MISSION

The National Center for Voice and Speech (NCVS) shall conduct research, disseminate information, educate special populations, and provide clinical service in the area of voice and speech. A particular focus is optimal use of voice production by professional vocalists such as actors, singers, teachers and public speakers.

VISION

The National Center for Voice and Speech, as a sole entity and in partnership with a consortium of research partners, shall be recognized as the world leader in understanding and promoting healthy and effective human vocalization. Being uniquely integrated in and administered by The Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the NCVS will draw upon the skilled vocal behaviors of high-level performing artists and will make its discoveries available to all voice users worldwide.

VALUES

The following are primary values of the personnel engaged in NCVS activities:

• High ethics in conducting and reporting research
• An attitude of service to the DCPA
• Personal growth and fulfillment of all personnel, especially in the merging of the arts and the sciences
• Free and open peer review and discussion about all products and services
• High standards of practice in medical and behavioral treatment of clients, including protection of confidentiality and objective appraisals
• Diversity in the exploration of human vocalization, including various arts forms, occupations, cultures, gender, age, and race
• Perpetual learning and upgrading of the skill and knowledge base of all personnel affiliated with the NCVS

GOALS

The five-year strategic goals of the NCVS are:

• To increase research funding
• To expand educational programs
• To advocate for healthy voice use
• To improve and expand clinical service

MILESTONES

• To increase research funding by 100% within five years through doubling the number of principle investigators (from 2 to 4) who have NIH, NSF, or OE funding
• To retain mid-career investigators by providing job security (through bridge funding) that accumulates as multiple grants are awarded to an individual
• To establish and operate a voice clinic in the Tramway Building tailored to the needs and comfort of professional vocalists and other special populations
  To offer on-site voice workshops at the DCPA on a monthly basis, to conduct off-site workshops in the Denver community on a similar schedule, and expand educational offerings to a regional and national level through live presentations, television broadcasts and the internet
• To program and deliver “arts in education” products to schools that carry key messages about healthy and effective voice use
  With the assistance of the NCVS advisory board, to raise public awareness and visibility of the Center and its products and services
  With the assistance of the NCVS advisory board, to build strategic partnerships with institutions in the Denver area that can enhance the mission of the center
• To involve students, interns and volunteers in the development of NCVS products and services, thereby discovering new talent for lifelong careers in human vocal communication
• To educate and certify 20-30 professional “vocologists” every year, in partnership with The University of Iowa and The National Center for Voice and Speech
• To develop and deliver e-based voice education products in partnership with Jones Knowledge, Denver Center Media, and the DCPA Education Department
• To help make treatment of speech and voice a priority in the management of individuals with neurological disorders, through research and educational efforts.