In this episode, Alexa is joined by Becky Morton, Principal of Further Education at ACM, to explore what the FE academic route can offer young singers stepping into today’s music industry. Becky shares how the curriculum is structured with project-based training, and how this helps students to build both industry awareness and artistic identity from the age of sixteen. 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. You better press play, then.
WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?
0:44 Becky’s desert island song
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 with April Young
Singing Teachers Talk – Ep.222 The Rise of AI: What it Means for Singers & Teachers
Singing Teachers Talk – Ep,226 The Rise of AI: Practical Tools and Strategies for the Singing Teachers with Rachael Drury
Follow Becky’s Bands: The Likeness; Two’s Up; The Hooch Toots
ABOUT THE GUEST
Rebecca Morton, Principal of FE at ACM, brings a wealth of experience as a professional musician, vocal coach, musical director, and vocal arranger. With a Masters Degree in Music Psychology in Education, Performance, and Wellbeing, Morton’s career spans over two decades, collaborating with renowned artists such as Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden), Imogen Heap, and Alexander O’Neal. Rebecca’s credits include solo backing vocals for Hitomi Yaida’s UK and Japanese tours, as well as recordings with Crispian Mills and Mattafix. As a vocal coach, Rebecca has worked with artists like James Toseland and Marlon Roudette. At ACM, the opportunity for students to pursue their passions among like-minded peers and exceptional tutors is valued. The advice to students emphasises passion, excellence, reliability, and fun.
I have been a professional musician since 1999. Highlights of my singing career include performing with Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden), Imogen Heap, Alexander O’Neal, Diversity, Sophie Ellis Bexter, Cosmic Rough Riders, Shea Seger, James Taylor Quartet and Gary Barnacle (Level 42, Jamiroquai, Tina Turner, The Clash). I have been the solo backing vocalist for Hitomi Yaida (Yaiko) on her UK and Japanese tour, playing arenas such as Yokohama Arena and Osaka Castle Hall and I appear on the recording Yaiko ‘UK Completion’ (EMI) and the DVD ‘Sound of Clover’ (EMI).
I have recorded with Crispian Mills (Kula Shaker) for The Jeevas album ‘1 2 3 4’, (Cowboy UK) and Mattafix for the album ‘Rhythms and Hymns’ (EMI) and have been on the original cast recordings of ‘Clippings’ The Musical and ‘Guido’. I have collaborated with numerous dance music projects and my vocals can be heard on various compilations such as ‘Hed Kandi’ and ‘Ultra Trance’. I was signed to EMI record label with dance music project ‘Ashiva’ and I continue to be a regular session singer for various dance music labels.
I have been a professional vocal coach since 2002 and artists I have worked with include James Toseland (Toseland) and Marlon Roudette (Mattafix) as well as various artists on the Global record label.
