top of page
About the AVA
The AVA began in 1991. It is an umbrella organisation for all involved in the care of the human voice including speech pathologists, singing teachers and voice teachers, ENT surgeons, voice scientists and other professionals and amateur voice users.
Through meetings, professional development events, publications, lobbying and representation, the AVA aims to provide services to its members in a variety of ways;
-
To act as a central point of focus for many disciplines involved in voice and promote the field of voice in Australia;
-
To encourage links between artistic, clinical and scientific disciplines related to voice;
-
To promote education and training in the clinical care of voice, as well as vocal performance and voice science;
-
To promote research into voice.
Meet the National Board of AVA
Dr Heather Fletcher (VIC)
President
Dr Heather Fletcher is a lecturer and voice teacher at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and Victorian College of the Arts at The University of Melbourne. Her PhD in music psychology focuses on the practices of expert classical and music theatre voice teachers in Australia, while her other research in social and music psychology explores how music-making and listening impacts everyday well-being. Heather’s work has been published in voice and education journals, and she has presented at conferences across the globe for organisations such as ANATS, PEVoC, and the ICVT. As an advocate for young developing voices in Australia, she has adjudicated eisteddfods nationwide and hosts a live-to-air performance radio series which provides opportunities for emerging classical musicians. Heather is also an accomplished mezzo-soprano and has performed with companies including Opera Australia and Victorian Opera, as well as in venues such as Carnegie Hall and St Martin-in-the-Fields.
Dr Anthony Rotman (VIC)
Vice President
Anthony is a Melbourne-based Laryngologist.
With a special interest in disorders of the voice box and trachea, he completed a Fellowship in Laryngology at the National Centre for Airway Reconstruction in London, performing endoscopic and open approaches to airway and voice disorders. He spent time at the Royal Brompton Hospital, learning middle airway disease and chronic cough. Anthony then completed a second Fellowship on voice and swallowing disorders in Poole, UK. He trained in local anaesthetic techniques, such as vocal fold augmentation, subglottic stenosis management, laser surgery, as well as transnasal oesophagoscopy.
Anthony works as both Laryngologist and Ear, Nose, Throat, Head & Neck Surgeon at Monash Health as well as in the private setting. He is the recipient of multiple research grants and has a number of publications and presentations, as well as regular attendance at national and international training courses. He has a keen interest in teaching and is a supervisor of training at Monash Health.
With a specialist interest in disorders of the voice box and trachea, he achieved a Royal College of Surgeons England-approved Fellowship in Laryngology at the National Centre for Airway Reconstruction in London, with a focus on endoscopic and open approaches to airway and voice disorders. He also spent time at the Royal Brompton Hospital, learning about middle airway disease and chronic cough. His time in London was followed by a second Laryngology Fellowship focusing on voice and swallowing disorders in Poole, United Kingdom. He trained in local anaesthetic techniques, such as vocal fold augmentation, subglottic stenosis management, laser surgery for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, as well as transnasal oesophagoscopy.
Since returning to Melbourne, he works as both Laryngologist and Ear, Nose, Throat, Head & Neck Surgeon at Monash Health as well as in the private setting. He is also the recipient of multiple grants for his research, which he is currently involved in through Monash Health. With a number of publications and presentations as well as regular attendance at national and international training courses, Anthony maintains his knowledge and experience in current techniques to benefit his patients. He has a keen interest in teaching and is a supervisor of training at Monash Health.
With a special interest in disorders of the voice box and trachea, he completed a Fellowship in Laryngology at the National Centre for Airway Reconstruction in London, performing endoscopic and open approaches to airway and voice disorders. He spent time at the Royal Brompton Hospital, learning middle airway disease and chronic cough. Anthony then completed a second Fellowship on voice and swallowing disorders in Poole, UK. He trained in local anaesthetic techniques, such as vocal fold augmentation, subglottic stenosis management, laser surgery, as well as transnasal oesophagoscopy.
Anthony works as both Laryngologist and Ear, Nose, Throat, Head & Neck Surgeon at Monash Health as well as in the private setting. He is the recipient of multiple research grants and has a number of publications and presentations, as well as regular attendance at national and international training courses. He has a keen interest in teaching and is a supervisor of training at Monash Health.
With a specialist interest in disorders of the voice box and trachea, he achieved a Royal College of Surgeons England-approved Fellowship in Laryngology at the National Centre for Airway Reconstruction in London, with a focus on endoscopic and open approaches to airway and voice disorders. He also spent time at the Royal Brompton Hospital, learning about middle airway disease and chronic cough. His time in London was followed by a second Laryngology Fellowship focusing on voice and swallowing disorders in Poole, United Kingdom. He trained in local anaesthetic techniques, such as vocal fold augmentation, subglottic stenosis management, laser surgery for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, as well as transnasal oesophagoscopy.
Since returning to Melbourne, he works as both Laryngologist and Ear, Nose, Throat, Head & Neck Surgeon at Monash Health as well as in the private setting. He is also the recipient of multiple grants for his research, which he is currently involved in through Monash Health. With a number of publications and presentations as well as regular attendance at national and international training courses, Anthony maintains his knowledge and experience in current techniques to benefit his patients. He has a keen interest in teaching and is a supervisor of training at Monash Health.
Jessica Ruhle (QLD)
Secretary
Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)- Class I Honours
Miss Jessica Ruhle is a new graduate speech pathologist with a passion and talent for voice.
Since graduating as Valedictorian from the University of Queensland in 2024, she has applied for a Doctor of Philosophy position to explore the lived experience of people with voice disorders.
Throughout her time at university, Jess participated in research including a scoping review titled The Effect of Behavioural Intervention on Speech in Patients with Motor Neuron Disease, and her Honours Thesis titled Exploring the Lived Experiences of Young Adults with Hearing Loss Following their Participation in LSL Early Intervention.
Furthermore, she has been a committed member of the Voices of Birralee for over 12 years. Performance highlights include representing Australia at the Gold Cost Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony and at the ANZAC Dawn services in Villers-Bretonneux, France.
Miss Jessica Ruhle is a new graduate speech pathologist with a passion and talent for voice.
Since graduating as Valedictorian from the University of Queensland in 2024, she has applied for a Doctor of Philosophy position to explore the lived experience of people with voice disorders.
Throughout her time at university, Jess participated in research including a scoping review titled The Effect of Behavioural Intervention on Speech in Patients with Motor Neuron Disease, and her Honours Thesis titled Exploring the Lived Experiences of Young Adults with Hearing Loss Following their Participation in LSL Early Intervention.
Furthermore, she has been a committed member of the Voices of Birralee for over 12 years. Performance highlights include representing Australia at the Gold Cost Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony and at the ANZAC Dawn services in Villers-Bretonneux, France.
Kate Lethbridge (VIC)
Treasurer
BSpPath, MPH.
Kate has spent her career in health care and Speech Pathology. Pragmatic, positive and well-respected Kate has over 22 years of working as a Speech Pathologist providing care to adults with swallowing and communication impairments. Kate has experience working in the public and private hospital sector, across acute, rehabilitation, and outpatient setting. She has also completed her Masters of Public Health and worked as a health care manager. Kate has special interests and strong clinical skills in laryngology including nasendoscopy, videostroboscopy, and instrumental swallowing examinations such Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow (FEES) and videofluoroscopy (VFSS).
Kate holds a Senior Speech Pathology position at Monash Health in the Otolaryngology; Head & Neck Surgery Department. She works collaboratively with laryngologists to diagnose and treat complex voice, swallowing conditions and upper airway disorders. Kate also works in private practice at Melbourne Swallowing Analysis Centre and her own practice, Hawthorn Speech Pathology.
Kate is a certified practicing member of Speech Pathology Australia, the Laryngology Society of Australasia (LSA), and European Laryngology Society.
Kate has spent her career in health care and Speech Pathology. Pragmatic, positive and well-respected Kate has over 22 years of working as a Speech Pathologist providing care to adults with swallowing and communication impairments. Kate has experience working in the public and private hospital sector, across acute, rehabilitation, and outpatient setting. She has also completed her Masters of Public Health and worked as a health care manager. Kate has special interests and strong clinical skills in laryngology including nasendoscopy, videostroboscopy, and instrumental swallowing examinations such Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow (FEES) and videofluoroscopy (VFSS).
Kate holds a Senior Speech Pathology position at Monash Health in the Otolaryngology; Head & Neck Surgery Department. She works collaboratively with laryngologists to diagnose and treat complex voice, swallowing conditions and upper airway disorders. Kate also works in private practice at Melbourne Swallowing Analysis Centre and her own practice, Hawthorn Speech Pathology.
Kate is a certified practicing member of Speech Pathology Australia, the Laryngology Society of Australasia (LSA), and European Laryngology Society.
Elissa Finn (UK)
International Liaison
Elissa is a speech pathologist originally from Brisbane, Australia who is currently located in London, England. Working in the NHS Elissa sees paediatric and adult clients with a range of functional and organic voice and upper airway disorders both independently and alongside ENT colleagues in voice assessment clinics. She also offers private voice therapy to clients at the Voice Care Centre in collaboration with her multidisciplinary colleagues.
Elissa’s passion for voice originates from her background as a singer and singing teacher and she holds a Bachelor of Music and Masters in Music Studies (vocal pedagogy) in addition to her speech pathology qualification. Elissa has previously worked as a vocal tutor at JMC academy in Brisbane and presented for the Australian National Association of Teachers of Singers. Elissa enjoys being a member of Australian Voice Association, British Voice Association, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and British Laryngological Association.
Elissa’s passion for voice originates from her background as a singer and singing teacher and she holds a Bachelor of Music and Masters in Music Studies (vocal pedagogy) in addition to her speech pathology qualification. Elissa has previously worked as a vocal tutor at JMC academy in Brisbane and presented for the Australian National Association of Teachers of Singers. Elissa enjoys being a member of Australian Voice Association, British Voice Association, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and British Laryngological Association.
Ajhriahna Henshaw (QLD)
Professional Development
Ajhriahna Henshaw is a contemporary voice educator, performer, and researcher. She began her solo performance journey at the age of 6 and is now celebrating her twentieth year of teaching. At Griffith Conservatorium, she mentors singers from a myriad of musical backgrounds, fostering the development of healthy and sustainable vocal techniques tailored to their unique needs. As a performer, Ajhriahna is known for her work as a gigging jazz singer, while also showcasing her versatility across rock, pop, and RnB styles. She has performed in a variety of ensembles along the South-East Coast and abroad.
An emerging voice in academic research, Ajhriahna is currently pursuing a PhD at Griffith University. Her research focuses on evidence-based training methodologies for contemporary singers, with a particular emphasis on cross-training. Ajhriahna is a passionate advocate for style inclusivity in vocal training and research, championing the idea that singers of all genres can benefit from open dialogue and mutual learning.
An emerging voice in academic research, Ajhriahna is currently pursuing a PhD at Griffith University. Her research focuses on evidence-based training methodologies for contemporary singers, with a particular emphasis on cross-training. Ajhriahna is a passionate advocate for style inclusivity in vocal training and research, championing the idea that singers of all genres can benefit from open dialogue and mutual learning.
bottom of page