Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Singing Teachers Talk
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep.237 Beyond the Vocal Tract: How the Brain Shapes What We Hear with Ian Howell | 19 Nov 2025 | 01:36:55 | |
This week, Alexa chats with the brilliant Ian Howell to explore how we really hear the singers we work with. From psychoacoustics and functional listening to timbre, bias and intention, Ian unpacks the hidden processes behind vocal perception—and how understanding them can transform the way we teach. A deep, fascinating conversation for any singing teacher wanting sharper ears and smarter tools. WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST? 1:53 What is psychoacoustics? 5:28 How is sound perceived by us? 12:38 What impacts the way we perceive sound? 20:46 Separating function from bias 25:48 Belt scenario 35:36 How do singers hear themselves? 40:59 How to listen and observe with skill 1:05:27 The relationship between intent and perception 1:15:15 Using spectrograms 1:19:57 The way Ian teaches About the presenter HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Hearing Singing - A Guide to Functional Listening and Voice Perception by Ian Howell The Acoustics of the Singing Voice by Johan Sundberg Science of the Singing Voice by Johan Sundberg Ingo Titze ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ by Sarah Bareilles Singing Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep.63 Developing a Singer’s Self Awareness and Clarifying Intention with Robert Sussuma Cornelius Reid Advice for Young Musicians by Ian Howell Structure of Singing by Richard Miller
ABOUT THE GUEST Dr. Ian Howell is the Founder and Chief Educator of the Embodied Music Lab, offering professional development and consulting for musicians and teachers. He is the author of Advice for Young Musicians (2023) and Hearing Singing: A Guide to Functional Listening and Voice Perception (2025). From 2013–2023, Ian served on the voice faculty at the New England Conservatory, directing the graduate voice pedagogy program and leading research in the NEC Voice and Sound Analysis Lab, where he and his students presented widely and contributed vital work during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. SEE FULL BIO HERE 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.236 The Academic Path to Pop-Rock with Becky Morton | 12 Nov 2025 | 00:34:28 | |
In this episode, Becky Morton, Principal of Further Education at ACM and Alexa explore what the FE academic route can offer young singers stepping into today’s music industry. Becky shares curriculum structure with project-based training, and how this helps students to build both industry awareness and artist identity. The pair dig into why early professional habits matter, how the diploma pathway compares to traditional A-levels, and what young performers gain from learning to work with producers, bands and music businesses in a real-world environment. Becky also talks about current vocal trends, the technical demands of pop-rock singing, and how ACM is adapting its teaching to industry changes, including the rise of AI. WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST? 03:50 The role of Principle of FE at the Academy of Contemporary Music 5:00 Benefits and challenges of an academic route into music 10:13 A look at technique for pop-rock 12:50 Defining the pop-rock aesthetic 15:14 Artists to study in this genre 18:16 How important is music theory and sight singing? 22:54 2025 vocal and musical trends 30:56 What Becky wishes every singer understood About the presenter HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.231 Evolving Vocal Trends: Training Functional Registration in Contemporary Commercial Music Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.222 The Rise of AI: What it Means for Singers & Teachers with Singing Teachers Talk - Ep,226 The Rise of AI: Practical Tools and Strategies for the Singing Teachers Follow Becky’s Bands: The Likeness; Two’s Up; The Hooch Toots ABOUT THE GUEST Rebecca Morton, Principal of FE at ACM, is a professional musician, vocal coach, and musical director with 20+ years of experience. She has collaborated with artists such as Adrian Smith, Imogen Heap, and Alexander O’Neal, and toured as the solo backing vocalist for Hitomi Yaida across major UK and Japanese arenas. Her work includes recordings with Crispian Mills, Mattafix, cast albums, and dance releases with EMI and Hed Kandi. A vocal coach since 2002, she has supported artists like James Toseland and Marlon Roudette. Holding a Masters in Music Psychology, she champions passion, reliability, and excellence at ACM. SEE FULL BIO HERE Instagram: @acm_ldn 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.227 Following Your Bliss: How to Align Your Life and Business | 10 Sep 2025 | 00:43:22 | |
What does it really take to reinvent yourself as a coach or creative? In this episode, we welcome back Gemma Sugrue; singer, entrepreneur, and business mentor to explore how she’s turned her own career pivots into powerful lessons for others. From wedding singer to studio owner, online educator to branding coach, Gemma has never been afraid to follow her curiosity and shed what no longer feels aligned. She shares how we can tune into our energy, recognise when it’s time for change, and build the trust muscle needed to step into something new. If you’ve ever felt pulled towards a different path, struggled with balancing security and creativity, or wondered how to make your business feel more you, this conversation will leave you inspired, encouraged, and ready to take the next step. WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST? 2:44 How did Gemma get to where she is now? 7:27 How do you recognise when your are in alignment with bliss? 13:29 How can I make the first step to change? 16:30 The transferable skills of life coaching 19:14 What is a common theme between vocal coaches? 20:44 Reinventing yourself 23:07 How to have difficult conversations to find alignment 25:49 How can we pull on all of our interests as vocal coaches? 28:40 What’s it actually like working with Gemma? 36:28 A success story About the presenter, click HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Pro Vocal Artist Singing Teachers Talk Ep.8 The Natural Entrepreneur with Gemma Sugrue Singing Teachers Talk Ep.46 How to Develop Lasting and Positive Habits with Gemma Sugrue Singing Teachers Talk Ep.118 Mastering Mix Voice and Belt with Gemma Sugrue Singing Teachers Talk Ep.213 Medicine to Music: A Journey Back to A Creative Calling with Estelle Idoko Singing Teachers Talk Ep.49 Unlocking Your Creative Potential with Tommy Ludgate Singing Teachers Talk Ep.195 How Unlocking Your True Values Can Transform Your Teaching and Life with Louise Callin Reality Transurfing by Vadim Zealand ABOUT THE GUEST Encouraged by her mum to “follow her bliss,” Gemma began touring the world at 17 as the singer in an Irish dance show. After earning her degree and master’s in classical music, she co-founded a successful singing school in Ireland, guiding students who went on to become acclaimed artists and stars. Her career has spanned performing on dream stages worldwide, releasing a debut jazz album, lecturing, and coaching artists internationally. She later launched an online business supporting musicians to share their work. Now back in Ireland, Gemma is an accredited leadership coach, working with coaches who share her passion for growth, creativity, and joy. SEE FULL BIO HERE Youtube 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.137 Creating Optimal Learning Environments for Children and Young Adults with Roberta Wolff | 15 Nov 2023 | 00:55:39 | |
Joining Alexa today is Professor of Performing Arts Pedagogy at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Roberta Wolff. As well as teaching on the Guildhall PGCert programme, she provides professional development on teaching skills to teachers across the performing arts disciplines. Roberta is also a workshop leader, coach, and piano teacher. In this episode, we will discuss how to create optimal learning environments to serve children and young adult singers. KEY MOMENTS ‘If the ideas are coming from the student themselves, they’re going to be more likely to remember and more motivated to follow through’ ‘I feel we have to manage the impact of our own moods and frustrations so that they don’t damage the environment we’re creating’ ‘The quality we bring to our listening can improve the quality of the other person’s thinking’ RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
Do you have a burning question on the voice or being a singing teacher? Maybe you have a topic you want us to explore or a guest you’d like to hear from? Let us know by completing the Podcast Suggestion Form: https://forms.gle/naUum9N3unzNMPLN8 ABOUT THE GUEST https://www.gsmd.ac.uk/study-with-guildhall/pgcert-performance-teaching Social Media:
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.136 Discussing the Music Industry's Response to LGBTQIA Singers: In Conversation with Nate James | 08 Nov 2023 | 00:33:29 | |
Nate James is an independent soul artist with a successful career to date, having sold over a million albums, received MOBO nominations and urban music awards, and he has headlined festivals across Europe. He has also toured with the likes of Amy Winehouse and John Legend. Nate joins Alexa today to fly the flag for the music industry's LGBTQIA+ community, sharing his own personal story, including how his school teacher supported him in his early years. He discusses the response to particularly gay male-presenting singers within music, which is the topic of his thesis. KEY MOMENTS ‘You can't tell someone to be themselves but have parameters and boundaries over that’ ‘From the consumers point of view things have got better, but if you look beneath it there’s still a lot to be done’
In 2007, Nate self-funded his second album, "Kingdom Falls," inspired by a charity mission to Rwanda. It received critical acclaim, winning him Urban Music Awards for Best Album and Best Neo-Soul Artist. Currently, working on his third album "In My Skin" with Mark Hill, it explores themes of love and life's trials.
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.135 The Valentine Voice Care Mission and Building Your Own Practice Premises with Kate Valentine | 01 Nov 2023 | 00:38:51 | |
We first welcomed Kate Valentine to the Singing Teachers Talk podcast back on episode 85. But now, Kate is back with us in episode 135, to tell us all about Valentine Voice Care Lewes, a centre for vocal wellness development, prevention, and rehabilitation, which she has built in East Sussex KEY MOMENTS ‘This shrinking pool of opportunities means everyone is anxious’ ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway’ RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
Do you have a burning question on the voice or being a singing teacher? Maybe you have a topic you want us to explore or a guest you’d like to hear from? Let us know by completing the Podcast Suggestion Form: forms.gle/naUum9N3unzNMPLN8 ABOUT THE GUEST Guest Website: Social Media:
Contact Kate to Book Your Treatment or Service: Discount Code: Use the code BAST50 for a 50% discount off VOCAL TRIAGE with Kate Valentine (expires 25th December 2023) 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.134 How to Get Your Students to Practise with Line Hilton | 24 Oct 2023 | 00:47:24 | |
Back in 2019, teenager Eddie Cortez went viral for a letter that he wrote to his teacher, explaining why he didn't do his homework. In that letter, he said, "I don't want to do school work over the weekend because it's a stress-free time to go out with friends, watch TV, play games. I don't do it also because it makes me very mad and unhappy. I do what makes me happy because I want to be happy. Homework is not a real thing in the real world, so we should not have to do it in school because it's not useful." BAST Founder Line Hilton joins Alexa to discuss the excuses we encounter with our students about why they can't practise their craft. KEY MOMENTS ‘Don’t stop at “it didn’t work”, ask yourself what do I need to do to make it work’ ‘Having a specific strategy is needed for practice, just running the song through with no plan is not practice’ ‘People aren’t motivated by what we think. People want autonomy’ RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
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🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.133 Mastering Belt in Musical Theatre with Amanda Flynn | 17 Oct 2023 | 00:59:44 | |
To continue our discussion on the juicy topic of "belt," Alexa is joined by voice teacher and trainer of musical theatre and CCM, Amanda Flynn. Amanda has performed in shows like "Wicked" and "Mamma Mia" and has held the position of Production Vocal Coach for "The Lightning Thief" and "Be More Chill" on Broadway. She is the author of "So You Want to Sing Musical Theatre," the updated and expanded edition, and is here to chat about mastering belt in musical theatre. KEY MOMENTS Belt is the most common and popular musical expression we have RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
ABOUT THE GUEST Amanda is a voice teacher specialising in musical theatre and CCM singing. She coached Broadway performers and served as a vocal consultant at Two River Theatre. She aids injured singers and holds an MM in Vocal Performance and multiple vocal certificates. An active researcher, Amanda authored "So You Want to Sing Musical Theatre." She's a Clinical Assistant Professor and Program Head at Pace University.
Sign up for one of Amanda’s classes, Here 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.132 Understanding Vibrato in Singing with John Nix | 11 Oct 2023 | 00:51:07 | |
Joining Alexa this week to discuss all things vibrato is Professor of Voice and Voice Pedagogy and Chair of Voice at the University of Texas at San Antonio, John Nix. John is a voice researcher himself, and his mentors include Barbara Doscher and Ingo Titze. John has produced 50 published articles and eight book chapters, co-chairs the Voice Science Advisory Committee, and serves on both the Journal of Singing and the Rowman and Littlefield/NATS book editorial boards. KEY MOMENTS ‘Vibrato extent is measured in cents not hertz because that confuses it with rate’ ‘The vibrato esthetic has become more international than regional over time’ ‘Heightened emotion imprints itself upon our voice through the tremulousness’ ‘It’s easier to target something slower than your natural rate’ RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
ABOUT THE GUEST John Nix is Professor of Voice and Voice Pedagogy and chair of the voice area at the University of Texas at San Antonio. His mentors include Barbara Doscher (singing, pedagogy) and Ingo Titze (voice science). Current and former students have sung with the Santa Fe, Arizona, Chautauqua, St. Louis, Nevada, Omaha, Utah Festival, and San Antonio opera companies, and two have served as NATS Intern Program Master Teachers. In addition to his active voice teaching studio, he performs research in voice pedagogy, literature, and acoustics, having produced 50 published articles and 8 book chapters; he also co-chairs the NATS Voice Science Advisory Committee, serves on The Journal of Singing’s editorial board, and serves on the Rowman and Littlefield/NATS book editorial board. Website: Contact John Directly! 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.131 Mastering Research Papers: How to Read with Ease and Extract Knowledge with Kate Cubley | 04 Oct 2023 | 00:31:03 | |
Want to understand research papers but find them dull and impenetrable? Kate Cubley, dynamic voice researcher and vocal coach, is here to help. In this episode, Kate shares her passion for research and demystifies how to efficiently extract useful information. Learn her cheat sheet for navigating papers, focusing on the abstract, conclusion and applicable gems. Discover where to find studies, how to assess their legitimacy, and why collecting options beats seeking definitive answers. Kate also explains emerging trends in voice research like increased diversity and cultural inclusion. KEY MOMENTS It's the questions, the little critical questions that come up that are really applicable to the singing studio itself that we can then draw from what's been written before in order to help us with what we're doing. RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS (Podcast) My First Million by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri ABOUT THE GUEST Kate Cubley Kate Cubley is a dynamic voice researcher and dedicated advocate for vocal health and performance. Currently pursuing her doctoral studies at De Montfort University and serving as an Associate Lecturer at the Voice Study Centre, Kate possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field of voice research. In 2023, Kate founded Tala Performance, a venture that offers comprehensive voice and breath coaching services to individuals, groups, and corporate clients. By blending her passion for research, education, and play, Kate empowers her clients to achieve remarkable performances both on and off the stage. Guest Website: Social Media Link: instagram.com/talaperformance Website: Social Media: 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.130 Everything You Need to Know About Creating a Successful Podcast for Your Business with Kane Baron | 26 Sep 2023 | 00:47:33 | |
If you've been listening to the Singing Teachers Talk podcast and have been wondering how you could start your own to support your business, then stay put. We are celebrating International Podcast Day right here with podcaster Kane Baron, who also runs the UK's largest podcast agency, Progressive Media. Kane joins me to give expert advice on how to get set up and create content, as well as how podcasts can be monetized.
‘Podcasts don’t compete with any other platform’ ‘You are constantly getting in front of the audience you want, it’s a funnel’ ‘What do you want to talk about and what is the purpose?’ ‘Audio quality doesn’t age as fast as video’
Kane Baron is a keynote speaker and podcaster within the content creator industry. He is the host of "The Podcaster's Podcast" & runs Progressive Media, the UK's largest podcast agency. His passion is helping independent creators get their voice out into the world to make an impact and an income. Having worked with thousands of small creators over the years he has a unique perspective on what makes creators successful. Website: Social Media:
FUTURE PODCAST SUGGESTIONS Do you have a burning question on the voice or being a singing teacher? Maybe you have a topic you want us to explore or a guest you’d like to hear from? Let us know by completing the Podcast Suggestion Form: forms.gle/naUum9N3unzNMPLN8 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.129 How to Build a Successful Website For Your Business With Taylor Rossi | 19 Sep 2023 | 00:43:08 | |
Singing teachers and vocal coaches, are you yet to build your business website, or, like Alexa, have been meaning to update it for months but just lack the inspiration for it? Well, stick around because website designer Taylor Rossi from Nicole Ricardo Media is here with me for this week's episode, dishing all the goods on this very topic. KEY MOMENTS RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
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FUTURE PODCAST SUGGESTIONS Do you have a burning question on the voice or being a singing teacher? Maybe you have a topic you want us to explore or a guest you’d like to hear from? Let us know by completing the Podcast Suggestion Form: https://forms.gle/naUum9N3unzNMPLN8 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.128 Considering The Whole Self in Singing And Teaching Singing with Jeremy Ryan Mossman | 12 Sep 2023 | 01:03:32 | |
This week's guest is a teacher of voice, movement, and wholistic expression. Jeremy Ryan Mossman is the founder of Body-Based Voice Ped and has presented at global events for the likes of The Voice Foundation, Voice Study Centre, and the Musical Theater Educators Alliance and has spoken about many topics, including fascia-based techniques. Jeremy is a contributing author, a 500-hour certified yoga teacher, and a Feldenkrais Practitioner in training. Jeremy is here to discuss why we would benefit from considering the whole self during singing and teaching singing, and what that even means. RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
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🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.226 The Rise of AI: Practical Tools and Strategies For the Singing Teacher with Rachael Drury | 02 Sep 2025 | 00:47:46 | |
In this episode of The Singing Teachers Talk Podcast, Alexa chats with Rachael Drury about practical ways voice teachers can use AI to save time, spark creativity, and streamline admin — without losing the vital human connection that makes teaching so powerful. From lesson planning and practice tools to lyric writing and accountability, find out how AI can become a helpful ally in your teaching toolkit. WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST? 1:24 What can AI NOT do? 14:02 How can we use AI positively as singing teachers? 27:42 Helpful AI tools 33:30 Are there any loopholes? 41:23 How can teachers continue to advocate for the arts in the face of AI? About the presenter, click HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Singing Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep.222 The Rise of AI: What It Means for Singers and Teachers ChatGPT Singing Teachers Talk Podcast - Ep.155 & 156 Part One & Two: Building Neurodiversity-Inclusive Voice Studios Suno Udio Singing Teachers Talk Podcast Ep.224 Your Brain on Art: The Science of Creativity and Healing Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen & Ivy Ross Independent Society of Musicians ABOUT THE GUEST Dr Rachael Drury is a violinist, educator and researcher specialising in the evolving relationship between music, technology and the law. Rachael’s successful career as a musician has seen her perform with ensembles like the Hallé and BBC Philharmonic, and in 2019 she returned to academia to explore how new technologies are reshaping the music industry. Her PhD at the University of Liverpool focused on the legal and economic impact of generative AI on copyright, authorship and musicians' livelihoods. Rachael now teaches across music industry studies and performance, while also serving as Senior Researcher and AI Officer at the Independent Society of Musicians. Her work informs copyright policy and creative rights, and she regularly speaks at national and international events. She is passionate about supporting musicians, students and teachers as they navigate the fast-changing digital music landscape. SEE FULL BIO HERE Instagram: @rachael_drury
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.127 PAMAthon 2023 A Free Performing Arts Medicine Extravaganza With Dr Kat Cottrell | 05 Sep 2023 | 00:26:39 | |
Education Committee Chair of PAMA, the Performing Arts Medicine Association, Dr. Kat Cottrell joins Alexa this week. Kat is a pianist, flautist, and percussionist turned GP and now cares for performing artists at the Musicians Clinics of Canada, supporting them with both mental and physical challenges related to their profession. Kat is here to discuss PAMA and is bringing us news of the PAMAthon, a free 24-hour event on the 9th of September. KEY MOMENTS RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
PAMA Social Media 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.126 ‘The Business of Stories’: Game-Changing Marketing Strategy with Susan Payton | 29 Aug 2023 | 00:40:32 | |
Once upon a time, there was a woman called Susan Payton who was passionate about helping fellow business owners to clearly articulate their value to their ideal customers with a simple messaging strategy. Susan wrote an Amazon bestseller called "The Business of Stories," knocking Diary of a CEO and Dragon Steven Bartlett off the top spot. She joins the host of the Singing Teachers Talk podcast Alexa Terry to share her experiences and to talk about her free five-day challenge, starting 4th of September 2023, and where business owners can learn how to write their own stories for effective business marketing. KEY MOMENTS RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
ABOUT THE GUEST Social Media:
Susan’s FREE 5-day Challenge starts on 4th September 2023! Join here (BAST Affiliate): https://thebusinessofstories.com/5daychallenge/?fpr=line40 Get your copy of ‘The Business of Stories’ here (BAST Affiliate): https://amzn.to/45GFYQc 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.125 A Young Person’s Guide to Vocal Health’ Book Review with Olivia Sparkhall | 23 Aug 2023 | 00:34:46 | |
Choral leader, singer, teacher, composer and now author Olivia Sparkhall is joining Alexa this week to discuss her book, ‘A Young Person’s Guide to Vocal Health’. The book is a simple guide to help you understand what's good (and what's bad!) when looking after your 'vocal instrument', and how you can keep your voice in great shape. It shows you the best ways to maintain good vocal health and how to avoid or deal with problems that young people will face. There wasn’t something aimed at young people for young people to read RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
ABOUT THE GUEST Olivia Sparkhall is a singing specialist, choir trainer, and award-winning choral conductor. A secondary school music teacher for 24 years, Olivia has a wealth of experience directing choirs, leading vocal workshops and teaching singing. In preparation for writing A Young Person's Guide to Vocal Health, Olivia read for a Master's in Voice Pedagogy, and has since had articles published on vocal warm-ups for children, choral music written by women, and composing for the community. Olivia directs several choirs as well as being in demand as a vocal workshop leader, leading masterclasses to help groups improve their singing. Olivia is a prize-winning composer whose compositions have been performed in concerts and services worldwide as well as on BBC radio and television. Social Media: Get your copy of ‘A Young Person’s Guide to Vocal Health’ by Olivia Sparkhall: 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.124 Mastering Vocal Style: Licks, Riffs and Runs With Jono McNeil | 15 Aug 2023 | 00:21:26 | |
Alexa is joined by Jono McNeil, a seasoned vocal coach, arranger and producer with more than 15 years of experience. Jono’s background includes working on popular TV shows like The Voice UK, The Masked Singer and The Voice Kids, and providing coaching for touring acts such as JLS and New Rules. Jono is also an accomplished artist and singer and has performed with Michael Bublé, Paloma Faith and Jamie Cullum. In this episode of the podcast, you’ll gain insights into the world of TV vocal coaching and the dynamic career of this multifaceted music professional. KEY MOMENTS ‘Style gives you a discernible sound, making your performance stand out’ RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
Jono McNeil has provided vocal coaching, arranging and production for pop artists, groups and vocalists within the UK music industry for over 15 years. He works as a vocal coach on TV shows including The Voice UK, The Voice Kids, The Masked Singer, Little Mix, The Search, Wedding Day Winners and Change Your Tune. He also does coaching and vocal arrangement for touring acts such as JLS, New Rules, Needanamebro and July Jones. An artist and singer in his own right, Jono has performed with Michael Buble, Paloma Faith, Josh Groban, Nelly, Jamie Cullum, Philip Selway (Radiohead), Lemar, George Ezra and Jocelyn Brown. He also has several original albums available on streaming platforms. Passionate about the possibilities of popular music and artistry, he pursues innovative research and strategies to see this realised. His academic qualifications include a degree in Jazz and a Masters in Voice Pedagogy. Website: Social Media:
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.123 Insights Into TV Vocal Coaching With The Masked Singer's Jono McNeil | 08 Aug 2023 | 00:32:04 | |
Alexa is joined by Jono McNeil, a seasoned vocal coach, arranger and producer with more than 15 years of experience. Jono’s background includes working on popular TV shows like The Voice UK, The Masked Singer and The Voice Kids, and providing coaching for touring acts such as JLS and New Rules. Jono is also an accomplished artist and singer and has performed with Michael Bublé, Paloma Faith and Jamie Cullum. In this episode of the podcast, you’ll gain insights into the world of TV vocal coaching and the dynamic career of this multifaceted music professional. KEY MOMENTS ‘I love music and what it does to capture our community experiences’ RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
Jono McNeil has provided vocal coaching, arranging and production for pop artists, groups and vocalists in a range of influential positions within the UK music and entertainment industries for over 15 years. He works as a vocal coach across a variety of TV shows including The Voice UK, The Voice Kids, The Masked Singer, Little Mix, The Search, Wedding Day Winners and Change Your Tune. He also does coaching and vocal arrangement for touring acts such as JLS, New Rules, Needanamebro and July Jones to name a few. An artist and singer in his own right, Jono has performed with Michael Buble, Paloma Faith, Josh Groban, Nelly, Jamie Cullum, Philip Selway (Radiohead), Lemar, George Ezra and Jocelyn Brown, with also several original albums available on streaming platforms. Passionate about the possibilities of popular music and artistry, he pursues innovative research and strategies to see this realised. His academic qualifications include a degree in Jazz and a Masters in Voice Pedagogy. Website: Social Media:
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.122 Discovering The Well-Being Benefits of Community Choirs with Sarah Summers | 01 Aug 2023 | 00:27:07 | |
Joining Alexa this week is Sarah Summers, who is a musical director, choir leader and vocal health first aider based in Swindon, UK. Sarah runs four choirs, including one for unpaid carers and another for staff and retired employees of the Great Western Hospitals Trust. She is currently studying on the MA Vocal Health pathway with the Voice Study Centre and has published some of her work with the Singing for Health Network. Sarah's research focus lies on the emotional well-being benefits and ethics of running a community choir. KEY MOMENTS RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.121 How to Sing and Teach Jazz with Michele Weir | 26 Jul 2023 | 00:49:27 | |
Alexa is joined by Michele Weir, a renowned figure in vocal jazz education and arranging. Michele is the founder of the online school Music Habit and the creator of the app ScatAbility. Additionally, she has written several books on jazz, so who better to talk you through the topic of how to sing and teach this genre? KEY MOMENTS ‘No two jazz singers are alike’ ‘Jazz comes in different packages, it’s not always about a well trained voice’ ‘Phrasing is a bigger deal in jazz than it is in other styles’ ‘I want to be leader of the band so I need to talk to them in the musical language they understand’ RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
Website:
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.120 Understanding Singing And Fitness With Duncan Rock | 18 Jul 2023 | 00:52:25 | |
Joining Alexa Terry for this episode is the wonderful Duncan Rock who spoke to Alexa in our 100th episode on the topic of the voice and dairy. He’s just returned from performing in Benjamin Britten’s 'The Rape of Lucretia' at Toulouse’s Théâtre du Capitole. In addition to being a professional Baritone, Duncan is a nutritionist and physiotherapist. He’s on the podcast to discuss singing and fitness, the do’s and don’ts, myths and facts.
ABOUT THE GUEST Duncan also works as a nutritionist and nutritional science writer. He holds a Masters of Science in Nutritional Science and an advanced diploma in nutrition and weight management. His speciality is combining his parallel fields of study and providing nutritional information for performing artists. He is cognisant, from an academic and personal standpoint, of the heavy demands of a busy performing and travel schedule. He has been using his knowledge of diet and nutrition to propel his own career and help other performers attain optimal vocal and physical health. Social Media 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.119 Exploring the Benefits of the VitaVoice ‘Optimise’ Supplement for Voice Users With Carrie Garrett | 11 Jul 2023 | 00:48:17 | |
In this 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.
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.118 Mastering Mix Voice And Belt With Gemma Sugrue | 04 Jul 2023 | 00:43:58 | |
The incredible Gemma Sugrue joins Alexa this week to take a deep dive into the world of mix voice and belt techniques. We’re thrilled to explore this topic with Gemma, especially after our enlightening conversation with John Henney in episode 101. KEY MOMENTS RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
Social Media 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.225 6 Vital Non-Musical Teaching Principles with Conor Angell | 26 Aug 2025 | 00:52:00 | |
In this episode, Alexa sits down with voice teacher and performer Conor Angell to explore his influential article How Do You Teach Voice? Six Vital Non-Musical Teaching Principles. They discuss how these principles shape effective teaching, what’s changed since 2019, and the importance of kindness, agency, and adaptability in the studio. Conor also reveals what he’d now add as a seventh principle, offering fresh insights for voice teachers, singers, and educators alike. WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST? 0:34 What makes a good teacher according to Conor? 2:40 What are the signs that your teaching principles aren’t working? 6:41 How can we get out of our own heads in the teaching room? 9:59 How to keep learning fun 15:02 Understanding intrusive teaching approaches 21:08 Balancing challenge and support 27:56 Teaching approaches for specific vocal targets 33:10 Which of Conor’s six principles have proven to be the most successful? 36:37 How can HE programmes make room for teaching philosophy? 40:56 What would be Conor’s 7th principle? About the presenter, click HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Dr Bracey Singing Teachers Talk Podcast Ep.224 Your Brain on Art: The Science of Creativity and Healing Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross Daniel Levitin This is Your Brain on Music by Daniel Levitin How Do You Teach Voice? Six Vital Nonmusical Teaching Principles by Conor Angell Toward a Theory of Applied Music Instruction by Richard Kennel Lev Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development Singing Teachers Talk Podcast Ep.219 10 Songs for Male Contemporary Musical Theatre Singers ABOUT THE GUEST Born in Ireland, baritone Conor Angell joined the music faculty at Taylor University in 2013 after teaching at Houghton and Wabash Colleges. A versatile performer, he has appeared in opera, musical theatre, orchestral concerts, recitals, and recording studios. His stage credits include roles in Le nozze di Figaro, La bohème, Rigoletto, The Sound of Music, and The Music Man, with companies such as Opera North, Kentucky Opera, and Indianapolis Opera. He is a prizewinner in competitions including the Chicago Oratorio Competition and the American Prize in Vocal Performance. As a director, Angell has led productions ranging from Mozart operas to Broadway classics, earning recognition from the National Opera Association, also a writer and collaborator in professional recording projects. SEE FULL BIO HERE 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.117 The ISM: What Singers and Singing Teachers Need to Know with Ruth McPherson | 28 Jun 2023 | 00:29:01 | |
Alexa is joined by Ruth McPherson, the head of charity development at ISM, the Independent Society of Musicians. Since joining ISM in 2016, Ruth has been dedicated to promoting the organisation's work among musicians and ensuring gold-standard service delivery. She currently spearheads the development of ISM's sister charities, the ISM Trust and the ISM Members Fund, which provide crucial support in professional development and health and well-being services to music professionals. Ruth is here to offer valuable insights into the ISM and tells you why you might want to become a member. Website: ISM ISM Trust ISM Members Fund 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.116 Exploring ‘Warble’: The Time-Saving Repertoire App with creator Rowland Braché | 20 Jun 2023 | 00:29:59 | |
Alexa is in the company of composer, musical director, pianist, arranger and app creator Rowland Braché. Rowland has worked as an MD for productions such as 'West Side Story', 'The Last Five Years', 'Into the Woods' and 'A Chorus Line'. He joined Book Music and Lyrics in London in 2015 and was a finalist for the Stars and Drew Best New Song Prize in 2017. Rowland created the UK’s premier female vocal rock group called 'Rock Goddess' and is the creator of the Warble app, which helps singers find songs for their voice type and range.
ABOUT THE GUEST Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Rowland moved to London to continue his musical career. He joined the BML workshop as a composer in 2015 where he relished being surrounded by passionate and talented songwriters. Prior to London, Rowland worked as an MD and pianist on the musical theatre and cabaret scene in Melbourne. Australian credits include 'West Side Story' (The Production Company), 'Cats', 'The Last Five Years', 'Merrily We Roll Along', 'Into The Woods' and 'A Chorus Line'. Rowland’s first musical 'Once We Were…' was staged in 2012 at The Lithuanian Theatre, Melbourne, and a concert version of his second show 'Illusions' was staged later that year at The GH, Melbourne. Rowland was also a finalist for the Stiles and Drewe 'Best New Song' prize in 2017. Recent UK credits include; MD/Arranger: 'Footloose' UK Tour (Sell A Door)- 'Repetiteur' & click tracks, 'The Dressers' (2020, Dublin), 'Peter Pan' (QDOS Pantomimes), 'Ordinary Days' (Streetlights), 'Sleeping Beauty' (QDOS), 'Jack & the Beanstalk' (QDOS), 'Beauty and The Beast' (Imagine Theatre). Rowland is the creator of the innovative app for singers, Warble. On its first day, Warble was ranked in the top 50 of educational apps on the App Store. In 2021, Rowland created the UK’s premier female vocal rock group, 'Rock Goddess', which has been performing on cruise ships and at various festivals, holiday parks, nightclubs, and events up and down the UK. 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.115 The Best Vocal Exercises For The Transition With Line Hilton | 13 Jun 2023 | 00:18:56 | |
BAST Trainer and founder, Line Hilton joins Alexa Terry to continue the Best Vocal Exercises series. Following previous episodes on chest voice and head voice, today the pair will be tackling the subject of the area between these two registers, the transition (aka passaggio, bridge, register break). Find out where the transition occurs in male and female voices, the problems singers face going through the transition, and some useful exercises you can use to help the singer navigate it. KEY MOMENTS RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
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Do you have a burning question on the voice or being a singing teacher? Maybe you have a topic you want us to explore or a guest you’d like to hear from? Let us know by completing the Podcast Suggestion Form: https://forms.gle/naUum9N3unzNMPLN8 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.114 The Best Vocal Exercises For Head Voice With Line Hilton | 06 Jun 2023 | 00:29:10 | |
BAST trainer and founder, Line Hilton, returns to the show, this time to discuss 'head voice' and some of the exercises that singing teachers can use when working with a student on this particular vocal register. As well as that, you’ll find out the vocal range covered by head voice, the importance of head voice and what actually goes on in your body when singing in head voice. ‘It could be loud and piercing or lighter but is distinct from falsetto’ RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
ABOUT THE GUEST Beginning her career as a nurse and transitioning into professional singing, Line eventually found her passion in coaching, where she merges her medical and creative knowledge to support healthy, high performance. She founded BAST Training, a program for aspiring singing teachers, and a frequent guest presenter and lecturer for industry events, and educational institutions such as UCL and the Royal Northern College of Music. Line is dedicated to raising industry standards in vocal, mental, and physical well-being, empowering her clients to build confidence, resilience, and lasting success in their careers. Guest Website: linehilton.com 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.113 The Best Vocal Exercises For Chest Voice With Line Hilton | 30 May 2023 | 00:36:33 | |
BAST trainer and founder Line Hilton joins Alexa for another instalment in the ongoing series ‘The Best Vocal Exercises for’. This week they are discussing "chest voice", the lower part of a vocal range. Find out what a vocal register is, how many we have, why this is a heavily debated topic, how to identify and access the "chest voice" and how singing teachers can create the best vocal exercises for accessing it. KEY MOMENTS RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
Guest Website: Social Media:
Do you have a burning question on the voice or being a singing teacher? Maybe you have a topic you want us to explore or a guest you’d like to hear from? Let us know by completing the Podcast Suggestion Form: https://forms.gle/naUum9N3unzNMPLN8 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.112 Helping Musical Theatre Singers Build a Reliable Pop Toolbox with Hannah Smikle | 23 May 2023 | 00:48:42 | |
Today we’ve got a professional voice coach and vocalist who has been working for over 15 years in the music industry. Hannah Smikle is back on the podcast after 61 episodes, in her last appearance she spoke to Alexa about how to boost a singer’s confidence. Hannah is on Singing Teachers’ Talk this week to talk all about helping musical theatre singers build a reliable pop toolbox. RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
ABOUT THE GUEST 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.111 Essential Piano Skills For Singers And Voice Teachers With Brenda Earle Stokes | 16 May 2023 | 00:37:05 | |
Today Alexa is joined by the person otherwise known as the Piano Skills for Singers Woman. Brenda Earle Stokes is an internationally recognised pianist, vocalist, and educator who has taught keyboard and musicianship skills to hundreds of singers. She is the creator of The Versatile Musician, a membership that includes the likes of piano training, music theory improvisation, and lots more. Brenda is here to chat about how to build piano skills as a voice teacher and singer. KEY MOMENTS RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
ABOUT THE GUEST Membership: Social Media:
Crash Course in Piano Skills for Singers: 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.110 Articulation and Singing: Assessing Jaw Behaviour With Chris Johnson | 09 May 2023 | 00:50:22 | |
Chris Johnson is a professional singer turned vocal coach who has worked with major label artists, West End leads, backing vocalists, singer/songwriters and vocal coaches. He is also the creator of Teach Voice, a programme that helps singing teachers up-skill and develop their technical and business acumen. He joins Alexa on Singing Teachers Talk to discuss all things articulation and singing when it comes to assessing jaw behaviour. KEY MOMENTS ‘The jaw's function and range of movement is unrestricted’ ‘A lower larynx tends to have a warmer sound’ ‘A lot of stability issues are because of the jaw’ ‘The tongue needs to make up the pronunciation from the lack of mobility in the jaw’ RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
ABOUT THE GUEST Chris Johnson started his performance career in a casual choir before working as a professional singer for 12 years. During the early part of his career, his busy schedule took its toll on his voice. Narrowly missing a serious vocal injury, Chris relearned his instrument and started on a never-ending journey of vocal development. After seeking help and turning his own seemingly ‘hopeless’ voice around, Chris realised he might also be able to help other singers and moved into vocal coaching. Chris has worked with major label artists, West End leads, backing vocalists, singer/songwriters and vocal coaches. He also helps singing teachers worldwide navigate the overwhelming amount of pedagogical information available to them, and develop their technical and business acumen, mainly via the courses he delivers through his programme: Teach Voice. Chris has also trained in manual laryngeal therapies and studied with scientists in vocal acoustics, physical and somatic therapy, and laryngology. He’s also one half of The Naked Vocalist podcasting/blogging duo. Guest Website:
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🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.109 Mastering ‘Acting Through Song’ Techniques to Elevate Musical Theatre Performance with Louisa Morgan | 02 May 2023 | 00:44:20 | |
Alexa is joined by guest Louisa Morgan who teaches singing, spoken voice, and audition prep with a specialism in acting through song. She is the main voice teacher for the full-time acting students at the Cygnet Theatre in Exeter and teaches musical theatre students at Italia Conti. Louisa is a Vocal Process accredited teacher and is currently studying part-time for her master’s degree in Vocal Pedagogy with the Voice Study Centre. Louisa is here to talk about her specialist subject of acting through song and that of her master’s research project, which aims to challenge current acting through song techniques for the musical performer. KEY MOMENTS ‘You shouldn’t be approaching a song if you don’t know the context’ ‘Pulling out those verbs doesn’t mean just making them louder’ ‘If we could collaborate more in training institutes, everyone would benefit’ ‘The job is not that we feel the emotion, it’s that the audience feels the emotion’ RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
ABOUT THE GUEST Louisa teaches singing, spoken voice, and audition prep, with a specialism in acting through song. She is the main voice teacher for the full-time acting students at the Cygnet Theatre in Exeter, which has been training actors for 40 years. Louisa also teaches musical theatre students at Italia Conti on the Diploma, BA and CertHe courses. Many of Louisa's students are either working towards a career in the performing arts or are already working in the performance industry. Louisa is currently working part-time towards an MA in Vocal Pedagogy with Voice Study Centre (due to complete in October 2023). She is now one of only 19 Vocal Process accredited teachers, a course headed by Dr Gillyanne Kayes and Jeremy Fisher. Louisa takes vocal health very seriously and is a qualified Vocal Health First Aider and member of Vocal Health Education. Because of Louisa's training and experience as an actor and director, she is able to offer text-based coaching and voice work for speech in addition to singing. Guest Website: Social Media:
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.108 Navigating the Adolescent Female Voice Change with Wendy Rolls | 26 Apr 2023 | 01:01:31 | |
Alexa’s guest this week is Wendy Rolls, who divides her time teaching singing at two Brisbane girls’ secondary schools and at her own private studio, conducting a chamber choir for middle school girls. Wendy completed a Masters where her thesis focused on the pedagogical needs of adolescent female singers and is currently tracking the development of nine girls for her PhD. She is the creator of the female voice change pamphlet and post packs and is here to discuss how we can best navigate the adolescent female voice change. 'Our language is so important that we need to make sure we don’t inadvertently put pressure on students' RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
ABOUT THE GUEST Wendy Rolls enjoys working with singers of all ages as teacher, conductor and performer. Her work is informed by a wide-ranging background with a Master of Music Studies in vocal pedagogy from Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Bachelor of Veterinary Science (UQ), Bachelor of Education (QUT), and an Australian Kodály Certificate. Wendy has worked with many young female singers as choristers and music students, including twelve years in a singing-based school music program, from early childhood to middle school. Wendy currently divides her time teaching singing at two Brisbane secondary girls’ schools and private studio, conducting an auditioned chamber choir for middle school girls, and PhD study. Following her Masters' thesis on the pedagogical needs of adolescent female singers, Wendy recognised the need for a clear and simple way to explain girls' voice change. The subsequent pamphlets were well received by both teachers and students, and she was encouraged to explore this area more deeply. Wendy’s current PhD study involves one-to-one singing lessons with nine girls whilst tracking their vocal development and responses to changes they experience. She has presented at workshops and conferences on vocal pedagogy, vocal health, and musicianship for singers for ANATS, ANCA and Kodály Australia. Guest Website: rolls.id.au 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.224 Your Brain on Art: The Science of Creativity and Healing with Susan Magsamen & Ivy Ross | 19 Aug 2025 | 00:45:49 | |
In this episode we welcome Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross - co-authors of New York Times bestseller Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us, where they explore how the arts are not just entertainment, but vital to human health, learning, and wellbeing. Our guests reveal how art physically changes the brain and body. We discuss neuroaesthetics—the science of how art impacts us—alongside practical ways teachers and creatives can use these insights in their own work. Whether you’re curious about creativity, seeking tools for wellbeing, or simply want scientific proof that the arts truly matter, this conversation will inspire and affirm the transformative role of art in our lives. WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST? 0:00 ‘Your Brain on Art’ Book Review 4 :08 What art has impacted Susan? 7:17 What art has impacted Ivy? 10:07 What is ‘art?’ 13:15 The difference between being the beholder v the creator? 17:09 How art and medicine work together 25:23 What sound and music offer 33:53 How can teachers encourage an aesthetic mindset? 39:14 When art becomes your career Buy ‘Your Brain on Art’ (USA) Amazon, Barnes & Noble Buy ‘Your Brain on Art’ (UK) Amazon, Waterstones About the presenter, click HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS A Little Life by Hanya Yanigahara Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.207 Singing at the End of Life: The Magic of Music in Hospices Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks Former Ballerina with Alzheimer’s Performs ‘Swan Lake’ Dance ABOUT THE GUESTS Susan Magsamen, founder of the International Arts + Mind Lab at Johns Hopkins University, explores how the arts influence brain, body and behaviour, translating research into programs for health, wellbeing and education. Her Impact Thinking model applies scientific rigour to arts research while ensuring real-world use. She also co-leads the NeuroArts Blueprint with the Aspen Institute. Ivy Ross, Chief Design Officer at Google, has led award-winning hardware design since 2017, earning more than 240 global design awards. Previously she held leadership roles at Calvin Klein, Swatch, Mattel, Coach and Gap. Named one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business, her artistic work includes jewellery in 12 international museums and recognition such as the Women in Design Award. See full bios HERE 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.107 Mastering Songwriting for Electronic Music with DJ Topliner Kimberley George | 19 Apr 2023 | 00:34:51 | |
Kimberley George is a singer-songwriter and topliner for DJs. She joins Alexa today on Singing Teachers Talk to tell you everything you need to know about songwriting for electronic music styles. Listen in to find out what happens when a DJ contacts a vocalist, the problems in communicating creative ideas, the advantages of doing your own production, and what you, as a singing teacher, can do for a student wanting to get into that industry. KEY MOMENTS RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
ABOUT THE GUEST Guest Website: Social Media:
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.106 How to Give Student-Led Singing Lessons with Line Hilton | 11 Apr 2023 | 00:37:18 | |
BAST founder Line Hilton joins Alexa Terry today on Singing Teachers Talk to discuss giving student-led singing lessons. We’ll be talking about the different types of questions to ask and how you can get students to expand on their answers, reflect back on lessons, and set their own goals. KEY MOMENTS ‘It’s not about how good or bad I was, it’s about if I achieved what I wanted to achieve or not’ ‘I’ve always felt the role of the teacher is to become redundant so a student can teach themselves’ ‘Goals are a great form of motivation’ ‘If you persist with teaching in a way they don’t like, you might lose them’ RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
Guest Website: Social Media:
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.105 How to Teach Popular Music Styles To Singers with Jo Sear | 05 Apr 2023 | 00:44:00 | |
Joining Alexa today is Jo Sear, a rock, pop and soul singer, and teacher of CCM singing styles. Jo completed her MA in Voice Pedagogy through the Voice Study Centre and will soon begin her PhD at The Royal Northern College of Music. She’s here to discuss teaching popular music styles, the topic of her recently published final MA dissertation project. ‘The whole basis of popular music is authenticity’ RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
ABOUT THE GUEST Jo has been singing rock, pop and soul music all her life singing lead and backing vocals in a wide variety of rock, soul and blues bands, working as a session singer and taking part in many stage productions, including several at the London Palladium. Her current band is Soul Enforcement Bureau, an 8-piece professional soul band. Jo has been teaching CCM singing styles exclusively for over 17 years, working both privately and within secondary and dance schools. She has trained in many different areas of voice study, including the Estill Model, advanced anatomy and voice acoustics, and has taught a wide range of students, from amateurs to professionals. She completed her MA in Voice Pedagogy with Distinction in April 2021 and is a passionate advocate of the importance of training more rock/pop teachers and conducting more contemporary voice research. Her research-based curriculum outline for training Popular Music singing teachers has recently been published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Popular Music Education. Guest Website: popupvocaltraining.co.uk 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.104 Teaching Singers with ADHD with Colin McGee | 29 Mar 2023 | 00:44:13 | |
Joining Alexa today is Colin McGee, who is trained in psychoanalytic and humanistic therapy and hypnotherapy. Colin McGee works at the National ADHD charity ADDISS as a psychotherapist, supervisor, and trainer, and also has his own personal clinical practice specialising in behaviour management, ADHD and autism. He’s the perfect guest for this episode as we’re looking at teaching neurodivergent singers. KEY MOMENTS ‘ADHD is not deliberate, they’re not late on purpose’ ‘People with ADHD are visual kinesthetic learners’ ‘When you become emotionally overloaded, that’s where the problems start’ RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
ABOUT THE GUEST Trained in psychoanalytic and humanistic therapy and hypnotherapy, Colin McGee works at the National ADHD charity ADDISS as a psychotherapist, supervisor, and trainer (Schools and Parents), and also has his own personal clinical practice. Colin has a background in education and has taught in three countries over many years, teaching in most types of schools from Kindergarten to MA level and as deputy head and headteacher. His specialist areas are behaviour management, ADHD, and, more recently, autism, particularly as part of a dual diagnosis. In the early 1990s, Colin started to work with singers from various backgrounds, from students to young professionals and established international performers. He has also worked with a number of classical musicians. Colin says: ‘I think that one of my strengths is that I know very little about music or singing, and I tend to ask questions that others may overlook.’ EPISODE RESOURCES Guest Website: 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.103 How to ‘Measure’ a Singer With Kaya Herstad-Carney | 22 Mar 2023 | 00:32:32 | |
Kaya Herstad-Carney joins Alexa to tackle the subject of how to measure a singer. That doesn’t mean marking their height on the wall in pencil; it’s about understanding someone’s limitations and exceptions. Kaya is creative with a wide skill set, ranging from powerful performances of her original music to vocal coaching, singing teacher training, and artist development. KEY MOMENTS RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
Social Media:
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.102 Understanding Singing and Menopause with Joanne Bozeman | 15 Mar 2023 | 01:19:57 | |
Today Alexa is joined by the wonderful Joanne Bozeman who has been a voice teacher for almost 50 years. Joanne is a singer herself and was a faculty member at Lawrence University’s Conservatory of Music in the state of Wisconsin. She is a frequent presenter for organisations such as the BVA, NATS, and PAVA and is a coauthor of Singing Through Change: Women’s Voices in Midlife, Menopause, and Beyond. Joanne is on Singing Teachers Talk to share her expertise on singing through the stages of menopause. KEY MOMENTS
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.101 How to Belt With John Henny | 08 Mar 2023 | 00:41:56 | |
Internationally renowned voice teacher John Henny returns to chat with host Alexa Terry on this episode of Singing Teachers Talk. John has taught thousands of vocalists, including Grammy winners and top background and session singers. He has also trained hundreds of voice teachers, including many industry leaders. We’ve got a belting episode for you this week, quite literally, as Alexa and John will be discussing how to belt. KEY MOMENTS ‘Belting, I know it when I hear it’ ‘Most contemporary music can use belt, it’s only really female classical singers who won’t’ ‘You’ve got to break that connection to work up to the belt’ RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
ABOUT THE GUEST John Henny has been a leading voice teacher for over 25 years. He has taught thousands of singers, including Grammy winners and top background and session singers. John's students have appeared on Broadway and in major touring companies. John has also trained hundreds of voice teachers, including many industry leaders. John hosts the popular podcast, The Intelligent Vocalist, and his YouTube channel has more than eight million views and counting. His books, including Beginning Singing, are Amazon bestsellers. John has lectured at USC, The Paul McCartney Liverpool Institute, and the Learning Annex. John is known for making complex concepts simple and easy to understand and is a leader in creating online programs for singers and voice teachers. Guest Website: Social Media:
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.100 The Truth About Singing and Dairy with Nutritionist Duncan Rock | 01 Mar 2023 | 00:39:57 | |
This episode is very special! It marks 100 episodes of the BAST Singing Teachers Talk podcast! We just wanted to take a second to do a massive shout out to all of the incredible guests we’ve spoken to and also you, our amazing listeners! To thank you for joining us, we’re running a special giveaway to win over a thousand pounds worth of educational videos, knowledge and singing teacher goodness! All you need to do to enter is take a screenshot of this episode of the podcast playing on your device, pop it on your story and tag @basttraining. That’s it! You’re entered! We’ll be announcing winners over on Instagram and Facebook so give us a cheeky follow. Competition entry ends at midnight tonight so get screenshotting!On to the podcast and on this milestone episode we’re joined by Duncan Rock, a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama who has an active career as an operatic Baritone performing roles at many of the world’s leading opera houses. He is a nutritionist working with the likes of Vocal Health Education and The Voice Care Centre and is currently training to be a physiotherapist. KEY MOMENTSDairy does not create mucus, this is a myth You’re just as likely to experience the same thing with a soy based drink as with dairy These lists of best food for singers you find online are rarely based on anything substantial RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
ABOUT THE GUEST Duncan is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (London) and West Australian Academy of Performing Arts. He has an active career as an operatic Baritone performing roles at many of the world’s leading opera houses including the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera, Glyndebourne, English National Opera, Teatro Real and the Boston Lyric Opera. As a baritone soloist, he has recorded and performed with the London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony orchestra.Concurrently with his performing career, Duncan works as a Nutritionist and Nutritional Science Writer. He holds a Masters of Science in Nutritional Science and an advanced diploma in nutrition and weight management.His speciality is combining his parallel fields of study and providing nutritional information for performing artists. He is cognisant, from both an academic and personal standpoint, of the heavy demands of a busy performing schedule that often includes the demands of rigorous travel. He has been using his knowledge of diet and nutrition to propel his own career as well as help other performers attain optimal vocal and physical health.MMus MMperf MSc MRSPH EPISODE RESOURCES Guest Website: basttraining.comSocial Media duncanrocknutrition.com Social MediaInstagram: @duncanrock_nutrition 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.99 Ask Me Anything (February Edition) With Line Hilton | 22 Feb 2023 | 00:25:29 | |
'Ask Me Anything' is where listeners can pose questions to BAST Training founder and trainer, Line Hilton. In this episode Line gives advice on creating cancellation policy, optimal booking systems, when you might need to use a debt collection agency and what to do if a student complains about aches and pains around the larynx. KEY MOMENTS ‘We need to overcome the awkward feelings that come up when talking about money’ ‘Don’t let yourself get into a bad situation, stop it before it happens’ ‘If you don’t look after your money, no one else will’ RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
EPISODE RESOURCES Guest Website: Social Media:
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.98 The Benefits of Songwriting For Children’s Mental Health With Sophie Garner | 15 Feb 2023 | 00:32:40 | |
Today Alexa is joined by a singer and voice coach who was the first artist to perform at London’s O2 Arena. She has taught music to more than 4,000 children and has worked on ITV’s The Voice Kids. In 2019 she was awarded an MA from the Voice Study Centre where her work focused on the benefits of singing and songwriting on mental health. Author of The Creative Songwriting Journal and If You Can’t Say It Sing It! Sophie Garner is on Singing Teachers Talk. KEY MOMENTS ‘It enables people to literally have a voice’ ‘I love the work. I’d do it even if I wasn’t being paid’ ‘You’re only a really good teacher if you can teach something in its simplest terms’ RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
ABOUT THE GUEST Sophie began her career upon leaving school as an actress, training with The National Youth Theatre of Great Britain where she worked with Matt Lucas (Great British Bake Off and Les Misérables). Deciding her singing was her first love, she set out on a path focused on music. Her professional singing career has seen a great deal of experience. She was the very first artist to play London’s iconic O2 Arena! She has been a vocal coach for ITV’s The Voice Kids, taught music to 4,000+ kids, runs four adult choirs and is a specialist in working with brain injury and dementia through singing on a weekly basis for Headway and various specialist neurology care units. Sophie graduated in 2019 from Voice Study with her Master’s degree (distinction) in her expert area: the benefits of singing and songwriting on well-being and mental health. Sophie is also a public speaker and mentor for young adults, providing songwriting workshops, teacher training and presentations across the UK. Guest Website: Social Media:
Contact Email: 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.223 10 Songs for Child Singers with Alexa Terry | 12 Aug 2025 | 00:19:39 | |
Looking for fresh and engaging repertoire for young voices? In this episode, Alexa shares 10 fantastic song choices for pre-pubertal singers (ages 7–11), blending pop, musical theatre, Disney magic, and lyrical gems. Along the way, she unpacks how to adapt tricky material, and keep young singers inspired without shutting down their curiosity. Whether you’re a singing teacher or choir leader, you’ll leave with practical tips, creative workarounds, and plenty of musical inspiration for the next generation of performers. WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST 0:31 What might we want to consider when working with a child singer? 4:19 Top tips for when a song is pushing a singer’s limits 5:23 10 songs for child singers
About the presenter, click HERE
RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Teaching Singing to Children and Young Adults by Jenevora Williams Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.155 Part One: Building Neurodiversity-Inclusive Voice Studios Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.156 Part Two: Building Neurodiversity-Inclusive Voice Studios Singing Teachers talk - Ep.175 Understanding the Transmasculine Voice Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.205 10 Songs to Inspire Your Singing Lessons Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.210 10 Songs to Celebrate Pride in Your Studio Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.212 10 Songs to Find Your Pop Style Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.219 10 Songs for Male Contemporary Musical Theatre Singers Singing Teachers Talk - Ep. How Knowing Musical Theatre History Makes You a Better Performer Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.77 How to Teach Singing to Children with Dana Lentini Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.139 Understanding Play-Based Learning for Children
ABOUT THE GUEST Alexa runs a 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 auditions and assessments. Alexa is the host of the BAST Training Singing Teachers Talk podcast, mentors for the BAST Training Level 5 qualification, and has presented on topics of Musical Theatre repertoire, authentic Musical Theatre performance, and imposter syndrome for Vocology in Practise and The Sing Space.
SEE FULL BIO HERE
Instagram: @AlexaTerryVocalCoaching 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.97 Elevate Your Performance Through Anatomical Efficiency With Jennie Morton | 08 Feb 2023 | 01:10:25 | |
Alexa is joined on Singing Teachers Talk this week by osteopath and former ballet dancer and singer, Jennie Morton. Jennie works as a performance coach for singers and actors, focusing on anatomical efficiency, the embodiment of artistry, movement education and rehabilitation from vocal injury. She is here to tell you how you can elevate your performance through your anatomy. KEY MOMENTS ‘We call instrumental musicians the athletes of the small muscles’ ‘People’s bodies actually develop around the instrument’ ‘Your body is an organic instrument’ ‘The body ideally has equal tone on the right and left’ RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
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, the 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. Guest Website: Social Media: Contact: 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.96 Helping Singers Maintain a Vocally Healthy Lifestyle With Joanna Cazden | 01 Feb 2023 | 00:41:14 | |
Today Alexa is joined by a singer-songwriter, speech pathologist and voice rehabilitation specialist. She's also the author of Everyday Voice Care: The Lifestyle Guide for Singers and Talkers, with other publication credits including the Journal of Voice and Voice and Speech Review. Joanna Cazden is on Singing Teachers Talk to tell you how you can help your singers maintain a vocally healthy lifestyle. KEY MOMENTS ‘I was afraid to tell anyone about it. I had no clue what was going on. I had no idea of going to a doctor’ ‘Contradiction is part of the health journey’ ‘That system is designed by survival to be out of mind and unconscious’ ‘We're balancing this seesaw of considering vocal health, but also not becoming neurotic’ EPISODE RESOURCES Guest Website Book Link - Everyday Voice Care: The Lifestyle Guide for Singers and Talkers by Joanna Cazden: RELEVANT LINKS & MENTIONS
ABOUT THE GUEST Joanna Cazden is a voice rehabilitation specialist, singer-songwriter, and educator in Santa Cruz CA, recently retired from the Voice Clinic at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, where she was senior speech pathologist for 18 years. Her book Everyday Voice Care: The Lifestyle Guide for Singers and Talkers (Hal Leonard, 2012) is widely used in vocal performance and pedagogy programs, and her lectures to national and international groups are regularly praised for her ability to bridge medical, artistic, and humanistic points of view. Other publication credits include the Journal of Voice, Voice and Speech Review, and numerous music magazines and guest blogs. 🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||
| Ep.95 How to Improve SEO And Earn Passive Income With Dr Tonya Lawson | 25 Jan 2023 | 00:29:42 | |
Joining Alexa on this week's episode is a musician, university professor and founder of Creative SEO. She manages her own music studio and helps musicians to create their own paid opportunities to live the life that they deserve. Dr Tonya Lawson is on Singing Teachers Talk to tell you how you can improve your SEO and earn passive income. KEY MOMENTS ‘Now I don't worry when I have a student cancel. Instead, I'm like, hey, I have extra time in my day now’ ‘Passive income takes time. There is no get rich quick’ ‘You have to do what feels intuitive to you, what feels natural to you. If you've always enjoyed writing, do that. If you feel really comfortable on camera, then courses’ ‘A lot of creatives, they've heard about seo, but they don't even know what it is’
ABOUT THE GUEST Dr Tonya Lawson is a professional clarinettist turned SEO specialist who specialises in helping freelance creatives build out passive income streams so they can live the life they deserve. Not only is Dr Lawson a professor at Middle Tennessee State University, but she also maintains a large private studio, runs 2 niche websites, and creates digital courses that provide musicians with the knowledge they need in order to have sustainable and profitable businesses. Guest Website: SEO Membership: Social Media:
🎁 Free Resource: Get your copy of How to Assess the Singer’s Voice with Confidence — a practical guide to help you understand what’s going on in any singer’s voice. >>> DOWNLOAD HERE At BAST Training, we help singers turn their experience into a meaningful teaching career. Building the confidence, knowledge, and real-world skills to teach with confidence, clarity, and compassion. “The BAST Advanced Foundation has given me more than the tools I need to teach — it’s given me confidence, a community, and a future.” Jess McGlinchey, UK Start with the foundations >>> ENROL NOW | |||