Singing Teachers Talk

Kaya Herstad-Carney returns to the podcast but this time she’s brought her Mary Poppins bag of tricks. Join Alexa and Kaya as they discuss the gadgets and props you can use as a singing teacher, the benefits they have to the student's voice and learning, and how best to utilise them in your singing lessons. KEY TAKEAWAYS Using props in singing training provides a kinesthetic experience, prompting students to consider technique and form habits that feel innate. Physical engagement aids memory recall, reinforcing learning through tactile stimuli. This approach enhances understanding and skill development in vocal performance, it’s also more fun.  Balls aid singing teaching by enhancing breath control and support through exercises like tossing or squeezing. They engage students physically and mentally, adding a playful distraction that fosters focus and skill development. Straw warm-ups, blowing air through a straw into water or the air, enhance singing by focusing airflow and promoting proper breath support. They gently prepare the voice, reducing strain, improving resonance, and enhancing vocal control for better performance. Ask the singing student how using props like a TheraBand feels: does it improve, worsen, or maintain their vocal control and support? Assessing their experience helps tailor exercises for optimal vocal development. BEST MOMENTS  "Because of its expandable nature, I like to use this with singers who feel constriction in the throat” “I love my singing straw” “The important thing is that you know the research and why” EPISODE RESOURCES Guest Website: kayamusic.com Social Media: Handle: @kayamusic Relevant Links & Mentions:  Vocology in Practice: https://www.vocologyinpractice.org/ (Youtube) Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@SingingTeachersTalk Dr Shannon Coates: https://drshannoncoates.com/ (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Eps. 155 & 156 - Building Neurodiversity-Inclusive Voice Studios with Dr Shannon Coates (Parts One & Two) Mindy Pack: https://www.mindypack.com/ Dana Lentini: https://www.born2singkids.com/ (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.77 - How to Teach Singing to Children with Dana Lentini  Singing and Teaching Singing - A Holistic Approach to Classical Voice by Janice L. Chapman Estill Voice Training System: https://estillvoice.com/ Voce Vista: https://www.vocevista.com/ Matrix VocalizeU Spectogram: https://matrix.vocalizeu.com/spectrodev/ Heidi Moss: https://www.heidimosserickson.com/ Actions - The Actor’s Thesaurus by Marina Caldarone & Maggie Lloyd-Williams  Amelia Carr: https://www.ameliacarrvoice.com/ (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.50 - Managing ‘Pushy Parents’ and Teaching ‘Legit’ with Amelia Carr The Morrison Bone Prop: https://www.themorrisonboneprop.com/ The work of Ken Bozeman: http://www.kenbozeman.com/ (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.146 How to Understand and Apply Vocal Acoustic Pedagogy with Ken Bozeman The work of Ian Howell (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.145 Style Vs Technique with Kaya Herstad-Carney BAST Book A Call ABOUT THE GUEST  Kaya, a Norwegian artist based in the UK since '99, excels in original music, vocal coaching, and artist development. Her career includes performances on The Royal Variety Show and the BBC Songwriting Showcase. Passionate about mentoring, directing festivals, and teaching, she serves as a board member for Vocology in Practice, training singing teachers globally. Specialising in singing, songwriting, and artist development at Waterbear and esteemed institutions. ABOUT THE PODCAST BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events. basttraining.com Updates from BAST Training

Amy Walton, with expertise in musical literacy and keyboard skills, joins Alexa to explore essential music theory and piano skills for singing teachers. Trained in jazz performance, she reshaped curriculum at the Academy of Contemporary Music and teaches at Toronto's Singers Edge. KEY TAKEAWAYS Musical literacy and keyboard skills are crucial for singing teachers. They enable accompaniment, enhance communication, and empower independent leadership. Understanding theory and tonality enriches teaching, making instructors more versatile and employable. Strategies for engaging music lessons include adding movement to exercises like scale learning, keeping a lighthearted atmosphere by involving students in activities like song form sketching, and tailoring lessons to their goals, whether karaoke or music school. Amy advocates for making theory accessible through arranging exercises and introducing concepts subtly. Amy also recommends using recording for feedback and preparing accompaniments in advance to focus on students during lessons. Vocal warm-ups using scales and arpeggios are essential for singers. They expand range, improve technique, and enhance articulation. From practising major scales for technique to exploring melodic minors for range, these exercises offer diverse challenges and benefits. To identify augmented and diminished chords on piano, understand their structure. Augmented chords raise the fifth scale degree, while diminished chords lower it. Play augmented chords by raising the fifth note of a major triad, and diminished chords by lowering the fifth note of a minor triad. Listen closely to distinguish their sound from major or minor chords. With practice, you'll master playing these chords. BEST MOMENTS  "I try to incorporate movement into it. It's a bit of dance." “Don't look at it as what can I do, but what can theory do for you in your practice." “Sometimes I do that in a way to hide the vegetables."   EPISODE RESOURCES  Social Media: Instagram: @amywaltonmusic Relevant Links & Mentions:  Jacob Collier: https://www.jacobcollier.com/ Kaya Herstad-Carney: https://kayamusic.com/ (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk - Ep. 70 Coaching Contemporary Commercial Music with Kim Chandler  Open Music Theory - Viva Press Books: https://viva.pressbooks.pub/openmusictheory/ Popular Music Theory from University of West London: https://lcmmusicshop.uwl.ac.uk/shop/dept/Popular-Music-Theory/100105 Adult Piano Adventure Books  Modern Pop Keyboard Books (Hal Leonard)  (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk - Ep. Essential Piano Skills for Singers and Voice Teachers with Brenda Earle Stokes BAST Book A Call ABOUT THE GUEST  Amy, originally from Cape Town, South Africa, boasts over 15 years' experience as a soloist and voice teacher. Trained in Jazz Performance at the University of Cape Town, she later led vocals at the Academy of Contemporary Music in London, reshaping their curriculum. Now based in Toronto, Amy teaches at Singer’s Edge and offers consultancy services while presenting at Vocology In Practice conferences. Her expertise spans vocal physiology, musical literacy, keyboard skills, and contemporary improvisation. Notable career highlights include performances with the KwaZulu Natal Philharmonic Orchestra in South Africa and on the Eiffel Tower. ABOUT THE PODCAST BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events. basttraining.com Updates from BAST Training

Dr. Kari Ragan, is a voice teacher and rehab specialist, Master Teacher for National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Intern Program, co-founder of Northwest Voice Conference. She joins Alexa to discuss NATS’ mission, benefits of membership, and the upcoming conference. Also, insights on NATS International Congress of Voice Teachers 2025 KEY TAKEAWAYS NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) supports singing teachers with resources, networking, and professional development, promoting excellence in vocal instruction through conferences, workshops, publications, and certification programs. NATS Chat offers live online discussions for voice teachers and singers on diverse topics like vocal technique, repertoire, teaching, and business strategies. Hosted by NATS member Kari Ragan, it features prominent guests from the industry. The International Congress of Voice Teachers (ICVT), is a global event facilitated by NATS and other associations, offers masterclasses and sessions for voice teachers worldwide. The next event is ICVT Toronto 2025, hosted by NATS, The Royal Conservatory, and University of Toronto Faculty of Music, from July 31 to August 3. BEST MOMENTS  “It’s where I came out of the mindset of wanting to be a singer to wanting to be a teacher” “We believe in moving the profession forward” “It can be so overwhelming with what we’re expected to know nowadays”   EPISODE RESOURCES  Guest Website: KariRagan.com Social Media: Facebook: @Voice Studio of Dr. Kari Ragan Relevant Links & Mentions:  National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS): https://www.nats.org/ NATS International Congress of Voice Teachers Conference 2025: https://www.nats.org/icvt2025.html NATS Chat Archives: https://www.nats.org/nats-chat-transcript-archive.html NATS Chat Youtube Platform: https://www.youtube.com/officialnats The work of Scott McCoy Kerrie Obert: https://obertvoicestudios.com/ & https://portal.getvocal-now.com/pages/home The work of Dr Marco Guzman  The Efficacy of Vocal Cool-down Exercises by Dr Kari Ragan: https://kariragan.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/The-Efficacy-of-Vocal-Cool-Down-Exercises-JOS-2018.pdf The work of Lynn Helding: https://lynnhelding.com/ The work of Lynn Maxfield   The work of Marci Rosenberg: https://www.marci-rosenberg.com/ The work of Leda Scearce The work of Peggy Baroody The work of Karen Brunssen  So You Want to Sing Musical Theatre by Amanda Flynn  A Systematic Approach to Voice: The Art of Studio Application by Dr Kari Ragan Singing Voice Rehabilitation: A Guide for the Voice Teacher and Speech-Language Pathologist by Karen Wicklund  NorthWest Voice: NWVoice.org The work of Martin Nevdahl  The work of Albert L Merati  The work of Dr Ingo Titze Dr H Steven Sims John Henny: https://johnhenny.com/ The Fall Voice Conference: https://www.fallvoice.org/ The Voice Foundation: https://voicefoundation.org/ Pan American Vocology Association (PAVA): https://pavavocology.org/ The work of Ian Howell  Vocology in Practice: https://www.vocologyinpractice.org/ (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: 154 Managing Imposter Syndrome, Low Confidence and Overwhelm as Singing Teachers with Alexa Terry: https://linktr.ee/basttraining?utm_source & https://www.youtube.com/@SingingTeachersTalk/videos BAST Book A Call ABOUT THE GUEST  Kari Ragan, DMA, MM, BM, is an accomplished singing voice rehabilitation specialist and educator. With numerous awards and affiliations, including the University of Washington Laryngology program, she's known for her book "A Systematic Approach to Voice '' and co-founding the Northwest Voice Conference. ABOUT THE PODCAST BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events. basttraining.com Updates from BAST Training

Dr Shannon Coates is with us for part two of this discussion on building neurodiversity inclusive voice studios and we're picking up just where we left off last week. Shannon is a singer, voice teacher, and educator who began developing training and educational resources specifically for independent voice teachers. She works with smaller groups of teachers in an eight-month training called the VoicePed UnDegree that runs each year. This week, Shannon helps us to understand the terminology of neurodiversity, and we start to explore how we can be inclusive for the likes of dyslexia and ADHD. KEY TAKEAWAYS In the classroom, autistic individuals may struggle with sensory overload, heightened sensitivities, difficulty filtering stimuli, hyperfocus, and executive functioning challenges. They may show their overwhelm with a perceived lack of attention or disengagement.  Some autistic individuals benefit from physical guidance and tactile feedback to understand and replicate movements accurately. Singing teachers may gently guide their students' hands, arms, or facial muscles to demonstrate proper technique and expression. This hands-on approach provides sensory input that can enhance the learning experience and help autistic singers internalise correct movements. Autistic individuals often thrive in environments with clear structure and predictable routines. Singing teachers can establish a consistent lesson structure with clearly defined goals, activities, and transitions. Providing a visual schedule or checklist can help autistic singers anticipate what to expect during each session, reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of security. Singing teachers can support autistic individuals' stimming by normalizing it, recognizing individual patterns, providing a sensory-friendly environment, incorporating movement and breaks, using stimming as a teaching tool, and offering positive reinforcement. BEST MOMENTS  “I cannot focus on what you’re asking me to do, my senses are in complete overwhelm” “The things we do in the studio to affirm neurodiversity do not just affirm neurodivergent singers, they affirm all singers” “There is a lifetime of trying to figure out the rules because our social rules are based on reading other people” “Clarity is kindness”   EPISODE RESOURCES  Guest Website: www.drshannoncoates.com Social Media: Instagram: @voiceped Facebook: @VoiceAndTheArtofTeaching  Relevant Links & Mentions:  (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk Podcast Ep.155 Part One: Building Neurodiversity-Inclusive Voice Studios with Dr Shannon Coates (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.104 Teaching Singers with ADHD with Colin McGee Lewis Capaldi  Nikki Loney & Full Voice Music: www.fullvoicemusic.com  (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk Podcast Ep.139 Understanding Play-Based Learning for Children and Young Adult Singers with Nikki Loney BAST Book A Call ABOUT THE GUEST  Shannon is a singer, voice teacher, and educator with nearly two decades of experience running a successful independent voice studio. She develops training and resources for voice teachers worldwide, focusing on inclusivity and neurodiversity. Shannon holds three vocal performance degrees from the University of Toronto and offers subject-specific training, including Neurodiversity-Affirming VoicePed and Contemporary Voice. She promotes best practices in teaching and advocates for inclusive voice spaces through social media. ABOUT THE PODCAST BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events. basttraining.com Updates from BAST Training

Dr Shannon Coates will be keeping us company over the next two weeks to help us understand how we can build neurodiversity-inclusive voice studios. Shannon is a singer, voice teacher, and educator who began developing training and educational resources specifically for independent voice teachers. She works with smaller groups of teachers in an eight-month training called the VoicePed UnDegree that runs each year. This week, Shannon helps us to understand the terminology of neurodiversity, and we start to explore how we can be inclusive for the likes of dyslexia and ADHD. KEY TAKEAWAYS Neurodivergent refers to individuals whose neurological development and functioning differ from what is typically considered typical or neurotypical. This includes conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others. Neurodivergent individuals may have unique ways of thinking, processing information, and interacting with the world. The term emphasises the natural diversity of human brains and challenges the notion of a single "normal" or "correct" neurological makeup. ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Individuals with ADHD may struggle with maintaining focus, organising tasks, and controlling impulses. ADHD can impact various aspects of daily life, including academic performance, work, and relationships.  Dyslexia is a specific learning disorder characterised by difficulty in reading, spelling, and writing despite ‘normal’ intelligence and adequate educational opportunities. Individuals with dyslexia may have challenges with phonological processing, which affects their ability to recognize and decode words and symbols accurately.  BEST MOMENTS  ‘Not being associated with academia doesn't mean that you can’t be a specialist voice teacher’ ‘In the process of working with my own children I also began to see some of those similar things in the studio’ ‘Practising the new thing is always in my brain, I want to get into it and the novelty of it, ADHD singers will love it’ ‘No matter who we’re working with, the most effective reframing is asking what they focused in on and found interesting’   EPISODE RESOURCES  Guest Website: www.drshannoncoates.com Social Media: Instagram: @voiceped Facebook: @VoiceAndTheArtofTeaching  Relevant Links & Mentions:  (Column) Neurodiversity in the Voice Studio, Clinic, and Performance Space: Using a Neurodiversity Affirming Lens to Build More Inclusive Spaces for Singers: Part 1, Current Understanding of Neurodiversity by Dr Shannon Coates; Journal of Singing (2022) (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.152 ‘Tomayto, Tomahto’: Understanding Singing Terminology with Line Hilton (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.104 Teaching Singers with ADHD with Colin McGee Tera Sumpter: https://terasumpter.com/ BAST Book A Call   ABOUT THE GUEST  Shannon is a singer, voice teacher, and educator with nearly two decades of experience running a successful independent voice studio. She develops training and resources for voice teachers worldwide, focusing on inclusivity and neurodiversity. Shannon holds three vocal performance degrees from the University of Toronto and offers subject-specific training, including Neurodiversity-Affirming VoicePed and Contemporary Voice. She promotes best practices in teaching and advocates for inclusive voice spaces through social media. ABOUT THE PODCAST BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events. basttraining.com Updates from BAST Training

In this solo episode, Alexa dives into the common struggles of imposter syndrome, low confidence, and feeling overwhelmed that many singing teachers face. As an experienced voice instructor and singer herself, Alexa shares personal stories and insights on managing these challenges in your teaching career and life. Learn how to overcome negative self-talk, build your confidence both in and out of the studio, and avoid burnout through self-care and planning.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Imposter syndrome, low confidence, and overwhelm are common among singing teachers. Imposter thoughts prevail due to isolation, comparison, and teaching observations. These feelings stem from self-doubt, fear of judgement, and perfectionism. Strategies like reframing thoughts and celebrating achievements can counter imposter syndrome. Perspective-taking and building a support network are beneficial. Despite accomplishments, imposter syndrome affects individuals across fields, emphasising the importance of sharing experiences for community support. You can build a support network by joining online communities and forums, attending conferences, and seeking mentorship. Forming mastermind groups, scheduling catch-ups, and following inspirational accounts on social media offer additional support. Investing in a coach and being open with students about imposter feelings can also aid in managing challenges. BEST MOMENTS  "100% of them reported having felt imposter syndrome, low confidence and overwhelm." "The most common intrusive thoughts reported include 'Just quit. You don't know enough' and 'You don't have the skills.'"   "Sometimes, I am completely overwhelmed by the amount of information and responsibility I'm faced with as a singing teacher."   EPISODE RESOURCES  Guest Website: www.aterryvocalcoaching.com  Social Media: Instagram: @AlexaTerryVocalCoaching Facebook: @ATerryVocalCoaching  Relevant Links & Mentions:  Vocology in Practice The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women: Dynamics and Therapeutic Intervention by Dr Pauline R Clance & Dr Suzanne A Imes (1978) Man and Superman by George Bernard Shaw (1903) (Blog) Singing and the Premenstrual Voice (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.102 Understanding Singing and Menopause with Joanne Bozeman  Psychologist Lev Vygotsky (The Zone of Proximal Development & ‘Scaffolding’)  The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women by Valerie Young (Youtube) TED Talk by Valerie Young (2017) Tommy Ludgate: https://tommyludgate.com/ (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.49 Unlocking Your Creative Potential with Tommy Ludgate  (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.151 How to Sing with Twang with Kerrie Obert (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk - Ep. 133 Mastering Belt in Musical Theatre with Amanda Flynn Steven Bartlett & The Diary of a CEO John Henny: https://johnhenny.com/ Voice Study Centre: voicestudycentre.com Adam Grant: https://adamgrant.net/ The 6-minute Success Journal (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.147 TV Coach: Behind the Scenes on ITV’s Mamma Mia with Claire Delaney  alexa@basttraining.com BAST Book A Call   ABOUT THE GUEST  After graduating with a BA Musical Theatre degree, Alexa Terry donned her sailor’s cap and performed as a lead soloist on cruise ships travelling the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Baltic seas. She trod the boards in London’s West End as the protagonist in a new Musical Theatre project, studied as a librettist with Book, Music and Lyrics (BML), and has written for the likes of BritishTheatre.com as a reviewer.  Alexa runs her own 1-1 singing tuition practice in the South of England and is a singing tutor at one of the UK’s leading performing arts schools - Italia Conti, where she also regularly panels entry auditions. Alexa is the host of the BAST Training Singing Teachers Talk Podcast, mentors for the BAST Training Level 5 Qualification, and has presented on the topics of Musical Theatre repertoire and authentic Musical Theatre performance.  basttraining.com Updates from BAST Training

Joining Alexa this week is Nic Redman, who has been working with the spoken voice for almost 20 years and who is the author of the best-selling book ‘On the Mic’. Nic has featured across the BBC, Times Radio, The Guardian, Irish Times, and The Metro. She offers one-to-one coaching for voice-over artists, narrators, podcasters, and speakers to master their speaking voice, working with the likes of Peloton and comedian Sarah Millican. KEY TAKEAWAYS In Nic's experience, musical theatre often places a significant emphasis on appearance alongside vocal ability. This can create pressure for performers to conform to certain physical standards. However, in the realm of voiceover work, the focus solely revolves around vocal performance. Nic Redman's five techniques for improving vocal performance and recording quality, as discussed, are as follows:  Focusing on using your natural voice and avoiding an artificial "announcer" style. Being mindful of posture and alignment to allow the voice to resonate fully. Engaging in vocal warm-ups and exercises to enhance flexibility and range. Paying attention to microphone technique, including maintaining consistent distance and angle. Listening critically to recordings to identify areas for improvement. Nic's recommended vocal warm-ups for voice over work are: Lip trills and tongue trills: These exercises help relax the vocal mechanism and can be effective in warming up the voice. Pitch glides: Practising pitch glides up and down the vocal range helps in warming up the voice and increasing flexibility. Tongue twisters for articulation: Working on tongue twisters helps improve articulation and clarity in speech. Breath control exercises: Techniques such as hissing and sighing can improve breath support, which is crucial for sustained vocal performance. Humming exercises: Humming exercises help in exploring vocal resonance and can contribute to a fuller, more resonant sound. BEST MOMENTS  ‘I had this like, ping of this feels nice. This feels where I'm supposed to be on the microphone’ ‘The huge contrast to the musical theatre world was that nobody was going, your voice is great, but you don't look quite right’ ‘I was really intrigued by the idea of spoken voice and the potential that it really has as a performer’   EPISODE RESOURCES  Guest Website: onthemicbook.com Social Media: Instagram: @nicredvoice Relevant Links & Mentions:  Central School of Speech and Drama: https://www.cssd.ac.uk/ The Voice Coach Podcast by Nic Redman The Voice Deck by Nic Redman  Dane Chalfin: https://danechalfin.com/ Gravy for the Brain: https://www.gravyforthebrain.com/ The Voice Over Network: https://www.thevoiceovernetwork.org/ Voice Over KickStart: https://voiceoverkickstart.com/ The Voice Over Social: https://thevosocial.com/ Vocal Booth to Go: https://www.vocalboothtogo.co.uk/ Microphone: Rode NT1-A Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Get Nic’s Free Warm-up HERE: https://nicolaredman.com/freebies/ BAST Book A Call ABOUT THE GUEST  Nic Redman, with nearly 20 years of experience in recording and coaching, specializes in helping individuals feel vocally confident on the microphone. Featured on BBC, Times Radio, The Guardian, Irish Times, and the Metro, Nic offers personalized coaching for voice artists, podcasters, and speakers, counting Sarah Millican and Channel 4 among her clients. She conducts retreats, online courses, and masterclasses, providing on-mic direction for brands like Peloton and Mercedes Petronus. Nic is a sought-after speaker, panelist, and co-creator of the award-winning Voiceover Social Podcast. Her bestselling book, "On The Mic," offers invaluable insights into voice training and recording. ABOUT THE PODCAST BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events. basttraining.com Updates from BAST Training

Alexa Terry talks about vocal related terminology with BAST founder Line Hilton in Ep.152. Line explains some of the anatomical terminology a singing teacher may encounter in a medical or voice science setting this includes anatomical terms, register names, support and resonance. She and Alexa play a register names pop quiz to see how many of the 107 names they know. Line emphasises the importance of understanding and using terminologies in a flexible and adaptable manner, considering the context and audience.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Discussing anatomical terms like superior, inferior, lateral, medial, anterior, posterior is key for voice teachers. Line linked these to body parts, aiding medical report understanding. Muscle names, tied to origin and insertion, enhance comprehension. Alexa and Line explored varied names for vocal registers like chest, head, mix, belt. They noted diverse pedagogical and field terms, emphasising context-dependent meanings. Line stressed grasping intent behind terms over feeling overwhelmed. Line rarely uses "support" directly, viewing it as a result of vocal balance, not a specific technique. She favours strategies like transverse abdominis engagement for a supportive sensation, coupled with overall vocal coordination. Line challenges the "open throat" concept, noting pharynx narrowing as pitch ascends. She opts for tongue and larynx strategies, rejecting the focus on throat constrictors. Imagery like "open up the sound" proves useful based on student response. Line distinguishes a singing teacher's technique focus from a vocal coach's guiding role. She underlines SEO and student-friendly terms' importance. "Voice teacher" holds spoken connotations, advocating comfort in choosing terms. BEST MOMENTS  'If there really are 107 different names for registers, do we need to know them all? ’ ‘What we feel isn't necessarily a correlation to what's going on mechanically.' ‘What does support mean? Pretty much as many people as I've asked, is the amount of answers that I've received.’   EPISODE RESOURCES  Guest Website: basttraining.com Social Media: @basttraining Relevant Links & Mentions:  (BAST Blog) The Laryngeal Nerves: https://www.basttraining.com/the-laryngeal-nerves/ Kerrie Obert: https://obertvoicestudios.com/ (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.151 How to Sing with Twang with Kerrie Obert  (Book) Anatomy of Voice by Blandine Calais-Germain & Francois Germain  (Book) Singing & Science: Body, Brain and Voice by Jean Callaghan  (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.62 How to Choose the Best Vocal Exercises with Line Hilton  (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.73 The Best Vocal Exercises for Laryngeal Stability with Line Hilton (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.83 The Best Vocal Exercises for Sick Voices with Line Hilton (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.113 The Best Vocal Exercises for Chest Voice with Line Hilton (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.114 The Best Vocal Exercises for Head Voice with Line Hilton (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.115 The Best Vocal Exercises for The Transition with Line Hilton  Chris Johnson: https://chrisjohnsonvocalcoach.com/ Teach Voice: https://www.teachvoice.com/ (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.44 Exploring Vocal Registers with Chris Johnson  Traditional Belt Example: Johnny One Note from Babes in Arms  (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk: Ep.133 Mastering Belt in Musical Theatre with Amanda Flynn  Physio Ed: https://www.physioedmedical.co.uk/ Vocology in Practice: https://www.vocologyinpractice.org/ BAST Book A Call ABOUT THE PODCAST BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events. basttraining.com Updates from BAST Training Presenters Bios

Vocal coach Kerrie Obert joins Alexa to discuss the technique of twang in singing—what it is, how to find it, and how to apply it in a healthy way across your range. We bust myths about twang and larynx position, examine impactful but overlooked research, and learn exercises to develop this bright, forward resonance while avoiding excess tension. For all singers looking to understand the mechanics behind great country, rock, and belt singing, this is an episode you won't want to miss.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Teaching Back for Enhanced Learning: Teaching back in singing lessons reinforces skills, promotes compliance, and fosters lasting habits, enhancing knowledge retention and practical application. Clarity in Teaching Directives: Clear teaching directives are pivotal in vocal education, especially when exploring intricate concepts like "twang." Transparent communication deepens understanding and enriches the learning experience. Nuanced Roles of Velum and VLM: Understanding the nuanced functions of the velum and Vertical Laryngeal Movement (VLM) shapes vocal sounds. This insight guides students in refining techniques and comprehending the impact of pharyngeal narrowing on larynx positioning. Effective Singing Techniques: Effective singing involves maintaining vocal fold thickness during belting and strategic breath control. Integration of these elements achieves a harmonious balance, enhancing overall vocal quality and impact. BEST MOMENTS ‘I would say it's very high, like 70 or 80 percent of the people who twang don't have aryepiglottic narrowing.’  'It actually gives you credibility, to be able to acknowledge that that you think differently about something’ ‘I want to look at what point those pharyngeal constrictors narrow in the range. And to see how that relates to our perception of passaggio’   EPISODE RESOURCES Guest Website: getvocal-now.com com Social Media: Instagram: @kerrieobert Relevant Links & Mentions: Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.59 Top Tongue Tips for Boosting High Frequency Energy with Kerrie Obert The work of William Vennard Jo Estill: https://estillvoice.com/ Amanda Flynn: https://www.amandaflynnvoice.com/ Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.133 Mastering Belt in Musical Theatre with Amanda Flynn BAST Book A Call ABOUT THE GUEST Kerrie Obert is a speech language pathologist and singing voice specialist from Columbus Ohio. Ms. Obert holds degrees in both musical theatre performance and speech language pathology. She spent nearly 20 years working at The Ohio State University JamesCare Voice & Swallowing Disorders Clinic where she performed thousands of endoscopies as part of a diagnostic team and provided therapy to patients with a wide variety of laryngeal disorders. Ms. Obert was instrumental in setting up the Singing Health Specialization at OSU and served as the Director of Medical Arts for that program. Although she stepped away from her clinical duties at OSU, she remains on the faculty for research purposes. Ms. Obert has written four books on voice and has conducted clinical research using acoustics, MRI and EGG. She has presented on several continents and is passionate about bridging science and art. Ms. Obert is the executive principal of Getvocal-now.com, an online continuing education platform for singers, speech language pathologists and voice teachers. Her current research interests are in pharyngeal and tongue positions as they relate to boosting high frequency energy. Kerrie Obert is also a guest lecture on the BAST Training Level 5 Singing Teacher Qualification.   ABOUT THE PODCAST   BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events. basttraining.com Updates from BAST Training Presenters Bios

It’s part two of our chat with West End Musical Theatre performer, lead singer of a London Big Band, and Clinical Osteopath, Jennie Morton. Today Alexa and Jennie will be picking up right where they left off talking about the importance of teachers finding their neutral for their own postural health in the teaching room.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Prioritising neutral posture is pivotal for vocal health. This proactive approach, avoiding extremes and unnecessary tension, prevents issues like deviated larynx. Examples of poor posture consequences highlight its significance, emphasising the need for a balanced and mindful alignment.  Poor posture yields tangible consequences like deviated larynx and muscle imbalances. Practical examples, such as uneven piano placement or specific mic-handling, lead to muscle strain and vocal challenges.  Delving into posture's intricate link with vocal well-being, Jennie illuminates the stomatognathic system and vocal muscles' role in balance. Practical tips, including mindful sitting and ribcage alignment, emphasise how posture directly influences and contributes to overall vocal health. Mindful alignment is a potent tool for communication, you should embrace vulnerability. It fosters authenticity, emphasising a deeper understanding of one's body for improved vocal health and heightened communication proficiency. BEST MOMENTS  ‘The body never lies, you know, you can tell it perfectly’ ‘Symptoms in the body are like a course correct, the body's going, you've deviated from your path, get back, get back’ ‘Posture is body language. In every moment, you are speaking to people, even if you haven't opened your mouth’ ‘Taking care of you is an act of generosity to everyone else’   EPISODE RESOURCES  Guest Website: www.jenniemorton.com Relevant Links & Mentions:  Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.149 Part One: Finding the Best Posture and Alignment for Singing with Jennie Morton Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.97 Elevate Your Musical Performance Through Anatomical Efficiency with Jennie Morton Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.40 Teaching Singing to Dancers with Jennie Morton  Chris Johnson: https://chrisjohnsonvocalcoach.com/ Chris Johnson’s Teach Voice: https://www.teachvoice.com/ BAST Book A Call   ABOUT THE GUEST  After a long performing career as a Ballet dancer, West End Musical Theatre performer, and lead singer of a London Big Band, Jennie is now a Clinical Osteopath specialising in the field of Performing Arts Medicine. She provides treatment for musculoskeletal, neurobiological, and psycho-physiological issues from her base in Los Angeles. She also works as a Performance Coach for singers and actors, focusing on anatomical efficiency, embodiment of artistry, movement education, and rehabilitation from vocal injury. Jennie co-created the MSc in Performing Arts Medicine at University College, London, and lectures internationally to artists, arts educators, and healthcare professionals on the subject of performance-related injuries. She is the author of three books: The Authentic Performer: Wearing A Mask And The Effect On Health; The Embodied Dancer: A Guide To Optimal Performance; and Dancing Longer, Dancing Stronger. Her website www.jenniemorton.com contains many of her published articles and educational resources, as well as links to her online courses on a range of health topics. ABOUT THE PODCAST BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events. basttraining.com Updates from BAST Training Presenters Bios

West End Musical Theatre performer, lead singer of a London Big Band, and Clinical Osteopath, Jennie Morton joins Alexa on Singing Teachers Talk for part one of a two part episode. This week the pair will be discussing how you can help your singers find their best posture and alignment. Listen in for some great exercises you can use with your students to improve their posture.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Concerns have arisen over the long-term health effects of technology-induced postures, especially among the younger generation. Habitual postures can lead to structural changes, causing discomfort as muscles become fibrous and impede blood supply. Maintaining a neutral spine is crucial for optimal posture and shock absorption, influencing the functioning of vital components like the diaphragm, emphasising the importance of understanding and addressing structural dynamics for overall well-being. Jennie emphasises the importance of dynamic stability over rigidity, likening it to a tall skyscraper built to move in the wind. She suggests lying on the floor to explore spinal alignment and identifying the felt sense of neutral curves. Singers achieve optimal posture through exercises that recognize and balance unique spinal curves. Performers in extreme roles benefit from targeted stretches. Triangulating body position, emotion, and vocal outcome enhances predictability. Unconventional exercises, like singing upside down, disrupt fear-associated contexts, facilitating effective navigation through challenging vocal passages. BEST MOMENTS  ‘Structure governs function’ ‘Our bodies are kind of like Plasticine, whatever you do habitually becomes habituated’ ‘Elasticity is the key to being an artist. You know where home base is’ ‘Maintaining a neutral spine is crucial for optimal posture, with the definition of 'neutral' varying for each individual’   EPISODE RESOURCES  Guest Website: www.jenniemorton.com Relevant Links & Mentions:  Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.97 Elevate Your Musical Performance Through Anatomical Efficiency with Jennie Morton Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.40 Teaching Singing to Dancers with Jennie Morton  Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep. 32 The Bio-Psycho-Social Model with Stephen King Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.138 Exploring the Benefits of The Alexander Technique for Singers with Patrick Ardagh-Walter  BAST Book A Call   ABOUT THE GUEST  After a long performing career as a Ballet dancer, West End Musical Theatre performer, and lead singer of a London Big Band, Jennie is now a Clinical Osteopath specialising in the field of Performing Arts Medicine. She provides treatment for musculoskeletal, neurobiological, and psycho-physiological issues from her base in Los Angeles. She also works as a Performance Coach for singers and actors, focusing on anatomical efficiency, embodiment of artistry, movement education, and rehabilitation from vocal injury. Jennie co-created the MSc in Performing Arts Medicine at University College, London, and lectures internationally to artists, arts educators, and healthcare professionals on the subject of performance-related injuries. She is the author of three books: The Authentic Performer: Wearing A Mask And The Effect On Health; The Embodied Dancer: A Guide To Optimal Performance; and Dancing Longer, Dancing Stronger. Her website www.jenniemorton.com contains many of her published articles and educational resources, as well as links to her online courses on a range of health topics. ABOUT THE PODCAST BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events. basttraining.com Updates from BAST Training Presenters Bios

It's Mitch Jarvis from Singing Demos joining Alexa this week. Mitch has been recording vocal reels since 2011 with the mission to help performers stand out from the crowd and get that all-important invite into the audition room. Mitch is here to help us understand the benefits of a vocal reel and how the singer can get the best out of their recording. Make sure you listen all the way until the end for a special offer.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Singing Demos first opened its recording studio in Camden in 2011 and since then, have helped thousands of performers stand out with their vocal reels and network of leading casting directors and agents. A vocal reel can be incredibly helpful to singers because it gives you something you can put in front of casting directors straight away. It’s also helpful because in a post Covid world, your online portfolio became almost the first step in the audition process as it was harder to meet face to face. This has somewhat continued and directors now will expect to hear something from you before you’ve auditioned.  The benefit to having your reel on video as well as audio is because of how key video content is online. Your social media following can have an impact on your job prospects. The video isn’t just key to showcasing yourself but for driving engagement on things like Instagram and TikTok.  Singers should be sharing their vocal reels with agents, it is so much more important than sitting down and writing a bespoke email and CV. They want to be able to see what you can do and how you behave straight away.  When deciding what to sing on your vocal reel you should stick to songs you know like the back of your hand that you enjoy. If you pick something difficult then you run the risk of not hitting the notes, especially under the first time pressure of being in a recording studio.  BEST MOMENTS  ‘If you’re less confident, a reel can help you get past the first stage where you need to showcase yourself’ ‘You want it to sound live, as if you’re singing in the room to them, no autotune’ ‘Can they visualise you in that role? Because if they can’t see it they won’t cast you’   EPISODE RESOURCES  Guest Website: https://www.singingdemos.co.uk/ Social Media: Instagram: @singingdemos.co.uk Singing Demos Discount: Get £25 off a filmed vocal reel package with the code BAST25 Relevant Links & Mentions:  Spotlight: https://www.spotlight.com/ Hannah Lowther: @hannahlowther The Accompanist: https://www.theaccompanist.co.uk/ BAST Book A Call   ABOUT THE GUEST  After attending Italia Conti, Mitch launched Singing Demos in 2011 while also working professionally in the industry. Since then he's recorded thousands of vocal reels and stopped performing himself in 2015 to focus solely on Singing Demos. Mitch has a strong network of leading casting directors and agents. He knows just what’s needed to get yourself seen and heard by the crème de la crème of the industry. His mission is the same as yours – to get you to stand out from the crowd with an outstanding vocal reel. Everything is done in the comfort of the Singing Demos professional recording studio in Camden, London. ABOUT THE PODCAST BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events. basttraining.com Updates from BAST Training Presenters Bios

It's Claire Delaney who joins Alexa this week to give us a tour behind the scenes of working on the ITV show ‘Mamma Mia! I have a dream’, the search for Sophie and Sky. Claire is a vocal coach with a private business and also teaches at UK Drama School Italia Conti. She initially trained in Opera, performing at the likes of the Royal Albert Hall, and now works with singers of all skill levels from beginners to West End professionals. To celebrate the winners of ‘Mamma Mia! I have a dream’ and their West End debut, Claire is here to give us the gossip on how she landed this TV job, what her role entailed on the program, and how we can help our theatre performers navigate auditions.  KEY TAKEAWAYS "Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream'' premiered on ITV in October 2023. The program followed the quest for two fresh and undiscovered talents in musical theatre, aiming to cast them in the roles of Sophie Sheridan and Sky Ramand for the West End rendition of the musical "Mamma Mia!". If you or one of your students are thinking about applying for a TV show like this in the future, Claire believes you need to be strong in the following areas: story telling, working collaboratively, creating chemistry, having the endurance to perform 9 shows a week, and not taking yourself too seriously. In previous "Mamma Mia!" shows, it was understood that straight tone was desired over vibrato. However this more traditional approach didn’t appear to be the case in the TV show. Claire loves vibrato because it adds colour and a feeling of release in the voice. As a teacher you need to make sure your student can do both so they can use whichever they think is right for them. BEST MOMENTS ‘I feel like having worked on TV now it adds to my credibility’ ‘It’s not Shakespeare, it’s pure entertainment and just joyous’ ‘The key to any audition is to do your background development on the character’ ‘My best advice is just be cheeky and ask, the worst anyone can say is no and not everybody will say no’   EPISODE RESOURCES Guest Website: https://www.delaneycoaching.com/ Social Media: Instagram: @Claire.delaney.coach Tik Tok: Claire_TheVocalCoach Relevant Links & Mentions: Fiona McDougal: https://fionamcdougal.com/ London School of Musical Theatre: https://www.lsmt.co.uk/ Italia Conti Arts: https://www.italiaconti.com/ Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep. 91 How to Help Prepare Singers for Drama School Auditions with Michael Vickers Songs mentioned: Luck Be a Lady from Guys and Dolls; Trustfall by Pink; Somebody To Love from We Will Rock You; Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer; Shivers by Ed Sheeran; Night Fever from Saturday Night Fever Vocology in Practice: https://www.vocologyinpractice.org/ ABOUT THE GUEST Claire Delaney is a professional voice coach and currently teaches at Italia Conti. She has been in the performing industry for 15 years and has recently worked with voice coach Fiona McDougal on the new Mamma Mia ‘I Have a Dream’ show for ITV. Trained in Performing Arts and Opera, Claire has performed at venues including The Royal Albert Hall, The Wales Millennium Centre, The Other Palace, Kensington Roof Gardens, and The Bristol Hippodrome. She has also worked with Disney composer, Alan Menken, for the musical Galavant on ABC Comedy, and as an actress on various productions for Netflix, Sony Pictures, BBC One, BBC3, ITV, and ITV2. ABOUT THE PODCAST BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events. basttraining.com BAST Book A Call Updates from BAST Training Presenters Bios

Are you a vocal coach who has been avoiding vocal acoustics, you know that topic with words such as formant, harmonic, spectrogram and frequency? Maybe you just aren't sure how it applies to teaching singers, or maybe you've tried but it just seems too much to get to grips with. This week Alexa Terry is joined by Ken Bozeman , who is here to help you understand and apply vocal acoustic pedagogy. KEY TAKEAWAYS Vocal Acoustic Pedagogy is the study and application of the scientific principles governing the acoustic properties of the singing voice. It informs vocal instruction, focusing on resonance, pitch control, diction, and breath management to enhance vocal technique and performance. Acoustic analysis enables teachers to teach effective vowel modification. By adjusting vowel shapes based on acoustic principles, singers can achieve better balance between clarity and resonance, especially in different parts of their vocal range. Mastering the principles of vocal resonance allows teachers to guide students in optimising their resonance for different styles and genres. Knowledge of formants and resonances helps in shaping the vocal tract to achieve desired tonal qualities. Understanding articulatory phonetics and its connection to acoustic properties helps teachers guide students in achieving clear diction and precise articulation. This is crucial for effective communication, especially in vocal genres with specific language requirements. If you’re trying to understand formants then remember that sounds encompass a spectrum of frequencies. Timbre represents peaks and valleys in frequency strength. The first formant is akin to the lowest peak, defining a sound's distinctive quality. BEST MOMENTS  ‘If you have no flexibility to explore options your body will move towards efficiency’  ‘We’re the only primates that are vocal learners’  ‘Frequencies have a vowel like tone colour’   EPISODE RESOURCES  Guest Website: http://www.kenbozeman.com/ Get Ken’s book ‘Practical Vocal Acoustics’ here: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538174647/Practical-Vocal-Acoustics-Pedagogic-Applications-for-Teachers-and-Singers Get Ken’s book ‘Kinesthetic Voice Pedagogy 2’ here: https://www.voxped.com/KVP2.html Use Ken’s Discount Code: RLFANDF30 Relevant Links & Mentions:  The work of Ingo Titze: https://ncvs.org/ingo-titze/ Journal of Singing: https://www.nats.org/cgi/page.cgi/about_journal_singing.html The work of Heidi Moss Erickson: https://www.heidimosserickson.com/ The work of Wolfgang Saus The work of Ian Howell: https://www.ianhowellcountertenor.com/ The work of Dr Brad Story: https://vocalpedagogy.com/vocal-pedagogue/brad-story/ Voce Vista: https://www.vocevista.com/ Chadley Ballantyne: https://chadleyballantyne.com/ Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep. 52 Getting to Grips with Vocal Acoustics with Chadley Ballantyne  Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep. 102 Understanding Singing and Menopause with Joanne Bozeman  BAST Book A Call   ABOUT THE GUEST  Kenneth Bozeman, BM, MM, Professor Emeritus of Music at Lawrence University for 42 years, chaired the voice department, receiving two teaching excellence awards. Holding degrees from Baylor University and the University of Arizona, he studied at the Munich Conservatory. In 1994, he earned the Van Lawrence Fellowship and was inducted into the American Academy of Teachers of Singing in 2019. As the Journal of Singing's editorial board chair, Bozeman authored acclaimed books on acoustic voice pedagogy. His students performed globally with esteemed opera companies. A renowned voice acoustics expert, he presented at NATS conferences, served as a master teacher, and spoke at British Voice Association and International Congress of Voice Teachers events.  ABOUT THE PODCAST BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events. basttraining.com Updates from BAST Training Presenters Bios

Alexa delves into Style Vs Technique with Kaya Herstad-Carney. A Norwegian powerhouse based in the UK since '99, Kaya is a singer, songwriter and vocal coach, blending creativity and technique. Join us to unravel the secrets behind her success in artist development and vocal education.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Balance is Key: Effective singing instruction involves finding the delicate equilibrium between style and technique. While technique provides the foundational skills for vocal health and control, encouraging individual style fosters uniqueness and emotional connection in singing. Technique Foundations: Prioritise the establishment of strong vocal fundamentals. Teach proper breathing, vocal exercises, and posture to ensure students have a solid technical base. This enables them to explore various styles with a foundation of control and strength. Expressive Stylistic Elements: Guide students in understanding the stylistic nuances of different genres. Encourage the exploration of varied vocal tones, articulations, and phrasing while ensuring that these stylistic choices are built upon a foundation of solid vocal technique. Adaptability: Emphasise the importance of adapting technique to suit different styles. What works well in classical singing might not translate seamlessly into contemporary or jazz styles. Encourage students to be versatile and open to adjusting their technique based on the demands of the chosen style. Individualised Approach: Recognize and celebrate each student's unique voice and style. Tailor teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles and help students discover their own expressive strengths. A personalised approach fosters a positive and supportive environment for growth in both style and technique. BEST MOMENTS  ‘Good vocal techniques are the ability to create the notes that you hear in your heart and your head’ ‘Style is the artistic lengths of which we deliver the song depending on the genre’ ‘Finding a good balance between style and technique is about not compromising either’  ‘Technique is second to the emotional release of the style’  EPISODE RESOURCES  Guest Website: kayamusic.com Social Media: @kayamusic Relevant Links & Mentions:  Artists mentioned: Cher; George Ezra; Billie Eilish; Kelly Clarkson; Christina Aguilera; Shakira (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.142 How to Sing and Teach Gospel with Mark De-Lisser British GQ Magazine interview with George Ezra The work of Ken Bozeman & Ian Howell  (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.143 Navigating the Music Industry with VocalizeU’s Big Billy Clark & Elliott O’Connor Waterbear - The College of Music Kerrie Obert (Podcast) Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep. 59 Top Tongue Tips For Boosting High Frequency Energy with Kerrie Obert  BBC Masterclass with Christina Aguilera BAST Book A Call ABOUT THE GUEST  Kaya, a versatile artist from Norway, has called the UK home since '99. Her extensive career spans original music, vocal coaching, and artist development. As an established performer, she's graced The Royal Variety Show and the BBC Songwriting Showcase. Kaya's passion extends to mentoring, directing festivals, and teaching popular music subjects. A harmony enthusiast, vocal arranger, and festival director, she serves as a board member for Vocology in Practice, training singing teachers globally. With roles at Waterbear and esteemed institutions, Kaya specialises in singing, songwriting, motivation, and artist development. ABOUT THE PODCAST BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events. basttraining.com Updates from BAST Training Presenters Bios

This week it's Rush Dorsett who's keeping Alexa company. Rush is a voice coach, performing artist, and founder of the Embodied Voice Academy. She has earned accolades in voice science, psychology, and sound healing. Rush is passionate about weaving together spiritual tools with vocal awakening practices to access a singer's highest potential. She is here to discuss the benefits of sound healing for singers and busy teachers like us. KEY TAKEAWAYS YogaVoice® is a unique 21st century synthesis of the eight-limbs of Classical Yoga technology and Systematic Vocal Technique (SVT). The application of these principles to the lives and work of both professional and amateur singers can facilitate self-awareness and artistic empowerment. Rush has found that when teaching she often finds some kind of energetic imbalance in the students' sound. When this happens she tries not to focus on the classic techniques as that would just be paving over the cracks. This is when she turns to her alignment techniques to get to the root cause of the imbalance.  The mission of Embodied Voice is to serve conscious creatives who are seeking to connect with their true voice, go deeper in their vocal practice, find ease in singing, embody powerful presence, and have the tools they need to create their own sustainable vocal practice. The seven major chakras Rush teaches are: 1) Root - stability, grounding; 2) Sacral - creativity, emotions; 3) Solar Plexus - personal power; 4) Heart - love, compassion; 5) Throat - communication; 6) Third Eye - intuition; 7) Crown - spiritual connection. Each corresponds to different aspects of well-being. BEST MOMENTS  ‘Being a part of a community really built my confidence’  ‘I was seeing the results of this energetic and physical body alignment helping and supporting the anatomical alignment for healthy vocal technique’  ‘When we are connected to our root chakra, our physical body aligns’  ‘Authenticity often requires deconditioning ourselves’  EPISODE RESOURCES  Guest Website: https://rushdorsett.com Social Media: Instagram: @rushdorsett Rush’s FREEBIE - Discover your Vocal-Chakra Alignment Relevant Links & Mentions:  The Yoga Voice Method from Mark Moliterno: https://theyogavoice.com/ (Book) The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron  (Book) There’s No Place Like Ohm by Donna Carey and Marjorie de Muynck (Podcast) Quantum Minds TV by Dr Theresa Bullard-Whyke: https://theresabullard.com/qmtv-episodes/ Contact Rush directly: rush@rushdorsett.com  BAST Book A Call ABOUT THE GUEST  Rush Dorsett is a Voice Coach and Performing Artist who supports creatives in awakening their authentic voice, embodying their power, and freeing their self-expression in singing, speaking, and performing. She is Founder of EmbodiedVoice ® ️, an online school for guiding students into deeper embodiment, energetic alignment, and vocal mastery so that they can express themselves confidently and experience the joy of freedom in their voices.  She received her Masters degree in Voice Science and Performance from New England Conservatory, her B.A. in Psychology and Music from Washington University in St. Louis, sound healing certifications from the Divine Resonance Centre, and she is also a certified YogaVoice®️ facilitator. Rush is passionate about weaving together spiritual tools with vocal awakening practices to access one's highest potential. She is a Certified Teacher, Healer and Ritual Master with the Modern Mystery School, and often shares classes, workshops and energy healings with her community. Her mission is to use these tools to bring more light, love, peace and joy in the world.  ABOUT THE PODCAST BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events. basttraining.com Updates from BAST Training Presenters Bios

To help us kickstart the year Alexa is joined by VocalizeU’s very own Big Billy Clark and Elliott O’Connor who were here to help us and the singers we work with navigate the music industry. VocalizeU is a 10-day immersive artist program offering a 360° music education with performance, identity, production, songwriting, theatre, and management. KEY TAKEAWAYS We think when we hear a new artist that what we’re listening to is their first song, but in reality artists put in years of work before the breakthrough moment. That breakthrough moment is hard to predict because of changing trends and almost all artists will never have that random piece of luck that propels a career.  For record labels, popularity is good for business and is usually preferential over talent. You can be incredibly talented, but if a label doesn't know how to market you then they’re not going to make as much money as someone who is more popular but potentially less talented.  Billy and Elliott believe that the key skills an artist must have to firstly work with them and to secondly be successful are: hard working, focused on their goals, has their own ideas and suggestions, can take on suggestions and ideas from others, and originality.  Don’t hold onto your music, you could just be delaying the process. Get it out there so people can get to know you and your story. You also never know when something is going to hit, some things gain popularity years after being released.  BEST MOMENTS  ‘There’s a lack of artist development at major labels which is why artists are forced to do it themselves’  ‘No matter where you are as an artist, stay true to who you are. People can see authenticity’ ‘It’s important to have a story that’s relatable to people’  ‘Sometimes the box you check is not what they’re looking for right now’ EPISODE RESOURCES  Guest Website: https://vocalizeu-worldwide.myshopify.com/ Social Media: Youtube: VocalizeU 2024: Define & Design Your Artist Journey Instagram: @vocalizeu       @bigbillyclark       @elliottoconnor VocalizeU Discount Code: HOLIDAY500 + BAST350 Relevant Links & Mentions:  Artists mentioned: Billie Eilish; Nicki Minaj; Ariana Grande; Drake; The Weeknd  ChatGPT Ayanna Sealy Performance Coach  Dave Stroud: @dsvocalstudio  BAST Book A Call: basttraining.com/bookacall/ ABOUT THE GUEST  VocalizeU: VocalizeU is a 10-day, all-inclusive immersive artist development intensive program that provides an intensive 360° music education experience with performance training, artist identity, production, songwriting, musical theatre, music management, and much more! Taught and mentored by music professionals, executives and Grammy winning artists, our artists receive individual attention to develop their artistry in a safe and structured environment. Led by Music Executives Big Billy Clark & Elliott O'Connor, whose experience spans both sides of label business and artist management. Elliott's independent record label and artists have reached over 1 billion+ streams on Spotify alone and sells out national tours. Billy steers the careers of many Billboard chart-topping and award winning artists. Their collective knowledge of music applies to their approach to the VU experience and their passion to provide a practical artist development program for a sustainable and healthy music career. ABOUT THE PODCAST BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events. basttraining.com Updates from BAST Training Presenters Bios

For our final episode of 2023, Alexa is joined by sought-after choral director and vocal coach, Mark De-Lisser. He has worked with the likes of Ariana Grande, Jessie J, and Beverly Knight. He has also been involved in TV shows such as "Our Dementia Choir" with Vicky McClure and "The Masked Singer." Mark made the arrangement of "Stand By Me," which was performed by the Kingdom Choir at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. This performance has been streamed over 4 million times. Mark is here to discuss how to sing and teach the gospel vocal style. KEY TAKEAWAYS Gospel music is a Christian genre rooted in the black experience. Known for emotive vocals, call-and-response, and Christian themes, it often features choirs and instruments. Gospel expresses spirituality, joy, or sorrow, with improvisation common. Evolving into sub-genres like traditional and contemporary gospel, it has influenced various music styles, playing a significant role in religious worship and shaping American musical development. When it comes to the question of the cultural appropriation of gospel music, Mark believes that you have to give acknowledgment to where that music came from. You have to think about the composer and the spiritual background of where the music came from and reference it when you come to teach it.  The most important thing you need to remember when singing gospel music is that you need to believe in the words that are coming out of your mouth. Even if you’re not a religious person, you should think of a thing or idea that lifts you up and gives you strength.  When singing gospel, allow yourself to be more vulnerable and get wrapped up in the emotion of the piece. Having a licence to be more vulnerable will make it more likely you affect the audience and make them leave with your story.  BEST MOMENTS  ‘Gospel is songs of good news’  ‘It blew my mind because I’d only heard traditional gospel music’ ‘They were creating these songs out of a need for freedom’  ‘If you connect you will affect’  ‘We were born singers and society does its best to beat it out of us’  EPISODE RESOURCES  Guest Website: https://markdelisser.com/ Social Media: Instagram: @markdelisser & @mdlsingers Relevant Links & Mentions:  Artists Mentioned: Thomas Dorsey; Kirk Franklin; Maverick City; Mahalia Jackson; Andre Crouch; Walter Hawkins; Richard Smallwood; Donald Lawrence; Johnathan McReynolds; Daryl Coley; Take Six; The Winans; Mischa Paris; Tai Trabet; Anita Wilson; Mary Mary; Tom Odell; CeCe Winans; The Darkness  (Book) So you Want to Sing Gospel: A Guide for Performers by Dr Trineice Robinson-Martin Dr Trineice Robinson-Martin Dane Chalfin Felton and Norton Community Gospel Choir  BAST Book A Call: basttraining.com/bookacall/ ABOUT THE GUEST  Mark De-Lisser is one of the most sought after choral directors and vocal coaches in the UK. He has worked with some of today's top vocal talent, including Ariana Grande, Jessie J and Beverley Knight, and on some of the UK's most watched TV shows, including BBC's BAFTA nominated Our Dementia Choir with Vicky McClure, Songs of Praise and ITV's award winning The Masked Singer. Driven to inspire and motivate everybody to succeed, Mark helps to increase confidence and self-awareness, whilst improving technique and delivery. Anybody who is fortunate to work with Mark is left feeling uplifted and invigorated. Mark is perhaps best known for his arrangement of Stand by Me, performed by the Kingdom Choir at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018, which has now been streamed more than 4 million times on Spotify and has over 10 million views on YouTube. ABOUT THE PODCAST BAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events. basttraining.com Updates from BAST Training Presenters Bios

Voice scientist Aaron Johnson joins Alexa to discuss laboratories, rats, the ageing larynx, and wearable devices to detect vocal fatigue. Aaron has had a career as a professional classical singer and teacher and is now a researcher and speech-language pathologist specialising in vocal habilitation and rehabilitation. He is currently an associate professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at New York University Grossman School of Medicine, is the co-director of NYU Langone Voice Center, and leads the Johnson Research Lab. KEY TAKEAWAYS Singers don’t need to know any science, however there is plenty of evidence that shows the more a singer understands about how the instrument of their body works, the better chance they have of being able to improve the quality of their voice and be able to change it to suit their needs.  In his role as a speech pathologist, Aaron found that individuals with multiple jobs, especially part-time performers in the service industry, often faced voice issues such as phonotrauma due to excessive talking without resting the voice. Aaron’s study examines ageing's impact on voice production, associating it with reduced communicative ability. Using rat ultrasonic vocalisations (USVs), researchers tested if age-related changes in USVs and laryngeal neuromuscular junctions could be reversed through vocal exercise. After an 8-week training period, both young and old rats exhibited improved USV acoustics and neuromuscular junction morphology.  The findings of this study suggest that vocal exercise may mitigate age-related changes in voice characteristics and associated neuromuscular adaptations. BEST MOMENTS ‘Ask yourself what you are curious about, ultimately that’s what research is about’  ‘We need to be mindful of just how much we use our voice’  ‘In science, all models are wrong but some are useful’ ‘The voice is like the rest of the body so in your 30s you’ll start muscle atrophy’  EPISODE RESOURCES Guest Website: Aaron M Johnson Aaron M. Johnson, PhD | NYU Langone Health Johnson Lab | NYU Langone Health Voice Center | NYU Langone Health Social Media: Instagram: @voicescientist Contact Aaron: aaron@voicescientist.com or aaron.johnson@nyulangone.org Relevant Links & Mentions:  National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATs) The work of Karen Brunssen  Vocal Training Mitigates Age-Related Changes Within the Vocal Mechanism in Old Rats by Aaron M. Johnson, Michelle R. Ciucci & Nadine P. Connor  Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.102 Understanding Singing and Menopause with Joanne Bozeman Vocal Function Exercises by Joseph Stemple  Lee Silverman Voice Training PhoRTE Exercises by Dr Aaron Ziegler and Dr Edie Hapner The Man That’s Ageing Backwards from The Diary of a CEO Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Ep.61 Measuring Vocal Load in Contemporary Musical Theatre with Ana Flavia Zuim  First Wearable Device for Vocal Fatigue Senses When Your Voice Needs a Break  The work of John A Rogers Lynn Helding BAST Book A Call: basttraining.com/bookacall/ ABOUT THE GUEST Aaron M. Johnson, MM, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a researcher and speech–language pathologist specialising in voice habilitation and rehabilitation. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at New York University Grossman School of Medicine and Co-Director of the NYU Langone Voice Center. His research laboratory, funded by the National Institutes of Health, uses novel translational research methods to examine laryngeal neuromuscular mechanisms underlying ageing, vocal exercise, and phonotraumatic injury response. ABOUT THE PODCASTBAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events. basttraining.comUpdates from BAST TrainingPresenters Bios

BAST founder Line Hilton joins Alexa to discuss the best vocal exercises for pitch accuracy training. You’ll find lots of helpful information on perceived tone deafness, singing and the premenstrual voice, navigating matching pitch, whether being ‘pitchy’ is a thing, props you can use in your lessons, and of course, some amazing vocal exercises you can use with your singing students.  KEY TAKEAWAYS There are several reasons that people may struggle with pitch, these include factors like inadequate ear training, poor vocal technique causing pitch instability, performance anxiety affecting concentration, health issues impacting hearing, inconsistent practice, and variations in tonal memory.  Amusia is a neurodevelopmental or acquired disorder that impairs the ability to recognise or interpret musical elements. Commonly known as "tone-deafness," individuals with amusia may struggle with pitch, rhythm, and melodic memory. It can be present from birth or acquired through factors like brain damage. Most people can hear when something is a quarter to three-quarters out of tune. Those who have practised with musical instruments and are used to tuning them will often find it easier to notice.  There is an assumption in the singing community that if your pitch isn’t accurate, then you are a bad singer. We’re human, sometimes we’re not going to be completely inaccurate.  Props can be useful in pitch exercises, for example pitching through a straw. There are also apps that you can use to test a student on whether a pitch is higher or lower. Line also records herself doing single pitches in the speaking range which singers can then practise against at home.  BEST MOMENTS ‘I really object to the fact that when someone says they can’t sing in tune they’re labelled as tone deaf’  ‘Less than 4 or 5 percent of the population suffer from amusia’ ‘Saying someone is pitchy doesn’t mean anything’  ‘There are many great performers out there who sometimes sing out of tune’  EPISODE RESOURCES Guest Website: basttraining.com Social Media:  @basttraining  Relevant Links & Mentions:  (BAST Blog) Singing and the Pre Menstrual Voice: https://www.basttraining.com/singing-and-the-premenstrual-voice/ Singing Teachers Talk Podcast: Understanding Singing and Menopause with Joanne Bozeman  Tone Deaf Test: http://tonedeaftest.com/ Ian Davidson: https://ianjdavidson.com/ Sing&See: https://www.singandsee.com/ insTuner Vocal Pitch Monitor Solfege Hand Signs Claire Cannon: https://www.clairecannonvoice.co.uk/ Kaya Herstad-Carney: https://kayamusic.com/ Mandy Harvey: https://mandyharveymusic.com/ ‘When You Only Sing in FSharp’ by Tim Minchin  Natalie Weiss: @NatalieWeissOfficial (Youtube) ABOUT THE PODCASTBAST Training is here to help singers gain the knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a great singing teacher. We can help you whether you are getting started or just have some knowledge gaps to fill through our courses and educational events. basttraining.comUpdates from BAST TrainingPresenters Bios