To kick off the 2026 season, Alexa and Jenevora Williams dive into the fascinating world of motor learning and what it really means for singing and teaching singing. From walking toddlers and chocolate metaphors to the neuroscience behind skill acquisition, the conversation unpacks why learning to sing is far more complex—and far more human—than we often assume. Together they explore implicit versus explicit learning, internal versus external focus, imagination, metaphor, and the role of trust, play, and mistake-making in vocal development. A thoughtful, wide-ranging discussion that invites singing teachers to simplify their language, deepen their listening, and give both themselves and their students permission to learn messily and creatively.
WHAT’S IN THIS PODCAST?
0:50 New Year Resolutions
1:59 What is motor control and motor learning?
10:41 What are the stages of learning?
15:48 What is the brain and larynx interface?
18:59 Internal Vs External focus in motor learning
30:00 Feeling the thing before explaining the thing
33:35 Choosing metaphorical and imagery based instruction
50:53 Impairment to motor skills
55:09 The future of voice pedagogy with integrated neuroscience and imagination
About the presenter HERE
RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS
Singing Teachers Talk Ep.75 Vocal Rehabilitation for Singers with Dr Jenevora Williams
Motor Control, Motor Learning and Brain-Computer Interfaces with Steven Chase
Hearing Singing: A Guide to Functional Listening and Voice Perception by Ian Howell
Singing Teachers Talk Ep.237 Beyond the Vocal Tract: How the Brain Shapes What We Hear with Ian Howell
Paul Eckman
ABOUT THE GUEST
Dr Jenevora Williams is an expert in the fields of vocal health and singing teaching. After a successful career in Opera, Jenevora turned her attention to investigating healthy and efficient vocal function. The combination of academic study and practical experience has resulted in a unique perception for understanding the human voice. She was the first singing teacher to be awarded a PhD in voice science in the UK, and won the 2010 BVA Van Lawrence Prize for her outstanding contribution to voice research. Her book, Teaching Singing to Children and Young Adults, has been enormously popular with singing teachers throughout the world. The substantially updated third edition is available now from Full Voice Music.
Jenevora is well-known for her imaginative and rigorous international training courses for singing teachers and voice professionals. She is director of Vocal Health Education and Evolving Voice, training the first generation of Voice Rehabilitation Specialists worldwide. As a teacher of singing, she works with professional singers of all ages in both voice rehabilitation and career mentoring. More details about Jenevora and her work can be found here.
Instagram: @jenevorawilliams
