World Voice Day is a worldwide event that serves to inform the public of the importance of the human voice, the need for preventive voice care, and treatment options for voice problems. The event takes place on April 16 each year.

Duke Voice Care Center kicked off their fifth annual celebration of World Voice Day a day early when the event’s guest speaker, world-renowned opera singer Simon Estes, appeared on WUNC’s "The State of Things."

Events continued that evening with a master class for area singers taught by Estes and co-hosted by Duke Voice Care Center and Duke Department of Music.

The DVCC main World Voice Day event was held at the Renaissance Raleigh Hotel and was filled with voice screenings, question-and-answer sessions, classes, refreshments, door prizes, and an interview with Estes.

This year’s event was hosted by Frank Stasio, host of WUNC’s daily talk show “The State of Things.”

Stasio moderated a panel discussion with former DVCC patients on “What it’s like to have a voice problem,” and also interviewed Simon Estes, recipient of the 2011 Patrick D. Kenan Award for Vocal Health and Wellness.

2011 Patrick D. Kenan Award for Vocal Health and Wellness

In 2010, Duke Voice Care Center established the Patrick D. Kenan Award for Vocal Health and Wellness, to be presented annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to increasing awareness of vocal health. This award is a memorial to Dr. Patrick D. Kenan of Duke University Medical Center.

As part of Duke Voice Care Center’s World Voice Day 2011 celebration, Simon Estes was presented with this award. Estes contributes to vocal health awareness through the longevity of his performing career, his practice and promotion of excellent vocal health habits, and his excellence in teaching singers.

Estes’ performing career spans five decades, and he enjoys the acclaim of audiences and critics around the globe. He has performed at every major opera house in the world, and has appeared in performances at the White House, Kennedy Center, the United Nations, the Olympic Games, the World Cup and the Statue of Liberty Centennial Celebration.

Estes still finds time to share his love and knowledge of music with students from elementary school through college, and he founded the Simon Estes Music High School for underprivileged children in Cape Town South Africa.

World Voice Day 2011 Slideshow

Take a tour of the activities at World Voice Day 2011.

As part of the World Voice Day celebration at Duke, Simon Estes, a world-renowned opera singer, gave a master class for local singers.

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Opera singer Simon Estes listens as local singers perform for the master class.

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Simon Estes speaks to participants of the singing master class.

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Simon Estes speaks with Leda Scearce, MM, MS, CCC-SLP, DVCC singing voice specialist and director of performing voice programs and development, and David Witsell, MD, director of the Duke Voice Care Center.

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Emily Wolber, MEd, CF-SLP, clinical fellow in speech-language pathology at Duke Voice Care Center, reviews the schedule of events for World Voice Day with DVCC voice therapist Hilary Bartholomew, MS, CCC-SLP.

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Leda Scearce, MM, MS, CCC-SLP, welcomes participants to World Voice Day 2011.

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David Witsell, MD, director of the Duke Voice Care Center, gives opening remarks at the World Voice Day 2011 celebration.

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World Voice Day guests speak with vendors at the vocal health fair.

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World Voice Day participants take notes on the day's educational presentations.

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Gina Vess, MA, CCC-SLP, director of clinical voice programs at the Duke Voice Care Center, presents information about preserving and prolonging your voice.

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Seth Cohen, MD, MPH, addresses the crowd at World Voice Day 2011.

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A World Voice Day participant checks out the program of the day's events.

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Caroline Banka, MS, CCC-SLP, shares tips for occupational voice users.

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Karen Stark, Duke Voice Care Center liaison, welcomes guests to World Voice Day 2011.

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Leda Scearce, MM, MS, CCC-SLP, teaches a class entitled "Care of the Singing Voice."

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Guest host Frank Stasio, from WUNC's "The State of Things," prepares to interview a group of panelists who have suffered from voice disorders.

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Frank Stasio and Leda Scearce speak with former Duke Voice Care Center patients who have struggled with and overcome voice disorders.

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Frank Stasio mediates a conversation with former Duke Voice Care Center patients.

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Panelists share how Duke Voice Care Center helped them regain strength and clarity in their voices.

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Frank Stasio interviewed opera singer Simon Estes as part of the day's festivities.

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Simon Estes was presented with the Patrick D. Kenan Award for Vocal Health and Wellness for his significant contributions to increasing awareness of vocal health.

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Frank Stasio, Leda Scearce, Simon Estes, and David Witsell pose for a picture at the closing of the World Voice Day celebration.

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