Below is a listing of courses and course descriptions that are typically offered during the Vocal Pedagogy Professional Workshop. Please note that courses are subject to change.
Anatomy, Physiology, and Voice Science Courses
Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
This introduction to the Vocal Pedagogy Workshop is an in-depth review of anatomy and physiology, and the body systems used in singing. Led by Tara Stadelman-Cohen of the Massachusetts General Hospital Voice Center, this session will prepare the basic foundation for the workshop participants.
Vocal Health Seminar
MGH Voice Center doctors and speech pathologists discuss up-to-date developments in vocal hygiene, singer-specific pathologies, surgeries, and rehabilitation. This is a fascinating look into the medical profession of caring for the professional voice. Q&A session with representatives from the MGH Voice Center will follow the presentation.
Special Topics in Voice
What is Belting? Teaching Musical Theater and Contemporary Voice
Kevin Wilson, associate professor of voice and director of vocal pedagogy studies will lecture and lead a discussion on vocal registration and current pedagogical trends in teaching musical theater. Participation is welcome and encouraged as you discover or refine your approach to teaching contemporary voice. This lecture will include a live teaching demonstration.
Alexander Technique in the Voice Studio
Led by Sara Goldstein, associate professor of voice and Alexander specialist, this workshop will explore the principles of the Alexander Technique via discussion and group activities. There will be opportunities for short individual performances as well. The Alexander Technique is a method for exploring human reaction with the potential for learning new ways of responding, often with greater ease. The work is experiential. Please come in comfortable clothing and with an open mind!
The Male Belt
Boston Conservatory musical theater faculty member Michael Hanley will present what is the standard for male “belt” in musical theater today. Discussion will involve what is the aesthetic difference in classical and musical theater singing, as well as vocal exercises to help you in the studio.
A Systematic Approach to Voice Teaching
Led by Kevin Wilson, associate professor of voice and director of vocal pedagogy studies, this workshop discusses the major body systems in singing; posture, respiratory, phonatory, resonatory, and articulatory in a step-by-step, clear and methodical approach to teaching voice. Discussion will focus on discovering and differentiating between symptom and cause in technical voice teaching.
Breathing: Breaking It Down to the Basics
This lecture, led by Tara Stadelman-Cohen, will discuss teaching breathing in the voice studio. There will be discussion of the breathing process, the variations in breathing techniques, and effective language for teaching these concepts. Exercises for developing and securing breathing will be discussed and practiced. Please be prepared to discuss your breathing techniques and exercises with the group on a volunteer basis.
Registration: Keeping It Simple
Brief discussion defining singing registers in the male and the female voice. Discussion will detail the various registers, and the mechanical and respiratory changes that occur.
Wake-up! Stretching
Led by Kevin Wilson, willing participants will awaken their body with movement exercise designed for the voice studio and for freeing the full body for singing.
Wake-up! Vocalizing
Led by Kevin Wilson, willing participants will join in a group vocal warm-up that includes easy traditional and non-traditional exercises for efficiently warming up the four systems of voice.
Repertoire Courses
Repertoire as a Teaching Tool for the Classical Studio
A presentation of both familiar and lesser-known repertoire for the classical studio. Discussion will detail how to select repertoire as a teaching tool for developing technical abilities, and how to build a successful personal music library
Comparative Teaching Courses
Musical Theater Comparative Pedagogy
Master teachers instruct a 45-minute demonstration lesson. The lesson process will be complete with warm-ups, vocal exercises, breath and posture work, and potential technical repertoire work. A brief discussion with the instructors will follow. Lesson topics will include cross-over singers, the male belt, and how we belt.
Classical Comparative Pedagogy
Master teachers instruct a 45-minute demonstration lesson. The lesson process will be complete with warm-ups, vocal exercises, breath and posture work, and potential technical repertoire work. A brief discussion with the instructors will follow. Lesson topics will include first lesson, grounding the female voice, and training tenor voices.
Master Classes
- Young Voices in Classical and Musical Theater
- Alexander Technique
- Pop Styles: Nuancing the Voice for Contemporary Styles
