adduction or a lack of good vocal fold closure.

🌟 Want to learn more about vocal adduction?
Registration for Closing the Gap: Creaky Voice Techniques to Improve Adduction is NOW OPEN!

Led by Lori, who’s been using this technique with singers, clients, and SLPs for 20+ years, you’ll learn step-by-step exercises you can apply immediately in your own practice or with your clients.

This workshop is perfect for singers, SLPs, vocologists, teachers, and voice professionals of all kinds!

Here's the details:
🗓 September 26, 2025 from 9:00AM - 10:30AM (CDT) via LIVE online
🎥 Can’t make it live? All registrants get a 2-week recording playback

You don't want to miss out on this workshop, secure your spot today!

Link to register in comments ⬇️



Are you still pathologizing your Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) diagnosis? Has it become a stronghold in your vocal iden...
09/17/2025

Are you still pathologizing your Muscle Tension Dysphonia (MTD) diagnosis? Has it become a stronghold in your vocal identity?

Maybe it’s time to stop pathologizing the muscle tension. Tension doesn’t always mean trouble. It can be an old pattern your brain hasn’t released yet — or just a normal part of how your voice works.

Yep, I said it. As someone who specializes in helping people overcome this diagnosis, I see this all the time. Maybe those holding patterns are not related to pathology at all but normal variations that we all go through in our vocal evolution, recovery, or growth process.

💬 Drop a comment if this is something you have experienced. Let's move beyond the diagnosis.

Address

1431 Opus Place, Suite 110
Downers Grove, IL
60515

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 3pm
Thursday 12pm - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 3pm

Telephone

+16304421883

Website

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