First results of a project on community programs of Opéra de Montréal

Prof. Anna Zumbansen (School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Ottawa) and singer and artist-mediator Charlotte Gagnon (Project Manager, Department of Community Engagement and Education, Opéra de Montréal, OdM) will discuss the first results of a study conducted on OdM community programs.

In collaboration with clinicians, Charlotte Gagnon has created two exploratory programs aimed at populations with respiratory and vocal rehabilitation needs. The “RESPIRER” program is designed for people with chronic lung conditions. The “La voix harmonisée” program is aimed at transgender women seeking vocal feminization, while awaiting speech therapy. After the first editions of these programs, OdM wished to validate them through objective evaluation, and contacted Prof. Zumbansen, who identified significant potential to contribute to knowledge of the many ways in which singing can bring well-being. The present project was co-developed with this general objective. Its specific objective was to document the effects of the programs, using a combination of qualitative (e.g. satisfaction with the program) and quantitative data, including measures specific to each population, and common measures in the psychosocial and quality-of-life domains.